This weekend’s action in the USL Championship features one of the emerging new rivalries in the league, a must-see showdown on national television between two of the league’s former title winners, and an interconference matchup where there’s going to be plenty of familiarity with the opposition.  

Here are three top storylines to know going in, three players to keep an eye on, and what else you need to know before tuning in on ESPN2, TUDN, CBS Sports Golazo Network and ESPN+.

1. NEW RIVALRY, HIGH STAKES

Whatever expectations we had of the new rivalry between Hartford Athletic and Rhode Island FC before their first meeting on June 1 at Trinity Health Stadium, the game lived up to them. There was an edge to the contest, and plenty of tackles flew in – Rhode Island’s Clay Holstad leading the way winning a game-high 4 of 4 challenges.

Honors ended even in a 1-1 draw, which seemed a fair result and gave the rivalry a good foundation. When the teams meet this Saturday with the playoff race building, though, there’s a bit more at stake than just bragging rights.

• IN THE MIX: Rhode Island enters the weekend in the eighth and final playoff position in the Eastern Conference after its eight-game undefeated streak was brought to an end by Indy Eleven on Wednesday night. It’s got a three-point cushion to ninth-placed North Carolina FC, but a win would be a substantial boost to its aspirations.

• NEEDING A BOOST: Hartford, on the other hand, is under pressure to close the gap to its rival. While last weekend’s two-goal comeback to earn a draw against Birmingham Legion FC was good, it kept the side seven points back of RIFC in the standings with 13 games to go in its regular season.

• PLAY THE FEUD: Rivalries always build over time, but the higher the stakes involved, the quicker they can reach a boiling point. If Rhode Island takes victory and the first season series between the clubs, it could prove a fatal blow to Hartford’s playoff aspirations. Those are the sorts of bragging rights great feuds are built on.

As we enter the final third of the season, the pressure is going to ratchet up for teams fighting for playoff position. That makes this edition of the USL Championship’s newest rivalry a must see.

2. STRENGTH ON STRENGTH

With their respective histories, Louisville City FC and Sacramento Republic FC have become two of the USL Championship’s flagship clubs, perennial contenders with fanbases to match.

That makes what’s become the annual interconference showdown between the sides a game you should circle when the schedule comes out and look forward to when it arrives. As expected, Saturday’s clash at Lynn Family Stadium has plenty on the line for both clubs as they meet on ESPN2.

• BREAKING AWAY: LouCity’s 1-0 win on the road against New Mexico United last Saturday night not only ensured it remained on top of the Eastern Conference but also greatly reduced the threat posed by New Mexico in the Players’ Shield race. With two games in hand on the Charleston Battery, LouCity is the favorite to win the first silverware of the season, and a 10th home league win of the campaign against Sacramento would further that claim.

• ON THE ROAD AGAIN: If there’s a team that can test Louisville’s home supremacy, however, it’s Republic FC. Sacramento is undefeated in its last 11 away regular season games, including going 6-0-4 this season, which has it on the verge of equaling the Championship’s record for the longest regular season road undefeated streak of 12 games.

• HOLD STEADY: The home vs. road comparison doesn’t end with the club’s records. Louisville has been the best attacking side at home in the Championship this season, putting up 37 goals in 10 games at Lynn Family Stadium. Sacramento has been the best defensive side away from home, allowing only six goals in 10 games. Something is going to have to give.

In their meetings over the past two seasons, the home side has taken victory, including a dramatic 5-0 win for Republic FC last year at Heart Health Park.

With the potential we could see this matchup again in November, we’re eager to see what this matchup tells us.

3. FAMILIAR FACES, NEW PLACES

With roster movement occurring each offseason, it’s not uncommon for players to face former clubs in the USL Championship. This Saturday’s interconference clash between Phoenix Rising FC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies on CBS Sports Golazo Network, though, has plenty to dig into in that realm.

