The USL Championship wraps up its opening weekend on Sunday evening with pair of games that bring us the first USL on ESPN game of the season, and a matchup between two sides with a new figure on the sidelines to start the 2022 season.

Birmingham Legion FC vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies

Venue: Protective Stadium
Kickoff: 5 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN2
538.com Predictor: BHM 39%, TBR 34%, Draw 27%

The Lowdown: Birmingham Legion FC hosts its first regular season contest at new home Protective Stadium with a visit from the two-time defending Eastern Conference title holder Tampa Bay Rowdies on ESPN2. Legion FC will be looking for a bright start from its new-look attack that includes new arrival Edi Horvat against a Rowdies side that saw 2021 Championship All-League goalkeeper Evan Louro and defender Forrest Lasso depart this offseason. Tampa Bay has returned the majority of the group that eliminated Birmingham from the postseason in the Eastern Conference Semifinals last fall, however, including leading scorer and captain Sebastian Guenzatti and fellow All-League selection Aaron Guillen.

Spotlight Players
Birmingham Legion FC – Jonny Dean: A standout two-way fullback on the right side, Dean re-signed this season and will look to be a driving force in creating chances from the flank when he joins the attack.

Tampa Bay Rowdies – Sebastian Guenzatti: The Rowdies’ captain scored a career-high 21 goals in the regular season in 2021, and has scored three times in five appearances against Legion FC in his career.

New Mexico United vs. Las Vegas Lights FC

Venue: Isotopes Park
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+ / SiriusXM FC
538.com Predictor: NM 68%, LV 12%, Draw 20%

The Lowdown: New Mexico United kicks off its new season with a retooled attack that will get its first chance to shine in the regular season against a Las Vegas Lights FC side that struggled defensively a season ago. Both teams will be led by former assistant coaches, with New Mexico having appointed Zach Prince as its new Head Coach this offseason and Las Vegas having promoted Enrique Duran after Steve Cherundolo’s appointment at Los Angeles FC. Prince will have some formidable pieces at his disposal, including Jamaican forward Neco Brett, who has bagged 55 goals over the past four seasons and will be hoping to make a good first impression in front of United’s passionate home fans.

Spotlight Players
New Mexico United – Chris Wehan: United’s all-time leading goalscorer notched 10 tallies after his return midway through last season and could make a formidable tandem with Neco Brett.

Las Vegas Lights FC – Cal Jennings: With 20 goals in the Championship over his first two seasons, Jennings has been a consistent finisher and will be a danger to United’s defense.