Firebirds earn two-seed; AFL gives playoff teams byes

ALBANY, NY (NEWS10) -- The regular season is over for the Albany Firebirds. The AFL announced Wednesday they've set their six-team playoff field, and all of those playoff teams will now have a bye in the final week of the regular season. So instead of visiting Orlando this weekend, the Firebirds are off.

The league added the sixth playoff team on Wednesday. The league issued a statement regarding the playoffs and the byes for playoff teams on Wednesday, saying in part, "To ensure the best possible experience for our teams and fans, the League has scheduled a bye for all playoff teams this week. This break provides the League and member teams an opportunity to execute an extraordinary and memorable playoff and championship experience."

The Firebirds have now earned the two seed in the playoffs. They will also have a bye in the first round of the playoffs. The Firebirds will play next when they host the semifinals on July 13 at 2:30 p.m. at MVP Arena.

Head coach Damon Ware is happy with the extra time to rest for his team, and that the Firebirds get a home playoff game.

"I think the league did a great job in figuring out the end of the season with everybody playing different games and different schedules," said Ware. "I think right now the standings are perfect, right where everybody needs to be, so I'm real pleased with the outcome and just eager to get started in the playoffs. With the championship game being a neutral-site game, as long as we're hosting the semifinal game for our town, that's all that matters."