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Below is a team by team breakdown of the playoff race as of September 13th. The top six teams qualify for the NASL playoffs which begin the weekend of September 30-October 2. The top two teams receive quarterfinal round byes directly into the semifinal series.

Carolina RailHawks – 1^st place, 54 pts.  Carolina has clinched the number one seed in the playoffs. Carolina receives a bye into the semifinal series.

Remaining matches: HOME (1) vs. NSC Minnesota Stars 9/24; AWAY (1) at Puerto Rico Islanders 9/17.

Puerto Rico Islanders – 2^nd place, 46 pts.  Puerto Rico has clinched the second seed in the playoffs and receives a bye into the semifinal series.

(NOTE: Puerto Rico won season series vs. FC Tampa Bay and owns the tiebreaker if both teams finish on 46 points.)

 Remaining matches: HOME (2) vs. Carolina RailHawks 9/17, vs. FC Tampa Bay 9/21; AWAY (0).

FC Tampa Bay – 3^rd place, 37 pts. Tampa Bay has clinched a playoff spot. FC Tampa Bay can still finish anywhere between 3^rd and 6^th in the final standings. If Tampa Bay wins against NSC Minnesota on Saturday they will finish no lower than 4^th place and will host a quarterfinal round playoff game. Tampa Bay has won the season series against Fort Lauderdale, FC Edmonton, and NSC Minnesota in the event they are tied in the standings with any of the those three teams.

Remaining matches: HOME (2) vs. NSC Minnesota Stars 9/17, vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers 9/24; AWAY (1) at Puerto Rico Islanders 9/21.

Fort Lauderdale Strikers – 4^th place, 37 points.  Fort Lauderdale has clinched a playoff spot. The Strikers can still finish anywhere between 3^rd and 6^th in the final standings.  Fort Lauderdale will finish no lower than 4^th and host a quarterfinal round playoff game, with a win over Atlanta on Saturday. The Strikers have won the season series vs. FC Edmonton and NSC Minnesota in the event they are tied in the standings with either of those teams. FC Tampa Bay has won the season series vs. Fort Lauderdale and holds the tiebreaker advantage in the event of a tie between the two teams in the standings. 

 Remaining matches: HOME (1) vs. Atlanta Silverbacks 9/17; AWAY (1) at FC Tampa Bay 9/24.

FC Edmonton – 5^th place, 36 points. FC Edmonton has clinched a playoff spot, and can finish anywhere between 3^rd and 6^th in the final standings. FC Edmonton must win or tie at Montreal on Saturday to remain in contention to host a quarterfinal round playoff game (seeds 3 and 4). FC Edmonton has won the season series vs. NSC Minnesota in the event the teams are tied in the standings. FC Tampa Bay and Fort Lauderdale have won the season series vs. FC Edmonton and both hold the tiebreaker advantage over Edmonton.

Remaining matches: HOME (0); AWAY (1) at Montreal Impact 9/17.

NSC Minnesota Stars – 6^th place, 32 points. NSC Minnesota can clinch a playoff spot on Saturday with a win or tie against FC Tampa Bay AND a Montreal loss to FC Edmonton. The Stars can also clinch a playoff spot with a win against FC Tampa Bay AND a Montreal tie or loss to FC Edmonton. Minnesota cannot clinch a playoff spot this week if Montreal defeats FC Edmonton. Minnesota can still finish anywhere between 4^th and 7^th in the final standings.

Remaining matches: HOME (0); AWAY (2) at FC Tampa Bay 9/17, at Carolina RailHawks 9/24.

Montreal Impact – 7^th place, 29 points. Montreal cannot clinch a playoff spot from any result of the games this weekend. The Impact can be eliminated from playoff consideration this weekend with a Minnesota win or tie against FC Tampa Bay AND a Montreal loss to FC Edmonton. The Impact will also be eliminated if Minnesota wins against FC Tampa Bay AND Montreal ties or loses to FC Edmonton. The Impact cannot be eliminated this week if they defeat FC Edmonton. Montreal cannot finish higher than 6^th in the final standings.

Remaining matches: HOME (1) vs. FC Edmonton 9/17; AWAY (1) at Atlanta Silverbacks 9/24.

The Atlanta Silverbacks have been eliminated from playoff consideration.