We’ve now hit July and with just a few games left two teams have separated themselves from the rest of the division. Unlike last season, however, there will likely be only one team making the playoffs out of the South Atlantic.

This year in the Eastern Conference the three division winners advance automatically, but now there are no play-in games. The second place team with the most points out of all three divisions advances, and that team is almost guaranteed to come out of the Mid-Atlantic division.

So, one of our top two teams will advance, and one will be eliminated. Should be fun. As for the other four, they are each now turning their focus toward the 2019 PDL season.

Week 8

1. North Carolina FC U23’s, 6–3–4, 22 pts (Last Week: 2nd)

NCFC sits atop the standings this morning and atop the power rankings for the first time this season. But, in search of the first playoff trip in franchise history, they’ll need some help as the Mutiny have two games in hand and trail them by just one point. Their loss to Lionsbridge Tuesday certainly hurt their chances, but they are still in first place.

The Baby Dead Whales also shared the points in a crucial matchup with Myrtle Beach on June 23, which will sting for the club as they were up 3–1 in the 80th minute at home before conceding two late goals to leave with a draw.

Liberty University forward Tresor Mbuyu has only played in seven games for NCFC, but he’s tied for the team lead with three goals with Sheriff Secka. Mbuyu is a quick forward/winger who has proven dangerous on the counter attack for the Baby Dead Whales in his limited appearances. They’ll need him in the final game and in the playoffs should they hope to match the Charlotte Eagles’ run of 2017.

NCFC U23 will be on the road their final game of the regular season: They head to Charlotte to take on the Eagles on Saturday, July 14. The Mutiny play two games before the 14th and could have the division locked up by then.

2. Myrtle Beach Mutiny, 6–2–3, 21 pts (LW: 1)

The Mutiny are looking to repeat as South Atlantic division champs and, thanks to Lionsbridge beating NCFC on Tuesday night, remain only a point behind NCFC U23 in the standings. With three games left, the Mutiny’s chance will come down to getting results in a Friday/Wednesday two-game set against Tobacco Road and their make-up game with Tormenta FC at home on July 15.

The Mutiny certainly had no trouble scoring against Lionsbridge this week, if that’s any indicator on who should win the division:

Matt Evans is a guy in Washington and has created some unofficial PDL rankings based on an algorithm the past couple seasons. He has the Mutiny ranked slightly ahead of NCFC in his latest rankings. They’ve tied NCFC U23 in their three meetings this season, so it makes sense why their rankings are so close.

Myrtle finds themselves at No. 2 here this week because, while they’ve scored buckets of goals these past few games, it’s simply because they’ve had to. They’ve conceded 12 goals in their last five games and will have to shore that up if they end up making the playoffs.

But Myrtle controls their own destiny: Win two of their remaining three games and they’re back-to-back division champions.

Next up for the Mutiny is that trip to Durham to take on Tobacco Road on Friday, July 6. The Bulls then visit Myrtle Beach on Wednesday, July 11 before the make-up game sees Tormenta come to Myrtle Beach on Sunday, July 15.

3. Lionsbridge FC, 4–5–3, 15 pts (LW: 5)

To be honest, the South Atlantic turned in to a two-horse race a few weeks back. The best of the rest starts with Lionsbridge jumping to No. 3 in the rankings after defeating NCFC on Tuesday. The first-year club also found a valuable three points on the road against Charlotte on June 22, their first win since a 6–0 win over Tobacco Road on June 6.

By all accounts, the rookie club has done well for themselves. The 2017 Franchise of the Year is even out here stumping for the Lions to win the honor in 2018.

Jalon Brown has been in form for Lionsbridge and is currently leading the South Atlantic in goals scored with seven on the season. In the 100 percent real and 100 percent not made up on the spot “South Atlantic Golden Boot” race, Brown is currently ahead of Jon Ibarrondo of Myrtle Beach for the crown.

Next up for Lionsbridge, they’ll host the Dynamo on Saturday, July 7 and then close out the season on the road at Tobacco on Friday, July 13.

4. Tobacco Road FC, 3–5–3, 12 pts (LW: 4)

The Bulls stopped the bleeding with their win against Lionsbridge (3–2) to halt a four-game losing streak. After a loss to NCFC, they then picked up draws against Charlotte, Carolina and Charlotte again last night, and they now hope to improve on last season’s 6–5–3 record with three games left this season.

That may prove difficult with Myrtle Beach remaining twice on the schedule.

Props to German Mendoza for becoming the first Bulls player not named Taff Wadda to score multiple goals for Tobacco Road this season. Wadda still leads the team with five, but Mendoza jumped to solo second place ahead of seven other Tobacco Road players who have scored for the club.

The Bulls will host Myrtle Beach on July 6, then Tobacco Road will travel to Myrtle on July 11 before hosting Lionsbridge on July 13 to close out the regular season.

5. Charlotte Eagles, 3–5–3, 12 pts (LW: 3)

A “must-win” game against Lionsbridge FC came and went… and it didn’t end well for the Eagles, who lost 2–1 at home. They drew against Tobacco before going down to Tormenta and losing 4–2, and then drew again at home with Tobacco Road Wednesday night, thanks to a late penalty.

Charlotte has three games left in its 2018 season and would love to get a few wins to avoid the team’s first losing campaign since rejoining the PDL. odd Filder scored for Charlotte last night and leads the team with four goals. A few more from him or Tumi Moshobane (three goals scored) would certainly help.

Charlotte hosts SC United on July 7, then travels to face the Dynamo on July 11 before finishing their 2018 campaign at home against NCFC on the 14th.

6. Carolina Dynamo, 1–7–3, 6 pts (LW: 6)

It’s been a difficult 2018 for the Dynamo, who have thankfully recorded points in two of their last three games after recording just four points in their first eight. They will now look to “do the double” over Lionsbridge as they travel to Pomoco Stadium on Saturday, July 7.

Dynamo forward Ilias Kosmidis leads the team, and is third overall in the South Atlantic, with five goals scored. The High Point transfer continues to be the bright spot on an otherwise dull season for the men from Greensboro.

There you have it, a look at where the teams in the South Atlantic rank going into the final stretch of regular season action. What game are you looking forward to most this weekend? Will the top two flip before the season ends? Let us know on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to our lower-division soccer podcast, SNST’s Amateur Hour. See you next week.