Decision Day: Final day of MLS NEXT Pro regular season brings playoff drama to Huntsville City FC

HUNTSVILLE — There’s no place like home.

And for Huntsville City FC, there is definitely no place like home, especially with the passionate crowds at The Joe.

On MLS NEXT Pro’s Decision Day, when playoff races are settled on the final day of the regular season, Huntsville City FC’s opportunity to host a playoff match will be one of the decisions made after their match with Carolina Core FC. The regular season finale kickoff is noon Sunday at Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium.

The playoff fates will also be decided for New England and Chattanooga, who are just ahead of HCFC in the MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference standings, as well as Chicago, Carolina, Toronto, Cincinnati, Atlanta and Orlando City, who trail the Boys in Blue.

The top four clubs in each conference will host a playoff match.

“It’s going to be an incredibly exciting afternoon of soccer,” said Chad Emerson, Huntsville City FC’s managing director of business operations.

Emerson briefed local sports media Friday on the various playoff scenarios that would directly affect HCFC.

“If we win in regulation, we will host – if New England or Chattanooga lose,” he said. “If we win and they win, there’s no way.”

Here are the scenarios for third-place New England Revolution II (13-7-7, 51 points), fourth-place Chattanooga FC (13-6-8, 51 points), and fifth-place Huntsville City FC (13-8-6, 49 points) to host a playoff match.

• If all three teams win, New England and Chattanooga will host
• If HCFC wins and either New England (vs. Inter Miami II) or Chattanooga (vs. Atlanta United 2) tie or lose, Huntsville City will finish fourth and host by the first tie-breaker (more wins)
• If all three teams tie with 51 points, Huntsville City will win the second tiebreaker, which is season goal differential

For HCFC who are ranked sixth in the league’s power ratings, this is the first playoff appearance in the club’s history and hosting a playoff match would be monumental.

“We have a strong home record (7-3-3),” Emerson said, adding the home crowd in a packed Joe Davis Stadium will bring a special energy to the match. “They (other clubs) play in front of friends and family.

“Long story short; if we win, they (New England and Chattanooga) lose … we host.”