If you win one, you love them.

If you lose one, you hate them.

But whatever the result, you can’t resist watching a penalty shootout.

We’ve seen 13 games in the past five editions of the USL Championship Playoffs be decided from the spot, including some epics that have gone beyond the first five shooters per side.

Ahead of the 2023 USL Championship Playoffs, here are the numbers on who’s succeeded under pressure, which sides have historically come up short, and you can let us know who you’d take to deliver from the spot or come up with a clutch save when all the chips are in the middle.

Shootout History – Who’s hot, who’s not

Eleven of the teams in the 2023 USL Championship Playoffs have previously engaged in at least one penalty shootout in the league’s postseason. Phoenix Rising FC has participated in the most, going 3-2 across five shootouts in its history.

The most successful club? That would be Orange County SC, which is a perfect 3-0 all-time in shootouts. OCSC produced one of the biggest upsets in the Championship Playoffs in 2016, defeating No. 1 seed Sacramento Republic FC 5-4 from the spot as a No. 8 seed in the Western Conference Quarterfinals, and then won twice in a shootout against Oakland Roots SC and San Antonio FC on the way to the 2021 title.

At the other end of the spectrum, we have San Antonio FC. The defending title holder is 0-2 in shootouts all-time after its defeat to Orange County two seasons ago. Three other teams have lost their only prior shootout in the playoffs (Birmingham Legion FC, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, New Mexico United).

Postseason Penalty Shootout Records – 2023 USL Championship Playoffs Clubs
Birmingham Legion FC – 0-1
Charleston Battery – 2-0
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – 0-1
El Paso Locomotive FC – 2-1
Louisville City FC – 2-1
New Mexico United – 0-1
Orange County SC – 3-0
Phoenix Rising FC – 3-2
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC – 1-2
Sacramento Republic FC – 1-1
San Antonio FC – 0-2 

Take Your Pick – One Shot to Win

There have been some clinical penalty takers in the USL Championship over the years. League legend Luke Vercollone scored all 14 of his penalty kicks in the regular season and playoffs, while others like Chandler Hoffman (15 of 16) and Brandon Allen (14 of 15) were almost automatic from the spot.

This year’s postseason field includes four players who’ve been calm under pressure. Which would you take to score with the game on the line?

Take Your Pick – One Save to Win

Sometimes, the hero of a shootout will be the player who scores the decisive goal. What’s unquestionable, however, is the person everyone wants to celebrate with after claiming victory is the goalkeeper that either made the final denial, or set up the chance to close out the win.

This year’s playoff squads have some shot-stoppers who’ve shown their mettle staring down shooters from the spot. Which one would you take to come up with a clutch moment this postseason?