One of the newer rivalries in the USL Championship gets its first airing of the regular season on Saturday night as Sacramento Republic FC plays host to Monterey Bay F.C. looking to continue a six-game home winning streak, while El Paso Locomotive FC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies meet in an intriguing interconference matchup that sees both sides enter on lengthy undefeated runs on an 11-game night of action across the league.

Here's a look ahead at all the action.

Hartford Athletic vs. Charleston Battery

Venue: Trinity Health Stadium
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: HFD 46%, CHS 27%, Draw 26%

The Lowdown: Hartford Athletic and the Charleston Battery will both try to rebound from recent setbacks as they meet in a rematch of one of the most dramatic endings of the season so far at Trinity Health Stadium. Hartford (2-8-4, 10pts) remained at the bottom of the Eastern Conference on Wednesday night as it suffered a 3-1 defeat to Detroit City FC to run its winless streak to four games as a first-half goal by Antoine Hoppenot wasn’t enough for the hosts. The goal was Hoppenot’s first for the Athletic since the veteran forward joined the club this offseason, but the side is now three points adrift at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings while having conceded a league-high 28 goals in 14 games. The Battery (7-4-4, 25pts) also fell in their most recent outing, dropping a 2-0 result against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC that saw the Hounds jump past Charleston into first place in the Eastern Conference standings. The visitors are winless in their past three outings overall but could take heart from their thrilling 3-2 victory against Hartford in April that saw Arturo Rodriguez score a dramatic game-winner in second-half stoppage time. Nick Markanich and Augustine Williams also scored in that contest, although the Battery will be without Williams as he joins Sierra Leone for Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying this week. Charleston has been a strong road team so far this season, however, having gone 4-1-1 away from home.

Spotlight Players
Hartford Athletic – Prince Saydee: The Liberian winger has cooled off since a strong start to the season and is without a goal or assist in his last six appearances, something he’ll need to change to give the hosts a chance of success.

Charleston Battery – AJ Cochran: The veteran center back could step into the lineup to replace Leland Archer, who may be absent for the visitors after being called up by Trinidad and Tobago for the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup that starts next week. 

Miami FC vs. Loudoun United FC

Venue: Riccardo Silva Stadium
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: MIA 58%, LDN 17%, Draw 24%

The Lowdown: Miami FC will try to get back on a winning track as it plays host to a Loudoun United FC that produced an impressive display last time out to end a lengthy winless streak of its own. Miami (2-5-7, 13pts) saw its winless streak reach five games last Saturday night as it conceded an equalizer in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time in a 3-3 draw against Rio Grande Valley FC at H-E-B Park. The side got a big display in attack from Kyle Murphy, who recorded a goal and two assists for the second time in his career to earn the Championship’s Player of the Week honors on Tuesday, but as the side returns home it sits in 11th place in the Eastern Conference standings and needs to find a win to boost its confidence ahead of two consecutive trips to face Western Conference opponents in the next two weeks. Loudoun (4-9-1, 13pts) pushed itself back into that group last weekend as it took a 3-1 victory against FC Tulsa that saw Zach Ryan score a pair of goals to end a seven-game losing streak for the side. Ryan has now scored seven goals this season, putting him two off the league lead, but the side will head to South Florida looking for its first away win since the opening weekend of the season as it looks for just its second win against Miami all-time.

Spotlight Players
Miami FC – Kyle Murphy: The veteran forward holds Loudoun’s single-season goalscoring record after bagging 13 tallies in the 2019 season and will hope to build on his impressive display last time out against his former club.

Loudoun United FC – Kalil ElMedkhar: The attacking midfielder has recorded a goal and assist in the past two games and could prove a key piece for the visitors as they try to build on a crucial victory last time out.

Birmingham Legion FC vs. Indy Eleven

Venue: Protective Stadium
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: BHM 49%, IND 24%, Draw 27%

The Lowdown: Birmingham Legion FC will play its first game in the league since its elimination from the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as it hosts Indy Eleven with the sides level on points in the middle of the Eastern Conference standings coming in. Legion FC (5-7-1, 16pts) will try to end a five-game losing streak in league play after narrowly falling to Inter Miami CF on June 7 before a club-record crowd of 18,418 fans at Protective Stadium. Legion FC’s downturn in form has seen it drop 10 points behind current Eastern Conference leaders Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, but the side’s attacking prowess should be on display as it looks for a repeat of the last meeting between these sides when Enzo Martinez and Prosper Kasim were among then goalscorers in a 3-1 victory. Indy (4-5-4, 16pts) played to a 1-1 draw with Hartford Athletic in its last outing as Jack Blake found an equalizer with five minutes to go at Michael A. Carroll Stadium. The defensive depth for the visitors is set to be tested on Saturday, however, with both Adrian Diz Pe and Gustavo Rissi set to serve suspensions after being shown red cards against Hartford and the club’s injury list seeing both Robbie Dambrot and Macauley King unavailable for the contest.

