Five teams that have made perfect starts to the 2022 USL Championship season are in action on Saturday night as part of a nine-game slate that sees two notable rivalries resume on either coast with Louisville City FC hosting Indy Eleven and San Diego Loyal visiting Phoenix Rising FC, and two potential rivalries begin as Detroit City FC hosts Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, and Oakland Roots SC welcomes Monterey Bay F.C.

Here's a rundown of a full night of action across the league.

Detroit City FC vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

Venue: Keyworth Stadium
Kickoff: 4 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: DET 31%, PIT 40%, Draw 29%

The Lowdown: Detroit City FC will look to build on its inaugural victory in the USL Championship a week ago as it plays host to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC for the first meeting between the two clubs. Antoine Hoppenot scored the only goal for DCFC as it took a 1-0 win against the Charleston Battery in its home opener last Saturday, but the hosts are likely to face a bigger challenge from a Riverhounds SC side considered among the candidates to claim the Eastern Conference this season. Pittsburgh has won each of its opening two games of the season, including a 2-1 victory against Hartford Athletic last Saturday at Highmark Stadium that saw Kenardo Forbes score the winner. The Hounds also tied for the third-most away wins in the Championship a season ago, taking eight victories in 16 outings, with the side’s strong attacking pieces having recorded 25 goals on the road a season ago.

Spotlight Players
Detroit City FC – Brad Dunwell: The central midfielder may need to play a pivotal role against a strong Hounds contingent led by Kenardo Forbes and Danny Griffin for the visitors.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC – Russell Cicerone: A native of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., Cicerone gets somewhat of a homecoming on Saturday and will be eager to pick up his second goal of the season.

New Mexico United vs. Orange County SC

Venue: Isotopes Park
Kickoff: 6 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: NM 41%, OC 31%, Draw 28%

The Lowdown: New Mexico United will try to continue its best start to a season in club history when it plays host to defending title holders Orange County SC. United has won its first two games of the season for the first time after rallying to take a 2-1 victory against rival El Paso Locomotive FC behind goals from Neco Brett and Tabort Etaka Preston, with Brett’s goal his second in as many games since his offseason arrival at the club. Orange County also picked up a 2-1 victory in its last outing as Sean Okoli came off the bench to score twice – including a game-winner in the ninth minute of second-half stoppage time – against Rio Grande Valley FC. Saturday’s game will mark only the third meeting between New Mexico and Orange County all-time, with the visitors holding a 1-0-1 record in the prior two contests, but OCSC will be without center back Kobi Henry, currently on international duty with the United States U-20 Men’s National Team.

Players to Watch
New Mexico United – Justin Portillo: Another new arrival this offseason, Portillo is second in the Championship with nine chances created this season and has notched an assist in each of the side’s first two games.

Orange County SC – Sean Okoli: After bagging a pair of goals as a substitute last time out, the 2016 Championship MVP could be in line to start as the defending title holders look to build momentum.

Miami FC vs. Loudoun United FC

Venue: FIU Stadium
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: MIA 65%, LDN 14%, Draw 21%

The Lowdown: Miami FC will try to rebound on home turf as it takes on the surprise package of the season so far in Loudoun United FC, with the visitors having claimed victory in their opening two games of the season for the first time in their history. Loudoun took a 3-0 victory against the New York Red Bulls II last Saturday after Tyler Freeman recorded his first two goals for the club as the visitors took advantage of a first-half red card for the Red Bulls II. Miami suffered a 2-0 defeat against Louisville City FC in its last outing and could be wary of a Loudoun side that consistently created chances in their four meetings a season ago. The hosts will be without a pair of players on Saturday with midfielders Speedy Williams and Lamar Walker currently on international duty with Jamaica for 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying.

Players to Watch
Miami FC – Bolu Akinyode: The Nigerian midfielder has made a solid start to the season but will be counted on to deliver a big performance in Speedy Williams’ absence in the center of midfield.

Loudoun United FC – Rio Hope-Gund: The former Georgetown University standout has helped Loudoun record back-to-back shutouts this season, winning 63.2 percent of duels.

