Highlanders’ playoff hopes hinge on a wing, a prayer and some math

The Victoria Highlanders careen into their final three regularseason games of the United Soccer League Premier Development League campaign with an outside chance of making the playoffs.

They would likely have to win out, however, and hope for favourable results in other games.

The Highlanders (4-7) are in Seattle tonight to take on Sounders U-23, followed by a game in Portland on Wednesday against Timbers U-23. The closing home date is July 14 at Centennial Stadium against Lane United of Eugene, Oregon.

The Calgary Foothills have clinched the PDL Northwest Division regular-season championship, and a playoff berth, at 8-1-2 for 26 points. The other teams are closely bunched with the Sounders at 4-4-3 for 15 points and Lane United at 3-3-5 for 14 points, along with the Surrey-based TSS Rovers. Victoria is on 12 points and Portland (3-6-2) is on 11. Second place is still possible in the division for all the teams trailing Calgary.

The three runaway division leaders in the PDL Western Conference — Calgary in the Northwest, Colorado Rapids U-23 in the Mountain Division and FC Golden State in the Southwest Division — will earn conference playoff berths.

The fourth conference semifinalist will be the second-place team with the best record among the three divisions. That, currently, is Santa Cruz Breakers (6-4-2) of the Southwest Division. FC Tucson is second in the Mountain Division at 5-3-2.