Week 6 of the 2022 USL Championship season kicks off on Wednesday night with a pair of contests that include one of the hottest teams in the league right now in San Diego Loyal SC, which will head north to face fellow California club Oakland Roots SC looking to build on a three-game winning streak.

Here’s a look ahead to both contests.

Memphis 901 FC vs. FC Tulsa

Venue: AutoZone Park
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: MEM 45%, TUL 29%, Draw 26%

The Lowdown: Memphis 901 FC returns to action on home turf looking to build on a three-game undefeated streak in the league as it takes on an FC Tulsa side that has yet to take victory on the road this season at AutoZone Park. Memphis earned a 1-1 draw in its last league outing on the road against Detroit City FC on April 2 after Phillip Goodrum scored a first-half goal at Keyworth Stadium. The game marked a third consecutive game in which Jeremy Kelly got on the scoresheet, with the former Colorado Rapids player having recorded one goal and two assists so far this season. Tulsa, meanwhile, saw its six-game home winning streak across all competitions come to an end this past Saturday in a 4-3 defeat to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, but the side showed admirable fight in rallying late as JJ Williams and Rodrigo da Costa each found the net before the comeback came up short. Memphis took victory at home in both meetings between these clubs a season ago to finish ahead of Tulsa in the Central Division and will be hoping to deliver a similar result to jump into the playoff places on Wednesday night.

Spotlight Players
Memphis 901 FC – Patrick Seagrist: Seagrist has been solid overall at left back, recording 11 interceptions and 10 clearances, and will need to be sharp in a potential matchup with Tulsa’s Dario Suarez

FC Tulsa – JJ Williams: A newcomer to Tulsa’s squad this season, Williams has recorded three goals in his first two starts of the season and is now averaging a goal every 90 minutes for the campaign overall.

Oakland Roots SC vs. San Diego Loyal SC

Venue: Laney Stadium
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+ / SiriusXM FC (Ch. 157)
538.com Predictor: OAK 34%, SD 40%, Draw 26%

The Lowdown: San Diego Loyal SC will try to add to its three-game winning streak when it heads to face an Oakland Roots SC side that is looking for its first win of the season after consecutive draws in its last two league outings. Oakland went close to its first win of the campaign in its last outing on April 2, a 0-0 draw against the Tampa Bay Rowdies at Laney Stadium that saw the hosts dominate the chances but fail to break through against Rowdies goalkeeper CJ Cochran. SD Loyal hasn’t had the same challenges of late and enters Wednesday night’s game as the leading scorers in the league with 14 goals. Leading the way is new center forward Kyle Vassell, who has recorded four goals in the past three games after scoring twice in his side’s 4-1 victory against the Charleston Battery on Saturday night. Oakland defended its turf in two prior meetings at Laney Stadium, however, taking a win and a draw from their two encounters a season ago at its home venue.

Spotlight Players
Oakland Roots SC – Lindo Mfeka: The South African playmaker is on course to make his 100th regular season appearance in the Championship on Wednesday and could be key to breaking down SD Loyal’s defense.

San Diego Loyal SC – Tumi Moshobane: Last year’s leading scorer for SD Loyal, Moshobane has made a strong start to the new season with two goals and two assists and will likely be a threat for the visitors.