Matchweek 26 didn’t go as hoped, nor did it go as it should have. Energy FC (10th, 10-14-5, 35 pts) led Orange County SC, 2-1, in the third minute of second-half stoppage time, only to give up two goals in 80 seconds. There are few crueler ways to lose, especially since the equalizer came off a free kick taken from a generous spot, and the winner came via a long-range deflection. 

San Antonio FC beating Phoenix Rising FC and Saint Louis FC beating Reno 1868 FC only added insult to injury, and the playoff picture now looks like this:

7th – San Antonio FC – 43 points, 6 games remaining

8th – Reno 1868 FC – 42 points, 7 games remaining

9th – Saint Louis FC – 42 points, 6 games remaining

10th – OKC Energy FC – 35 points, 5 games remaining

Trailing 8th-place Reno by seven points with two games less to play is a daunting task, but what’s the point in supporting a team if you don’t keep the faith while it’s still mathematically possible? So far, only Seattle Sounders FC 2 and Tulsa Roughnecks FC have been eliminated from playoff contention.

Since it’s a quick turnaround this week, and there’s no point in dwelling on what happened Saturday night, all focus shifts immediately to getting three points on Wednesday against Los Angeles Galaxy II (13th, 9-13-6, 33 pts).

With five games to go, the Greens will feel they can  get a result against any side they’ll face and go on another winning streak to force the teams ahead to finish strong. A strong finish will certainly mean getting three points against Los Dos.

OKC took care of business when LA came to town on June 23, winning 1-0, thanks to a 90th-minute winner from Christian Volesky. The same result will be expected Wednesday, but the Galaxy are in good form and have won four of their last six matches, including a win over Las Vegas Lights FC at the weekend.

Goals from Ariel Lassister and Efrain Alvarez gave Los Dos the points, and Alvarez will definitely be the one to watch out for. The 16-year-old is second in goals for LA with nine, having only made 13 appearances.

The OKC defense will receive a boost for this match, as both Cody Laurendi and Atiba Harris will rejoin the team and will most likely be back in the starting lineup. The duo battled in the CONCACAF Nations League on Sunday evening with St. Kitts and Nevis scoring a late winner despite Laurendi's incredible performance. The pair’s experience and leadership is exactly what this team will need to go on a run in crunch time.

Since the outcome isn’t in OKC’s hands, supporters will be forced to do some scoreboard watching for the remainder of the season. Here’s a look at the run-ins for our playoff competition:

San Antonio FC travel to Tulsa this week, go on the road to face tricky fixtures at Swope Park Rangers and STL and end with three games at home against Seattle, Vegas and Rio Grande Valley FC.

Up next for Reno, four home matches in 14 days against LA, Vegas, RGV and Tulsa. After that, it’s tough away trips against Portland Timbers 2 and Phoenix Rising before ending the season back at home against OC.

The run-in couldn’t be much more difficult for STLFC. They head to Salt Lake City this Wednesday before stopping in Kansas City at the weekend. Then, they’ll host SAFC and make a trip to Phoenix before ending with Tulsa and OKC at home.

Needless to say, no one has an easy set of fixtures to end the season, so anything is possible. Three points on Wednesday in Los Angeles is a must for the Greens, though. That match kicks off at 9:30 CST and as always, will be available on espn+.