How they got here: Quakes II eye fourth straight playoff berth

Will they or won't they? 

That's been the story of Earthquakes II this season. 

Balancing huge wins with taking some upsets has made for an entertaining rollercoaster for the fourth-highest-scoring side in the West. Landing in eighth place with an 11W-11L-6T (3 SOW) record, Dan DeGeer's squad hosts the Western Conference Play-In game as they eye a fourth-straight MLS NEXT Pro Playoff appearance. 

Here's a closer look at how they arrived at Sunday's showdown against the Tacoma Defiance (8 PM ET | MLSNEXTPro.com, OneFootball).

Season series

Quakes II won't mind the home advantage, but will have to prove the third time's the charm on Sunday. They fell to Tacoma twice, 1-0 and 2-1 at home this year, and had to settle for a 4-1 shootout loss after a stalemate on the road.

Player spotlight

Winger Zach Bohane leads Quakes II in production with 12g/3a and finished the regular season in top form with four goals in his last three matches.

On the opposite wing, Julian Donnery has also been a major part of Quakes II attacking success this season, adding 6g/4a. 

Quakes II have also gotten contributions from the back line and Jacob Heisner has added five goals from the right back spot.

Road from here

Sunday's winner will have to wait for Western Conference quarterfinal action to play out Oct. 16-18 and will be subject to the highest remaining seed's pick-your-opponent selection.