The top two teams in the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference will square off for the first time this season, while the Tampa Bay Rowdies and El Paso Locomotive FC will try to continue lengthy undefeated streaks on a nine-game slate of action this Saturday that also features some intriguing first-time interconference matchups.

Here’s a look ahead to all the action.

Loudoun United FC vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies

Venue: Segra Field
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: LDN 15%, TBR 65%, Draw 20%

The Lowdown: The Tampa Bay Rowdies will try to add to a nine-game undefeated streak as they head to face a Loudoun United FC side that has put together some notable home results this season and is undefeated in its last four games at Segra Field. The Rowdies claimed a third consecutive victory last Saturday night as they rallied for a 3-2 victory on the road against Hartford Athletic after Leo Fernandes converted a 98th-minute penalty kick to earn all three points. Fernandes’ goal was his second of the game and moved him into a tie with Jake LaCava for the team-lead on nine goals this season. The veteran playmaker was honored on Thursday as the Championship’s Player of the Month having proven a catalyst for Tampa Bay’s move to within three points of current Eastern Conference leader Louisville City FC at the top of the standings. Loudoun returns to action this weekend, meanwhile, after playing to a 2-2 draw against FC Tulsa in its last outing on July 3 at Segra Field. United took a two-goal lead on goals by Jalen Robinson and Tyler Freeman but conceded twice late to settle for a point. Loudoun has proven a solid proposition on home turf this season, however, taking victories against Phoenix Rising FC and Indy Eleven, with its last home defeat having occurred on May 28 against Memphis 901 FC. The Rowdies earned a 1-0 win behind a goal from Steevan Dos Santos in their last trip to Segra Field in 2021, however, which should give the visitors confidence of another successful visit.

Spotlight Players
Loudoun United FC – Tyler Freeman: The forward scored his fourth goal of the season in 10 appearances against Tulsa and has posted a strike rate of a goal every 102 minutes so far this campaign.

Tampa Bay Rowdies – Sebastian Dalgaard: The right-sided midfielder has been a strong two-way presence for the Rowdies this season and popped up to score his third goal of the season against Hartford last weekend.

Charleston Battery vs. Hartford Athletic

Venue: Patriots Point
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: CHS 36%, HFD 38%, Draw 26%

The Lowdown: The Charleston Battery will try to rebound from a midweek defeat as they return home to host a Hartford Athletic side that is also coming off a tough loss in its most recent outing. The Battery fell 1-0 on Wednesday night against Miami FC as an early goal by Romeo Parkes proved the difference for the hosts at Riccardo Silva Stadium. Charleston’s Augustine Williams twice went close to bringing his side level in the first half, hitting the woodwork twice, but the Battery were held scoreless for a third consecutive outing as the club’s losing streak reached five games. Hartford, meanwhile, were unable to hold a second-half lead last Saturday night as it fell 3-2 at home to the Tampa Bay Rowdies after conceding a stoppage-time penalty kick that was converted by Tampa Bay’s Leo Fernandes. The Athletic had struck twice in seven minutes early in the second half as Danny Barrera notched a goal and assist – his first of both this season – to offer hope of continuing a solid bump in form in recent weeks, but now will need to try and emulate a 2-0 victory when they most recently visited Patriots Point last season as they try to close an 11-point gap to seventh-placed Miami in the Eastern Conference standings.

Spotlight Players
Charleston Battery – Mauro Cichero: The attacking player has notched three goals this season and needs to offer strong support to Augustine Williams in the attacking third for the Battery to come through with a positive result.

Hartford Athletic – Danny Barrera: After getting off the mark this season with a goal and assist last time out, Barrera will be aiming to create more opportunities in the final third for his side against the Battery’s back line.

Orange County SC vs. Miami FC

Venue: Championship Soccer Stadium
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: OC 40%, MIA 32%, Draw 28%

The Lowdown: Miami FC will try to build on a midweek victory as it heads to the west coast for a first meeting with defending Championship title holders Orange County SC, with the hosts in severe need of a victory to boost their postseason chances. Orange County fell 2-0 to Monterey Bay F.C. last Saturday night to remain in 12th place in the Western Conference and currently sit 11 points out of the playoff positions with 15 games to play in the campaign. The side has featured two of the leading attackers in the league this season with Milan Iloski currently second in the race for the Golden Boot on 12 goals and Erick “Cubo” Torres tied for 10th with eight tallies this season. OCSC has had difficulties defensively, however, having gone eight games since its last shutout on May 27 in a 0-0 draw with Atlanta United 2. Miami will hope to find more further success, meanwhile, after earning a 1-0 win at home on Wednesday night against the Charleston Battery to establish a five-point cushion ahead of the teams below the playoff line in the Eastern Conference. Romeo Parkes scored the only goal of the game at Riccardo Silva Stadium, while Connor Sparrow moved into a tie for the league-lead with his eighth shutout of the season. Miami has produced a strong away record so far this season, picking up four wins and 14 points in nine contests away from home, and will be hoping to add to that as it visits Championship Soccer Stadium for the first time.

