Two of the USL Championship’s best rivalries will feature on Saturday night as the Louisville Indianapolis Proximity Association Football Contest and Copa Tejas both feature in an 11-game slate of games that also include the first game in charge for new Tampa Bay Rowdies Head Coach Nicky Law and a pair of top-five contests in the Eastern Conference.

Here's a look ahead at all the action.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC vs. Memphis 901 FC

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

The Lowdown: Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC will try to bounce back from its first home defeat of the season as it plays host to a Memphis 901 FC side that is looking to break out of a current downturn in form. The Hounds (10-4-8, 38pts) fell 3-1 to Indy Eleven on Wednesday night to break a 10-game home undefeated streak to start the season, but the side remains two points ahead of the Charleston Battery in first place in the Eastern Conference as it looks to complete a season sweep of Memphis. Pittsburgh took a 3-1 victory against 901 FC at AutoZone Park in March as Albert Dikwa had a hat trick, getting the Cameroonian forward off to a flying start in his campaign to claim the Championship’s Golden Boot. Memphis (8-5-6, 30pts) sits in fourth place in the East but saw its winless run reach five games last Saturday night as it twice surrendered leads before falling 4-3 to Orange County SC. The defeat saw both Jeremy Kelly and Bruno Lapa sent off for the side, resulting in their suspension for this contest as 901 FC looks for just its second win against Pittsburgh in the sixth meeting overall between the sides.

Spotlight Players
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC – Danny Griffin: The versatile midfielder put in a solid display despite his side’s defeat to Indy but will need to be at his best in what could be a crucial matchup against 901 FC’s Aaron Molloy in the center of the park.

Memphis 901 FC – Emerson Hyndman: The former United States international scored his third goal for Memphis in its loss to Orange County and could drop into a deeper role with Kelly suspended for the game.  

Birmingham Legion FC vs. Charleston Battery

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

The Lowdown: Birmingham Legion FC and the Charleston Battery will both look to build on victories last time out as they square off in what should be an entertaining first meeting between the sides this season. Legion FC (9-8-2, 29pts) rallied for a 2-1 victory against Louisville City FC last Saturday at Lynn Family Stadium as Juan Agudelo and Alex Crognale both found the net, with Crognale scoring a brilliant flicked game-winner in second half stoppage time. Both goals were assisted by 17-year-old midfielder Matthew Corcoran for the first two-assist game of his career, and the midfielder is one of two top youngsters who should be in the spotlight in this matchup. The other is Charleston’s Fidel Barajas, who helped the Battery (10-5-6, 36pts) to a 3-1 victory against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at Patriots Point with the first two-assist game of his career, a night that moved the Mexico U-17 international into the league-lead with seven helpers overall this season. Juan Sebastian Palma, Augustine Williams and Beto Avila scored the goals for the Battery against the Hounds, moving them within two points of the Eastern Conference lead. Charleston will now look to build on that performance as they try to break Birmingham’s four-game undefeated streak in the series between the clubs.

Spotlight Players
Birmingham Legion FC – Enzo Martinez: The veteran forward leads Legion FC with 13 combined goals and assists this season and found the net when these teams last met a season ago in a 3-0 victory at Patriots Point.

Charleston Battery – Augustine Williams: The Sierra Leone international scored his ninth goal of the season against Pittsburgh, keeping him firmly in the race for the Championship’s Golden Boot at the end of the season.

Loudoun United FC vs. Miami FC

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

The Lowdown: Miami FC will try to build on a major road victory as they head to face a Loudoun United FC side that is winless in its last three outings in a playoff six-pointer in Virginia. Loudoun (6-14-2, 20pts) suffered a 3-1 defeat at home to Orange County SC on July 15 in their most recent outing, dropping the side below the playoff line in the East. United claimed victory when these teams met in June, however, as Zach Ryan and Jackson Hopkins found the net in a 2-1 result at Riccardo Silva Stadium, a performance that the side will be hoping to emulate this time around as it faces a five-point gap to Indy Eleven in eighth place. Miami (4-9-8, 20pts) has the same cap to make up, but its playoff chances received a major boost last Saturday in a 1-0 win against San Antonio FC at Toyota Field that ended SAFC’s 24-game home undefeated streak in the Championship’s regular season. The visitors will have Paco Craig available for selection after his second yellow card was overturned by the Independent Review Panel this week. Miami has yet to win consecutive league games so far this campaign, however, a trend that must change if it’s to reach the playoffs for a third consecutive campaign.

