Two clubs could earn their places in the 2026 Gainbridge Super League Playoffs this weekend with Lexington SC and Carolina Ascent FC both in range, while defending title-holders Tampa Bay Sun FC need a result to avoid being the first team to be mathematical eliminated.
Here’s where every team stands in its pursuit of the postseason entering Week 27’s action.
1. Sporting Club Jacksonville
Record: 14-4-5, 47pts
Maximum Points: 62
Magic Number: Clinched
Up Next: at SPK, 4/19
Sporting Club Jacksonville continued its drive toward claiming the Players’ Shield in its inaugural season with victory against Fort Lauderdale United FC and the next stopping point could arrive this weekend with the potential to clinch a home playoff game.
With a victory against Spokane Zephyr FC on Sunday evening, should Carolina Ascent drop points away at Dallas Trinity FC earlier in the day it would see Sporting JAX clinch a top-two spot and a home Semifinal in late May.
Sporting Club Jacksonville Clinches a Top-Two Finish IF…
1. Sporting Club Jacksonville takes victory at Spokane Zephyr FC, moves to 50pts
AND Carolina Ascent FC draws/loses at Dallas Trinity FC, maximum drops to 49/48pts
2. Lexington SC
Record: 10-3-10, 40pts
Maximum Points: 55
Magic Number: 2
Up Next: vs. TB, 4/18
Lexington SC was unable to earn its postseason berth at the first try against Carolina Ascent FC, which in turn made its bid to claim the Players’ Shield a tougher assignment, but the task remains the same this Saturday at home to Tampa Bay Sun FC. With DC Power FC on a bye, LSC must take victory to clinch its playoff spot as it looks for its first win against the Sun in series history.
Lexington SC Clinches a Playoff Berth IF…
1. Lexington wins vs. Tampa Bay Sun FC, moves to 43 points
3. Carolina Ascent FC
Record: 11-7-6, 39pts
Maximum Points: 51
Magic Number: 3
Up Next: at DAL, 4/19
Carolina Ascent’s victory against Lexington SC last Saturday moved the side within range of clinching a postseason berth while also opening up the potential it could jump LSC for second place down the final stretch of the regular season. With DC Power FC on a bye, Carolina must win away at Dallas Trinity on Sunday to clinch as the side looks to continue its seven-game undefeated streak.
Carolina Ascent FC Clinches a Playoff Berth IF…
1. Carolina Ascent FC wins at Dallas Trinity FC, moves to 42 points
4. Dallas Trinity FC
Record: 9-9-5, 32pts
Maximum Points: 47
Magic Number: 10
Up Next: vs CAR, 4/19
Dallas Trinity’s loss to Brooklyn FC narrowed the race for the fourth and final postseason berth after DC Power’s victory in Tampa Bay. Trinity holds a three-point lead on DC with an additional game to play but will want to add to that cushion this weekend when it hosts Carolina Ascent with a showdown against the Power coming on May 1.
5. DC Power FC
Record: 7-9-8, 26pts
Maximum Points: 41
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: vs. FTL, 4/22
DC Power’s first victory against Tampa Bay Sun FC combined with Dallas Trinity’s loss in Brooklyn breathed new life into the Power’s postseason hopes. With a three-point deficit to make up and one fewer game remaining, however, DC could use help from Carolina Ascent this weekend to take points from Dallas and keep Trinity within range.
6. Spokane Zephyr FC
Record: 6-9-8, 26pts
Maximum Points: 41
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: vs. JAX, 4/19
As with DC Power, Spokane Zephyr FC was boosted by Dallas Trinity’s loss to Brooklyn FC last weekend but still has a lot of work to do to get into the postseason. Five consecutive home games to close the season begin on Sunday against first-place Sporting Club Jacksonville where the side needs to earn a result, preferably a victory.
7. Brooklyn FC
Record: 6-11-7, 25pts
Maximum Points: 37
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: vs. DAL, 4/25
Brooklyn FC stayed mathematically alive in the postseason race with its victory against Dallas Trinity FC, and also helped out the other teams below the playoff line in the process. It’s still a steep hill to climb, but a second consecutive outing against Trinity next week after a bye means BKFC can have a meaningful impact on the postseason race.
8. Fort Lauderdale United FC
Record: 5-10-8, 26pts
Maximum Points: 38
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: at DC, 4/22
Fort Lauderdale United FC can’t be mathematically eliminated while on a bye this weekend, but its chances of reaching the playoffs diminished greatly after its loss to Sporting Club Jacksonville. Next week’s game against DC Power FC could prove decisive.
9. Tampa Bay Sun FC
Record: 4-10-9, 21pts
Maximum Points: 36
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: at LEX, 4/18
Tampa Bay Sun FC moved to the brink of elimination with its loss against DC Power FC on Saturday night. While the Sun have never lost to Lexington SC in five prior meetings, it realistically needs to take victory to remain in the playoff race, while a loss or a draw would put Tampa Bay in danger of mathematical elimination.
Tampa Bay Sun FC FC is mathematically eliminated IF…
1. Tampa Bay Sun FC draws/loses at Lexington SC, maximum points drop to 34/33pts
AND Dallas Trinity FC wins vs. Carolina Ascent FC, moves to 35pts