SPOKANE, Wash. – In its inaugural season, Spokane Zephyr FC are one game away from the USL Super League playoffs.
Four of the eight teams in the league make the playoff cut. Right now, Zephyr FC sits at No. 4. Fort Lauderdale United FC, the current third seed, is Zephyr FC’s final regular season opponent.
Spokane hosts at home in ONE Spokane Stadium, Saturday at 6 p.m.
If they win, they’re in. The players control their own destiny.
It’s a spot that captain Taylor Aylmer says people probably didn’t expect them to get to.
“I think we wanted it in the fall we just weren’t able to put together 90-minute games and it showed,” said Aylmer. “I think in the spring, whether things go our way or they don’t: we have just like a little different bit of grit to us.”
That grit comes into play against a Fort Lauderdale team that Spokane has faced three times this season so far. The results: one loss and two draws.
Both teams are tied with 41 points in league standings. If the game on Saturday ends in a draw and Dallas Trinity FC loses their final game against Carolina Ascent; the standings will hold and both Fort Lauderdale and Spokane go to the playoffs.
If Spokane wins, they move to No. 3 in playoff seeding.
If Spokane loses and Dallas loses, Spokane will still go to the playoffs.
If Spokane and Fort Lauderdale draw and Dallas wins, Spokane is out.
If Spokane and Fort Lauderdale draw and Dallas’ game ends in a draw, Spokane is out.
If Spokane loses and Dallas wins, Spokane is out.
To keep it simple: Spokane needs the win for a guaranteed spot in the post-season. The players know they are in control and Aylmer says that’s the best-case scenario.
“Truly, I think our team is so talented and I don’t even think we’ve hit our best yet. I think that is really exciting that our ceiling is so high,” said Aylmer. “We still have ways to go before we even achieve that and that’s something to look forward to.
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