Spotlight Players
Birmingham Legion FC – Tyler Pasher: The Canadian winger could square off against the club at which he broke through as an attacking player, having recorded 23 goals across 50 appearances during the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

Indy Eleven – Jesus Vazquez: The experienced center back will need to be at his best as he tries to marshal a shorthanded back line that should be strongly tested by the hosts.

Memphis 901 FC vs. Detroit City FC

Venue: AutoZone Park
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: MEM 60%, DET 16%, Draw 24%

The Lowdown: Memphis 901 FC will try to continue its five-game winning streak as it plays host to a Detroit City FC side that has found its form of late, entering on a four-game undefeated streak of its own after a good midweek victory. Memphis (6-2-3, 21pts) moved into fourth place in the Eastern Conference with a 3-1 victory against Louisville City FC last Saturday night that saw Nighte Pickering score in a third consecutive game and Rodrigo da Costa score his first goal for his new club to equal a club record with a fifth consecutive victory. The side is now five points behind Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC in first place in the Eastern Conference but holds three games in hand on its rivals to offer a chance to advance further up the standings should it sustain its recent run of success. Le Rouge (4-7-3, 15pts) moved into the playoff positions in the East on Wednesday night, meanwhile, as Ben Morris had a breakout game with two goals and one assist in a 3-1 victory against Hartford Athletic to send the side to its third win in the last four games. Saturday’s game will serve as the first meeting between the clubs since last year’s Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2022 USL Championship Playoffs when a pair of late goals by Graham Smith and Phillip Goodrum lifted 901 FC to a 3-1 victory at AutoZone Park, with that result completing an undefeated three-game set for Memphis during the campaign.

Spotlight Players
Memphis 901 FC – Nighte Pickering: The 18-year-old forward has recorded goal contributions in each of the past four games with three goals and two assists in that span, a run that has coincided with his first run of consecutive starts since joining the club last summer.

Detroit City FC – Skage Simonsen: The Norwegian forward also found the net for Le Rouge on Wednesday night before coming off after about an hour of play, and he will hope to add another good display here.

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. Las Vegas Lights FC

Venue: Weidner Field
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: COS 62%, LV 14%, Draw 23%

The Lowdown: Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC will look to build on their most convincing win of the season so far as they play host to a Las Vegas Lights FC heading north on short rest after a midweek setback. The Switchbacks (6-7-1, 19pts) earned a 4-0 victory against Orange County SC last Saturday night as Romario Williams recorded a goal and two assists to snap a five-game losing streak for the side and settle the ship after a slide down the standings. Drew Skundrich and Jairo Henriquez also found the net for the hosts while 17-year-old Marco Rios scored his first goal for the club to cap the performance. Colorado Springs is set to be without Henriquez on Saturday after his call-up to El Salvador’s national team for its preparations for the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup, but the side will still be hopeful of a repeat of its victory at home to Lights FC when the teams last met a season ago. Las Vegas (1-6-6, 9pts) battled strongly on Wednesday night against El Paso Locomotive FC but fell 2-1 at Southwest University Park to remain in last place in the West. Lights FC fell for the first time this season after scoring the opening goal with Tabort Etaka Preston’s finish in the third minute the earliest the side had scored this season, and will now try to claim its second win of the season and its second win all-time on the road at the Switchbacks in its history.

Spotlight Players
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – Matt Mahoney: The center back is set to make his 150th regular season appearance in the Championship on Saturday having become a fixture in the club’s defense over the past two-and-a-half years.

Las Vegas Lights FC – Leo Diaz: The Argentine shot-stopper continued to impress despite defeat in El Paso, recording his third penalty save on five attempts faced so far this season. 

FC Tulsa vs. Orange County SC

Venue: ONEOK Field
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: TUL 35%, OC 37%, Draw 28%

The Lowdown: FC Tulsa and Orange County SC are both looking for consistency after each winning only once in their last six games as they meet in an interconference clash. Tulsa (2-5-7, 13pts) suffered a 3-1 defeat to Loudoun United FC last Friday night as an early penalty kick by Phillip Goodrum gave way to second loss in the past four games. Goodrum has scored twice for the side since his move from Memphis 901 FC, but the hosts dropped below the playoff line on Wednesday night as they look for just their second home win of the season this time out. Orange County (3-8-4, 13pts) also fell in its last outing as Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC took a 4-0 victory at Weidner Field, keeping the side in 10th place in the Western Conference. OCSC took victory when these sides met a season ago in California, however, as Milan Iloski bagged a first-half hat trick in a 5-1 victory at Championship Soccer Stadium, and the visitors will be hoping for similar magic this time around as they look for their first away win of the campaign.

