The battle for the postseason will continue to heat up on Saturday night with three rivalry clashes among the eight-game slate of action throughout the night highlighted by Monterey Bay F.C. and Oakland Roots SC squaring off on ESPN2, and a second Copa Tejas contest this week as El Paso Locomotive FC hosts Rio Grande Valley FC.

Elsewhere, the Tampa Bay Rowdies head to face Birmingham Legion FC to start their new era after the departure of Head Coach Neill Collins, while the night ends with Sacramento Republic FC playing host to Memphis 901 FC in a first meeting between the two contenders.

Here's a look ahead at all the action.

Miami FC vs. Charleston Battery

Venue: Riccardo Silva Stadium
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+

The Lowdown: The Charleston Battery will look to stay in touch with the leaders in the Eastern Conference as it completes a week on the road against Miami FC, which will hope to rebound after a midweek setback as it returns to South Florida. Miami (3-9-7, 16pts) suffered a 1-0 defeat to FC Tulsa on Wednesday night, handing another setback to the club’s playoff aspirations after it had claimed victory this past weekend to break a lengthy winless streak. The hosts are now five points out of the playoff positions in 11th place in the Eastern Conference standings but have fared well against Charleston in recent meetings with four wins in the past five contests between the sides. The Battery (9-5-5, 32pts) could prove a different proposition in the first meeting between the teams this season, however, as they look to build on a 1-1 draw on the road against Indy Eleven on Wednesday night that kept the side in third place in the Eastern Conference. Tristan Trager’s equalizer earned Charleston a point, which kept the side three points back of first-placed Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, and the visitors could hand a new face his first action for the club on Saturday with midfielder Pierre Reedy having signed with the club this week.

Spotlight Players
Miami FC – Florian Valot: The French playmaker has made a pair of substitute appearances since returning from injury in the past week and could get an extended opportunity to shine in the attacking third for the hosts this time out.

Charleston Battery – Arturo Rodriguez: The creative midfielder has become a mainstay in the Battery’s lineup with two goals, three assists and 25 chances created in 16 appearances and could play a key role again here.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC vs. Detroit City FC

Venue: Highmark Stadium
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+

The Lowdown: Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC will look to build on a big midweek win as it squares off with Rust Belt rival Detroit City FC, which is looking for a return to the win column after being held on home turf in its most recent outing. The Hounds (9-2-8, 35pts) returned to the top of the Eastern Conference standings on Wednesday night as Albert Dikwa scored his 10th goal of the regular season to earn a 1-0 victory on the road at Louisville City FC. Pittsburgh is now undefeated in its last 12 games with goalkeeper Luis Zamudio having recorded four shutouts in five appearances since arriving on loan from D.C. United as cover for the now-returning Jamahli Waite from Jamaica Men’s National Team duty. Dikwa’s goal was his first since returning from injury and moved him into a tie for the lead in the race for the Golden Boot with Phoenix Rising FC’s Manuel Arteaga. Le Rouge (4-10-5, 17pts) are looking to break a five-game winless run, meanwhile, after playing to a 1-1 draw against Loudoun United FC on Wednesday night at Keyworth Stadium. Detroit took the lead early in the second half on a spectacular finish by Dario Suarez from the halfway line for the Cuban’s first goal since his transfer from FC Tulsa, but the hosts were unable to hold on as Loudoun leveled from the penalty spot to leave Detroit four points out of the playoff positions as it heads to Pittsburgh.

Spotlight Players
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC – Kenardo Forbes: After coming on as a second-half substitute against Louisville, the Jamaican playmaker could return to the starting lineup as he looks to add to his five assists so far this campaign.

Detroit City FC – Stephen Carroll: The experienced center back will need to put in a strong display to try and limit Pittsburgh’s attack with Dikwa having found the net when the teams last met a season ago at Highmark Stadium.

Birmingham Legion FC vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies

Venue: Protective Stadium
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+

The Lowdown: The Tampa Bay Rowdies will play their first game since the departure of Head Coach Neill Collins as they head to visit a Birmingham Legion FC side that claimed victory at Al Lang Stadium when the teams met earlier this season. Legion FC (7-8-2, 23pts) is looking to get back in the win column after a dramatic 3-3 draw against Las Vegas Lights FC last weekend that saw Enzo Martinez give the visitors a late lead before Lights FC equalized in second-half stoppage time to deny Birmingham all three points. Martinez put on a stellar individual display with two assists to add to his goal, and now sits second all-time in the Championship’s regular season history with a combined 109 goals and assists in his career. Neco Brett was the hero when these teams last met, meanwhile, scoring both goals in a 2-0 victory against Tampa Bay in April, but the Rowdies (10-4-4, 34pts) have found a rich vein of form since then going 11 games without defeat after a 3-0 win against Oakland Roots SC last Saturday night. Longtime Rowdies goalkeepers coach Stuart Dobson will lead the side on an interim basis as it looks to build on that performance, which saw Cal Jennings score a hat trick and Sebastian Dalgaard record a pair of assists. As the club enters a new era, the visitors will hope to add to their nine wins in the past 11 games in what should be a fascinating contest.