Spotlight Players
Loudoun United FC – Zach Ryan: The forward leads the team with nine goals this season, including finding the net in its win in South Florida earlier this season, making up more than one-third of Loudoun’s total goal output in league play.

Miami FC – Florian Valot: The French playmaker has put in two solid performances back in the starting lineup after being sidelined with injury and will now want to add to his one goal and one assist so far this season.

Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. FC Tulsa

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

The Lowdown: The Tampa Bay Rowdies will take to the field under new Head Coach Nicky Law for the first time on Saturday as they host an FC Tulsa side aiming for a club record as it looks to bolster its position above the playoff line. Tampa Bay (10-5-5, 35pts) played to a 0-0 draw last Saturday night at Indy Eleven to drop to third place in the Eastern Conference standings despite a bright second half that showed the side’s attacking potential. The Rowdies will hope a return home will see a return to the win column as Law takes the helm, with the 35-year-old former Rowdies player unveiled as the club’s new manager on Thursday. Tulsa (7-7-7, 28pts) could prove a strong first test for the new regime as it enters on a five-game winning streak after defeating Rio Grande Valley FC 2-1 last Friday night at ONEOK Field to equal a club record. Phillip Goodrum and Milo Yosef scored for Tulsa in that contest, with Goodrum’s goal his seventh since joining the club from Memphis 901 FC in May, and the run of form has sent Tulsa within range of the top four in the East. The Rowdies are undefeated in their past three meetings with Tulsa, however, and took a 3-1 victory when the teams last met in downtown St. Petersburg a season ago.

Spotlight Players
Tampa Bay Rowdies – JJ Williams: The powerful forward scored for Tulsa in its last visit to Tampa Bay but has now become an integral part of the Rowdies’ front line with seven goals this season for his new club.

FC Tulsa – Phillip Goodrum: The 2022 Championship All-League selection has scored seven goals and two assists in 10 league appearances for his new side and will be hoping to deliver against the Rowdies solid back line.

Louisville City FC vs. Indy Eleven

Venue: Lynn Family Stadium
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+

The Lowdown: Louisville City FC will try to break out of its longest league losing streak since its inaugural season when it welcomes longtime LIPAFC rival Indy Eleven, with the Boys in Blue coming off a superb midweek victory to move back above the playoff line. LouCity (8-7-5, 29pts) dropped its third consecutive outing last Saturday night as it fell 2-1 to Birmingham Legion FC despite holding a halftime lead through Dylan Mares’ third goal of the season. The result moved Louisville to sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings, with the club’s attack sitting on only 18 goals in 20 games this campaign. The side made a move to strengthen its back line this week, however, acquiring New Zealand international Kyle Adams via transfer from San Diego Loyal SC ahead of a prospective debut this weekend. Indy (6-7-7, 25pts) took an emphatic 3-1 victory against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC on Wednesday night, meanwhile, as it became the first team to defeat the Hounds on their home turf this season. A highlight-reel finish by Aodhan Quinn was backed by goals from Sebastian Guenzatti and Harrison Robledo to give the Boys in Blue their first win since June 24. After falling 1-0 at home to LouCity in their first meeting of the season the visitors will be hoping to turn the tables this time around and maintain their positive momentum toward a playoff berth.

Spotlight Players
Louisville City FC – Brian Ownby: The veteran winger has been a bright spot for LouCity this season but hasn’t scored in 16 prior contests against Indy across the regular season and playoffs.

Indy Eleven – Sebastian Guenzatti: The veteran forward found the net on Wednesday night and has scored three times in 10 prior contests against Louisville during his career.

