u/caolian313

What a consequential week in the OPL coming up. With the relegation and relegation playoff spots fully settled, OPL2 has it all coming down to the final weekend. Currently, Windsor City FC are in the driver's seat sitting in first. Windsor and Master's FA have a massive showdown in Windsor on Sunday. A classic awaits, with the top scoring vs the top defensive teams facing off. A win by either team wins the league. A tie and Windsor will win its first trophy since they were the Windsor Stars in 2005. Master's haven't won a trophy since 2019.

Now, here's where it gets extra interesting. Cambridge United and Waterloo United each have a chance to grab that 2nd spot and earn the promotion playoff opportunity up in the Big Nickel. Basically, if Master's FA beat Windsor City, and Cambridge United win their match with Hamilton United, they will move into a tie with Windsor and pip them based on the first tiebreaker (wins). In Windsor City win and Cambridge also win, Cambridge would pass Master's FA in points and claim the playoff spot. Hamilton are in the midst of a relegation battle and have everything to play for.

Waterloo still has a shot at the playoff spot if Cambridge lose or tie and they win against Inter Toronto II and Master's FA lose or tie. So many permutations.

To add to the mix, Master's FA have earned a shot at the OPL Cup and will be playing Woodbridge Strikers this Thursday. This is great for the league overall. Competitive games at the end of the year is perfect for creating excitement and engagement. For Windsor in particular, with dreams of a CPL franchise in the works, this is huge.

I think I got these permutations down, but so many possibilities.

Three points separate 5 teams with Windsor City FC having a one point lead and each team, Waterloo United, Master's FA, The Borough FC and Cambridge United all in the mix for the one automatic and one playoff promotion spot.

With Windsor City beating Waterloo last night, they're in the driver's seat where if they win out (Pickering FC and Master's FA) they go straight up. Master's FA play Waterloo United and Windsor City which is a tough pair of games and they're still alive in the OPL Cup to add to their games. The Borough FC and Cambridge United are on the outside looking in but still with legitimate shots at the playoff spot if two of the top 3 falter. Adding that USPORTS camps have begun, so I'd expect some of those teams to lose some of their top players. Which only adds to the unknowns.

This is going to be a wild ride.

Let me add that I attended games at almost all the OPL2 venues this summer and Guelph United, The Borough and Master's FA really have something happening, at least on the nights I was there. Really great atmosphere and engagement, especially with The Borough FC. Really positive for the growth of soccer in Canada to see this kind of growth.