Spotlight Players
Orange County SC – Michael Orozco: The veteran center back should return to the lineup after a suspension against Monterey Bay and will look to shore up the side defensively as the side seeks a victory that will be crucial to its playoff hopes.

Miami FC – Mark Segbers: The right back will return to familiar territory having previously competed for Orange County on loan in the 2018 season, when he helped OCSC finish in first place in the Western Conference standings.

Memphis 901 FC vs. Louisville City FC

Venue: AutoZone Park
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: MEM 31%, LOU 42%, 26%

The Lowdown: The top two teams in the Eastern Conference square off for the first time this season with both hosts and second-placed Memphis 901 FC and first-placed Louisville City FC coming off impressive victories last time out. Memphis took its third win in the past four games with a 3-1 victory against Phoenix Rising FC that saw Phillip Goodrum record his 10th goal of the season and both Rece Buckmaster and Graham Smith find the net to start the second half of the campaign. Memphis sits one point back of LouCity in the Eastern Conference through 18 games and is currently on a six-game winning streak at AutoZone Park in which the side has outscored its opponents 19-4. The hosts will try to challenge a LouCity defense that has been part of the best-balanced side in the league this season, with the visitors currently tied for the fewest goals conceded (14) and sitting on a league-high +26-goal differential after a 6-0 drubbing of the New York Red Bulls II last Saturday. Enoch Mushagalusa had a hat trick and an assist while Brian Ownby had two goals and two assists, equaling a single-game feat for the club previously accomplished by Matt Fondy and Magnus Rasmussen in the 2015 season. Louisville has four games in a row entering Saturday’s contest but was unable to take victory in Memphis last season as the hosts claimed a 1-0-1 record on their home turf a year ago, making for an intriguing potential contest.

Spotlight Players
Memphis 901 FC – Aaron Molloy: The Irish midfielder has played a key role in the center of midfield this season and at set pieces and could be essential if the hosts are to break down a strong LouCity defense.

Louisville City FC – Joshua Wynder: The young center back will look to put in another strong display against a challenging attacking group led by Memphis leading scorer Phillip Goodrum as the visitors look to continue their winning streak.

New Mexico United vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

Venue: Isotopes Park
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: NM 43%, PIT 30%, Draw 27%

The Lowdown: New Mexico United returns home after a positive midweek victory to play host to a Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC side that has won three games in a row in an interconference clash at Isotopes Park. New Mexico took a 2-1 win against FC Tulsa on Wednesday night as Justin Portillo scored the winner from the penalty spot to send the side into fourth place in the Western Conference standings. Portillo is now 5 of 5 from the spot this season, the most takes without a miss in the league. United added another attacking piece to its arsenal on Thursday with the arrival of Jamaican forward Romario Williams, who could make his debut on home turf after most recently competing in Kuwait. The Hounds are coming off a 4-1 victory against Miami FC that kept the side in fourth place in the Eastern Conference as Jelani Peters recorded the first two-goal game of his career and Kenardo Forbes notched a pair of assists. Forbes is now tied for the Championship lead with seven helpers this season while extending his all-time mark to 52 assists in the regular season for his career. As both teams look to stay in touch with the teams at the top of their respective conferences, Portillo and Forbes could hold the key in a top midfield matchup.

Spotlight Players
New Mexico United – Neco Brett: The Jamaican forward will face his former club with United having previously notched the most goals for the Hounds in the USL Championship era with 32 across the regular season and playoffs between 2018-19.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC – Jelani Peters: The Trinidad and Tobago international shone on set pieces last weekend but will be needed to put in a strong display on the back line to try and contain a dangerous United attack.

San Antonio FC vs. Atlanta United 2

Venue: Toyota Field
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: SA 78%, ATL 8%, Draw 14%

The Lowdown: San Antonio FC returns to action looking to build on a five-game undefeated streak that has seen the side move four points clear at the top of the Western Conference standings at the midway point of its campaign against an Atlanta United 2 side hoping to break a three-game winless streak as it heads to Toyota Field for the first time. San Antonio took a 2-0 victory against the Charleston Battery in its most recent outing on July 2 as Santiago Patino and Ignacio Bailone scored either side of halftime. The win was SAFC’s third in a row as it continued to impress defensively this season, sitting tied for the fewest goals conceded in the campaign so far. That defensive record could get tested by an Atlanta side that has shown bright attacking instincts despite its record. Atlanta has scored 11 goals in its past five games, with Jackson Conway sitting on six goals this season. The visitors have struggled on the road so far this campaign, however, with a 2-7-0 record. If it can earn a result, it would be one of the more impressive accomplishments of the club’s season so far.

Spotlight Players
San Antonio FC – Samuel Adeniran: The powerful forward has scored twice in five games since arriving on loan from Seattle Sounders FC and could be a major test for Atlanta’s back line alongside potential running mates Santiago Patino and Justin Dhillon.

Atlanta United 2 – Tristan Trager: The Air Force grad had a four-game scoring streak snapped last Saturday night in Tulsa but has proven a dangerous threat in the attacking third who should relish the chance to go up against a top defensive unit.

