The 2024 USL League 2 Playoffs are here! After months of what seemed like daily games from coast-to-coast, the division winners and top challengers will be corralled and their powers brought to bear upon one another. High-flying offenses will meet stonewall defenses for the first time, now that their respective divisional seasons are over. Players, coaches, and systems wholly unfamiliar will be given 90 minutes to prove they can suss out a plan and find solutions to problems they haven’t had to solve yet. Are you excited? Because we are - let’s get stuck into the USL League Two Playoffs!

Brave SC vs Sarasota Paradise

Fri, 07/19 - 1pm PST / 4pm EST at Greenwood Field in Asheville, NC

These two sides may be setting a league record for ‘nearest located clubs traveling the furthest away to play one another in the first round’. Sarasota’s team bus will pass with seven miles of Brave’s new home digs, about and hour and a half into their 10 hour journey to Asheville.Im sure the Paradisians won’t mind the extra road miles tho, as the club is still relishing their final week grasping of the South Florida title and their first postseason appearance to sweat the details of travel logistics.

Brave did all their sweating in the season, needing up until the final whistle of the last match of their Southeast division season to assure they’d take the title over central florida rival Nona FC. The Buffalo formerly known as the Villages will arrive in Asheville focused on Sarasota, but also aware that their hosts will be hoping for a rematch, and revenge, of last season’s conference semifinal.

Prediction: Don’t let the spread in ranking fool you, that 12-place gap is the result of 2 points difference in their respective tables. Look for each team to play expressively, and goals to result for both teams before Brave’s ‘been here before’ experience eventually proves the difference in winning 4-2
Winner will play on Sunday the 21st vs the winner of

Corpus Christi FC vs Tennessee SC

Fri, 07/19 - 1pm PST / 4pm EST at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, AR

The most disparate ranked opponents in the first round, Corpus Christi’s league leading offense will look to put this match early. The Sharks’ resurrected themselves this season in the Lone Star division, winning their first title there while taking advantage of Twin City’s setback in particular. Their last visit to Little Rock, in 2022, ended the Rangers’ hopes of their first USL2 postseason. They’ll be eager to now end Tennessee SC’s playoff foray nearly as quickly as it begins on this trip.

Tennessee secured their spot the hard way, first creating a 1W-3L-1D hole for themselves through their first five games. Five wins and a draw from there meant they could absorb a big loss to Asheville the final weekend and till be assured of the only playoff spot awarded to a four-loss side this year.

Prediction. The Sharks’ ruthless attacking duo will have them substituted by half and their subs padding a 3-0 win.
Winner will play on Sunday the 21st vs the winner of Little Rock Rangers vs AHFC Royals

Fort Wayne FC vs Midwest United FC

Fri, 07/19 - 1pm PST / 4pm EST at Atwood Stadium in Flint, MI

Midwest United raced out to a massive lead in the Great Lakes points table thanks to a front-loaded schedule. They could only helplessly watch as Flint City slowly whittled at, then overtook, their lead. MWU still claimed their first ever playoff spot, and are still a very dangerous 2nd seed to contend with.

Fort Wayne cleared their divisional opposition all season in a rather monotonous Valley Division title chase that felt like the northern Indiana side was never truly challenged for. Their fairly average attack and defense in goals produced and allowed will need to step up against their non-divisional foe.

Prediction: Potentially the most even matchup in the Friday round, on paper. This feels like a year that FWFC may be a bit more exposed when competing against opponents forged from deeper divisions. Look for Midwest United to jump out to a couple early goals and FWFC’s claw back into the game to be too little too late.
Winner will play on Sunday the 21st vs the winner of

Des Moines Menace vs Bavarian United

Fri, 07/19 - 1:30pm PST / 4:30pm EST at Shea Stadium in Peoria, IL

Two of the most storied clubs in US lower league soccer will meet in postseason pay for the first time…in Peoria. The sensation is a strange one to the Menace, who typically are a shoe-in to host several rounds of the postseason every year. While the Heartland championship was always so certain, once Des Moines gained the lead they never lost it. That hunter role in through the middle of the season could see the Menace poised to make another deep run.

Bavarian United just about backed into the Great North runner-up spot in a division that seemed to change hands every few days. The Milwaukee side will want to show their inclusion in the tourney is no accident, and may be able to perform just enough to spring an upset that will shock the Central conference and the league.

