After midweek’s U.S. Open Cup contests, the USL Championship continues this weekend with 11 matches throughout Saturday on CBS Sports Golazo Network and ESPN+. Here are five things we’re paying attention to.

1. Will Sacramento Republic FC start hitting the target

There’s a lot to feel good about for Sacramento Republic FC when it comes to the club’s attacking numbers. The side leads the Championship in Expected Goals (8.69xG) and total shots (75), an average of 15 shots per game. The problem? Making more of its chances count. Sacramento has only six goals in league play, and a large part of that is due to its shooting accuracy rate, which sits at 39.6 percent, fifth-lowest in the league, while averaging 3.8 shots on target per game. As Republic FC visits Phoenix Rising FC for a matinee in Arizona, it needs to up that rate to break a four-game league winless run.

2. Can Loudoun United pass its next on-field test

Loudoun United’s surge to the top of the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference standings has been one of the stories of the campaign so far. After its elimination at the hands of perennial roadblock Louisville City in the Open Cup in midweek, however, the side plays host to another side in Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC that has consistently held the upper hand in the series between the clubs. Loudoun’s only win in 15 league meetings came in 2021, since when it has taken one point from eight games between the sides. This is another big test for Head Coach Ryan Martin’s side as they try to end that winless run.

3. Is this the time Louisville City breaks its Al Lang hex

There are numerous reasons to believe Louisville City FC should be the favorite going to face the Tampa Bay Rowdies this Saturday at Al Lang Stadium. The form of both teams stands out, with LouCity the last undefeated team standing in the Championship and its underlying numbers indicating it’s a favorite to repeat as Players’ Shield winner, and the Rowdies having officially won only once in all competitions this season after Wednesday’s penalty shootout victory at FC Naples. But when Louisville has visited Tampa Bay in the past, it’s not typically ended well. The last time they won away at Al Lang Stadium? That was July 7, 2018. Since then, we’ve had games like “Lucky on the Spot” and last year’s remarkable stoppage-time victory for the hosts. There are still ghosts here that seem to rise for the Rowdies when they need them most.

4. Which club can manage its Open Cup hangover best

Wednesday night’s eight-game slate in the Third Round of the U.S. Open Cup was an epic. Six games went to extra time, and four went to penalty shootouts, illustrating the drama the competition brings at its best. For eight of the teams that went beyond the 90 minutes, there’s now a short turnaround to manage and prepare for Saturday’s action. Four of them, at least, will get to square off with each other. On one hand, you’ll have Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and El Paso Locomotive FC looking to build off successful nights. On the other, you’ll see Las Vegas Lights FC host FC Tulsa with both looking to wash away the memories of penalty shootout eliminations. It’s going to be a test for the players and coaches to be right on the night.

5. Can Hartford Athletic finally break its duck

As all the other teams in the USL Championship that had yet to take victory this season broke through last weekend, Hartford Athletic had to be cursing its luck. Set to take on Indy Eleven at Trinity Health Stadium, a pregame pitch inspection saw the match officials call the game off due to icy conditions, leaving Hartford to miss out on the chance to jump on the bandwagon. They should get their chance this weekend against a Birmingham Legion side that was among the ranks of the winless before it defeated El Paso Locomotive FC last Sunday evening behind a brace from Ronaldo Damus. Hartford will be hoping for a similar breakout for the likes of Michee Ngalina this time around.