The Western Conference’s action kicks off tonight in the USL Championship with some high-profile games on the docket over the next three days. Here are five storylines to keep an eye on as the weekend unfolds.

ORANGE COUNTY’S WEHAN AIMING HIGH IN RETURN HOME

Orange County SC’s home opener this Saturday night against Sacramento Republic FC at Championship Soccer Stadium (10 p.m. ET | ESPN+) is one of the biggest games this weekend in the USL Championship, but for OCSC midfielder Chris Wehan it’s also going to be a special start to the next chapter of his career.

The 2017 Championship Rookie of the Year and native of Orange, Calif. returned home in one of the bigger free agency moves this offseason after spending more than eight years competing both in college and professionally in Nevada, northern California and New Mexico. As OCSC looks to get its first win of the season, Wehan will be a player to watch as he gets to play in front of friends and family for the first time in a while.

“My first emotion [upon signing with OCSC] is obviously super excited,” Wehan told Angels on Parade’s Alicia Rodriguez this week. “You know, I’ve been dreaming about coming back home since since I left right out of high school and went to play at the University of New Mexico so it’s been about eight and a half years since I’ve been gone, essentially, but you know the same time a little bittersweet.

“I had such a great experience in New Mexico. So, the emotions were tough there as well, leaving friends and such a great community but ultimately just really excited to be here. Can’t wait to play in front of family and friends again and hopefully help this club to success over the next couple years.”

EL PASO’S BEAURY LOOKS TO FILL KETTERER’S GLOVES

It’s no small feat, taking over from the goalkeeper that led the Championship in shutouts last regular season, but with the departure of Logan Ketterer from El Paso Locomotive FC on loan to Major League Soccer’s Portland Timbers that’s a task that may fall to Ben Beaury on Saturday night when El Paso hosts Rio Grande Valley FC.

Beaury proved himself last year at Reno 1868 FC, where he spent the season on loan from New Mexico United after making just one appearance in his first two seasons in the pro ranks, backing up first Brandon Miller at the Charlotte Independence (2018) and then Cody Mizell in New Mexico (2019). The 25-year-old made the most of his chance in Reno, recording 41 saves and posting a 74.6 save percentage. The quality and quantity of Beaury’s saves saw him lead the Championship in the regular season with an Expected Goals vs. Goals Conceded margin of -5.26 according to American Soccer Analysis, surpassing Golden Glove candidates Jon Kempin and Danny Vitiello.

“Bringing Ben on board makes a lot of sense in the current situation,” said Locomotive FC Head Coach and Technical Director Mark Lowry. “With Logan [Ketterer] leaving for this short period we feel we needed to add a bit of experience to our goalkeeping department. Ben played every game for Reno last season so now he has plenty of Championship experience.”

SWITCHBACKS EAGER FOR INCREASED CAPACITY IN OPENER

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC was able to welcome 20 percent of capacity to its curtain-raiser at new downtown home Weidner Field on April 22 when it hosted Orange County SC, but on Friday night that number will rise to 70 percent as the Switchbacks kick off against New Mexico United. According to club President Nick Ragain, the limited crowd in attendance was still able to hit 80 on the decibel reader last month, which means now more than ever the atmosphere should be crackling for the players as they enter the field.

“Everyone’s looking forward to it, everyone’s absolutely buzzing for this home opener, for sure,” said Switchbacks captain Jimmy Ockford. “When … we played against Orange County there was a little bit under 20 percent, but the atmosphere was incredible with the people that were there, so we’re hoping with even more people it’s going to be even more energetic, we’re going to be flying.”

NEW MEXICO LOOKING TO SPOIL SWITCHBACKS PARTY

New Mexico United will be aiming for a second consecutive victory on Friday night (9 p.m. ET | ESPN+ | SiriusXM FC) as it visits Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC for the opening USL Championship game at the Switchbacks’ new 8,000-seat Weidner Field, and Head Coach Troy Lesesne is ready for what the new-look side led by Switchbacks Head Coach Brendan Burke will have to offer above the energy that the new venue will bring.

“They’ve changed their identity quite a bit from the past couple of years,” Lesesne told local media this week. “They’re very organized and very aggressive on both sides.”

New Mexico got a chance to see Colorado Springs in preseason as United took a 4-2 victory after the Switchbacks had taken an early lead. United has had a solid history in Colorado Springs previously – officially in four games on the road against the Switchbacks the side is 3-0-1, with its loss last year at old Weidner Field coming when United was designated as the hosts for the contest. The priority for New Mexico on Friday is to earn a first shutout of the season after conceding a lone goal in each of its first three games.

“I think we’re hungry for that first clean sheet,” said defender Sam Hamilton. “We’ve been getting about 80 good minutes every match. Now we need to get that last 10.”

SAN DIEGO NEEDS TO SHORE UP DEFENSE

There are new pieces in San Diego Loyal SC’s back line this season with proven quality, including center back Thomas Vancaeyezeele, twice named to the Championship’s All-League Team alongside returning  full back Jack Metcalf. But the side has given up not only goals, but shots consistently this season, conceding eight times in three games as it goes into Saturday night’s visit to Louisville City FC (7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN+).

SD Loyal’s 18 shots on target faced this season second-highest in the league to Sporting Kansas City II (20), with SKC II having played one more game. San Diego has also regularly given up high quality shots, with American Soccer Analysis putting its Expected Goals Against mark at 5.95, the most of any team that has played three goals or fewer. That translates to 1.98 Expected Goals Against per game, a decent rise from the 1.65 Expected Goals Against the side rated at in 2020.

Last year, of course, SD Loyal had one of the best goalkeepers in the Championship to help keep it in games. Jon Kempin was a candidate for the Championship’s Golden Glove and finished with a -4.69 Goals-Expected Goals margin, good for second in the league. While Trey Muse has performed admirably so far, he’s not kept pace with Kempin’s high standard, which means San Diego is going to need to start cutting down on the number of chances he’s facing per game starting on Saturday.