Roadmap to the Playoffs: Crisp & Kelp Edition
October 4, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Monterey Bay FC News Release
With two matches left in the club’s inaugural campaign, Monterey Bay F.C. remains within striking distance of a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Though the road to the 2022 USL Championship Playoffs is complicated as it currently stands, it is not impossible. The clearest path for the Union to get in begins with wins in each of their final two matches, the first of which kicks off on the road against FC Tulsa this Saturday, with the final match of the season taking place in Texas against Rio Grande Valley FC (RGV) on the following Saturday, October 15. The path gets slightly convoluted beyond that.
Diving deeper into the clearest available path for the Union, the following outcomes are necessary in addition to beating FC Tulsa and RGV:
A loss OR draw for Rio Grande Valley FC in one of its next two matches.
– @ Memphis (2nd East), Wednesday, October 5 – 5 p.m. PT
– vs Phoenix (12th West), Saturday, October 8 – 5:30 p.m. PT
*If RGV only drops two points, MB would need to win by two or more on Oct15
A draw for Las Vegas Lights FC in one of its final two matches.
– vs Miami (7th East), Saturday, October 8 – 7 p.m. PT
– @ Galaxy II (11th West), Saturday, October 15 – 7:30 p.m. PT
A loss for LA Galaxy II in one of its final three matches (OR three draws).
– @ New Mexico (5th West), Wednesday, October 5 – 6 p.m. PT
– vs Atlanta United 2 (13th East), Saturday, October 8 – 7:30 p.m. PT
– vs Las Vegas (9th West), Saturday, October 15 – 7:30 p.m. PT
While those outcomes are all necessary for the Union to claim eighth place in the Western Conference by season’s end, the jump into the seventh and final playoff spot requires any one of three additional scenarios:
A minimum of two draws for Oakland Roots SC in each of its remaining matches.
– @ Hartford (10th East), Saturday, October 8 – 4 p.m. PT
– @ Pittsburgh (6th East), Saturday, October 15 – 4 p.m. PT
OR
A minimum of a loss AND two draws for El Paso Locomotive FC in its final three matches
– vs Colorado Springs (3rd West), Wednesday, October 5 – 6 p.m. PT
– vs Orange County (13th West), Saturday, October 8 – 6:30 p.m. PT
– @ Tampa Bay (3rd East), Wednesday, October 12 – 4:30 p.m. PT
OR
A minimum of two losses AND a draw for New Mexico United in its final three matches
– vs Galaxy II (11th West), Wednesday, October 5 – 6 p.m. PT
– @ San Diego (2nd West), Sunday, October 9 – 3 p.m. PT
– vs Colorado Springs (3rd West), Saturday, October 15 – 6 p.m. PT
So, you’re saying there’s a chance?
• Discuss this story on the United Soccer League Championship message board…
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
