The 2025/26 Gainbridge Super League regular season enters its final quarter this weekend but Sporting Club Jacksonville is already within reach of clinching a postseason berth.
The first-year club has taken the Super League by storm this season, sitting within range of multiple single-season records with seven games to go in the campaign. With some help elsewhere, it could also be the first team to book its ticket to the 2026 Gainbridge Super League Playoffs at the end of May.
Here’s how it could happen, and details on how close the other teams currently in the top four are from earning a postseason berth.
1. Sporting Club Jacksonville
Record: 12-4-5, 41pts
Maximum Points: 62
Magic Number: 4
Up Next: vs. BKN, 4/4
Sporting Club Jacksonville moved into position to clinch a postseason berth on Wednesday night thanks to its closest rival for the Players’ Shield. Lexington SC’s 2-0 win at DC Power FC reduced the Power’s maximum available points total to 44, alongside that of Spokane Zephyr FC.
That means should Jacksonville take victory or draw on Saturday at home to Brooklyn FC it would then be on scoreboard watch for the results of DC, Spokane and Tampa Bay Sun FC over the remaining three games of the weekend.
Sporting Club Jacksonville Clinches a Playoff Berth IF…
1. Sporting Club Jacksonville wins vs. Brooklyn FC, moves to 44pts
AND Spokane Zephyr FC draws/loses at Dallas Trinity FC, maximum drops to 42/41pts
AND DC Power FC draws/loses at Fort Lauderdale United FC, maximum drops to 42/41pts
2. Sporting Club Jacksonville draws vs. Brooklyn FC, moves to 42pts
AND Spokane Zephyr FC loses at Dallas Trinity FC, maximum drops to 41pts
AND DC Power FC loses at Fort Lauderdale United FC, maximum drops to 41pts
AND Tampa Bay Sun FC draws/loses vs. Carolina Ascent FC, maximum drops to 40/39pts
2. Lexington SC
Record: 10-2-10, 40pts
Maximum Points: 58
Magic Number: 5
Up Next: at CAR, 4/11
Lexington moved within a point of the league-lead with its victory away at DC Power FC on Wednesday night, moving us closer to a massive showdown with Sporting JAX on April 25 in the race for the Players’ Shield.
As the lone team not in action this weekend, though, Lexington can’t clinch a playoff spot until at least its game at Carolina Ascent FC next weekend. Dropped points for DC, Spokane and Tampa Bay would be useful for LSC scoreboard-watchers this weekend.
3. Carolina Ascent FC
Record: 9-7-6, 33pts
Maximum Points: 51
Magic Number: 12
Up Next: at TB, 4/5
Third-placed Carolina Ascent FC has a little further to go in its bid to return to the postseason for a second consecutive year, but it gained a little boost from Dallas Trinity’s loss on Tuesday night to Tampa Bay, giving the Ascent a clearer path to retain the No. 3 seed with six games to go in its slate.
4. Dallas Trinity FC
Record: 8-8-5, 29pts
Maximum Points: 50
Magic Number: 16
Up Next: vs. SPK, 4/4
Dallas Trinity’s second consecutive home defeat on Tuesday night wasn’t what the side was hoping for, but it was mitigated by DC Power’s loss on Wednesday night that ensured Trinity held onto sole possession of fourth spot with a game in hand on both DC and Spokane Zephyr FC.
That said, Saturday’s visit from Zephyr is arguably the biggest in the playoff race this weekend. Should Trinity take victory, it will maintain separation from the teams below the top four. If Zephyr wins to move level on points with Dallas, the landscape will look very different even with Trinity holding a game in hand.