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Gameday Previews – Wednesday, July 26

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 07/26/22, 2:25PM EDT

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San Antonio faces intriguing trip to Las Vegas, while Oakland, Phoenix clash aiming to boost playoff chances


San Antonio FC will try to extend its lead at the top of the Western Conference as it visits Las Vegas Lights FC on Wednesday night at Cashman Field. | Photo courtesy Darren Abate / San Antonio FC

The top team in the Western Conference heads to Las Vegas on Wednesday night as Week 21 of the 2022 USL Championship season kicks off with a four-game slate of action that also includes a crucial game bringing together two teams currently sitting below the playoff line in the Western Conference.

Here’s a look ahead to all the action.

Birmingham Legion FC vs. Loudoun United FC

Venue: Protective Stadium
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: BHM 66%, LDN 13%, Draw 21%

The Lowdown: Birmingham Legion FC will try to rebound from a weekend setback as it looks to solidify its place in the Eastern Conference playoff positions against a Loudoun United FC side that suffered a deflating late defeat last time out. Legion FC fell 2-0 to FC Tulsa in its return to Protective Stadium on Saturday night, breaking a three-game undefeated streak and keeping the side in sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings. The hosts were reduced to 10 men on the hour-mark as Ryan James was sent off for two cautionable offenses, but the Canadian defender will be available for selection on Wednesday night after the second yellow card was rescinded on Monday by the Independent Review Panel. Legion FC has won only three times in 10 home games this season, playing to five draws, but the side took a 2-1 victory when it squared off with Loudoun in April in their first meeting of the season as Enzo Martinez was among the goalscorers. Loudoun, meanwhile, is battling for its playoff life after a 2-1 defeat on Saturday night against Miami FC that saw the visitors score in second-half stoppage time to rally for victory at Segra Field. Sitting 16 points outside the playoff positions with 15 games to go in its campaign, United is facing a must-win game after losing three of its last four games overall.

Spotlight Players
Birmingham Legion FC – Prosper Kasim:
The Ghanaian forward is looking for his first goal since June 5 against Phoenix Rising FC after recording only one assist in the past six appearances as Legion FC looks for an attacking boost.

Loudoun United FC – Nicky Downs: The central midfielder has been one of Loudoun’s more consistent performers this season, recording 27 interceptions in 19 appearances, and will need to try and contain Enzo Martinez’s influence on the game. 

Rio Grande Valley FC vs. Hartford Athletic

Venue: H-E-B Park
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: RGV 55%, HFD 19%, Draw 26%

The Lowdown: Rio Grande Valley FC will try to snap a five-game winless streak and jumpstart a drive back toward the playoff positions in the Western Conference as it squares off with Hartford Athletic in the first meeting between the clubs in their histories. The Toros fell for the third time in the past four games this past Saturday night as San Diego Loyal SC took a 2-1 victory at Torero Stadium in a hard-fought contest that saw Erik Pimentel find the net for the visitors only for the host to grab a second-half winner. RGVFC now sits six points outside the playoff positions in the Western Conference as it looks for its first win since June 18 against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, but the side could have Jonas Fjeldberg available for selection after acquiring him on loan from Indy Eleven on Monday for the remainder of the 2022 season. The Norwegian – who had three goals and two assists for the Toros in eight appearances in the 2021 season – will hope to contribute as Hartford arrives on a three-game losing run after conceding a late winner to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC this past Saturday night. Conor McGlynn scored the opening goal for the Athletic against the Hounds, but that proved the lone shot of the night for the hosts at Trinity Health Stadium as the side struggled in the attacking third. Sitting 15 points outside the playoff positions with 14 games to go, the club’s trip to Texas is close to a must-win for its postseason chances.

Spotlight Players
Rio Grande Valley FC – Isidro Martinez:
The attacking midfielder is on course to make his 100th regular season appearance in the Championship on Wednesday night and currently leads the Toros with six assists this season.

Hartford Athletic – Luka Prpa: The attacking midfielder will make a return to H-E-B Park for the first time since playing for the Toros in the 2020 season, when he recorded two goals in 10 appearances during the shortened campaign.

Oakland Roots SC vs. Phoenix Rising FC

Venue: Laney Stadium
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: OAK 45%, PHX 32%, Draw 24%

The Lowdown: Oakland Roots SC and Phoenix Rising FC will both be aiming to get back into the win column as they meet for the first time this season with both clubs sitting outside the top seven in the Western Conference standings. Oakland suffered a 2-0 defeat to Las Vegas Lights FC in its last outing on Saturday night as a red card to goalkeeper Paul Blanchette proved a pivotal moment at Laney Stadium, with the visitors scoring both goals in the second half to claim victory. Blanchette will be unavailable for selection on Wednesday night as he serves a one-game suspension, with Taylor Bailey likely to deputize after recording three saves against Las Vegas after coming on as a substitute. Phoenix is coming off consecutive shutouts but remains winless in its last eight games after a 0-0 draw against Sacramento Republic FC this past Saturday. Rising FC registered seven shots on target in a season-high 27 shots overall but was stymied by the visitors at Wild Horse Pass. The visitors will also be without a key player as they head to Oakland with Jamaican midfielder Kevon Lambert suspended after receiving his eighth caution of the season against Sacramento. With Rising FC four points behind Oakland and six points out of the playoff positions, a repeat of its 1-0 win when the sides last met in the 2021 season would be a welcome result for the two-time Western Conference title winners as it looks to get its playoff pursuit back on track.

Spotlight Players
Oakland Roots SC – Emrah Klimenta:
The veteran center back has been solid this season for Roots SC with 32 clearances and 31 interceptions and will try to keep Rising FC’s attacking threats in check as the hosts look to move above the playoff line.

Phoenix Rising FC – Luis Seijas: The Venezuelan playmaker recorded five chances created and two shots after coming on as a second-half substitute against Sacramento on Saturday and could provide the key to success in Oakland for the visitors.

Las Vegas Lights FC vs. San Antonio FC

Venue: Cashman Field
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: LV 19%, SA 55%, Draw 26%

The Lowdown: San Antonio FC will try to extend its lead at the top of the Western Conference standings as it faces Las Vegas Lights FC for the first time since the sides ended all square at Cashman Field last season. SAFC earned a 1-0 victory against EL Paso Locomotive FC on Saturday night to run its winning streak to five games and move six points clear at the top of the Western Conference as Santiago Patiño scored the only goal of the game early in the second half at Southwest University Park. The victory earned San Antonio the Copa Tejas for the first time in club history as Patiño notched his fourth goal in the past three games. San Antonio’s defense has been its biggest strength in recording its longest winning streak since the 2017 season, but the visitors could get a test from Lights FC and forward duo Danny Trejo and Cal Jennings as they head to Nevada. Trejo recorded his 10th goal of the season on Saturday night as Las Vegas took a 2-0 victory against Oakland Roots SC at Laney Stadium, giving the side a second consecutive victory and five wins in its last six overall. Sitting in sixth place in the Western Conference, Lights FC will again be upset-minded as it faces the biggest test of its season so far.

Spotlight Players
Las Vegas Lights FC – Cal Jennings:
Lights FC’s leading scorer a season ago, Jennings has notched six goals and five assists this season in 12 appearances, making a dynamic front pairing with Danny Trejo when available on loan from Los Angeles FC.

San Antonio FC – Mitchell Taintor: The center back has been one of the standouts in the Championship season so far alongside fellow defender Fabien Garcia and is a threat on set pieces in the attacking end with four goals so far this campaign.

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