Welcome back to the second edition of “What to Watch For — LSC’s POV,” where we look at the other Western Conference clubs in action this week and what their implications could mean for Lexington SC.
First, let’s reiterate two things.
One, Terry Boss and his players do not need to scoreboard watch. With six matches remaining this season and Lexington currently in playoff position, the club is in great shape.
Per John Morrissey of Backheeled and USL Tactics, LSC has an 84% chance of playing postseason soccer — the second-highest odds behind FC Tulsa and Sacramento Republic FC in the West. A win over Detroit City FC on Saturday night will only increase those odds.
Second, the Western Conference playoff race remains incredibly close. Within just hours, clubs are routinely shuffling four or five spots in the standings based on other results.
All that being said, let’s dive into the matchups that could affect Lexington SC’s position in the table this weekend — and there are some big ones.
For additional LSC playoff context, check out how Lexington’s remaining strength of schedule stacks up against the rest of the West.
Standings
Week 29 Schedule
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (31 points, 8th in West) vs. Sacramento Republic FC (38 points, 2nd in West) — Saturday, 8 p.m. ET
Colorado Springs, despite clutching the final playoff spot, only trails LSC by one point in the standings. On the other hand, second-place Sacramento is still very catchable.
With a Lexington win over Detroit City, a draw here helps create distance between LEX and COS while closing the gap on SAC.
Best Outcome: Draw
San Antonio FC (33 points, 4th in West) vs. Orange County SC (29 points, 9th in West) — Saturday, 8:30 p.m. ET
San Antonio leads Lexington by one point while Orange County trails LSC by just two. Again, with the conference so tight, draws between Western Conference foes are LSC’s best friend.
Best Outcome: Draw
El Paso Locomotive FC (32 points, 5th in West) vs. Charleston Battery (51 points, 2nd in East) — Saturday, 9 p.m. ET
El Paso and Lexington are tied on points, and Charleston Battery — one of only two USL Championship clubs to have clinched a playoff spot so far — is in the Eastern Conference. Easy choice.
Best Outcome: Charleston win
Monterey Bay FC (24 points, 12th in West) vs. New Mexico United (33 points, 3rd in West) — Saturday, 10 p.m. ET
Monterey Bay FC rounds out the Western Conference, and while not eliminated from playoff contention, is certainly on the outside looking in. A Monterey Bay win over third-place New Mexico, a club with a one-point lead over Lexington, would not threaten LSC’s current standing.
Best Outcome: Monterey Bay FC win
Phoenix Rising FC (31 points, 7th in West) vs. Loudoun United FC (37 points, 3rd in East) — Saturday, 10 p.m. ET
In the second West vs. East matchup of the evening we are looking at, we are again rooting for the East. Phoenix trails Lexington by one point, and a Loudoun win only helps break up the cluster.
Best Outcome: Loudoun United FC win