In the final Interconference Week, with only four weeks left in the regular season, much work but seemingly little time remains if teams want to have their playoff dreams realized. And teams can really make headway this week as the possibility of a team winning their match but all their division counterparts losing exists - something which cannot happen ordinarily. Click here to see the Week 7 lineups!
Two of the historically strongest and most consistent teams in the USCL face off to start as Boston takes on San Francisco. The Blitz have had an up and down season, and currently find themselves tied for the last playoff spot so must improve a bit on previous results if they want to control their own destiny. Meanwhile the Mechanics after getting off to a flying start have cooled down a bit, and while they continue to lead their division, their position is anything but secure.
Next up is Arizona against Connecticut. Both suffered tough losses last week, with the Scorpions now unfortunately in last place in the Pacific with the Dreadnoughts slipping into a tie for second in the Northeast. While last is never the place any team wants to be, the Scorpions can at least be happy that they are still strangely only a half a match point out of a playoff spot and are still therefore very much alive.
Two teams who both scored big victories, Baltimore and Seattle, are the following match. The Kingfishers are also in last, but being a match point out is clearly a very overcome able deficit with four weeks to go, while the Sluggers, after a horrible start, are suddenly tied for second, and would actually make the postseason if it began today. Very clearly, this is a huge match for both teams, and one can expect a tremendous fight.
Finally we see the Los Angeles team doing battle with the League Leading team from New England. The Vibe too are very much in the thick of the playoff race but still a long way to go before it becomes a reality. The Nor’easters clearly have the most secure position of any team at the current time with a whopping two match lead on the teams tied for second, but are not likely to take it easy, likely wanting to clinch early to avoid any drama.
Tune in Tuesday chess.com as the final Interconferece battles until the Championship occur as we begin to wind down the regular season!