Jägermeister Final Games, Groups 1 & 2 | OneFootball

The Jägermeister Cup enters its final weekend of group stage games, after which six teams (the winner of each group) will move on to the Quarterfinals. No team has clinched their spot, which makes many of the upcoming eighteen matches hugely important. Ties in group stage are resolved by the following set of rules (applied in order until a winner is determined):

Wild Cards

There will also be two wild card teams selected based on cumulative points from all the remaining groups. Obviously, teams with the highest points advance, but in the event of a tie, apply these rules (note the difference… goal scored is actually more important than wins, head-to-head or otherwise):

Group 1

Current Group 1 Standings (Source: USL)

The current leader, Las Vegas Lights, has played all four group games. So they’ll sit in the hot seat on Saturday and await their fate as the other six teams play their final matches. There is the possibility of a three-way tie in this group.

Oakland Roots vs. Orange County SC

4pm ET @ Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, CaliforniaWhile not mathematically eliminated, the formulae that would secure the Roots’ advancement is so complex I cannot put it into words. In effect, that makes this match a dead rubber. I expect the Roots’ manager to tweak his line-up and use this game to experiment with some positional changes and test new players. OCSC are already eliminated; this is a game for pride and to maintain momentum from last week’s thumping 4 – 0 win over Las Vegas.

Spokane Velocity FC vs. Sacramento Republic FC

10pm ET @ One Spokane Stadium, Spokane, WashingtonSacramento visits arid eastern Washington with only one thing on their mind: victory. A win of any kind should be enough to secure them the top spot with 9 points given their +3 goal differential. That would secure their ticket to the knockout rounds. Spokane has already been eliminated.

AV Alta FC vs. Monterey Bay

11pm ET @ Lancaster Municipal Stadium, Lancaster, CaliforniaMonterey Bay will travel down to the high desert in Lancaster, CA. Much like Sacramento, they have a win in their sights. Unlike Sac Repub, their form has been on the decline with only one win in their last six games. AV Alta will need their forwards to recover the scoring form of late June, which saw them put 14 goals away in five games. A win from Monterey and Sacramento would result in a three-way tie in the group on 9 points, with Sac having the edge on GD. Would Monterey be able to sneak into one of the two wild card spots?

Group 2

Current Group 2 Standings (Source: USL)

Total chaos here, as there are two teams with only two games played. However, San Antonio sits in pole position with three wins in the bank. Phoenix Rising played their final match against El Paso last weekend. They had a come-from-behind draw and outlasted Los Locos 7 – 6 in the ensuing penalty shootout.

Union Omaha vs. Texoma FC

Wednesday, Jul. 23 8pm ET @ Werner Park, Papillion, NebraskaThere’s really nothing worth playing for in this meeting. Both teams sit low in the standings, and although Texoma could leap up to 7 points with a win here and on Saturday, that would only be enough for a second or third place finish. Seven points will likely not be enough to earn a wild-card.

Union Omaha vs. El Paso Locomotive FC

8pm ET @ Werner Park, Papillion, NebraskaEl Paso is cursing the defensive lapse that allowed an 80th minute equalizer against Phoenix last weekend. The subsequent penalty shootout loss effectively eliminated them. But with Omaha tired after that mid-week fixture, and generally performing poorly, Los Locos should notch a win.

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. Texoma FC

9pm ET @ Weidner Field, Colorado Springs, ColoradoAdvantage Switchbacks. Texoma will have already played a game mid-week, and they’ll be at altitude. Colorado will be playing to move into second place, but 7 points won’t be enough for a wild card.

San Antonio FC vs. New Mexico United

9pm ET @ Toyota Field, San Antonio, TexasUnited will need to win with a two-goal margin to pip San Antonio’s top spot. Only two points separate these two in the Western Conference standings. San Antonio’s last loss was 4 – 2 to New Mexico, so revenge will be in the air. Their head-to-head history is very even: United has the slight edge with 5W, 4L, 1D.

Two regional rivals in a fixture where playoffs are on the line? Sign me up for this one!

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