This weekend in the USL Championship is highlighted by an interconference clash where the pressure is on both sides to deliver, a potentially decisive game in the race for the first silverware of the season, and a clash between two current Eastern Conference playoff contenders.

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 CBS Sports Golazo Network and ESPN+.

1. PRESSURE ON FOR HOUNDS, SWITCHBACKS

The pressure is different for Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC and Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC when they meet for just the second time, but the respective positions the clubs hold in the standings make the clash at Highmark Stadium one of the weekend’s most important games.

• ON THE OUTS: The Hounds are on a six-game undefeated streak, but the combination of scoreless draws in the past two outings and only 10 games to play make this a must-win on home turf for the defending Players’ Shield holders.

• MIND THE GAP: The Switchbacks look playoff-bound right now but aspire to a top four finish in the West and a home playoff opener. After last week’s 4-1 loss to North Carolina FC – and wins for Oakland Roots SC and Memphis 901 FC – the margin of error for Colorado Springs is lessening.

• ROAD STRUGGLES: This stands as an opportunity for the Hounds in part due to Colorado Springs’ form against Eastern Conference opponents. The Switchbacks dropped to 1-4-0 on the road against Eastern foes after last week’s defeat, with a win against Hartford Athletic the lone success.

As the final stretch of the season arrives, we’re going to see more matchups like this. For one of the earliest to be an interconference matchup isn’t surprising, but the longer this game remains scoreless, the higher the pressure will rise.

2. WILL THE PLAYERS’ SHIELD BE DECIDED?

It doesn’t get much bigger than Saturday’s showdown between Louisville City FC and the Charleston Battery at Lynn Family Stadium. If you need five reasons why, we’ve got you covered right here.

But with the rest of the contenders for the Players’ Shield in the East and West dropping points in recent outings, this could end up the defining game for the first piece of silverware this season.

• DRIVER’S SEAT: LouCity is clearly in control of the situation and will only tighten its grip if it takes all three points for the 11th time in 12 home games this season. With a one-point lead on the Battery and two games in hand, it holds all the cards in pursuit of its first Players’ Shield.

• STAY IN PLAY: The Battery have been one of the best road teams in the Championship this season, but the pressure is going to be on to deliver all three points. If Charleston gets a two-point lead on LouCity, it adds pressure to get results out of the two games in hand Louisville will have coming out of Saturday night.

• MAN ON A MISSION: Within the game, all eyes will be on the Battery’s Nick Markanich, who scored twice when Charleston defeated Louisville 3-2 at Patriots Point earlier this season and enters with nine goals in his last eight games. With the league’s single-season record coming into view, the vulnerability LouCity’s defense has shown at times – including last weekend against Sacramento Republic FC – will see Markanich out to make his mark.

There’s a great debate to be had as to where this game ranks all-time in the Championship’s regular season history – Mike Watts and Devon Kerr fleshed it out well in USL All Access this week – but regardless, this is a game that deserves your attention.

3. LE ROUGE NEED TO ARREST SLIDE

Detroit City FC’s slide in form, during which the side is winless since the start of July, has started to put pressure on its bid for a third consecutive postseason berth.

The good news for Le Rouge? They’re going to one of their favorite places to visit on Friday night when they face Birmingham Legion FC at Protective Stadium.

• ROAD TRIPPIN’: Detroit has won each of its prior to visits to Birmingham, part of a four-game winning streak the side earned in the first four meetings between the clubs over the past two seasons.

• YEAH, BUT: Legion finally broke that run in its visit to Keyworth Stadium at the end of June, when goals by Derek Dodson and Phanuel Kavita turned the game in the final 10 minutes.

• STANDINGS PRESSURE: Coming off a 2-1 victory on the road at Monterey Bay F.C. last weekend, Birmingham can end the weekend in the top four in the Eastern Conference with a win or a draw. Le Rouge are only two points above ninth-placed North Carolina FC going into the weekend and will want to end a run of three consecutive drawn contests.

The five previous games between Birmingham and Detroit have typically delivered entertainment and tight margins between the two clubs. There might be no better way to kick off your Friday night.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Phillip Goodrum, Louisville City FC – In his pregame press conference, LouCity Head Coach Danny Cruz said he expected Goodrum to make his debut in purple on Saturday. It’ll be fascinating to see the potential impact he could have against the Battery.

Harry Swartz, New Mexico United – The United stalwart has three goals in the past two games after ups and downs with injuries this season. Can he keep that going against Monterey Bay for the Western Conference leaders?

Lamar Batista, North Carolina FC – The former San Antonio FC center back could return to face his former club, which is currently struggling in attack. Batista will be hoping to keep it that way as NCFC looks for a third consecutive victory.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

#HFDvLV: Hartford Athletic and Las Vegas Lights FC were aiming for major turnarounds this season. The Lights have accomplished it, leaving Hartford in a must-win situation at home as Las Vegas enters on an 11-game undefeated streak.

#RIvOAK: Rhode Island FC and Oakland Roots SC are coming off impressive victories last time out. The question for Roots is how it handles the with RIFC having taken 10 points from its last four outings at Beirne Stadium and Oakland having lost two of three on the road against Eastern Conference oppositions.

#TBRvLDN: Loudoun United FC pulled off a big victory at home to the Tampa Bay Rowdies earlier this season, highlighting their improvement at home. United hasn’t won in five prior visits to Al Lang Stadium, though, and the Rowdies need a win to try and stay in the Players’ Shield conversation.

#MEMvTUL: Two teams coming off midweek travel, with 901 FC eventually running away from Miami FC and Tulsa taking a credible draw on the road at New Mexico United. How quickly can Tulsa get Aaron Bibout incorporated will be something to watch in an interesting Western Conference clash.

#NMvMB: It felt like New Mexico Head Coach Eric Quill was getting a little tired of the comebacks after the past two outings on Wednesday night. Expect better from the hosts, which is going to be a big test for Monterey Bay as it looks for a first win since July 6.

#SAvNC: North Carolina FC is coming off its first consecutive wins of the season against a pair of Western Conference opponents. They’ll try to make it three in a row against a San Antonio side that has scored once in the last four games and is starting to look up against it for a playoff berth.

#OCvELP: Orange County SC looked a lot better than it had against Tulsa last weekend but didn’t get rewarded with a win. If it produces something similar on Saturday night, it will expect the goals to come against an El Paso side that was overwhelmed in Sacramento on Wednesday night.