Playoff Picture Slowly Coming into Focus for Republic FC

While the boys in Old Glory Red have already secured a first-round home match in the 2016 USL Playoffs, postseason seeding is still up for grabs as the USL enters their final week of the regular season.

Sacramento Republic FC will host a home playoff match on Saturday, Oct. 1 at Bonney Field at 7:30 p.m. However, their opponent will not be determined until this weekend when the final conference table and standings are set.

Fourteen clubs have punched their tickets to the postseason, but with a spot remaining in each conference and the top spot in the West up for grabs, Sacramento Republic FC will have to wait out the week to learn their opponent in the first round playoff match.

Currently, Republic FC (13-6-10, 49 points) sit in second place in the USL Western Conference, but—alongside Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and Rio Grande Valley FC—will finish between first to third place based on this weekend’s results.

Republic FC’s match against Tulsa Roughnecks FC (Sept. 24, 5:30 p.m. PT), as well as Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs Orange County Blues FC (Sept. 24, 7 p.m. PT) and Rio Grande Valley FC vs San Antonio FC (Sept 24, 5:30 p.m. PT) matches will determine Republic FC’s final standings in the USL Western Conference.

Below is a breakdown of possible postseason seeding scenarios for Republic FC:

With a Republic FC WIN …

First place: if Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC draw or lose to Orange County Blues FC
Second place: if Switchbacks FC win (tiebreaker•)

With a Republic FC DRAW …

First place: if Switchbacks FC lose AND Rio Grande Valley FC Toros draw or lose to San Antonio FC
Second place: if Switchbacks FC lose AND Rio Grande Valley FC win
Second place: if Switchbacks FC draw AND Rio Grande Valley FC draw or lose
Third place: if Switchbacks FC draw AND Rio Grande Valley FC win

With a Republic FC LOSS

Second place: if Switchbacks FC lose AND Rio Grande Valley FC lose
Third place: if Switchbacks FC lose AND Rio Grande Valley FC draw (tiebreaker)
Third place: if Switchbacks draw/win AND Rio Grande Valley FC draw/win

Additionally, the remaining matches in the Western Conference this week will heavily influence the final standings. LA Galaxy II, Swope Park Rangers, Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 and OKC Energy FC have each secured a playoff spot and are all in battle for finishing fourth through seventh in the final Western Conference standings.

Meanwhile, San Antonio FC, Portland Timbers 2, Real Monarchs SLC, Orange County Blues FC and Seattle Sounders FC 2. all have a chance to claim the final and eighth playoff spot for the USL Western Conference.

While Republic FC will not face either Rio Grande Valley FC or Switchbacks FC in their Oct. 1 playoff match, the boys in Old Glory Red could host Los Dos, Swope Park, Vancouver, Energy FC, San Antonio FC, Real Monarchs, T2 or Blues FC based on this week’s Western Conference results and final standings.

Republic FC hit the road for their final regular season match of the season against Tulsa Roughnecks FC at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. Republic FC fans can watch the match at the club’s official watch party at de Vere’s or online via the USL Youtube Channel.

Republic FC will host a first round match for the 2016 USL Playoffs on Saturday, Oct. 1 against a to be determined opponent. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. at Bonney Field. Tickets go on sale on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. at Ticketmaster.com.

+Eliminated from playoff contention

*The breaking of ties in the final standings, playoffs and finals is accomplished by applying the following criteria, in order of importance:

Total wins in League games.
Goal difference in League games.
Goals scored in League games.
Ranking based on points earned against top four Conference finishers.
1. If number of games is unequal, then point percentage applies.
FIFA Fair Play – Team with fewest disciplinary points in League games.
1. If number of games is unequal, points will be divided by games played to arrive at a common basis for comparison.
Lottery conducted by USL.