The final quarter of the regular season kicks off on Wednesday night with a pair of fascinating Eastern Conference contests that see four teams currently in the playoff positions looking to gain points, and the start of a crucial homestand for New Mexico United as it plays host to Oakland Roots SC to wrap up the night out west.

Here's a look ahead at all the action.

Hartford Athletic vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

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

The Lowdown: Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC will take aim at becoming the first team to reach 50 points this regular season as it kicks off a two-game week on the road against Hartford Athletic. The Athletic (4-16-4, 16pts) suffered a second consecutive defeat as its playoff hopes continued to dim in a 3-0 setback against Miami FC on Saturday night. Hartford is 13 points out of the playoff positions with 10 games to go in the campaign and is looking to change its fortunes against the Hounds, against whom it is winless in its last seven meetings after a 2-0 victory for Pittsburgh at Highmark Stadium earlier this month. Albert Dikwa and Juan Carlos Obregon Jr. found the net in that contest, but Pittsburgh (13-5-8, 47pts) is looking to rebound itself after a 1-0 defeat on the road at Orange County SC in its most recent outing. With a visit to defending USL Championship title holder set for Saturday, the lineup the visitors bring offers an intriguing subplot in a game the Hounds need to win as the second-placed Tampa Bay Rowdies sit poised with two games in hand and a three-point margin to make up.

Spotlight Players
Hartford Athletic – Conor McGlynn: The versatile defensive midfielder has recorded 67 clearances and 30 interceptions this season and will look to put in a solid shift for the hosts.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC – Juan Carlos Obregon Jr.: The Honduran international could make his return to Trinity Health Stadium having recorded 15 goals in 53 games for Hartford over the past two seasons.

FC Tulsa vs. Birmingham Legion FC

Venue: ONEOK Field
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+

The Lowdown: Birmingham Legion FC will look to build on a strong home win last time out as it tries to create separation from eighth-placed FC Tulsa, with the host in need of a win to alleviate the pressure right above the playoff line. Tulsa (7-10-8, 29pts) saw its winless streak reach four games last Friday night in a 2-1 defeat to the Tampa Bay Rowdies that saw Phillip Goodrum pull a goal back from the penalty spot only for the comeback bid to come up short. Goodrum’s goal was his team-leading eighth goal of the season for the side, but the hosts are now level on points with Miami FC and only two points ahead of Detroit City FC with nine games to go in the regular season. The hosts will try to turn the tables on Legion FC (10-11-3, 33pts) after the visitors took a 3-2 win when the sides first met this season in March, with Tyler Pasher and Neco Brett leading a late rally in the final 10 minutes. Brett was also on target for Birmingham in a 2-0 win on Saturday against Louisville City FC, becoming just the fourth player to reach 75 regular season goals in the Championship’s history in the process. With the chance to stretch the gap to seven points over their hosts, Legion FC will be aiming for another fast start as it moves toward a fifth consecutive playoff berth.

Spotlight Players
FC Tulsa – Marcus Epps: The fleet-footed winger scored when these sides met for the first time this season and has six goals and three assists overall in the campaign so far.

Birmingham Legion FC – Enzo Martinez: The veteran forward scored his ninth goal of the season against LouCity, continuing another stellar season that should see him record double-digit goals for a third time.

Memphis 901 FC vs. Indy Eleven

Venue: AutoZone Park
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+ / SiriusXM FC

The Lowdown: Indy Eleven will try to build on a three-game winning streak as it heads to face Memphis 901 FC, which returns to action after a bye week having won its last two games to put its in the frame for a top-four finish. Memphis (10-6-7, 37pts) took a 1-0 win on the road against San Diego Loyal SC in its most recent outing on August 12 as Rodrigo Da Costa scored the only goal and goalkeeper Drew Romig posted an outstanding four-save shutout at Torero Stadium. 901 FC is level on points with Louisville City FC but holds both the head-to-head tiebreaker and two games in hand on the defending Eastern Conference title holder. Memphis took a 2-1 victory when these sides met for the first time this season in July as Akeem Ward scored the decisive goal, but Indy (9-9-7, 34pts) is in its best run of form this season after a 3-2 victory against El Paso Locomotive FC on Saturday night that saw Douglas Martinez Jr. score the winner with 19 minutes to go. Indy is now five points ahead of the teams fighting for the final playoff berth in sixth place and has been successful on the road this season with seven of its nine wins coming away from Michael A. Carroll Stadium. A win here for the visitors would add to the logjam of teams fighting for a top-four finish in the Eastern standings.

Spotlight Players
Memphis 901 FC – Leston Paul: The Trinidad and Tobago international has worked his way back to full fitness after missing a large portion of the season and made his best start of the season so far against SD Loyal.

Indy Eleven – Adrian Diz Pe: The Cuban center back has been impressive throughout the season and will look to put in another good display to try and contain the attacking corps for 901 FC.

New Mexico United vs. Oakland Roots SC

Venue: Isotopes Park
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+

The Lowdown: New Mexico United will open a crucial four-game homestand as it plays host to Oakland Roots SC, with the hosts looking to jump back above the playoff line after fighting back to earn a point last time out. New Mexico (8-10-5, 29pts) played to a 2-2 draw against San Diego Loyal SC on Saturday night at Torero Stadium as Amando Moreno scored the equalizer in second-half stoppage time. Moreno’s goal came on Justin Portillo’s second assist of the night, and the result put United only three points back of seventh-placed Phoenix Rising FC and eighth-placed El Paso Locomotive FC with a game in hand on both. Roots SC (10-7-7, 37pts) suffered a setback in its last outing, falling 3-2 to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC despite a stellar display by Memo Diaz at Pioneer Stadium. The result ended a six-match undefeated streak for Oakland, which remains in fourth place in the West. Having taken a 1-0 win when these sides played for the first time this season, Roots SC will look to do the double and further solidify its playoff chances.

Spotlight Players
New Mexico United – Shanyder Borgelin: The Haiti international made his debut on loan from Inter Miami CF on Saturday and completed 16 of 18 passes while providing a physical presence in the front line.

Oakland Roots SC – Bryan Tamacas: The El Salvador international has been a solid performer on the right side for Oakland this season and will look to put pressure on New Mexico’s back line in addition to his defensive duties.