• LET’S MAKE A DEAL: In the past couple of years, the Rowdies have become one of the more willing clubs to jump into the transfer market in the league. In the past 12 months that’s brought both forward Manuel Arteaga and midfielder Eddie Munjoma to Al Lang Stadium from Phoenix, with both having been notable contributors to Tampa Bay’s success this campaign.

• QUICK TURNAROUND: Having made those outgoing deals, Rising recently brought aboard Charlie Dennis from the Rowdies after the English playmaker saw his minutes and numbers drop due to injuries this season after an All-League campaign in 2023. Dennis has made two appearances for his new club so far, and you’d expect he’ll want to deliver in front of Phoenix’s home fans this time out.

• ARROW’S PRIMED: For Arteaga, Saturday’s return to Phoenix could be a fascinating one. As one of the club’s leading scorers on the way to a league title last season, he’s continued his strong scoring pace while Rising’s attack has struggled this season. The Venezuelan may get a warm reception from Phoenix’s fans, but he could be a difference-maker on the field when the whistle blows.

In addition to the three players who’ve shifted sides in this matchup via transfers in the past 12 months, Phoenix also now features former Rowdies defender Laurence Wyke, who has been a solid performer on the back line this season.

With Rising under pressure to deliver a win to get its playoff bid back on track, this should be a fascinating matchup.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Joaquin Rivas, El Paso Locomotive FC – The El Salvador international could face former club Miami FC in a battle of the basement of their respective conferences. Locomotive won’t get a better chance at a first home win this season.

Graham Smith, Charleston Battery – Smith and Leland Archer have been at the center of one of the Championship’s best defenses here, as detailed by our friend John Morrissey here. With Smith set to face former club Memphis 901 FC for the first time, they’ll be looking to contain the visiting attack.

Abdellatif Aboukoura, Loudoun United FC – Having signed pro terms with the club this week, 19-year-old talent Aboukoura will look to add to his five goals this season in a sneakily good matchup on the road at Oakland Roots SC.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

#TULvOC: FC Tulsa is on a four-game undefeated streak, has three games in hand on Orange County and Monterey Bay F.C., and would jump into the playoff positions with a win at home against OCSC. Huge opportunity for the hosts.

#PITvSA: The last two teams to win the Players’ Shield are both currently out of the playoff positions. The Hounds are at home and have some positive momentum, while San Antonio is looking for a complete 90 minutes. Pressure’s on here.

#CHSvMEM: The midfield battle could be tasty in this matchup – Charleston’s Emilio Ycaza and Chris Allan vs. Memphis’ Samuel Careaga and Zac Duncan could have plenty of bite – but everyone’s going to be waiting to see if Memphis can find a way to hold Nick Markanich off the scoreboard.

#NCvCOS: Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC got a nice reset last week against Phoenix but has had its troubles on the road against Eastern Conference sides this season. North Carolina has the potential to earn a needed win in their playoff push at home, can it produce another performance like last week in Orange County?

#ELPvMIA: This is both the best chance El Paso Locomotive FC’s will get to win its first home game this season in its remaining schedule, and Miami FC’s best chance to win a game in its remaining schedule. Neither team is going to the playoffs, but don’t underestimate how much fun this game could be.

#MBvBHM: We’re looking forward to seeing how new Head Coach Jordan Stewart builds off what his assistant Simon Dawkins produced last weekend against Tampa Bay. With the willingness both teams have to counterattack, Legion will be hoping it can take control of the track meet.

#OAKvLDN: Both Oakland Roots SC and Loudoun United FC have a great shot at making the playoffs this season, and there’s a willingness to play attractive soccer on both sides as well. Don’t let this matchup sneak under your radar.

#LVvDET: Las Vegas Lights is on a 10-game undefeated streak as it returns home to host Detroit City FC, which is in real need of a win. With Le Rouge coming off a midweek outing and hitting the road, the Lights have a great chance to solidify their position and equal the longest undefeated streak in the league this season.

#INDvNM: Indy got back on track on Wednesday night with its first win in the league since June but it’s going to get a good test from New Mexico United, which has lost two in a row and is under pressure to stay on top of the Western Conference standings.