This weekend in USL League One could see the playoff field be set, or the race get thrown wide open going to the final weekend of the campaign, while Union Omaha can close out the race for the Players’ Shield after last weekend’s dramatic endings.

If you haven’t checked it out yet, here’s where you can find where everyone stands in the Race to the 2024 USL League One Playoffs. Here are two more key storylines to know going in, three players to keep an eye on, and what else you need to know before tuning in on ESPN+.

1. THE MAIN EVENT: Red Wolves aim to deny Kickers a postseason berth

The Richmond Kickers still have their playoff fate in their hands, just. Last weekend’s stoppage-time equalizer by Simon Fitch against South Georgia Tormenta FC kept Richmond in eighth spot in the League One standings and in with a chance to close out the spot this weekend.

Standing in their way? Chattanooga Red Wolves SC, which is still alive for the No. 8 seed, but in an almost must-win situation as it heads to City Stadium on Saturday night (6 p.m. ET | ESPN+). The challenge for the Red Wolves? Three points have been hard to come by of late.

• DRAGGING MOMENTUM: On Saturday, the Red Wolves are looking for their first league victory since July 27, when it upset prospective Players’ Shield winner Union Omaha 1-0 despite being reduced to 10 players in the 40th minute. Since then, the side has gone 0-6-2 in league play, scoring only seven times, the fewest in the league since August 1.

• OPPOSITE DIRECTION: The Kickers have finally found a level of consistency that has carried them into the playoff positions. The club’s current four-game undefeated streak is its longest of the season. One more win would close the door on both Chattanooga’s and Lexington SC’s playoff chances.

• REASON FOR HOPE: If there’s reason for Chattanooga to feel optimistic, the Red Wolves did claim a 3-1 victory when these sides met at CHI Memorial Stadium in July when Ropapa Mensah scored twice in the opening 10 minutes. The Ghanaian needs one more goal to reach double-digits this season. Saturday would be an ideal time to find it.

It’s not quite as cut and dried as Richmond winning for the Kickers to get in – they’d also need South Georgia Tormenta FC to drop points at home to Union Omaha – but a defeat would be the end of the line for the Red Wolves and a second consecutive year without postseason action.

2. THE UNDERCARD: Omaha looks to keep upper hand on Tormenta

For a few minutes, at least, Union Omaha had the 2024 League One Players’ Shield within their grasp last Saturday night.

The drama of Luca Mastrantonio’s stoppage-time winner against Lexington SC was then one-upped by Christian Chaney’s stoppage-time penalty kick to earn Forward Madison FC victory against Chattanooga Red Wolves SC to keep Los Buhos from adding more silverware to their trophy case for the moment.

Omaha can lift the shield this Saturday night, however, and will be confident going to South Georgia Tormenta FC (7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN+).

• UPPER HAND: The series between Omaha and South Georgia has been one-sided to say the least. In 11 prior meetings across the regular season and playoffs, Los Buhos have an undefeated 8-0-3 record and a +19-goal differential.

• PULLING AWAY: Union took a 4-2 victory when these sides met in May at Werner Park as Joe Gallardo notched a goal and two assists to lead the way. The side has also won five of its last six league outings, scoring 13 goals in that span.

• DRAWING DEAD: Tormenta, meanwhile, has seen its playoff bid falter. It last took victory on July 13 with a 2-1 win against Lexington SC, and has drawn five of its last six games, including letting a two-goal lead slip late last week against the Richmond Kickers in a 2-2 draw.

With Richmond and Chattanooga squaring off earlier in the evening, this could effectively be Tormenta’s season – they’ll at least know by halftime where they stand – but the hosts will already know it’s going to take something historic to ensure they’re alive into the final weekend of the season, which would also deny Omaha a historic night of its own.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kempes Tekiela, One Knoxville SC – We didn’t get Tekiela shots to celebrate the German forward’s birthday on Tuesday night in One Knox’s 2-1 victory against Central Valley Fuego FC, but he’s one of the players that needs to deliver against Forward Madison FC on Saturday to ensure the club’s bid for a top-four finish remains alive going to the final day of the regular season.

J.C. Obregon Jr., Charlotte Independence – The Honduran forward dropped a goal behind Lyam MacKinnon in the Golden Boot race last weekend, but did find a late equalizer against Lexington SC when the sides played to a 3-3 draw in August. Getting on the scoresheet and helping Charlotte end its winless run would be positive as the side gears up for the playoffs.

Isidro Martinez, Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC – The attacking playmaker has notched two assists in the past three games to help Hailstorm’s surge into a top-three position. With a win against Spokane Velocity FC and some help elsewhere, the Hailstorm could seal a home game to open the playoffs this weekend, and Martinez can help drive that pursuit.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

#MADvKNX: Both Forward Madison FC and One Knoxville SC are gearing up for the playoffs, but this game will play a decisive role in where that playoff journey begins. Madison can ensure it will open at Breese Stevens Field with a win or a draw, while Knoxville could keep the pressure on with a fifth away win of the season.

#LEXvCLT: Lexington SC needs all three points at home to the Charlotte Independence – and even that might not be enough to preserve their playoff chances – but both sides are struggling for form of late. The Independence are undefeated in the past three meetings between the clubs but are also winless in their last five in the league, while Lexington has lost three in a row. Something’s got to give.

#NCOvSPK: There’s an outside chance this could be a Quarterfinals preview with Northern Colorado Hailstorm sitting in third place in the standings and Spokane Velocity in seventh. Velocity aren’t bringing a lot of speed into this matchup, however, having lost four in a row, while the Hailstorm are moving in the opposite direction with three consecutive wins.

#CVFvGVL: Greenville Triumph SC’s attack is moving very well of late with multiple goals in each of its past four outings after last weekend’s 3-2 victory at Spokane. The same can’t be said of Fuego’s attack as the side has won only once in its last five games to put it on the brink of elimination from playoff contention.