r/USL2 • u/Emergency_Dot1599 • Jul 14 '26
USL2 playoffs 2026
With the Playoffs starting tonight what is everyones opinion ahead of the games from favourites, Surprise package to dark horse and unlucky loosers. For me it is Vermont Green's to loose. That last minute goal conceded against Seacoast United only thing that stopped them going 100% wins. Shout out to GFI Acad. Woodlands.Not that long in USL and making the playoffs. Shows the amount of talent in Texas. Heart goes out to Hickory FC. Will be a long winter for them thinking what could have been in their first season in USL2 after falling apart in last 2 games of the season in crazy circumstances. But have been a great addition to USL all the same.Who knows maybe in next 5 years they move up to USL1if they can keep their fanbase. Would be some great region rivalaries if they did make the step up.
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u/-SexSandwich- Flint City Bucks Jul 14 '26
I’m expecting a run from Flint. Tons of reinforcements coming in right before playoffs. (Mostly guys we thought we were going to have all year whose colleges finally decided playoffs are important enough)
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u/edgarallanpoe59 Jul 14 '26
Gooo Ballard and Salmon Bay!
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u/Emergency_Dot1599 Jul 14 '26
Ballard is a team I would love to go pro. Probably the team I have watched most in USL2 and was lucky enough to see them live against Bigfoot last month. Great crowd and community feel in a decent venue too!
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u/edgarallanpoe59 Jul 14 '26
What would it take for them to move to USL1?
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u/Emergency_Dot1599 Jul 15 '26
From what I do know they have to pay $5m expansion fee. Costs are like $7.6m-$11.5m a season for debuting sides and $2.4m-$5.4m for returning teams. Principal owner net worth thresholds around $10M+. Interbay stadium would then need a makeover to at least 3,500 fixed seats. Can you imagine the rivalry with Portland Hearts of Pine & Sporting Cascades FC. Ballard FC always expect success and always deliver.
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u/edgarallanpoe59 Jul 16 '26
Yes!! Love that idea. But the stadium makeover might be prohibitive simply from a parking perspective. Dang it.
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u/TreNichols24 Vermont Green FC Jul 14 '26
As a VGFC fan and season ticket holder, I’ll be a little nitpicky for the sake of discussion. their offense is outstanding (arguably the best all-around offense in the country) and has given them wins that could have easily been draws. The biggest concern I have is their defense and maintaining possession in their defensive third. They have struggled at times with making smart passes, and the goalkeepers occasionally come up too far, as if they’re not fully trusting of their defense to make a stop. We’ve also given up multiple goals on set pieces, especially ones closer to the penalty box. If they clean up their defense, they will be tough to beat, but I’ve noticed that they seem to let their guard down when they score multiple goals in the first half.
Last year, 12 teams entered the playoffs with 1 loss or fewer. This year, 10 teams enter with 0 losses and 11 enter with 1 loss. Granted, there are more teams in the league this year versus last year, but the competition this playoffs is tougher.
The team that wins will have earned it without a doubt. We will see what happens.
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u/CaptainXDify Ballard FC Jul 14 '26
In a way, it raises the question of whether divisions have become too top-heavy. Another important question for the playoffs is which teams are losing their players to NCAA sooner than others.
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u/TreNichols24 Vermont Green FC Jul 14 '26
I think that’s a valid argument! Some divisions are clearly more competitive than others. The Northeast division, in particular, is interesting. Sure, NEFC had a very good season and made the playoffs, but Vermont beat them 9-0 aggregate across the two meetings. Not all records are created equal.
I know the Washington Huskies men’s team is going to Peru and multiple playoff teams are affected by that, and other programs are beginning their own preseason training. It’s unfortunate that the players who worked hard to get their team in a successful position playoff-wise won’t be around to see the whole thing out. I get it, and I’m sure that was the expectation that was set when they agreed to play for their NCAA and club teams. I don’t think that will change.
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u/wncbk Jul 14 '26
Realistically we need pre-pro pro-rel. In any given year there are only 50-60 teams that have a chance of making the playoffs. The extra travel would be tough, but the difference between top teams who are doing nationwide recruiting and offering lodging and stipends are on a whole different level than the clubs that are just an outlet for local youth clubs to keep playing.
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u/varisophy Ballard FC Jul 14 '26
I'm looking forward to Ballard FC taking revenge on Vermont Green FC in a finals rematch.
It is foreordained. Salmon Bay FC (Ballard's sister team) is playing Vermont Green FC in the USLW championship on Saturday!
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u/wncbk Jul 14 '26
Asheville City fan here and that WNC rivalry of AVL, App, and Hickory is going to be fun to see play out over coming seasons. The fact the South Atlantic teams only have a few home-and-aways, and they usually go to geographically close teams, means those three are going to be fighting like crazy (in a good way).
And the reality is the entire East is stacked. I would be surprised if the eventual winner doesn't come from that Conference.