With three weeks remaining in the United Soccer League regular season, the Western Conference playoff race is coming down to the wire. One team, Sacramento Republic FC, is in. One team, Tulsa Roughnecks FC, is out. The other 13 teams, including the Swope Park Rangers (10-10-6, 36 pts), remain in pursuit of a postseason ticket. Read more below in SportingKC.com's weekly "USL Playoff Math" series.
PLAYOFFS 101
For starters, there are 15 teams in the USL's Western Conference. The top eight make the playoffs and positioning is pivotal for home field advantage.