Orlando City B have just two games left in their inaugural season before hopefully making it to the USL Playoffs. Orlando City B currently hold the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and sit two points ahead of ninth place Wilmington Hammerheads FC. But what do they need to do to secure a playoff slot in these last couple of matches?
As previously mentioned, OCB has two matches remaining in the season. They’ll play against FC Cincinnati and Bethlehem Steel FC, with both games will be on the road. FC Cincinnati has put together an impressive inaugural season, and are currently ranked 3rd in the Eastern Conference. Bethlehem Steel are ranked a few slots below Orlando City B. The team will need to get points out of both of these matches if they expect to hold onto their playoff slot.
Orlando City B is just two points ahead of the Wilmington Hammerheads and five points ahead of the Harrisburg City Islanders and Bethlehem Steel. They won’t be able to catch up to Richmond Kickers, who sit in seventh place with 44 points, which means they’ll be battling it out with the team’s for the final spot. Their biggest competition will be holding off the Wilmington Hammerheads, who take on the Harrisburg City Islanders and the Richmond Kickers in their last two matches of the season. The Islanders sit just below the Hammerheads in the rankings and the Kickers sit just above Orlando City B.
While the Islanders and Bethlehem Steel could catch up with Orlando City B, it would be difficult; both teams would have to win their final two matches and Orlando City would have to lose both remaining matches. The Hammerheads have just one win in their last ten matches, but even a draw will inch them closer if Orlando City B doesn’t get good results. This playoff race is bound to go down to the last match on September 25th.
If Orlando City B holds onto their last slot in the Eastern Conference, they will face #1 ranked New York Red Bulls II in their first match of the playoffs.
