With just two weekends left in the regular season, it's time to look forward to the playoffs. With that the top three teams from each division qualifying for the Conference playoffs, this is what the current playoff scenario looks like. The Magic Number is in () and is the number of points that a team need to pick up or points that are dropped by the fourth-place team for that team to clinch a playoff spot (for example, a win by a team in playoff position and a loss by the fourth-place team will deduct six-points off the magic number).

Central Conference

- Great Lakes Division -
Playoff Positions: Forest City London (6), Kalamazoo Outrage (4), Chicago Fire (4)
Outsiders Looking In: Michigan Bucks
Eliminated: Toronto Lynx, Cincinnati Kings, Fort Wayne Fever, Indiana Invaders, Cleveland Internationals

After starting the season undefeated, London has dropped its last three games, and if they drop their next game to Fort Wayne, their match against Michigan could be a must win if the first-year London want to make the playoffs. Kalamazoo will go on the road against Cincinnati, Fort Wayne, and Indiana, teams they have outscored 12-2 this season, and one win should put the Outrage into the playoffs. Chicago are currently in position to continue their record 8-consective playoff appearances, and positive results against Fort Wayne and Michigan will help that cause. The Bucks are in danger of missing out on the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons (the second longest current streak behind Chicago at eight years). The Bucks need a win against Toronto to keep pace, but will be eyeing games against London and Chicago to gain ground on the top three.


- Heartland Division -
Playoff Positions: Des Moines Menace (3), Real Colorado Foxes (6), St. Louis Lions (8)
Outsiders Looking In: Thunder Bay Chill (9)
Eliminated: Springfield Demize, Kansas City Brass, Rochester Thunder

If both teams win out, St. Louis and Thunder Bay can knock Real Colorado out of playoff position. Fortunately for the Foxes, the Lions and Chill will play each other twice in Thunder Bay this weekend and regardless of the results, the Foxes will be in control of their playoff fate. Both Real Colorado and Des Moines will play Springfield and Kansas City, and Thunder Bay will play Rochester twice. Des Moines and St. Louis close out the season that could potentially be make or break for St. Louis and could be meaningless if Des Moines win their next two games and clinch the division.

With just two weekends left in the regular season, it's time to look forward to the playoffs. With that the top three teams from each division qualifying for the Conference playoffs, this is what the current playoff scenario looks like. A team's Magic Number is in the () and is the number of points that a team need to pick up or points that are dropped by the fourth-place team for that team to clinch a playoff spot (for example, a win by a team in playoff position and a loss by the fourth-place team will deduct six-points off the magic number).

Eastern Conference

- Mid Atlantic Division -
Playoff Positions: Reading Rage (5), Carolina Dynamo (8), Cary Clarets (7)
Outsiders Looking In: Hampton Roads Piranhas (13)
Eliminated: Northern Virginia Royals, Virginia Legacy, West Virginia Chaos, Fredericksburg Gunners

With two games against both Reading and Hampton Roads and a game against Carolina, Fredericksburg could have a significant influence on the playoff positions. Furthermore, Cary and Carolina’s remaining games will be a home and home series against one another. Hampton Roads has two games-in-hand over Cary and Carolina and with games against West Virginia, Virginia, and Northern Virginia, could easily pick up enough points to keep pace with the Dynamo and Clarets. Reading also has games remaining against Virginia and Northern Virginia, neither of which has defeated Reading this season.


- Northeast Division -
Clinched: Long Island Rough Riders, Ottawa Fury
Playoff Positions: Ocean City Barons (5)
Outsiders Looking In: Brooklyn Knights
Eliminated: New Jersey Rangers, New Hampshire Phantoms, Westchester Flames, Newark Ironbound Express, Rhode Island Stingrays

Long Island and Ottawa can finish even points, but as it stands right now, the Fury hold a slight goal difference advantage over the Rough Riders. Ottawa finish up against Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Brooklyn, while Long Island get Westchester and New Hampshire. Brooklyn will get their chance to take points off Ocean City when they host the Barons next week. Ocean City can pull away with games against New Jersey and New Hampshire. Brooklyn will try and keep pace with their remaining game against Westchester.

With just two weekends left in the regular season, it's time to look forward to the playoffs. With that the top three teams from each division qualifying for the Conference playoffs, this is what the current playoff scenario looks like. The Magic Number is in the () and is the number of points that a team need to pick up or points that are dropped by the fourth-place team for that team to clinch a playoff spot (for example, a win by a team in playoff position and a loss by the fourth-place team will deduct six-points off the magic number).

Southern Conference

- Mid South Division -
Playoff Positions: Laredo Heat (6), El Paso Patriots (10), Austin Aztex U23 (10)
Outsiders Looking In: West Texas United Sockers (11)
Mathematically still in the race: Rio Grande Valley Bravos, DFW Tornados
Eliminated: Houston Leones

West Texas currently sit just outside the playoff zone, but could win the division if they win their four remaining games against Dallas-Fort Worth, Rio Grande Valley, El Paso and Laredo. Laredo need a win against West Texas to keep the pressure on El Paso, Austin, and West Texas, but need those to teams to drop points in order for the Heat to remain in playoff position. Both El Paso and Austin will play last-place Houston and Austin also plays Dallas-Fort Worth. El Paso will visit Austin in the final game of the season for both teams in a game will have major playoff implications.