Monterey Bay F.C. vs. Detroit City FC

Venue: Cardinale Stadium
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: MB 38%, DET 34%, Draw 28%

The Lowdown: The USL Championship’s two newcomers this season square off for the first time with both clubs coming off victories last time out, giving Monterey Bay a boost in an up-and-down campaign while solidifying Le Rouge’s playoff claims. Detroit earned a 1-0 victory against Indy Eleven last Saturday as Connor Rutz scored an early goal at Michael A. Carroll Stadium. The goal was Rutz’s second in the past three games and came off an assist by Deklan Wynne, who has delivered helpers in each of the past three outings to move to six assists for the season. DCFC is now 11 points clear of FC Tulsa in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, sitting comfortably in position for a playoff berth at the end of the campaign. Things haven’t gone as smoothly for Monterey Bay, but the hosts on Saturday are coming off a 2-0 victory against Orange County SC last Saturday night on the road at Championship Soccer Stadium that saw Christian Volesky and Chase Boone each find the net. Boone has been a standout performer this season for MBFC, sitting with a team-leading six goals this campaign, but the hosts will likely be challenged by a strong DCFC squad that has been impressive defensively on the road to a likely playoff berth.

Spotlight Players
Monterey Bay F.C. – Morey Doner: The Canadian wingback leads Monterey Bay with four assists this season and has been a solid two-way contributor for the side in its inaugural season.

Detroit City FC – Michael Bryant: The California native heads back to his home state having proven a versatile piece for Le Rouge this season, featuring at center back last week as the side shut out Indy Eleven.

Oakland Roots SC vs. El Paso Locomotive FC

Venue: Laney Stadium
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: OAK 40%, ELP 34%, Draw 26%

The Lowdown: Oakland Roots SC will try to close the gap to the playoff places in the Western Conference as it plays host to an El Paso Locomotive FC side currently on a league-best 10 game undefeated streak as it arrives at Laney Stadium for the first time in its history. The sides played to a 1-1 draw at Southwest University Park in April in their first meeting since Oakland’s upset victory in the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2021 USL Championship Playoffs as Dariusz Formella found the net for Roots SC before Luis Solignac leveled for the hosts. Oakland is coming off a draw last time out, too, as it was unable to hold onto a late lead in a thrilling 3-3 draw against NorCal rival Sacramento Republic FC. That left Roots SC four points behind Sacramento in the race for the postseason, and now the side needs to try and bridge that gap with only 13 games remaining in the regular season. Roots SC will be led in that endeavor by current Golden Boot leader Ottar Magnus Karlsson, who scored twice last weekend against Sacramento to move to 13 goals this season. He’ll have to break down an El Paso defense that has recorded shutouts in three of its last four games, including a 1-0 win at home last Saturday against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC that saw Josue Aaron Gomez score the only goal of the game. Currently in fifth place in the standings, El Paso has added a pair of young talents this week in new signing Miles Lyons and loan signing Edison Azcona from Inter Miami CF. The visitors will be looking to add to its cushion ahead of Oakland in the standings with another victory.

Spotlight Players
Oakland Roots SC – Edgardo Rito: The right-sided player has been dynamic for Roots SC this season, scoring four goals and notching his fifth assist of the season last weekend, and could be a handful for El Paso’s defense.

El Paso Locomotive FC – Dylan Mares: The midfield playmaker has gone five games without a goal or assist while starting each contest, making this an ideal moment to break out and help Locomotive FC continue its impressive run.

Sacramento Republic FC vs. Birmingham Legion FC

Venue: Heart Health Park
Kickoff: 11 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: SAC 45%, BHM 27%, Draw 28%

The Lowdown: Sacramento Republic FC will look to maintain its undefeated home record this season as it plays host to a Birmingham Legion FC side that arrives after a convincing victory last time out for the first meeting between the two clubs. Sacramento needed a stoppage-time equalizer last Saturday night to remain undefeated at Heart Health Park as Luis Felipe Fernandes headed home a cross from Rodrigo Lopez to secure a 3-3 draw against NorCal rival Oakland Roots SC. Lopez and Maalique Foster had each found the net previously for Sacramento, and that duo now sit alongside Douglas Martinez Jr. for the team lead with four goals this season. Birmingham, meanwhile, have been led by offseason arrival Enzo Martinez, who notched his sixth goal of the season and the 50th regular-season goal of his Championship career last Saturday night in a 3-0 win on the road against the Charleston Battery. The win moved Birmingham into sixth place in the Eastern Conference, where it currently holds a seven-point lead over eight-placed FC Tulsa in the race for the postseason. Legion FC’s win at Charleston was its fifth on the road so far this campaign, with the side sitting above .500 on its travels. As Sacramento takes aim at its own rise in the Western Conference, this should be an intriguing clash between two strong squads.

Spotlight Players
Sacramento Republic FC – Luis Felipe Fernandes: The central midfielder has come through with key moments throughout the season so far, but his ball-winning and distribution could prove most valuable against a solid Birmingham lineup.

Birmingham Legion FC – Jonathan Dean: The right back has been one of the best performers in the league this season and will need to hold down his side of the field against a dangerous Sacramento attacking lineup.