Birmingham Legion FC vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

Venue: Protective Stadium
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: BHM 46%, COS 27%, Draw 26%

The Lowdown: Birmingham Legion FC and Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC will meet for the first time at Protective Stadium in an interconference matchup of strong playoff contenders. Legion FC returns home looking to rebound after suffering a 3-1 defeat to FC Tulsa last Saturday night despite a far better overall attacking performance than in its opening game of the season. Prosper Kasim scored his first goal of the season in the defeat, but the side will be without center back Alex Crognale as he serves a one-game suspension following his red card in Tulsa. The Switchbacks, meanwhile, will try to build on their first two-win opening to a season that has seen the side show more defensive discipline while maintaining its positivity in attack. Colorado Springs picked up a 1-0 win against Monterey Bay F.C. last Saturday night as Elvis Amoh scored his first goal for the club, with the influence of fellow newcomers Cam Lindley and Malik Johnson also already being felt for the visitors.

Players to Watch
Birmingham Legion FC – Enzo Martinez: The veteran playmaker has had one shot on target and one key pass so far this season and will be looking to pick up the attacking pace for the hosts back on home turf.

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – Jimmy Ockford: The veteran center back is set to make his 100th regular season appearance in the Championship on Saturday and has made a solid start to the new campaign.

Louisville City FC vs. Indy Eleven

Venue: Lynn Family Stadium
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: LOU 64%, IND 13%, Draw 23%

The Lowdown: The Louisville Indianapolis Proximity Association Football Contest returns as hosts Louisville City FC try to add to a three-game winning streak to start the season against an Indy Eleven side still looking for its first points of the campaign. LouCity continued its strong start on Wednesday night with a 2-0 win against the New York Red Bulls II behind goals in either half by Ray Serrano and Wilson Harris, with Harris’ goal his second of the season for his new club. Indy has suffered a pair of defeats to start the campaign and has yet to find the net after a 2-0 defeat to the Tampa Bay Rowdies last Saturday night. Indy claimed the LIPAFC series with two victories to Louisville’s one a season ago, however, and will be hoping to give their supporters a boost ahead of the club’s home opener next weekend with a result on the road. The visitors will be without some notable names, though, with Trinidad and Tobago’s Neveal Hackshaw and Haiti’s Mechack Jerome among the four players called up for international duty this week

Players to Watch
Louisville City FC – Paolo DelPiccolo: The veteran midfielder could make his 200th regular season in the Championship on Saturday and has notched one goal so far this season.

Indy Eleven – Bryam Rebellon: The Colombian could face a tough matchup on the flank against Louisville’s Brian Ownby, a player Indy will want to contain to try and earn a result.

Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Hartford Athletic

Venue: Al Lang Stadium
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: TBR 62%, HFD 15%, Draw 23%

The Lowdown: The Tampa Bay Rowdies play host to Hartford Athletic looking to continue their undefeated start to the season against a side that was one of only two teams to earn victory at Al Lang Stadium last regular season. The Rowdies put in a dominant display to pick up their second win of the season on Wednesday night in a 3-0 victory against Atlanta United 2 at Fifth Third Bank Stadium as both Steevan Dos Santos and Sebastian Dalgaard found the net in the first half before Jake LaCava picked up his second goal of the season after the break. Tampa Bay is undefeated in its last nine home regular season games, with Hartford the last Eastern Conference club to earn victory as a visitor on July 13 last year. The Athletic are coming off a 2-1 defeat to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC last Saturday in their opening game of the season but will have Jamaican international Peter-Lee Vassell available for selection following the rescindment of his second yellow card against the Hounds that resulted his red card, and alongside other newcomers such as Andre Lewis and Rashawn Dally the visitors will be hoping to upset the odds for a second consecutive season.

Players to Watch
Tampa Bay Rowdies – Sebastian Guenzatti: The Rowdies captain has notched a pair of assists this campaign but is still looking for his first goal of the season as Hartford comes to visit.

Hartford Athletic – Andre Lewis: The Jamaican midfielder had a solid debut in Hartford colors with two key passes while completing 33 of 41 passes overall but will need to have a big game against a good Tampa Bay midfield group.

