USL Western Conference Strength of Schedule Projections - Week 28

It was a tough week for many teams in the West as we saw Seattle and Rio Grande Valley officially drop out of the playoff chase, as Phoenix became the fifth team to lock up a playoff spot as we enter the final two weeks of the season.

1 (Last Week – 1) Real Monarchs SLC (68.0)

Current Points: 63

Max Points Remaining: 6

Points to Hit Projected 8^th: 0 – Current points projected in top 8

Remaining Games vs Projected top 8: 0 of 2

Elo Points: 1174 (1st)

Control Own Fate: Yes – Clinched playoffs

2 (2) San Antonio FC (61.9)

Current Points: 55

Max Points Remaining: 9

Points to Hit Projected 8^th: 0 – Current points projected in top 8

Remaining Games vs Projected top 8: 1 of 3

Elo Points: 1151 (4th)

Control Own Fate: Yes – Clinched playoffs

3 (3) Swope Park Rangers (59.1)

Current Points: 55

Max Points Remaining: 6

Points to Hit Projected 8^th: 0 – Current points projected in top 8

Remaining Games vs Projected top 8: 1 of 2

Elo Points: 1152 (3rd)

Control Own Fate: Yes – Clinched playoffs

4 (4) Reno 1868 FC (58.5)

Current Points: 55

Max Points Remaining: 6

Points to Hit Projected 8^th: 0 – Current points projected in top 8

Remaining Games vs Projected top 8: 1 of 2

Elo Points: 1156 (2nd)

Control Own Fate: Yes – Clinched playoffs

5 (5) Phoenix Rising (55.6)

Current Points: 49

Max Points Remaining: 9

Points to Hit Projected 8^th: 0 – Current points projected in top 8

Remaining Games vs Projected top 8: 1 of 3

Elo Points: 1134 (5th)

Control Own Fate: Yes – Clinched playoffs

6 (7) Sacramento Republic (49.4)

Current Points: 45

Max Points Remaining: 9

Points to Hit Projected 8^th: 0 – Current points projected in top 8

Remaining Games vs Projected top 8: 1 of 3

Elo Points: 1109 (8th)

Control Own Fate: Yes

7 (6) Tulsa Roughnecks (47.6)

Current Points: 43

Max Points Remaining: 9

Points to Hit Projected 8^th: 2

Remaining Games vs Projected top 8: 1 of 3

Elo Points: 1114 (7th)

Control Own Fate: Yes

8 (8) Oklahoma City Energy (45.0)

Current Points: 43

Max Points Remaining: 6

Points to Hit Projected 8^th: 2

Remaining Games vs Projected top 8: 1 of 2

Elo Points: 1114 (6th)

Control Own Fate: Yes

9 (9) Orange County SC (41.4)

Current Points: 37

Max Points Remaining: 9

Points to Hit Projected 8^th: 8

Remaining Games vs Projected top 8: 2 of 3

Elo Points: 1091 (9th)

Control Own Fate: No

10 (10) Colorado Springs Switchbacks (40.3)

Current Points: 38

Max Points Remaining: 6

Points to Hit Projected 8^th: 7

Remaining Games vs Projected top 8: 2 of 2

Elo Points: 1081 (11th)

Control Own Fate: No

11 (11) Rio Grande Valley Toros (36.8)

Current Points: 35

Max Points Remaining: 6

Points to Hit Projected 8^th: Eliminated from Playoffs

Remaining Games vs Projected top 8: 2 of 2

Elo Points: 1084 (10th)

Control Own Fate: No

12 (12) Seattle Sounders 2 (34.7)

Current Points: 31

Max Points Remaining: 9

Points to Hit Projected 8^th: Eliminated from Playoffs

Remaining Games vs Projected top 8: 3 of 3

Elo Points: 1059 (12th)

Control Own Fate: No

13 (13) Los Angeles Galaxy II (30.0)

Current Points: 26

Max Points Remaining: 6

Points to Hit Projected 8^th: Eliminated from Playoffs

Remaining Games vs Projected top 8: 1 of 2

Elo Points: 1049 (13th)

Control Own Fate: No

14 (14) Vancouver Whitecaps 2 (24.3)

Current Points: 23

Max Points Remaining: 6

Points to Hit Projected 8^th: Eliminated from Playoffs

Remaining Games vs Projected top 8: 1 of 2

Elo Points: 1034 (14th)

Control Own Fate: N/A

15 (15) Portland Timbers 2 (16.7)

Current Points: 15

Max Points Remaining: 9

Points to Hit Projected 8^th: Eliminated from Playoffs

Remaining Games vs Projected top 8: 1 of 3

Elo Points: 1019 (15th)

Control Own Fate: N/A

Thoughts:

At this point the only legitimate hope for Colorado Springs to make the playoffs is to win out and get some help, while the path for Orange County hinges on them taking at least seven points from their final three matches. A midweek game between Orange County and Sacramento could nearly end all questions remaining in the playoff picture with multiple games to go.

At the top of the table, it appears to be only a matter of time before Real Monarchs take home what not only would be their first playoff berth ever, but also taking home the West regular season championship AND the supporters shield. The big battle is the fight for the 2^nd to 4^th spots however, which may prove critical as all of the four teams are notably more difficult to beat at home. Having the second seed and a guarantee to host in the second round will be massive.