Orlando City Soccer Club doesn’t start the playoffs until next week, but the rest of the league kicks off the postseason campaign this weekend.  Due to the structure of this year’s playoffs, both games matter to City fans.  Here’s a breakdown of the scenarios.

Game 1 - Harrisburg City Islanders at Charleston Battery - Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

Though the Battery are the #3 seed in the playoffs, the second half of their season has been largely a let-down.  Since July began, the Battery have won just twice, with nearly a month coming between the wins.  They split the season series with Harrisburg, 1-1.  Charleston should have the advantage playing at home, as their victory over the City Islanders came on friendly ground.

Harrisburg comes into the playoffs with some momentum.  On the final day of the regular season, they faced a must-win match in LA, and squeaked through with a 1-0 victory.  The same momentum propelled the City Islanders to the USL PRO Championship Game last season, so they cannot be taken lightly.

Best Outcome for City?: Harrisburg win

Orlando City is a combined 5-0 against both Charleston and Harrisburg, and has outscored them by a combined 15-4.  With the Lions proven track record against both sides, the match winner is largely immaterial.  Still, if Charleston wins, City will face the winner of the Wilmington/Richmond match, one we’ll get to shortly.  A Harrisburg win gives Orlando, in theory, an easier path the the Championship Game.

City fans can catch the match on USLNation.com on Saturday night.

Game 2 - Wilmington Hammerheads at Richmond Kickers - Saturday, 7:00 p.m.

Richmond comes into the playoffs having just missed out on earning a first-round bye.  The Kickers got off to a rough start in 2012, but surged towards the end to nearly grab a free week to start the postseason.  Still, that surge came against the weakest teams in the league, leaving Richmond’s ability to tangle with USL PRO’s best sides somewhat in question.

Richmond’s 2-1 loss to Antigua on the season’s final day forces the Kickers to play in the first round, and as a result they may not escape.  As City fans are well aware, Wilmington presents a tough challenge for any team.  Still, the match is being played in Richmond, which plays against the Hammerheads.  Wilmington won just twice on the road all season.  Still, they won their way into the playoffs by defeating Charlotte on the final day of the season, and could ride that wave into the semifinals.

Best Outcome for City?: Wilmington win

If you ask Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath, he’ll tell you Richmond is the second best team in the league behind the Lions.  He said as much on last week’s Orlando City Soccer Show, Tuesdays at 6 p.m. on 740 AM The Game.  Given that Richmond is one of the very few teams to ever come into the Citrus Bowl and earn a point, I’m inclined to agree with him.

Still, Wilmington presents a challenge for the Lions as well.  No team in USL PRO has caused more problems for Orlando than the Hammerheads, as they handed City their only loss of the season, and drew 1-1 at the Citrus Bowl on July 25 despite being outshot 36-6.

Either outcome presents a challenging semifinal match for Orlando City, but the last match against the Hammerheads gives me hope.  A 30 shot differential bodes well for the Lions, but they must finish more opportunities to have a chance at the USL PRO Championship Game on Saturday, September 8.

Unfortunately for City fans, this match will not be broadcast, but you can track the game on Twitter by following @USLPRO. 

For more info on the opening round of the playoffs, visit www.uslsoccer.com.  To buy tickets for City’s 2012 playoff opener, call 855-ORL-CITY or email [email protected] today.  You can also purchase tickets on www.ticketmaster.com.