Las Vegas Lights FC vs. Memphis 901 FC

Venue: Cashman Field
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: LV 33%, MEM 42%, Draw 25%

The Lowdown: Las Vegas Lights FC returns home on a two-game winning streak as it plays host to Memphis 901 FC for the first meeting between the two clubs. Lights FC claimed a remarkable 5-4 victory on Wednesday night against El Paso Locomotive FC at Southwest University Park as Danny Trejo recorded two goals and two assists and Cal Jennings also struck twice in the first game in league history to see nine goals recorded in one half. Trejo has now notched three goals and three assists overall, having become the 12th player to record at least two goals and two assists in a single game in El Paso. Memphis arrives off a victory of its own as goals by Aaron Molloy and Patrick Seagrist earned a 2-1 win against Oakland Roots SC last Saturday. 901 FC will now head for its first road game of the season hopeful of building on that success after holding its own with a 5-6-5 record away from home a year ago.

Players to Watch
Las Vegas Lights FC – Danny Trejo: The reigning USL Championship Player of the Week continued his hot start to the season in El Paso and has already proven a decisive running mate to Cal Jennings in attack.

Memphis 901 FC – Jeremy Kelly: The former Colorado Rapids defender has quickly made his mark in Memphis and will be looking for another strong performance to help limit Las Vegas’ chances.

Oakland Roots SC vs. Monterey Bay F.C.

Venue: Laney Stadium
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: OAK 55%, MB 18%, Draw 27%

The Lowdown: Potential Northern California rivals Oakland Roots SC and Monterey Bay F.C. will square off for the first time on Saturday night with both clubs looking for their first points of the season. Oakland put in a far brighter attacking display than in its opener two weeks ago in its last outing, but a late goal by Dariusz Formella was all it had to show for it as the side fell 2-1 to Memphis 901 FC at AutoZone Park. Roots SC will hope being back by the Bay will provide a boost, with a sellout crowd expected at Laney Stadium to welcome last year’s playoff side as it kicks off its home slate. Monterey Bay, meanwhile, will head north looking for its inaugural victory after suffering a 1-0 defeat away to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. MBFC counts former Oakland defender Kai Greene among its ranks, and the veteran will be hoping to put in a solid display in a familiar environment.

Players to Watch
Oakland Roots SC – Jose Hernandez: The 25-year-old could make his 100th regular season appearance in the Championship and has been a positive so far this season despite Oakland’s slow start.

Monterey Bay F.C. – Morey Doner: The experienced fullback has been solid in his first two outings for MBFC notching one assist and two chances created while logging three tackles and five interceptions defensively.

Phoenix Rising FC vs. San Diego Loyal SC

Venue: Wild Horse Pass
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: PHX 47%, SD 29%, Draw 25%

The Lowdown: One of the Championship’s recently emerging rivalries returns with both Phoenix Rising FC and San Diego Loyal SC looking to rebound from defeats in their most recent outings. Phoenix suffered a 2-1 setback at Las Vegas Lights FC last Saturday night as its defense had difficulties at times in keeping up with the fast-paced attack of the hosts at Cashman Field. Rising FC is undefeated in its last 19 games on home turf, however, having taken a 4-2 win against Monterey Bay F.C. in its home opener two weeks ago, and will be hoping that familiarity will get the side’s performance back on track. San Diego had opened the season with two consecutive wins for the first time but fell 1-0 against FC Tulsa at ONEOK Field on Wednesday night to suffer its first loss of the campaign. SD Loyal has challenged Rising FC on its home turf previously, taking a win and a draw from four prior visits to Phoenix.

Players to Watch
Phoenix Rising FC – Santi Moar: The Spanish winger will be hoping to get off the mark this season after being held without a goal or assist in Rising FC’s opening two games against an SD Loyal side he scored against in both games at Wild Horse Pass last year.

San Diego Loyal SC – Jack Blake: The English midfielder has been a thorn in Phoenix’s side in the past, scoring four goals and one assist in seven prior appearances against Rising FC.