Phoenix Rising FC and Orange County SC square off on Saturday night in one of this weekend's key games in the postseason race. | Photo courtesy Ashley Orellana / Phoenix Rising FC
The first three berths in the Eastern Conference bracket for the 2021 USL Championship Playoffs can be claimed this weekend as the Tampa Bay Rowdies aim to maintain their winning streak in the Atlantic Division and both Louisville City FC and Birmingham Legion FC take aim at continuing their postseason streaks while battling for first place in the Central.
With 14 games across the next three days, though, there is the potential for plenty of movement in the battle to reach the playoffs in all four divisions, with matchups featuring the top two teams in the Mountain Division and two of the top three in the Pacific highlighting Saturday’s slate.
Here are four games to watch as the picture comes further into focus, and where everyone stands in the big picture.
It’s almost certain that both second-placed Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC and third-placed Miami FC are going to the postseason in the Atlantic Division, but with three points separating the sides and Miami holding a game in hand on the Hounds ahead of their meeting on Saturday in South Florida this game could prove key as to which side claims second spot and the home playoff game that comes with it in November, even with the Charlotte Independence coming up fast in the rear-view mirror. Miami has earned a win and a draw from its two visits to Highmark Stadium this season, which means with a win on Saturday it would not only move level with Pittsburgh on points but claim the head-to-head tiebreaker having earned the edge in the season series between the sides.
With its victory on Wednesday night, El Paso Locomotive FC opened up a seven-point lead on second-placed Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC as it heads to Weidner Field on Saturday night. While the division race might be out of reach for the Switchbacks with six games to go in its season, though, earning a result against Locomotive FC on home turf is still important as it tries to hold onto second spot ahead of San Antonio FC. These two teams have finished all square in their first two meetings this season, including a 0-0 draw when they met at Weidner Field on September 15. With Colorado Springs’ Hadji Barry gunning for the Championship’s single season scoring record and El Paso in need of victory to put pressure on Phoenix Rising FC for the best record in the Western Conference, this could be a more open game than the prior encounter, and highly entertaining as a result.
Phoenix Rising FC’s surprise Wednesday night defeat to the LA Galaxy II knocked it out of prime position for the best record in the league and level with El Paso Locomotive FC is available points at 74 in the race for the best record in the Western Conference. That will put added pressure on its visit to Orange County SC, where the side is only 0-2-4 since the start of the 2017 regular season in its visits to Championship Soccer Stadium, including a loss and a draw last season. For Orange County, a positive result would be another big step toward the postseason as well, and would make Phoenix wait once again to clinch the Pacific Division title.
The nationally matchup between Louisville City FC and New Mexico United was one that many might have circled on the calendar when it was announced at the start of the season, but the recent form of both clubs has made it an important one in the playoff race in the Central and Mountain Divisions. For LouCity, there is the opportunity to clinch a playoff place with a point but after drawing three of its last four games – including a 1-1 result away to Atlanta United 2 on Wednesday – the side could need a win to remain in first place in the Central with Birmingham Legion FC only two points behind as it takes to the field against Sporting Kansas City II on Friday night. New Mexico, meanwhile, has taken control of its playoff path with three consecutive wins after a 2-0 victory against Rio Grande Valley FC on Wednesday, but needs to keep that run going as it battles the Toros and Austin Bold FC for the fourth and final playoff position in the Mountain Division. That should produce a compelling contest.
Tag(s): Features San Antonio FC CO Spring Switchbacks LA Galaxy II OKC Energy FC Orange County SC Phoenix Rising FC Rio Grande Valley FC Sacramento Republic FC FC Tulsa Charleston Battery Charlotte Independence Louisville City FC Pittsburgh Riverhounds Tampa Bay Rowdies Las Vegas Lights FC Birmingham Legion FC Austin Bold FC Atlanta United 2 Indy Eleven Memphis 901 FC El Paso Locomotive FC New Mexico United Hartford Athletic Tacoma Defiance San Diego Loyal SC Sporting KC II Miami FC Oakland Roots SC