Spotlight Players
Birmingham Legion FC – Tyler Pasher: The Canadian has scored in consecutive games after finding the net against Las Vegas last week with a clinical strike and will be a player the Rowdies need to keep tabs on in the attacking third.

Tampa Bay Rowdies – Cal Jennings: The veteran forward has scored six goals in the past three games after last week’s hat trick, finding the form that made him a prized offseason pickup for Tampa Bay while becoming the club’s current leading goalscorer.

Loudoun United FC vs. Orange County SC

Venue: Segra Field
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+

The Lowdown: Loudoun United FC will try to build on a midweek draw as it returns home to face an Orange County SC side that claimed victory when these teams met a season ago in California. Loudoun (6-13-2, 20pts) rallied to earn a 1-1 draw against Detroit City FC on Wednesday night as Zach Ryan scored from the penalty spot for his ninth goal of the season. The result left United a point behind Indy Eleven in ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings, but with only 13 games remaining – at least two fewer than any of its fellow rivals for the final playoff places in the Eastern Conference – the hosts will want to pick up all three points and earn a little revenge for last year’s defeat. Orange County (6-9-4, 22pts) took a 3-1 win when these teams met a season ago as Milan Iloski scored twice, but the visitors are looking to rebound from a 2-0 setback to Rio Grande Valley FC last Saturday night in South Texas as they bid for a return to the playoffs this season. With seven goals and three assists, Iloski leads his side in both categories this season having directly contributed to more than half the goals OCSC has scored this campaign (19), a sign of the attacking help he needs to boost the club’s playoff chances.

Spotlight Players
Loudoun United FC – Jake Morris: The versatile defender has been solid in his first four appearances for Loudoun since arriving on loan from Columbus Crew SC and went close to finding the net for the first time with a shot off the woodwork against Detroit.

Orange County SC – Anish Chatta: The first-year pro could step back into the lineup for OCSC with Kyle Scott set to serve a one-game suspension and will look to add to his one assist in 15 appearances so far this campaign.

FC Tulsa vs. Hartford Athletic

Venue: ONEOK Field
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+

The Lowdown: FC Tulsa will try to build on a three-game winning streak that has carried the side into the playoff positions against a Hartford Athletic side hoping to snap a five-game losing streak as the sides meet for the first time this season. Tulsa (5-7-7, 22pts) moved up to seventh place in the Eastern Conference on Wednesday night as Marcus Epps’ goal proved the difference in a 1-0 win against Miami FC. The side’s three victories have each come against rivals in the current playoff race in the East, previously defeating Detroit City FC and Indy Eleven, while the club has posted consecutive shutouts for the second time this campaign. Hartford (2-12-4, 10pts) will try to bring that run to an end as it looks for its first points under new Head Coach Omid Namazi and just its second road win of the season. The Athletic fell 2-0 to San Diego Loyal SC last Saturday night at Trinity Health Stadium and are now six points adrift at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, meaning it may be now or never if the side is to produce a run back into playoff contention with 16 games to go in the campaign.

Spotlight Players
FC Tulsa – Marcus Epps: The 28-year-old’s brilliant strike against Miami was his second goal in the past three games and his speed on the left side could pose a challenge for Harford’s back line.

Hartford Athletic – Prince Saydee: The Liberian winger has been one of the consistent attacking threats this season for Hartford with five goals and three assists and will look to add to those totals as his side looks for a much-needed win.