Spotlight Players
FC Tulsa – Adam Armour: The 20-year-old has made three consecutive starts on the left side and will aim to provide a two-way threat on the flank having recorded two chances created and four completed dribbles after his recent arrival.

Orange County SC – Thomas Amang: The Cameroonian forward has yet to record a goal or assist in eight appearances for his new side after an offseason move. This would be an ideal moment to break that streak and help OCSC move back into the playoff conversation.

New Mexico United vs. Rio Grande Valley FC

Venue: Isotopes Park
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: NM 56%, RGV 18%, Draw 25%

The Lowdown: A new era for New Mexico United will get underway on Saturday night as Head Coach Eric Quill leads the team for the first time as it hosts Rio Grande Valley FC in the second meeting between the teams this season. New Mexico (4-6-2, 14pts) will try to snap a three-game losing streak as Quill takes the helm after suffering a 3-2 defeat on the road against the Tampa Bay Rowdies last weekend despite goals from Kalen Ryden and Harry Swartz. The 2019 USL League One Coach of the Year at North Texas SC, Quill is looking to lead United back into the playoff conversation as it kicks off three consecutive games at home against the Toros, against whom New Mexico earned a dramatic 2-2 draw in May at H-E-B Park as both Swartz and Sergio Rivas scored in second-half stoppage time to earn the side a point. RGV FC (2-5-6, 12pts) produced late drama of its own last Saturday as Wahab Ackwei scored in the seventh minute of stoppage time to earn his side a 3-3 draw against Miami FC, with the goal standing as the latest scored in the league so far this season and the second-latest in the Toros’ regular season history. The visitors are winless in their last four games overall, however, and sitting five points out of the playoff positions need a win to boost their own playoff chances as much as United would like to celebrate Quill’s appointment with all three points.

Spotlight Players
New Mexico United – Justin Portillo: The central midfielder is one assist from reaching 30 regular season helpers for his career and should be a key piece for Quill as he looks for more creativity in the final third from his new charges.

Rio Grande Valley FC – Jose Francisco Torres: The former United States international has recorded 19 chances created this season but has yet to register a goal or assist in 12 appearances so far this campaign.

El Paso Locomotive FC vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies

Venue: Southwest University Park
Kickoff: 9:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: ELP 39%, TBR 33%, Draw 27%

The Lowdown: El Paso Locomotive FC will try to add to its club record 11-game undefeated streak as it plays host to the Tampa Bay Rowdies, which enter on a seven-game winning streak of their own as the sides meet for the second time. Locomotive FC (9-3-2, 29pts) moved into a tie for first place in the Western Conference standings as it took a 2-1 victory against Las Vegas Lights FC at Southwest University Park, giving the side eight wins in its last nine games overall as Luis Solignac and Erik McCue’s goals saw the side rebound from an early deficit. Solignac has now scored eight goals this season, one off the league, lead, as the Argentine continues his pursuit of becoming the fastest player to reach 50 regular season goals in the Championship’s history with 42 in 86 appearances. The Rowdies (7-4-3, 24pts) moved into third place in the Eastern Conference last Saturday night, meanwhile, as it took a 3-2 victory against New Mexico United that saw Ryan Spaulding score his first two goals from the club since arriving on loan from the New England Revolution earlier this season. Spaulding has also notched four assists for the Rowdies since his arrival, helping the side wins six of its past seven games, and the visitors are set to have both JJ Williams and Conner Antley available for selection again after serving suspensions against New Mexico. Tampa Bay took a 3-1 victory when these teams met last season as Leo Fernandes found the net twice, and while the 2022 Championship MVP will be absent due to his season-long injury the visitors will be hoping to take advantage of an El Paso side that will complete a run of three games in eight days on Saturday night.

Spotlight Players
El Paso Locomotive FC – Denys Kostyshyn: The Ukrainian notched his second assist of the season on Wednesday night before being withdrawn just past the hour mark and will be a player Tampa Bay needs to pay close attention to in the final third.

Tampa Bay Rowdies – Laurence Wyke: The versatile English midfielder notched his first assist since his return on loan from Nashville SC earlier this month against New Mexico and could be a key piece of the puzzle for the visitors here.

