The NASL Playoffs kick off this weekend with the Quarterfinals. While the RailHawks have the weekend off, they’ll be affected by what happens with this week’s slate of matches. So here’s all you need to know heading into the postseason.

What’s the format?

The Playoffs consist of three rounds: quarterfinals, semifinals and finals. The top two teams in the standings – No. 1 Carolina and No. 2 Puerto Rico – each receive a bye into the semifinals.

• Quarterfinals

Quarterfinals will consist of two single-game matches. The third-place team – Tampa Bay – will host the sixth-place team – Minnesota. The fourth-place team – Ft. Lauderdale – will host the fifth-place team – Edmonton. The winner of each quarterfinal match advances to the semifinals.

• Semifinals

The semifinals will consist of two, two-leg, aggregate goal series. The away goals rule is NOT in effect. The first-place team – Carolina – will face the lowest remaining seed, while Puerto Rico will draw the other quarterfinal winner. For example, if Minnesota defeats Tampa Bay, the RailHawks will face Minnesota, regardless of the outcome of the other quarterfinal. If Tampa defeats Minnesota, it will play the winner of the other quarterfinal series.

• Finals

The championship finals will consist of a home-and-home, aggregate goal series. Once again, the away goals rule is NOT in effect.

• Overtime

In the quarterfinals, if the teams are tied after 90 minutes, they will play an additional 30 minutes of extra time (two, 15-minute halves).  No Golden Goal. If they remain tied after extra time, they match will be decided in a penalty kick shootout. The same overtime rules apply in the semifinals and finals if the teams are tied after the second leg of the series.

What’s the schedule?

Quarterfinal Round (two single-game matches)

Saturday, October 1

Edmonton at Ft. Lauderdale, 7:30p.m.

Minnesota at Tampa Bay – 7:30 p.m.

Semifinal Round (two-legg, aggregate goal series)

Game 1

Quarterfinal Winner (highest seed) at Puerto Rico - October 8 – 9, kickoff TBD

Carolina at Quarterfinal Winner (lowest seed) – October 8 – 9, kickoff TBD

Game 2

Quarterfinal Winner (lowest seed) at Carolina – October 15, kickoff 7pm

Puerto Rico at Quarterfinal Winner (highest seed) - October 15-16, kickoff TBD

Championship Round

Game 1

Semifinal Winner vs Semifinal Winner – October 22 – 23, kickoff TBD

Game 2

Semifinal Winner vs Semifinal Winner – October 29 – 30, kickoff TBD

What is a home-and-home, aggregate goal series?

The higher seeded team in the series earns the right to chose which game in the series it will host. And the winner of the series is determined by the total score of the two games.

Who’s in?

No. 1 Carolina (17-3-8)

The Regular Season Champion RailHawks finished the regular season with 54 points. Their 50 goals scored and 26 goals against were both best in the league. Forward Etienne Barbara led the league in scoring (20 goals, 8 assists), and earlier this weeks, the RailHawks had four players named to the NASL Best XI: Barbara, midfielder Matt Watson, defender Kupono Low and goalkeeper Brad Knighton.

No. 2 Puerto Rico (15-7-6)

The Islanders, the 2010 league champion, nearly ran down the RailHawks in the standings, but ultimately finished two points behind. Puerto Rico went 7-2-1 over the season’s final two months, and they finished the year undefeated at home (8-0-5).

No. 3 Tampa Bay (11-8-9)

Tampa Bay finished the regular season on 41 points, solidifying their grasp on the No. 3 seed thanks to a 2-0 win over Ft. Lauderdale in their regular-season finale. FCTB finished the regular season with 41 goals, tied for second-most in the NASL. Forwards Mike Ambersely, who was a Best XI pick, and Aaron King made for a potent strikeforce. Ambersley had 11 goals and seven assists, and King finished with nine goals and five assist They went 3-1-2 over the final six games, which included a 2-1 win at Minnesota and a 1-1 home draw against the Stars.

No. 4 Ft. Lauderdale (9-11-8)

The Strikers finished the regular-season on 38 points, and they’re back in the playoffs for the first time since 2006 (when they were Miami FC). They scored the fourth most goals in the NASL (35), and had at least 16 different players score once. Brian Shriver and Eduardo Coudet let the way with six goals. Goalkeeper Matt Glaeser had the third best GAA in the league (1.04). Defenders Lance Laing and Toni Stahl were both Best XI picks.

No. 5 Edmonton (10-6-12)

Edmonton qualified for the postseason in their first year of existence after finishing in fifth place with 36 points. Like Ft. Lauderdale, FCE scored 35 goals this season, while their 40 allowed were second-most in the league. Midfielder Shaun Saiko had nine goals and five assists and was a Best XI selection.

No. 6 Minnesota (9-9-10)

The Stars will face No. 3 Tampa Bay on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Minnesota went 0-2-2 in four matches against FCTB this season. The Stars snatched the sixth and final playoff berth on the final day of the regular season last Saturday after defeating the RailHawks 2-1 at WakeMed Soccer Park.

Who might the RailHawks face in the semifinals?

The RailHawks could meet one of three teams: Ft. Lauderdale, Edmonton or Minnesota.

If Minnesota defeats Tampa Bay, the RailHawks will face the Stars, since they’ll be the lowest remaining seed in the playoffs. If Tampa Bay defeats Minnesota, the RailHawks will face the winner of the Ft. Lauderdale Edmonton series.

When will the RailHawks play?

They’ll play the first leg of the semifinals on Oct. 8. Kickoff time will be determined once the opponent is known. They will play the return leg on Oct. 15 at WakeMed Soccer Park at 7 p.m.

How do I get tickets?

Tickets are available at the Cruizers Box Office at WakeMed Soccer Park, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., by calling the box office at 919-459-8144, or at CarolinaRailHawks.com.

There’s still time to take advantage of the RailHawks’ Be the 12th Man offer. All Premium tickets for the RailHawks’ Oct. 15 match are $12 if purchased by Sept. 30. Beginning Oct. 1, Premium tickets return to their regular price.

Spectator ($10) and Club ($20)  are also on sale.