Prediction: Bavarian’s 3 losses in season, while allowing seventeen goals in twelve games, is a stat difficult to ignore . They’ll make a game of the first half, but the Menace probably find at least two goals to pull away in the second.
Winner will play on Sunday the 21st vs the winner of

Salem City FC vs Virginia Beach United

Fri, 07/19 - 1pm PST / 4pm EST at TowneBank Stadium in Newport News, VA

Fifty name changes later and now-Salem City FC just keeps winning. The club most recently was North Carolina Fusion U23 found themselves playing a much deeper divisional slate this season with the coming of SCU Bantams to the South Atlantic. It was the Bantams that pushed them closest for much of the year, but the Chimera still managed an undefeated record and 32 of 42 points for the season to comfortably win the division.

Virginia Beach United is coming off a win against those very same SCU Bantams on Tuesday evening. The Tridents (not sure if real nickname) now make the shortest away journey in the league for the tourney round of 32, making their way to Newport News for this early match. VBU’s attacking is every bit an equal to Salem City’s, but their defensive front may give them a slight edge.

Prediction: As consistently good as Salem City is, the underdogs could be a favorite pick in this one, with the familiarity of the ground and the relatively short travel meaning players will sleep in their own beds Thursday night being to their advantage. A higher scoring affair, Tridents win it 3-2.
Winner will play on Sunday the 21st vs the winner of Lionsbridge vs Western Mass Pioneers

Almaden FC vs United PDX

Fri, 07/19 - 1:30pm PST / 4:30pm EST at Interbay Stadium in Seattle, WA

Almaden was the Cinderella side of the regular season this year, turning their inaugural season into a division title celebration in Norcal over the likes of expected title claimants Monterey Bay 2, San Francisco Glens and Project 210. They’re used to defying expectations and looking to do it again in Seattle.

United PDX came out of nowhere this year to give defending national champion Ballard all they could handle in the Northwest title race. Ballard ended up winning the reg season crown, but UPDX have to like their chances in a rubber match if they should make it to round 2.

Prediction: A tight defensive affair, United PDX wins this one in extra time, 1-0.
Winner will play on Sunday the 21st vs the winner of Ballard FC vs Project 51O

Long Island Rough Riders vs Vermont Green

Fri, 07/19 - 2pm PST / 5pm EST at Carey Stadium in Ocean City, NJ

Vermont storms into the round of 32 courtesy of the League’s inaugural play-in rounds provided to the Eastern Conference. A third place finish in the Northeast in both 2023 and 2024 has the Green eager to prove their mettle on the wider league stage. A photo finish header in the 90’ gave Vermont a win over Reading earlier this week, and similar dogged effort and miraculous finish may be needed once again if the Green are to advance out of the first round of tourney-proper.

The Rough Riders are used to facing down dogged efforts. As the guidon bearer in the league’s deepest division, Long Island takes every divisional rival’s best shot week in, half-week out. A slow week one start led to a closer than expected 2-1 win over NJ Copa FC, and left the Rough Riders sitting further down the table than they’re accustomed. A matchweek four loss to Hudson Valley at home may have looked like the death knell to many for Long Island’s playoff hopes. Instead, the Rough Riders ground out a series of close wins while rivals dropped points around them. With several weeks left to the end of the regular season, Long Island had regained the divisional lead and never let go.

Prediction: Vermont has experience playing Long Island’s equal or above in their home division. Unless their heavy legs fail them early on, expect the Green to stay in this one and steal a late winner.
Winner will play on Sunday the 21st vs the winner of Ocean City Nor’Easters vs Seacoast United

Ventura County Fusion SC vs ALBION SC Colorado

Fri, 07/19 - 4pm PST / 7pm EST at Kino North Stadium in Tucson, AZ

Ventura County Fusion, the 2022 USL League Two Champions, finished top of the Southwest Division with an 11-2-1 season (that one loss came at the hands of second place FC Tucson). Marley Edwards led the way for his club with 9 goals and Michael Acquah has 8 of his own with a pair of assists this year. Overall, the Fusion scored 41 and only allowed 11 goals.

They take on Albion SC Colorado, who finished second in the Mountain Division with 6 wins, 4 draws, and a pair of losses. Albion had a GD of +10 and lost their final regular season match at home to Utah Avalanche, 0-1.

