Teams have started sewing up playoffs spots already, but there’s still much at stake as the Development Academy battles determine who grabs the plethora of postseason spots that remain.

Here’s a look at some of this weekend’s key matchups:

Central Conference

Starting out in the Frontier Division, Friday marks a series of important games between division foes. Sporting KC hosts Minnesota Thunder, while Colorado Rapids welcome Shattuck St. Mary’s. Then, a bit further east, cross-town rivals Scott Gallagher Missouri and Metro do battle.

The weekend is particularly pivotal for the Rapids U18 side, which is third behind St. Mary’s and the Thunder, so picking up six points this weekend would be a massive achievement, as the Rapids play the Thunder on Sunday. However, they’ll be without star midfielder Dillon Serna, who is traveling to Portugal to compete with the U.S. U18 Men’s National Team.

St. Mary’s and Scott Gallagher Missouri will look to ensure they hold their leads at the top of the U16 division when they take to the field.

Also holding firm in the Central Conference is the Chicago Fire. Hosting a pair of Ohio clubs this weekend in Crew Soccer Academy and Internationals, the Fire is looking to maintain top spot in the Great Lakes Division for both its U16 and U18 squads.

The Fire’s U18 features names like Kellen Gulley, Victor Pineda and Andrew Oliver, but it’s Joseph Calistri leading the team’s goal-scoring charts with 14 tallies in 15 games.

Not too far behind the Fire in the U16 division is club affiliate Indiana United Fire. Behind high-scoring forward Joey Bastian and the physically imposing Travis Wannemuehler, Indiana is a point behind Chicago. They’ll hit the road to face Sockers FC and FC Milwaukee.

 

East Conference

Like many other teams, D.C. United has a chance to climb the rankings in the U18 Mid-Atlantic Division. Currently trailing Baltimore Bays Chelsea and FC Delco, D.C. hosts Match Fit Chelsea and NJSA 04 this weekend. They’ll need big performances from Patrick Foss and Collin Martin in order to gain ground in the standings.

Meanwhile, Bays are set to host NJSA 04 and Match Fit Chelsea. While their U18s are trying to hold a lead, the U16s are trying to secure the top spot in the division by themselves, as they are tied on points with PA Classics and FC Delco. Patrick Koscher continues to light up the score sheet for Baltimore’s U16s.

FC Delco also hits the road for a single game against Potomac down in Maryland. George Tsirukis continues to be efficient in front of goal for Delco, scoring 12 on the season so far.

This weekend is a chance for FC Greater Boston to increase its lead at the top of the U16 Northeast Division. With four straight wins to open the division schedule, FCGB gets a big test this weekend against the Revolution, currently in second place in the division.

 

West Conference

It’s the final game of the season for Real Salt Lake-AZ when they take on Strikers FC – until the playoffs – and a win for the U18s is certainly needed in order for RSL to have a shot at finishing on top of the SoCal Division. They’ll need to accomplish it with help from Chivas USA and LA Galaxy, which have played fewer games.

The stakes are similarly high for RSL’s U16s, in position for a possible division title, having played more games than Galaxy and Pateadores, who currently sit second and third respectively. They’ll be without Jordan Allen, however, who is joining the U.S. U18 in Portugal.

For the Galaxy, the focus is on their matchup with Real So Cal on the docket. However, division finish isn’t necessary for a playoff spot for Galaxy’s U16 or U18 sides, as both have a points per game average high enough to secure a Wild Card spot.

In their first season in the Development Academy, the Vancouver Whitecaps look set to get both their U16 and U18 sides into the playoffs. The U18s sit in first place in the Northwest Division, and the U16s are in second as the Whitecaps welcome California Development Academy to town.

South Conference

The stakes are high down in Florida, as the last of the intra-Florida matchups wrap up. Weston FC, which is second place in the U16 Southeast Division and the U18s are third in the division, take on Kendall. Clearwater Chargers and IMG square off as well, with Clearwater’s U16s sitting third in the division.

The competition in North Carolina also wraps up with most teams preparing to take off Memorial Day weekend. Charlotte Soccer Academy travels to visit North Meck, while the NC Fusion take on CASL.