1. Louisville City FC

Current Record: 15-5-5, 50pts

Maximum Points Available: 71

Points Needed to Clinch: 2

Avg. Finishing Position: 1.1

Last Game: W 3-0 at Pittsburgh Riverhounds

Next Game: 9/15 vs. Bethlehem Steel FC, 7:30 p.m. ET

Louisville’s impressive road victory against the Riverhounds moved the side within range of a place in the playoffs for a third consecutive season, as it plays host to Steel FC on Friday night. In addition to being within range of a playoff berth, City could also put pressure on Real Monarchs SLC in the race for the USL Regular Season Championship, with a victory cutting Real’s lead to only three points ahead of the Monarchs’ visit to Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday.

2. Charlotte Independence

Current Record: 13-5-8, 47pts

Maximum Points Available: 65

Points Needed to Clinch: 5

Avg. Finishing Position: 2.3

Last Game: W 3-0 vs. Richmond Kickers

Next Game: 9/16 vs. Ottawa Fury FC, 7 p.m. ET

The Independence aren’t in a win-and-you’re-in situation like Louisville, but Charlotte could clinch a second consecutive playoff berth should it take victory against Fury FC and see either FC Cincinnati or Orlando City B fail to take victory on Saturday night. The clash with Ottawa is one of the biggest of the weekend, too, with Fury FC fighting for its playoff life.

3. Rochester Rhinos

Current Record: 11-5-9, 42pts

Maximum Points Available: 63

Points Needed to Clinch: 10

Avg. Finishing Position: 3.6

Last Game: D 1-1 vs. Ottawa Fury FC

Next Game: 9/16 at Pittsburgh Riverhounds, 7 p.m. ET

The Rhinos remain in position to claim third place after their draw with Fury FC last Saturday night, and for a second consecutive week, they will take on a side looking to keep its playoff hopes alive. The Riverhounds were defeated by Louisville last weekend to end a five-game undefeated streak, but they could provide a test for Rochester on home turf if the Rhinos aren’t careful.

4. Charleston Battery

Current Record: 11-7-8, 41pts

Maximum Points Available: 59

Points Needed to Clinch: 11

Avg. Finishing Position: 4.3

Last Game: L 1-0 at Louisville City FC

Next Game: 9/16 vs. Richmond Kickers, 7 p.m. ET

The Battery have a lot going for themselves in terms of motivation going into Saturday’s game with the Kickers. First, the side will want to get back into the win column after claiming victory only once in its last 10 games. Second, it would love to begin a new undefeated streak with a victory against a Kickers side that defeated it 3-1 when the teams met last month. Third, a victory would put the side three points clear of the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the race for a top-four position in the Eastern Conference. Back on home turf, the Battery should be in the mood to put on a show.

5. Tampa Bay Rowdies

Current Record: 10-7-8, 41pts

Maximum Points Available: 59

Points Needed to Clinch: 11

Avg. Finishing Position: 4.6

Last Game: W 3-2 at Harrisburg City Islanders

Next Game: 9/23 vs. Charlotte Independence, 7:30 p.m. ET

The Rowdies have this weekend off, and would dearly love to see either the Rhinos or Battery – or preferably both – fail to pick up maximum points this weekend. A busy conclusion to the regular season then kicks off for Tampa Bay with the visit of the Charlotte Independence in nine days.

6. New York Red Bulls II

Current Record: 11-11-5, 38pts

Maximum Points Available: 53

Points Needed to Clinch: 14

Avg. Finishing Position: 7.2

Last Game: W 2-1 at Toronto FC II

Next Game: at FC Cincinnati, 7 p.m. ET

Not many teams in the Eastern Conference have been hotter than the Red Bulls II of late with their victory against Toronto FC II keeping the side moving up the standings. Saturday night might bring the biggest game of the season for both New York and FC Cincinnati, with a potential record crowd set to be on hand at Nippert Stadium. If NYRB II takes victory, it would both be another massive step toward the postseason and a major nail in FCC’s hopes as well.

7. FC Cincinnati

Current Record: 9-9-9, 36pts

Maximum Points Available: 51

Points Needed to Clinch: 16

Avg. Finishing Position: 8.4

Last Game: D 1-1 at Harrisburg City Islanders

Next Game: 9/16 vs. New York Red Bulls II, 7 p.m. ET

Cincinnati’s home finale is set to be one for the record books, but the crowd will go in wondering if it will see FCC in the postseason if the hosts are unable to take all three points against the in-form Red Bulls II. After Tuesday night’s last-gasp heroics of Jimmy McLaughlin against his former side, Cincinnati really needs a win, and there are those like Ottawa and Pittsburgh who would certainly welcome more dropped point before FCC heads on the road to end the regular season.