Prediction: The Mountain Division sides performed poorly in the first round in 2023, losing both matches by a combined score of 7-0, and they’ll be looking to improve their reputation behind their Colorado representation. That improvement isn’t coming this year, as both VCF and FCT romp over their opponents and look to their rubber match on Sunday.
Winner will play on Sunday the 21st vs the winner of FC Tucson vs Flatirons Rush

Asheville City SC vs NONA Soccer Academy

Fri, 07/19 - 4:30pm PST / 7:30pm EST at Greenwood Field in Asheville, NC

The highest ranked undefeated side from the regular season, Asheville City fell victim to having two fewer games than Seacoast and not being able to make the PPG gap. The Blues went 10W-0L-2D in their dominant South Central campaign. With top 5 attacking and defensive units, the Blues will be heavy favorites to advance deep into the playoffs.

They’ll have their hands full with Nona, a side nearly equal to their hosts in goal scoring and goals prevented. The SE Orlando side suffered just on loss in-season, to Brave SC, which they avenged in their second meeting with the Buffalo. The Longhorns will be very much game to the opportunity an upset win could afford.

Prediction: Nona will take a lead into the middle of the second half, but the Blues find a late equalizer, then advance on penalties.
Winner will play on Sunday the 21st vs the winner of Brave SC vs Sarasota Paradise

Lionsbridge FC vs Western Mass Pioneers

Fri, 07/19 - 4:30pm PST / 7:30pm EST at TowneBank Stadium in Newport News, VA

It wasn’t as easy this season as in years past, but the Chesapeake Division was once again claimed by Lionsbridge FC. The Newport News side fended off nearby riva Virginia Beach United for the title, finishing tied on the table but edging out the Tridents on head to head (1-0 Win & 2-2 Draw). Lionsbridge, with its top ten sized fanbase in the stands and their 2023 national finalist pedigree, was awarded a first weekend hosting spot. That gifting comes at the cost of facing one of the streakiest teams in the eastern conference.

Western Mass finished second in the league in goals scored this year, but suffered two heavy losses, at home, at the hands of their biggest division rivals, Seacoast and Vermont. Those setbacks were enough to put the division crown out of reach this season. Even without the title, the Pioneers have to feel they’re one of the most dangerous teams in the tourney.

Prediction: If the Pioneers show up to play as if they don’t already have 120 minutes of match time in their legs this week, their high pressing attack could make things difficult for the home side. If Lionsbridge can grind down the visitors and keep the score close early, they’ll likely find a late winner. I like the second scenario’s chances.
Winner will play on Sunday the 21st vs the winner of Salem City FC vs Virginia Beach United

Flint City Bucks vs Cleveland Force

Fri, 07/19 - 4:30pm PST / 7:30pm EST at Atwood Stadium in Flint, MI

Don’t let the 14th place ranking fool you. The Bucks are still very much the class of the league and they’re only sitting outside the top 10 because of their ppg, reflective of a deep division, worthy opposition and surviving several evenly matched games with a point rather than a loss. They are the most dangerous host side in the country in the Friday round, in my opinion.

Kudos to Cleveland for making it to the postseason, at the expense of near rival Toledo, for the second straight season. But making it to the dance will have to be the feather in their cap as they face the unenviable task of leading off the Flint quad against the hosts.

Prediction: Cleveland’s inconsistent backline allowed 19 goals this season. Expect the Bucks attack (39 goals scored) to feast and this match to be over closer to the 60th minute than the 90th.
Winner will play on Sunday the 21st vs the winner of Fort Wayne FC vs Midwest United

Ocean City Nor’Easters vs Seacoast United

Fri, 07/19 - 4:30pm PST / 7:30pm EST at Carey Stadium in Ocean City, NJ

Ocean City’s reward for winning the Mid-Atlantic division and hosting in weekend one is…a first round date with the league’s 2024 shield winner. The Nor’Easters may relish the challenge, having held and lost the national top spot themselves before ceding it to the Phantoms in the final couple weeks.

Seacoast nearly fumbled away the shield themselves when they took a 4-2 loss from AC Connecticut with two weeks to go in the season. But a 5-0 win streak where Seacoast posted 14 goals to 3 goals against them righted their course and helped them evade a strong Asheville side for the league title.

