It's called Decision Day across the U.S. soccer ecosystem – the final day of the regular season, where playoff brackets are set, postseason scenarios finalized, and hopes are either realized or dashed.
For FC Tucson, the math is simple: Beat Richmond Kickers at home Saturday night at Kino North Stadium and a USL League One playoff spot is assured for the first time in club history.
It would be the first trip to the postseason since 2018, when FC Tucson was a member of the Premier Development League.
With North Texas SC's win over New England II last Saturday night, combined with a late draw by FC Tucson against Forward Madison, a win this week is the only way into the playoffs for FC Tucson.
It’s called Decision Day across the U.S. soccer ecosystem – the final day of the regular season, where playoff brackets are set, postseason scenarios finalized, and hopes are either realized or dashed.
For FC Tucson, the math is simple: Beat Richmond Kickers at home Saturday night at Kino North Stadium and a USL League One playoff spot is assured for the first time in club history.
It would be the first trip to the postseason since 2018, when FC Tucson was a member of the Premier Development League.
With North Texas SC’s win over New England II last Saturday night, combined with a late draw by FC Tucson against Forward Madison, a win this week is the only way into the playoffs for FC Tucson.
The top six teams make the USL League One playoffs, with the top two seeds earning a first-round bye.
RELATED: USL League One Announces 2021 Playoff Structure
Union Omaha has already clinched the regular-season championship, while Chattanooga Red Wolves SC and defending league champions Greenville Triumph SC have wrapped up playoff spots.
While the playoff scenario for FC Tucson is fairly straightforward, there is a possibility that the club could host a first-round playoff game.
The games of interest for FC Tucson are Friday when New England Revolution II travels to play fellow Major League Soccer reserve club Toronto II (watch on ESPN+ at 1 p.m., BMO Training Ground) and Saturday, with North Texas SC hosting Union Omaha (watch on ESPN+ at 6:30 p.m., Choctaw Stadium).
If FC Tucson wins Saturday and:
- North Texas loses and New England ties, FC Tucson would finish with 40 points and leapfrog Richmond (40 points), North Texas (39) and New England (38) and earn the fourth seed. FC Tucson would host a home game against Richmond again the first weekend of November.
- North Texas loses and New England loses, FC Tucson would finish with 40 points and would be the fourth seed ahead of North Texas (39) and finish above Toronto II (38) to earn the fourth seed. FC Tucson would host North Texas.
- North Texas or New England wins, and the other loses, the winning team would take the fourth seed and FC Tucson would be the fifth seed and Richmond the sixth. FC Tucson would travel to play at the fourth seed in the first round.
- North Texas and New England both win, FC Tucson would get in as the sixth seed, behind fourth-seeded North Texas and fifth-seeded New England. FC Tucson would travel to play at the third seed (Greenville or Chattanooga) in the first round.
- If North Texas ties and New England loses, North Texas, Richmond and Tucson would all finish with 40 points. North Texas would be the sixth seed by virtue of fewest wins among the three (10). FC Tucson would get the fourth seed on a tiebreaker with Richmond, which would be the fifth seed.
- North Texas ties and New England wins, all four would end up with 40 points. North Texas would be eliminated by virtue of lowest number of wins (10), New England would get the fourth seed on wins (12), FC Tucson would get the fifth seed via tiebreaker with Richmond, which would be sixth. FC Tucson would travel to play at New England II in the first round.
EDITOR'S NOTE: By virtue of Toronto II's 1-0 win over New England II Friday, the latter has been eliminated from the playoffs. FC Tucson can still clinch a home game with a win and a North Texas loss.
If FC Tucson and North Texas both win, FC Tucson would qualify for the playoffs and play in the first round on the road against an opponent to be determined.
An FC Tucson win would mean it and Richmond both finish with 40 points. Both teams would have 11 wins (first tiebreaker). Richmond currently has a +1 and FC Tucson a 0 as goal differential (second tiebreaker). By virtue of an FC Tucson win, it would move to at least +1 and Richmond would drop to at least 0.
FC Tucson's final home game is Fan Appreciation Night, with live Mariachi music, candy giveaways and more. Tickets are still available (BUY NOW) to watch Decision Day.
The top six teams make the USL League One playoffs, with the top two seeds earning a first-round bye.
RELATED: USL League One Announces 2021 Playoff Structure
Union Omaha has already clinched the regular-season championship, while Chattanooga Red Wolves SC and defending league champions Greenville Triumph SC have wrapped up playoff spots.
While the playoff scenario for FC Tucson is fairly straightforward, there is a possibility that the club could host a first-round playoff game.
The games of interest for FC Tucson are Friday when New England Revolution II travels to play fellow Major League Soccer reserve club Toronto II (watch on ESPN+ at 1 p.m., BMO Training Ground) and Saturday, with North Texas SC hosting Union Omaha (watch on ESPN+ at 6:30 p.m., Choctaw Stadium).
If FC Tucson wins Saturday and:
- North Texas loses and New England ties, FC Tucson would finish with 40 points and leapfrog Richmond (40 points), North Texas (39) and New England (38) and earn the fourth seed. FC Tucson would host a home game against Richmond again the first weekend of November.
- North Texas loses and New England loses, FC Tucson would finish with 40 points and would be the fourth seed ahead of North Texas (39) and finish above Toronto II (38) to earn the fourth seed. FC Tucson would host North Texas.
- North Texas or New England wins, and the other loses, the winning team would take the fourth seed and FC Tucson would be the fifth seed and Richmond the sixth. FC Tucson would travel to play at the fourth seed in the first round.
- North Texas and New England both win, FC Tucson would get in as the sixth seed, behind fourth-seeded North Texas and fifth-seeded New England. FC Tucson would travel to play at the third seed (Greenville or Chattanooga) in the first round.
- If North Texas ties and New England loses, North Texas, Richmond and Tucson would all finish with 40 points. North Texas would be the sixth seed by virtue of fewest wins among the three (10). FC Tucson would get the fourth seed on a tiebreaker with Richmond, which would be the fifth seed.
- North Texas ties and New England wins, all four would end up with 40 points. North Texas would be eliminated by virtue of lowest number of wins (10), New England would get the fourth seed on wins (12), FC Tucson would get the fifth seed via tiebreaker with Richmond, which would be sixth. FC Tucson would travel to play at New England II in the first round.
EDITOR’S NOTE: By virtue of Toronto II’s 1-0 win over New England II Friday, the latter has been eliminated from the playoffs. FC Tucson can still clinch a home game with a win and a North Texas loss.
If FC Tucson and North Texas both win, FC Tucson would qualify for the playoffs and play in the first round on the road against an opponent to be determined.
An FC Tucson win would mean it and Richmond both finish with 40 points. Both teams would have 11 wins (first tiebreaker). Richmond currently has a +1 and FC Tucson a 0 as goal differential (second tiebreaker). By virtue of an FC Tucson win, it would move to at least +1 and Richmond would drop to at least 0.
FC Tucson’s final home game is Fan Appreciation Night, with live Mariachi music, candy giveaways and more. Tickets are still available (BUY NOW) to watch Decision Day.