8. Orlando City B

Current Record: 8-6-12, 36pts

Maximum Points Available: 51

Points Needed to Clinch: 17

Avg. Finishing Position: 8.0

Last Game: L 2-0 vs. Richmond Kickers

Next Game: 9/16 at Saint Louis FC, 8:30 p.m. ET

Outside of New York, no team on Saturday will be rooting for a Red Bulls II victory harder than OCB, which sits tied with FC Cincinnati on a maximum total of 51 points going into the weekend. Orlando also faces a big playoff six-pointer on Saturday, as it visits Saint Louis FC. A victory for the visitors could provide a fatal blow to STLFC’s chance at the playoffs while simultaneously raising Orlando into a strong position in the top eight.

9. Bethlehem Steel FC

Current Record: 10-11-4, 34pts

Maximum Points Available: 55

Points Needed to Clinch: 20

Avg. Finishing Position: 7.6

Last Game: D 1-1 at Orlando City B

Next Game: 9/15 at Louisville City FC, 7:30 p.m. ET

Bethlehem’s maximum points available puts it in an advantageous position over New York, Cincinnati and Orlando, but given the matchups those sides face this weekend, Steel FC will want to get something out of a very tough trip to Louisville on Friday night. After suffering a 3-1 defeat at Goodman Stadium earlier this season, learning the lessons from that performance will be critical to handing City a third home loss this season.

10. Pittsburgh Riverhounds

Current Record: 8-9-10, 34pts

Maximum Points Available: 49

Points Needed to Clinch: 18

Avg. Finishing Position: 9.0

Last Game: L 3-0 vs. Louisville City FC

Next Game: 9/16 vs. Rochester Rhinos, 7 p.m. ET

The Riverhounds’ defeat against Louisville was a tough one, but results elsewhere helped ensure it wasn’t a fatal blow to Pittsburgh’s playoff hopes. Key now will be how the Riverhounds respond on Saturday as another tough test arrives at Highmark Stadium in the form of the Rochester Rhinos, the first of two meetings between the clubs in the final five games of the season that will go a long way to determining the Riverhounds’ fate.

11. Saint Louis FC

Current Record: 8-12-7, 31pts

Maximum Points Available: 46

Points Needed to Clinch: 21

Avg. Finishing Position: 10.9

Last Game: L 2-1 vs. Harrisburg City Islanders

Next Game: 9/16 vs. Orlando City B, 8:30 p.m. ET

Saint Louis’ late defeat to the City Islanders raised its predicted average finish by a point, an indicator of how big a depressant it was to the club’s playoff hopes. Orlando City B’s visit to Toyota Stadium – Saint Louis now takes on the air of a must-win game for the side. A loss would probably be the final nail in the coffin.

12. Ottawa Fury FC

Current Record: 7-9-10, 31pts

Maximum Points Available: 49

Points Needed to Clinch: 21

Avg. Finishing Position: 10.9

Last Game: D 1-1 at Rochester Rhinos

Next Game: 9/16 at Charlotte Independence, 7 p.m. ET

On its own, rallying to take a point on the road against the Rochester Rhinos would be a creditable result, but it wasn’t the one Ottawa was looking for. Now without playmaker Gerardo Bruna for its trip to face a Charlotte Independence side that has the incentive of possibly clinching a playoff place with a win, Fury FC is facing a very tough task to reach the postseason.

13. Harrisburg City Islanders

Current Record: 7-14-7, 28pts

Maximum Points Available: 40

Points Needed to Clinch: 24

Avg. Finishing Position: 12.8

Last Game: D 1-1 vs. FC Cincinnati

Next Game: 9/16 vs. Toronto FC II, 7 p.m. ET

Time has probably run out for Harrisburg’s playoff hopes, but it sure has made things interesting for teams with postseason aspirations after taking victory against Saint Louis FC and coming moments away of repeating the feat against FC Cincinnati. Saturday’s home game with Toronto FC II offers another chance to pick up a victory and build momentum into the offseason.

14. Richmond Kickers

Current Record: 6-13-8, 26pts

Maximum Points Available: 41

Points Needed to Clinch: 28

Avg. Finishing Position: 13.7

Last Game: W 2-0 at Orlando City B

Next Game: 9/16 at Charleston Battery, 7 p.m. ET

Richmond remains a long-shot to reach the postseason, but after wins in three of its last four outings, it can still have plenty to say about where everyone else lands in or out of the playoffs. Earning back-to-back victories against the Charleston Battery to wrap up the season series between the two longtime rivals would be very welcome for clubs like the Rochester Rhinos and Tampa Bay Rowdies, as they vie for a top-four position.

Eliminated: Toronto FC II