- Southeast Division -
Clinched: Bradenton Academics
Playoff Positions: Mississippi Brilla (5), New Orleans Jesters
Outsiders Looking In: Panama City Pirates
Mathematically still in the race: Central Florida Kraze
Eliminated: Baton Rouge Capitals, Atlanta Blackhawks, Nashville Metros

New Orleans and Panama City have the potential to finish level on points, and after New Orleans play Atlanta and Baton Rouge and Panama City play Central Florida, Bradenton and Nashville, the two teams meet in Panama City on the last day of the season; the teams played to a goalless draw last week. Mississippi has a five point lead over the Jesters and Pirates and could clinch a playoff spot with games against Central Florida and eliminated Atlanta and Nashville. If Mississippi win out, they will win the division; anything less than a Bradenton victory over Panama City will lessen that requirement.

With less than three weeks left in the regular season, it's time to look forward to the playoffs. With that the top three teams from each division qualifying for the Conference playoffs, this is what the current playoff scenario looks like. The Magic Number is the number of points that a team need to pick up or points that are dropped by the fourth-place team for that team to clinch a playoff spot (for example, a win by a team in playoff position and a loss by the fourth-place team will deduct six-points off the magic number).

Western Conference

- Northwest Division -
Clinched Playoff Birth: Kitsap Pumas
Playoff Positions: Seattle Wolves (6), Portland Timbers U23 (7)
Outsiders Looking In: Cascade Surge
Mathematically still in the race: Tacoma Tide, Vancouver Whitecaps Residency
Eliminated: Spokane Spiders, Yakima Reds, Abbotsford Mariners, Victoria Highlanders

Kitsap can lock up a first-round bye with a win against Abbotsford, Victoria, or Tacoma or a Portland loss. Seattle will clinch a playoff spot with a win over Cascade this weekend and have a game against Abbotsford to pick up points if things don’t go to plan. Cascade has games against Tacoma and Yakima to keep pace for the remaining two playoff spots. Portland has games against three eliminated teams to maintain their playoff position - Abbotsford, Yakima, and Spokane.

- Southwest Division -
Playoff Positions: Hollywood United Hitmen (2), Los Angeles Legends (4), Ventura County Fusion (5)
Outsiders Looking In: BYU Cougars, Southern California Seahorses
Mathematically still in the race: Fresno Fuego
Eliminated: Ogden Outlaws, Bakersfield Brigade, Lancaster Rattlers, Orange County Blue Star

A win over Los Angeles this weekend will clinch a playoff spot for Hollywood United and put the Hitmen within two points of securing a first-round bye; positive results against Southern California and Fresno will allow the Hitmen the opportunity to lock up playoff position. Los Angeles also play Fresno and Ventura County play Southern California twice before the two teams meet on the last day of the season. If any of the top three slump during their final three games, BYU could sneak into the playoffs with games against four of the bottom five teams in the division (Fresno, Orange County, Bakersfield, and Lancaster). A BYU loss at any point would automatically put Hollywood United and, with a positive result in one of their final games, Los Angeles into the playoffs.

Just out of interest, are refs as sh1te & as biased in the midwest as they are in Va ?

With the Long Island Rough Riders 1-0 victory over the Brooklyn Knights on Wednesday night, both Long Island and the Ottawa Fury have clinched playoff births.

Barring an upset, both teams could finish level on points at the top of the division. Ottawa currently holds a slight goal difference advantage over Long Island.

Bradenton Academics clinched a playoff spot with a 4-2 win over the Central Florida Craze.

In order to clinch the division title and a first round bye, Bradenton will need a positive result against Panama City (who are fighting for a playoff spot) in their final match and will need Mississippi to drop points in their final three matches.

can someone explain how the playoffs work

ie how the bracket works out

or a link to an updated site

Here's a link to the details:

http://pdl.uslsoccer.com/recentnews/294330.html

Basically, the division champions play the winner of a match between the #2 & #3 seeds. The Central & Eastern Conferences and the Southern & Western Conferences have been paired together. The "division champions" are then seeded 1-4 within each pairing, and it's single elimination until a champion is crowned.

As a supporter of a Va pdl team I reply...who gives a &$^# ??

thanks

Why do these Canadian teams compete in the US leagues anyway ?

Can they really not get enough teams to form a competitive league up there ?

Or are they as poor as the Welsh who only have a few teams that can compete with the English clubs on an equal footing ?

United soccer league

not United states league

is there a particular reason for the constant negativity from you twards me?

I know it is the United Soccer League.

The question was aimed in general at the Canadian teams operating in the US leagues, and was a genuine question about the state of the game in Canada.

If you see it as a personal attack I think you need to re-read it.

dont think we will ever see a Canadian league as the quality of soccer is not at that level.

Then you have the CSA to deal with (what a useless organization)

i cant be bothered arguing with someone on the internet, im done with it

Don't see how asking a valid question about the sport in your nation is arguing, but there ya go.

OK, how did the Ocean City Barons qualify for the play-offs when they were third, 8 points behind the Long Island Rough Riders ?

Also, what went wrong with FC London ? They seemed to blow up in the run in.

First, it's United Soccer Leagues
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The question was aimed in general at the Canadian teams operating in the US leagues, and was a genuine question about the state of the game in Canada.
[/QB][/QUOTE]

The Canadian teams make USL much more competitive, especially at the PDL level. They're also some of the best supported teams in USL-1 and the PDL.

Why not have the Canadian clubs, given what they bring to the table?