Rio Grande Valley FC vs. El Paso Locomotive FC

Venue: H-E-B Park
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+

The Lowdown: Copa Tejas rivals Rio Grande Valley FC and El Paso Locomotive FC are both hoping to get back in the win column after their first meeting of the season ended all square in dramatic fashion earlier this month. The Toros (5-6-9, 24pts) suffered a 2-1 defeat to FC Tulsa last time out despite Juan Galindrez scoring his first goal for the club in the second half. The result ended a seven-game undefeated run for the side, placing then four points outside the playoff positions in the Western Conference. RGV FC is undefeated in its past four meetings with Locomotive FC, however, as the sides played to a 1-1 draw when they last met on July 16 at Southwest University Park thanks to a late equalizer by Josue Aaron Gomez for Locomotive FC. That result was part of an ongoing six-game winless streak for El Paso (9-6-5, 32pts) as the club looks for its first victory since June 14 against Las Vegas Lights FC. Locomotive FC is now in fourth place in the Western Conference standings, six points behind leader Sacramento Republic FC, as it heads to South Texas looking to end its Copa Tejas campaign with a win.

Spotlight Players
Rio Grande Valley FC – Wilmer Cabrera Jr.: The 23-year-old forward found the net when these sides met two weeks ago and has notched a team-leading six goals so far this campaign to provide attacking punch for the Toros.

El Paso Locomotive FC – Denys Kostyshyn: The Ukrainian playmaker has been bright for El Paso this season but hasn’t recorded a goal or assist in the past five games, a run he’ll be hoping to break this time out.

San Antonio FC vs. Hartford Athletic

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

The Lowdown: San Antonio FC will try to rebound from its first home defeat in more than a year when it plays host to a Hartford Athletic side that earned just its third win of the season last Saturday night. San Antonio (9-4-7, 34pts) fell 1-0 to Miami FC last Saturday night to break a 24-game home regular season undefeated run, which ended as the sixth-longest in the USL Championship’s regular season history. The side posted a season-high 22 shots but was unable to find an equalizer after conceding early, and now sits four points behind Sacramento Republic FC at the top of the Western Conference standings. Hartford (3-13-4, 13pts) took a 2-0 victory on the road at Las Vegas Lights FC, meanwhile, as Juan Pablo Torres and Kyle Edwards found the net and goalkeeper Joe Rice recorded a seven-save shutout to break a nine-game winless run. Hartford has claimed two of its three victories on the road this season, with both coming against Western Conference foes, as it prepares to face San Antonio for the first time in their respective histories.

Spotlight Players
San Antonio FC – Rida Zouhir: The 19-year-old midfielder recorded a game-high five shots against Miami looking to add to his four goals far this season and will hope to help his side back into the win column this time out.

Hartford Athletic – Triston Hodge: The Trinidad and Tobago international had a solid performance against Las Vegas and will need to be at his best alongside the rest of Hartford’s back line against SAFC’s attack.

Monterey Bay F C. vs. Phoenix Rising FC

Venue: Cardinale Stadium
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+

The Lowdown: Monterey Bay F.C. and Phoenix Rising FC are both looking to boost their playoff chances as Rising FC completes its two-game swing through Northern California on Saturday night. Monterey Bay (7-8-6, 27pts) dropped out of the playoff positions in the Western Conference after suffering a 1-0 defeat at Detroit City FC last Saturday night, a result that ran the club’s winless streak to five games. The hosts will now try to claim their first win against Phoenix, which is 1-0-2 in their three prior meetings, but with a positive result on home turf the side could move as high as tied for fifth place in the West. Rising FC (6-6-8, 26pts) sits a point behind Monterey Bay after suffering a 4-0 defeat to Sacramento Republic FC on Wednesday night in a game that marked only the third time in club history it had conceded four goals in the first half of a contest. Phoenix is now winless in its last three outings after its emphatic victory against Memphis 901 FC on July 1 and will want to lift its confidence ahead of two crucial home games against San Antonio FC and El Paso Locomotive FC in the next two weekends.

Spotlight Players
Monterey Bay F.C. – Hugh Roberts: The veteran defender is on course to make his 250th regular season appearance in the Championship on Saturday night and will need to marshal the hosts’ back line against a good Phoenix attack.

Phoenix Rising FC – Fede Varela: The Argentine hit the crossbar early against Sacramento in a night of near-misses for the side but his combination with leading scorer Manuel Arteaga, Danny Trejo and Panos Armenakas should challenge Monterey Bay’s defense.

