There’s only one spot remaining in the field for the 2026 Gainbridge Super League Playoffs and the direction of that race could take a crucial turn this weekend as two of the three teams in contention around the playoff line square off. The race for the Players’ Shield – and top seed in the postseason – also has the potential to go down to the wire with three weekends to go.
Here’s where every team stands in its pursuit of the postseason entering Week 29’s action.
1. Sporting Club Jacksonville
Record: 14-6-5, 47pts
Maximum Points: 56
Magic Number: Clinched
Up Next: vs. BKN, 5/3
Sporting Club Jacksonville suffering consecutive defeats for the first time this season has tightened the race for the Players’ Shield and the No. 1 seed in the postseason. With a one-point advantage over Lexington SC, everything’s still in Jacksonville’s hands, but they need to win at home on Sunday evening against a Brooklyn FC side that could still be mathematically alive at kickoff.
2. Lexington SC
Record: 12-3-10, 46pts
Maximum Points: 55
Magic Number: Clinched
Up Next: at SPK, 5/2
Lexington SC turned up the pressure on Sporting Club Jacksonville with its 2-1 victory this past Saturday and appears to have the more favorable final three games with its opponents all currently sitting below the playoff line. Saturday’s trip to a Spokane Zephyr FC fighting for its postseason spot – and coming off consecutive home wins – won’t be an easy task for the visitors, though.
3. Carolina Ascent FC
Record: 13-7-6, 45pts
Maximum Points: 51
Magic Number: Clinched
Up Next: at FTL, 5/9
Carolina Ascent FC is the hottest team in the league right now with eight wins in its nine-game undefeated streak after Saturday’s 2-1 victory against Tampa Bay Sun FC, but now it needs help if it’s going to host a postseason game. Ascent will be rooting for either Sporting JAX or Lexington to drop points this weekend while it is on its bye week to keep them within range over the final two games.
4. Dallas Trinity FC
Record: 9-10-6, 33pts
Maximum Points: 42
Magic Number: 9
Up Next: at DC, 5/1
Dallas Trinity just held onto control of its path to the playoffs thanks to Camryn Lancaster’s late equalizer against Brooklyn FC but now faces arguably the biggest game of the run-in to date in a Friday night trip to DC Power FC. If Trinity finds victory, it could give it a serious cushion with two games to play. If it loses, then DC takes control of the path forward, while a draw could let Spokane Zephyr jump both teams as it hosts Lexington on Saturday night.
5. DC Power FC
Record: 8-9-8, 32pts
Maximum Points: 41
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: vs. DAL, 5/1
Coming off consecutive shutout victories, DC Power is looking in great shape as it prepares for the biggest game of its season to date at home to Dallas Trinity FC on Friday night. A win would jump the Power into fourth place with two games to play and in control of its playoff pathway, especially if Spokane Zephyr drops points on Saturday against Lexington. A loss or a draw, however, would mean either Dallas or potentially Spokane will be sitting above them going to the final two games.
6. Spokane Zephyr FC
Record: 7-9-8, 29pts
Maximum Points: 41
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: vs. LEX, 5/2
Spokane Zephyr fans should be glued to Friday’s contest between DC Power FC and Dallas Trinity FC rooting for a draw between the two sides that are also battling for the fourth and final playoff place. That outcome would open the door for Zephyr to jump into sole possession of fourth place with a win at home to Lexington SC on Saturday, which while easier said than done is within reach given the club’s improved recent form at ONE Spokane Stadium.
7. Brooklyn FC
Record: 6-11-8, 26pts
Maximum Points: 35
Magic Number: N/A
Up Next: at JAX, 5/3
Brooklyn FC will know whether it has been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention by the time it kicks off away at Sporting Club Jacksonville on Sunday – a Dallas Trinity FC at DC Power FC would end BKFC’s playoff hopes for this season. Even if that outcome doesn’t happen, Brooklyn would need a win on the road to stave off mathematical elimination with two games to play.
Brooklyn FC is Mathematically Eliminated IF…
1. Brooklyn FC loses vs. Sporting Club Jacksonville, maximum drops to 32pts
OR Dallas Trinity FC wins at DC Power FC, moves to 36pts
2. Brooklyn FC draws vs. Sporting Club Jacksonville, maximum drops to 33pts
AND Dallas Trinity FC draws at DC Power FC, moves to 34pts
OR DC Power FC wins vs. Dallas Trinity FC, moves to 35pts
OR Spokane Zephyr FC wins vs. Lexington SC, moves to 35pts
Mathematically Eliminated: Fort Lauderdale United FC, Tampa Bay Sun FC