Prediction: The home field advantage should serve Ocean City well in the early going and give them an early lead. However, Seacoast has played before larger opposing crowds against similarly tough opponents and, given an inch, will storm back to take this game.
Winner will play on Sunday the 21st vs the winner of Long Island Rough Riders vs Vermont Green

Little Rock Rangers vs AHFC Royals

Fri, 07/19 - 5:30pm PST / 8:30pm EST at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, AR

A rematch of 2023’s first round game in Little Rock, a 2-0 result in favor of the Stags, this year features two sides that have both leveled up their sides in 2024 while swapping seeding on regular season finishes. The Royals are one of the more complete development pathway clubs in the league, and boast alot of academy products in their young ranks. The young team scores in bunches, but tends to favor higher scoring games to keep ahead of the goals they’re allowing on their own end.

On Little Rock’s part, the Stags found their goals scoring output cut in half this season (from 42 to 21). This may be more due to hapless rivals either folding (LA Parish) or improving (Blue Goose SC) than it was the filing down of the Rangers’ attacking teeth. But where the scoring output decreased, the defensive rate increased for the Stags. Anchored by golden glove winner Tomiek Wroblewski and team captaining, 6’-7” CB Ethan Garvey, Little Rock’s suffocating defense allowed just one goal in open play, one free kick goal and one penalty through twelve matches.

Prediction: Little Rock’s defensive wall and a home crowd that will be nearing eight thousand will be too much for the young side from Houston. Rangers repeat their 2-0 scoreline to advance to Sunday.
Winner will play on Sunday the 21st vs the winner of Corpus Christi FC vs Tennessee SC

Peoria City vs Thunder Bay Chill

Fri, 07/19 - 5:30pm PST / 8:30pm EST at Shea Stadium in Peoria, IL

The club nicknamed after the nation’s most invasive species will look to invade their first visit to the postseason, from the friendly confines of their own stadium on Friday. Peoria City proved as stubbornly difficult to budge from their top two spot in the Heartland as the Carp that inspires their nickname have been to remove from the country’s waterways.

If any club knows how to uproot hosts from their home, its Thunder Bay Chill. A perennial contender in the postseason and the one remaining Canadian side competing in the league, Thunder Bay is accustomed to traveling for the early rounds and will like their chances against Peoria’s new favorite fish.

Prediction: In a competition of a top four second seed at home against a bottom four division winner on the road, I’ll have to take the home side. “Up the Carp” to the tune of a 3-2 win.
Winner will play on Sunday the 21st vs the winner of Des Moines Menace vs Bavarian United

FC Tucson vs Flatirons Rush

Fri, 07/19 - 6:30pm PST / 9:30pm EST at Kino North Stadium in Tucson, AZ

Regional hosts, FC Tucson, finished 2nd in their Southwest Division, earning a 7-5-2 record. They have a +15 goal differential and are led by Elian Aguilar-Valencia with 7 goals and William Arnesen, who had 4 of his own.

Flatirons Rush won their Mountain Division with 8 wins, 3 draws, and a loss (one of those draws came against 2nd place Albion Colorado back in June). Daisuke Takanaka leads the way for them with 10 goals and he’s backed up by Joseph Joiner, who scored 7 in the regular season.

Prediction: The Mountain Division sides performed poorly in the first round in 2023, losing both matches by a combined score of 7-0, and they’ll be looking to improve their reputation behind their Colorado representation. That improvement isn’t coming this year, as both VCF and FCT romp over their opponents and look to their rubber match on Sunday.
Winner will play on Sunday the 21st vs the winner of Ventura County Fusion vs ALBION SC Colorado

Ballard FC vs Project 51O

Fri, 07/19 - 7:30pm PST / 10:30pm EST at Interbay Stadium in Seattle, WA

Winning a title is hard, defending it that much harder. Ballard has weathered three new opponents joining the Northwest division and the competition both on and off the pitch that comes from sharing a metro with four rivals. Their record may not show it, but Ballard is still a dangerous team that scored 40 goals in the season and will like their chances against anyone else in the playoffs.

Project 510’ can give some lessons on repetition, as the young side had their own in slipping into the tourney on the season’s final week. The youth playing in the side can be a bit swashbuckler-y , allowing nearly as many goals as they score. Still, the style saw the 510ers through to the postseason over SF Glens and Monterey Bay FC 2, and I doubt they’ll change their ways out of deference to their opponent.

Prediction: Ballard romps in this one, 4-1 to the Bridges.
Winner will play on Sunday the 21st vs the winner of Almaden FC vs United PDX

playoff bracket provided by WPSL Communications

by Ryan Stallings & Joshua Duder