Oakland Roots SC vs. Detroit City FC

Venue: Pioneer Stadium
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+

The Lowdown: Oakland Roots SC will look to add to a recent winning streak as it plays host to Detroit City FC, which arrives in California having claimed consecutive victories to move back into the Eastern Conference playoff race. Oakland (9-6-6, 33pts) moved into third place in the Western Conference on Wednesday night with a 1-0 victory against Las Vegas Lights FC that saw Anuar Pelaez score his second goal in as many games for the lone tally of the night. Roots SC has now won three consecutive games and sits five points behind NorCal rival Sacramento Republic FC for first place in the standings and will now try to claim victory against Detroit for the first time with Le Rouge having gone 2-0-1 in three prior meetings. Detroit (6-11-5, 23pts) briefly moved into eighth place in the Eastern Conference last weekend when it took a 1-0 victory against Monterey Bay F.C. for its second consecutive victory but shifted down to ninth after Indy Eleven’s midweek victory. With the side’s attack seeing a boost from midseason arrival Dario Suarez, however, the visitors will be hopeful of finding a way to a result on the road.

Spotlight Players
Oakland Roots SC – Bryan Tamacas: The El Salvador international has recorded assists in consecutive games and will look to push into attack regularly again for the hosts while providing defensive balance on the right.

Detroit City FC – Dario Suarez: The Cuban forward has recorded three goals overall this season while providing an attacking spark for his new club after his arrival from FC Tulsa in midseason.

Orange County SC vs. New Mexico United

Venue: Championship Stadium
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+

The Lowdown: Orange County SC and New Mexico United will both be aiming to continue their recent positive form as they square off for the second time this season. Orange County (8-9-4, 28pts) moved above the playoff line last Saturday night as it rallied twice to claim a 4-3 victory against Memphis 901 FC on Bryce Jamison’s late game-winning goal at AutoZone Park. The victory marked the first time OCSC had rallied from a two-goal deficit to take victory since the 2017 season and gave the side its fifth win in the last six outings to jump the side up the Western Conference. New Mexico (8-4-7, 28pts) sits with an identical number of points as its hosts after a 3-0 victory against Sacramento Republic FC last Saturday that saw Amando Moreno record a goal and assist and continue his solid individual run of form. The result left New Mexico undefeated in its last five games, including four victories, and it will now look for a repeat of its 3-1 victory at Isotopes Park earlier this season against Orange County that saw Greg Hurst score twice in the win. United is undefeated in its last three games overall against OCSC, and having played the fewest games in the Western Conference could further burnish its playoff credentials with another positive result this time out.

Spotlight Players
Orange County SC – Marc McNulty: The Scottish forward has scored in consecutive games to provide support to leading goalscorer Milan Iloski, and his all-around play has helped OCSC find a rich vein of recent form.

New Mexico United – Amando Moreno: The El Salvador international has recorded four goals and one assist in the past six games to help New Mexico’s drive up the standings, and will be hoping for more of the same this time out.

Las Vegas Lights FC vs. Sacramento Republic FC

Venue: Cashman Field
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+

The Lowdown: Sacramento Republic FC will aim to build on a big midweek victory as it heads to face last-placed Las Vegas Lights FC, which enters after a tough midweek defeat. Lights FC (1-11-8, 11pts) fell 1-0 to Oakland Roots SC on Wednesday night for its second consecutive defeat, part of a nine-game winless streak that has left the side 13 points adrift at the bottom of the Western standings. Las Vegas has been a tough side to face this season, however, and took a 2-1 win against Sacramento a season ago when the teams last met at Cashman Field. Republic FC (10-3-8, 38pts) will look to avoid a similar outcome as it heads to Nevada off a 4-0 victory against Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday night that saw both Keko and Jack Gurr record a goal and assist. Sacramento scored all four of its goals in the first half, marking the fourth time in club history it had achieved that feat, before Carlos Saldana rounded out the club’s eighth shutout of the season. As it begins a four-game road trip, Sacramento will be looking to add to its four-point lead at the top of the West with another positive result.

Spotlight Players
Las Vegas Lights FC – Joshua Dolling: The English forward will want to try and make an impact for his new side after arriving on loan from New Mexico United after making his first start against Oakland.

Sacramento Republic FC – Jack Gurr: The Newcastle native produced a sparkling display in his first start since June against Phoenix and will be looking to back that up with another good performance this time out.