Over the course of a season, the clubs that rise to the top of the USL Championship’s Eastern and Western Conferences invariably have a collection of key contributors to that success.

As important as that collective will be over the next four weeks, the USL Championship Playoffs is also the stage that sees X-factor players come to the fore. Think about Santiago Patiño’s five-goal postseason a year ago to lead San Antonio FC to its first title, or others that have risen to the moment to deliver over the course of a postseason in years past.

With that in mind, here’s a player from each club in the Western Conference that could rise to that moment this postseason. Check out our picks for the Eastern Conference here.

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – Jairo Henriquez

If we’re honest, it’s been an up-and-down season for Jairo Henriquez. There was a stint during the summer where he wasn’t coming off the bench for the side. Of late, however, then El Salvador international has shown just what he’s capable of just in time to be a potential contributor to a run for the Switchbacks.

From his spectacular bicycle kick finish in the side’s victory against Sacramento Republic FC to bagging goals in each of the club’s final two games of the season, Henriquez can provide a little bit of magic in the attacking third. At this time of year, that can be the difference between success and going home earlier than hoped for.

El Paso Locomotive FC – Petar Petrovic

Locomotive FC is the only team in the Western Conference playoff field that didn’t feature a player with double-digit goals in the regular season – Luis Solignac ended the season with nine – but Petar Petrovic’s contributions to the club returning to the postseason could prove just as important now it’s here.

The Serbian recorded seven goals and four assists in 24 appearances in his first season with the club and proved to have a flair for the spectacular. His Expected Goals mark was just 1.62xG, which is what tends to happen when 40 percent of your shots come from outside the penalty area (15 of 37). That confidence, though, is the sort of trait that could be key if El Paso is to make a run.

New Mexico United – Amando Moreno

It’s a bit of a simplification, but for New Mexico United this season when Amando Moreno has been on his game, it’s helped lift the side to a higher level. The El Salvador international led the side with 10 goals and tied for the club lead with five assists this season, and in the games in which he recorded at least one goal or assist, New Mexico went 7-2-3 – an average of two points-per-game.

Moreno’s ability as a finisher is valuable, but it’s the way he connects play in open space that might be the most important facet he brings to United this postseason. As the straw that stirs New Mexico’s attacking cocktail, he’s going to be essential for an underdog run.

Orange County SC – Milan Iloski

The leading goalscorer in the USL Championship over the past two regular seasons with 38 goals, Milan Iloski has proven how talented he is in the final third. Now he’ll try to put it together in his first postseason appearance for an OCSC side that has come a very long way over the course of this campaign.

The 24-year-old enters the playoffs on a four-game goalscoring streak and has delivered key finishes such as the game-winners at home to Sacramento Republic FC, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, and San Antonio FC so far this campaign. If he can emulate Ronaldo Damus’ postseason run two years ago in OCSC’s colors, there might be more silverware headed to SoCal.

Phoenix Rising FC – Carlos Harvey

There might not be a player that sums up Phoenix Rising FC’s season better than Carlos Harvey. When the Panamanian international is on his game, it’s a sight to behold. He wins possession, passes effectively, and even chipped in five goals and four assists. His +2.68 Goals Added above league average per American Soccer Analysis was the highest of any player in Phoenix’s squad, such was his level.

But as great as Harvey was in some outings, there were games where nothing quite seemed to go right for the 23-year-old. It’s not the sole reason why in games in which he started this season Rising FC went 8-9-8, compared to 4-1-4 when he was out of the starting lineup, but it also doesn’t seem like a coincidence. If Harvey delivers, Phoenix could as well. 

Sacramento Republic FC – Rodrigo Lopez

Who else could it be? From his past exploits as a Republic FC player to the efficiency he showed before and after his mid-season injury, Rodrigo Lopez feels set to be a central figure as Sacramento seeks its second league title to cap its 10th anniversary season.

The 35-year-old didn’t find the net this regular season but contributed four assists and 32 chances created in just 841 minutes with his quality on the ball barely diminishing. There are plenty of candidates to step up to the mark in Republic FC’s squad, but Lopez is the player everyone looks up to as a leader that can deliver in the big moment.

San Antonio FC – Santiago Patiño

Last year’s Championship Final MVP, this is Santiago Patiño’s time of year. The Colombian enters this year’s postseason tied for the all-time lead in the Championship Playoffs’ history with eight goals after scoring five times in SAFC’s run to the title last season, and he’s been warming up for this postseason with a positive run of form since his midseason return to the club.

Patiño has scored five goals in SAFC’s final six games of the season and is averaging 0.64 goals per 90 minutes – second only on the team to leading scorer Tani Oluwaseyi (0.75), who will figure to try and emulate Samuel Adeniran in the attacking line this year. SAFC hasn’t found the consistency it entered last year’s postseason with this campaign, but Patiño should have a key role to play in the side’s title defense.

San Diego Loyal SC – Tumi Moshobane

When it’s all said and done, there might be no player that will lead San Diego Loyal SC more beloved than Tumi Moshobane. The South African is the club’s all-time leader with 113 appearances and 25 goals and has also chipped in 14 assists over the past four seasons.

That includes eight goals and five assists this year, which don’t make him the club leader in either category but illustrate how essential Moshobane has been to the club’s second consecutive top-three finish in the conference. The hope for SD Loyal’s fans is there will be at least one more Tumi Time moment this offseason.