As Real Monarchs prepares for a pivotal match against Orange County SC in the United Soccer League’s Western Conference playoff race, the Utah side looks for three points and a spot in the 2018 USL Cup Playoffs.
Against Orange County, the Monarchs could potentially secure a playoff berth for the second straight season with two scenarios factoring into a possible berth. Below are the scenarios in which the Monarchs could reach the playoffs on Wednesday:
- The Monarchs claim victory over Orange County SC on Wednesday.
- The Monarchs draw with Orange County SC, AND there is a winner between Swope Park and San Antonio on Wednesday night, dropping the losing team in that contest to a maximum-available-points total of 55.
If the Monarchs are to claim victory over Orange County on Wednesday, it would see the club claim its second ever – and second consecutive – playoff berth. A win would place the Utah side on 57 points with four matches remaining in the 2018 regular-season with 69 points still available. The Monarchs would then have the opportunity to surpass its points total from the 2017 season where it earned 67 points and earn 69 total points if it is to win its remaining regular-season matches.
Here’s how the Western Conference stands ahead of the match against Orange County:
1. Orange County SC
Current Record: 16-7-6, 57pts
Maximum Points Available: 69
Points Needed to Clinch: 2
SportsClubStats.com Avg. Finishing Position: 1.9
FiveThirtyEight.com USL Cup Odds: 12%
Last Game: W 1-0 at Fresno FC
Next Game: 9/19 vs. Real Monarchs SLC, 10 p.m. ET
2. Phoenix Rising FC
Current Record: 17-7-5, 56pts
Maximum Points Available: 71
Points Needed to Clinch: 3
SportsClubStats.com Avg. Finishing Position: 2.4
FiveThirtyEight.com USL Cup Odds: 18%
Last Game: W 1-0 at Seattle Sounders FC 2
Next Game: 9/22 at Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, 8 p.m. ET
3. Real Monarchs SLC
Current Record: 17-9-3, 54pts
Maximum Points Available: 69
Points Needed to Clinch: 3
SportsClubStats.com Avg. Finishing Position: 2.4
FiveThirtyEight.com USL Cup Odds: 6%
Last Game: D 1-1 vs. Saint Louis FC
Next Game: 9/19 at Orange County SC, 10 p.m. ET
4. Portland Timbers 2
Current Record: 16-11-3, 51pts
Maximum Points Available: 63
Points Needed to Clinch: 8
SportsClubStats.com Avg. Finishing Position: 5.1
FiveThirtyEight.com USL Cup Odds: 2%
Last Game: W 2-1 at Las Vegas Lights FC
Next Game: 9/22 at Fresno FC, 10 p.m. ET
5. Sacramento Republic FC
Current Record: 14-7-7, 49pts
Maximum Points Available: 67
Points Needed to Clinch: 10
SportsClubStats.com Avg. Finishing Position: 4.0
FiveThirtyEight.com USL Cup Odds: 3%
Last Game: W 3-0 vs. Seattle Sounders FC 2
Next Game: 9/19 at Tulsa Roughnecks FC, 8 p.m. ET; 9/23 at OKC Energy FC, 7 p.m. ET
6. Swope Park Rangers
Current Record: 13-10-7, 46pts
Maximum Points Available: 58
Points Needed to Clinch: 13
SportsClubStats.com Avg. Finishing Position: 7.3
FiveThirtyEight.com USL Cup Odds: <1%
Last Game: L 4-3 vs. Saint Louis FC
Next Game: 9/19 vs. San Antonio FC, 8:30 p.m. ET; 9/22 at Tulsa Roughnecks FC, 8 p.m. ET
7. Saint Louis FC
Current Record: 12-8-10, 46pts
Maximum Points Available: 58
Points Needed to Clinch: 13
SportsClubStats.com Avg. Finishing Position: 7.5
FiveThirtyEight.com USL Cup Odds: <1%
Last Game: D 1-1 at Real Monarchs SLC
Next Game: 9/22 vs. San Antonio FC, 8:30 p.m. ET
8. Reno 1868 FC
Current Record: 12-7-9, 45pts
Maximum Points Available: 63
Points Needed to Clinch: 14
SportsClubStats.com Avg. Finishing Position: 6.4
FiveThirtyEight.com USL Cup Odds: 3%
Last Game: W 1-0 vs. LA Galaxy II
Next Game: 9/22 vs. Las Vegas Lights FC, 10 p.m. ET
9. San Antonio FC
Current Record: 11-10-7, 43pts
Maximum Points Available: 58
Points Needed to Clinch: 16
SportsClubStats.com Avg. Finishing Position: 7.9
FiveThirtyEight.com USL Cup Odds: <1%
Last Game: L 2-1 at Tulsa Roughnecks FC
Next Game: 9/19 at Swope Park Rangers, 8:30 p.m. ET; at Saint Louis FC, 8:30 p.m. ET