El Paso Locomotive FC vs. Rio Grande Valley FC

Venue: Southwest University Park
Kickoff: 9:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+

The Lowdown: El Paso Locomotive FC faces a second consecutive Copa Tejas clash on home turf as Rio Grande Valley FC arrives at Southwest University Park in its best form of the season so far. Locomotive FC (9-5-4, 31pts) fell 2-1 on Wednesday night to rival San Antonio FC to fall to third place in the Western Conference standings despite taking a first-half lead through Eric Calvillo from the penalty spot. El Paso is now winless in its last four games overall (0-2-2) as it looks to stay in touch with the frontrunners in the West, but to return to the win column the hosts will have to overcome a Toros side that is both in form and that won in its last visit to west Texas. RGV FC (5-5-8, 23pts) claimed a 2-0 victory against Orange County SC last Sunday night as Wahab Ackwei and Jonathan Ricketts both found the net to run the club’s undefeated streak to six games (3-0-3). The run is the Toros’ longest undefeated streak since the 2018 season and moved the club within two points of the playoff positions after a slow start to the season. The visitors claimed a 2-0 win behind goals from Frank Lopez and Christian Pinzon a season ago, and as it kicks off its Copa Tejas campaign it will be hoping for another win to put itself in contention to lift the rivalry trophy for the first time.

Spotlight Players
El Paso Locomotive FC – Liam Rose: The Australian midfielder has been solid for Locomotive FC throughout the season but will need to be on his game to try and contain a talented Toros group led by Taylor Davila.

Rio Grande Valley FC – Christian Pinzon: The Mexican forward found the net the last time he visited Southwest University Park and has been influential since his return to the Toros’ lineup with a goal and assist in five games this season.

Monterey Bay F.C. vs. Oakland Roots SC

Venue: Cardinale Stadium
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN2

The Lowdown: Monterey Bay F.C. and Oakland Roots SC will both try to get back on a winning track as they square off for the first time this season in the national spotlight on ESPN2. Monterey Bay (7-6-6, 27pts) dropped to sixth place in the Western Conference last Saturday night as it played to a 0-0 draw with El Paso Locomotive FC in a game that saw goalkeeper Antony Siaha continue his recent impressive run of form. The goalkeeper has recorded four shutouts in his past five appearances while making 26 saves, but the side hasn’t taken full advantage as it enters on a three-game winless streak going back to a 1-0 win against Miami FC on June 24. Oakland (6-6-6, 24pts) has also seen recent struggles going winless in the past six outings after a 1-1 draw against Memphis 901 FC on Wednesday night. Jeciel Cedeno scored his first goal for the club to open the scoring at Pioneer Stadium, but the hosts were pegged back by 901 FC after the break and had to settle for a point. Each team took victory on the road in the series last year with Roots SC taking a 2-0 victory on its last trip to Cardinale Stadium. The visitors will be hoping for a similar result this time out in a tight Western Conference playoff race.

Spotlight Players
Monterey Bay F.C. – Sam Gleadle: The speedy English winger is tied for the league-lead with five assists while also contributing four goals this season but has been held off the scoresheet in his past four appearances, something he’ll be eager to change.

Oakland Roots SC – Danny Barbir: The former United States youth international is putting together a solid season in Oakland’s back line but he’ll need to be on top of his game with the visitors set to be without Neveal Hackshaw due to a one-game suspension for his red card against Memphis.

Sacramento Republic FC vs. Memphis 901 FC

Venue: Heart Health Park
Kickoff: 11 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+

The Lowdown: Sacramento Republic FC returns home to host Memphis 901 FC looking to get back in the win column at the top of the Western Conference after a hard-fought draw last weekend. Republic FC (9-2-7, 34pts) played to a 0-0 draw at current Eastern Conference leader Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at Highmark Stadium, earning goalkeeper Danny Vitiello his seventh shutout of the season in a second consecutive draw for the side. Sacramento has won only once in the past six games overall, drawing four times, but the side continues to sit with the fewest goals conceded in the Championship this season and a 0.61 goals-against average overall. Memphis (8-5-4, 29pts) will try to break down that defense after earning a 1-1 draw on Wednesday night in the first leg of its trip to Northern California against Oakland Roots SC when a second-half goal by Laurent Kissiedou earn a point for the visitors. 901 FC has been a strong road team this season, winning four times and losing only once in seven outings so far, and as it faces Sacramento for the first time in its history the visitors will be hoping to continue that success in what could be a preview of this year’s USL Championship Final.

Spotlight Players
Sacramento Republic FC – Sebastian Herrera: The Colombian forward could make his return to action after scoring in his most recent appearance against San Antonio FC on June 24 as he looks to add to his four goals overall this season.

Memphis 901 FC – Nighte Pickering: The 18-year-old notched his fourth assist of the season in Oakland to go with four goals and will look to continue what has been a stellar campaign so far against an experienced Sacramento back line.