Oakland Roots SC vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

Venue: Pioneer Stadium
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: OAK 46%, PIT 24%, Draw 29%

The Lowdown: Oakland Roots SC and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC will look to maintain positive runs of form as they square off with the Hounds within reach of a club record in the USL Championship era in its first trip to Oakland. Roots SC (6-4-3, 21pts) played to a 2-2 draw with Phoenix Rising FC last Saturday night as it narrowly missed out on a third consecutive win after conceding a late equalizer to its hosts at Phoenix Rising Stadium. Oakland took the lead twice through goals by Dariusz Formella and Lindo Mfeka, but remains undefeated in its last three games in fifth place in the Western Conference. The Hounds (7-2-5, 26pts) moved to the top of the Eastern Conference with a 2-0 win against the Charleston Battery last Saturday night at Highmark Stadium with Junior Etou scoring after just 21 seconds for the club’s fastest goal in the USL Championship era before Tola Showumni added a late insurance goal to wrap up the win. Pittsburgh has now won five consecutive games in league play and would set a new high mark in the Championship era should it repeat its 3-1 victory against Oakland when they met at Highmark Stadium with the Hounds twice previously having reeled off five straight wins during Head Coach Bob Lilley’s tenure.

Spotlight Players
Oakland Roots SC – Danny Barbir: The center back has been a solid performer for Oakland this season, recording 19 interceptions in 13 appearances, and could have a larger role to play than usual with Neveal Hackshaw potentially absent due to international duty with Trinidad and Tobago.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC – Kenardo Forbes: The Championship’s all-time leader in regular season assists bagged the 60th of his career last Saturday night and enters tied for the league lead with five helpers so far this campaign.

Phoenix Rising FC vs. Louisville City FC

Venue: Phoenix Rising Stadium
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: PHX 41%, LOU 31%, Draw 28%

The Lowdown: Phoenix Rising FC and Louisville City FC will square off for the second time in the Championship’s regular season with the 2018 USL Championship Final participants both looking for their first win in June as they meet in Arizona for the first time. Phoenix (4-4-5, 17pts) remained in eighth place in the Western Conference standings last Saturday as a late goal by Manuel Arteaga earned a 2-2 draw against Oakland Roots SC at Phoenix Rising Stadium. Arteaga has now scored six goals this season after his offseason move to Phoenix, but Rising FC is currently winless in its last three games and has won only twice on home turf in six games this season. LouCity (6-4-3, 21pts) fell 3-1 to Memphis 901 FC in its last outing, meanwhile, as an improved attacking display didn’t provide the needed payoff as the side dropped to fifth place in the Eastern Conference. Wilson Harris scored his fourth goal of the season against 901 FC, but Louisville has struggled with its finishing so far this season with only 13 goals in 13 games. After a scoreless draw when the teams met last season at Lynn Family Stadium, both teams will be eager to come away with a win here to provide a boost in confidence as they near the midway point of the regular season.

Spotlight Players
Phoenix Rising FC – Fede Varela: The Argentine scored his first goal of the season against Oakland in his 11th appearance in the league and had three shots overall, a performance he’ll be aiming to build on this time out.

Louisville City FC – Dylan Mares: The experienced midfielder has notched one goal and one assist in three prior games against Phoenix Rising FC and will hope to help the visitors snap out of their attacking funk on the road.

Sacramento Republic FC vs. Monterey Bay F.C.

Venue: Heart Health Park
Kickoff: 11 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: SAC 60%, MB 15%, Draw 25%

The Lowdown: Sacramento Republic FC and Monterey Bay F.C. will renew their growing rivalry as Republic FC returns home after consecutive draws against challenging opponents on the road. Sacramento (8-1-5, 29pts) played to a 1-1 draw against San Diego Loyal SC at Torero Stadium last Friday night as Damia Viader scored in the first half before the hosts hit back to level after the break. Undefeated in its past four games overall, Republic FC has won six consecutive home games in the league as it returns to Heart Health Stadium and is undefeated in its last 10 home league games overall dating back to last season while sitting level on points with El Paso Locomotive FC for first place in the Western standings. Monterey Bay (5-4-5, 20ts) will try to challenge that record after earning a late 2-1 victory against Las Vegas Lights FC last Saturday to continue a recent return to form. MBFC is now undefeated in its past three games to move up to sixth place in the Western Conference, and the visitors took a 1-0 win when these sides last met as Christian Volesky earned the 2022 expansion side its first win in the series last August at Cardinale Stadium. With two of the top four attacks in the Championship set to square off, this game could produce a highly entertaining spectacle and continue to build the enmity between the two clubs.

Spotlight Players
Sacramento Republic FC – Jack Gurr: The right-sided wingback has recorded three goals and three assists this season while producing strong defensive work and will be a player Monterey Bay will have to keep close tabs on.

Monterey Bay F.C. – Sam Gleadle: The English attacking midfielder has recorded two goals and two assists in the past two games, providing an attacking spark that has helped the rest of the MBFC attack regain its form.