The 2025 USL Jägermeister Cup produced all kinds of drama in its second full round of action on Saturday night, including a quarter of the 16 games being determined by penalty shootouts and some late goals that ended up proving critical to the group standings.

Here are six storylines we took away from the action and where it left the standings at the midway point of the group stage.

Group 1 – Sacramento, Monterey Bay have inside track to advancement

Sacramento Republic FC’s second consecutive romp past Las Vegas Lights FC at Heart Health Park and Monterey Bay FC six-point week against Spokane Velocity FC and Orange County SC set up both sides to advance to the knockout stage with maximum points. Republic FC and MBFC will not square off in the group stage – Sacramento goes on the road to Orange County and Spokane in its final two games, while Monterey Bay visits Oakland Roots and AV ALTA FC – but the high-scoring performances they delivered on Saturday could end up being crucial in the long run.

Republic FC currently holds the edge with five goals scored, and over the past month has appeared to come into its own, but each side will go into June’s contests in control of its path to the Quarterfinals.

Group 2 – Colorado Springs takes control of its path, but long way to go

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC was the big winner in Group 2 on Saturday night – with the inactive San Antonio FC close behind – as the defending USL Championship title-holders claimed victory against El Paso Locomotive FC in its opening game of the group stage and saw New Mexico United only take one point out of its visit to Phoenix Rising FC despite twice holding the lead in regulation.

That sets up the Switchbacks for a crucial doubleheader at the end of June in which it hosts San Antonio on Wednesday, June 25 – giving Colorado Springs another chance to end its long winless streak against SAFC – before visiting New Mexico United on Saturday, June 28. These two games could determine the direction of the group with the Switchbacks set to host Texoma FC on the final day as New Mexico and San Antono also square off.

Group 3 – Birmingham, Indy will duel for group victory

With Birmingham Legion FC claiming its second consecutive victory to open the group stage in a 2-1 result against FC Tulsa on Saturday night, which team ends up top of Group 3 is set to be determined in the next matchday when Legion heads to face Indy Eleven on June 28 with each side sitting on maximum points from their opening two games.

Legion might have been somewhat fortunate to get away with their result in Tulsa as the hosts’ attack was remarkably profligate in front of goal. The Scissortails recorded 27 shots and accumulated a 3.00 Expected Goals mark on the night, but put only three shots on target. That won’t matter to Birmingham, though, and with the group’s other result over the weekend having ended with Chattanooga Red Wolves SC taking a penalty shootout win against Forward Madison FC, the top two now have a four-point cushion on their rivals going into a must-see showdown.

Group 4 – We could be heading for an El Clamico showdown

We’re not saying the schedule-makers had a crystal ball when they arranged the matchup order in Group 4 – having Rhode Island FC and Hartford Athletic square off on the final day of the group stage was a no-brainer – but with the way Saturday’s results played out it could end up as a win-or-go-home eliminator for the group victory.

Rhode Island turning the tables on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC from their regular season meeting last weekend with a 1-0 win at Highmark Stadium and Hartford’s dramatic 3-2 victory against Westchester SC on Saturday night kept both teams with maximum points. Add an assist from Portland Hearts of Pine with a 4-2 win that continued Detroit City’s recent downturn in form overall and the El Clamico rivals are level at the top of the group. There are still difficult games for both to navigate – Hartford’s home game with Detroit City looms large, while Rhode Island gets to host Hearts of Pine – but we could be heading toward a seminal meeting between the Championship rivals.

Group 5 – The Charlotte Independence grabbed their lifeline

There is still the prospect we’ll see a USL League One side in the knockout stage, but none feels like it has a better chance at the midway point than the Charlotte Independence, which flipped its fortunes around late against Lexington SC thanks to Christian Chaney’s brace and some clinically taken penalty kicks.

The Independence were looking at coming away with nothing at home against LSC when they went down by two goals five minutes into the second half, but a quick response by Chaney followed by an outstanding stoppage-time equalizer to send the game to a shootout salvaged at least a point. Chaney then got bailed out himself by Charlotte goalkeeper Matt Levy, whose save on Eliot Goldthorp kept the shootout scoreless after Chaney had missed the opening shot, and from there the Independence kept their cool to secure the bonus point and second place in the group.

Charlotte faces another big test in group leader Loudoun United at the end of June, but with the resilience they’ve shown so far against two USL Championship opponents – having previously defeated North Carolina FC in regulation – the Independence have a big opportunity ahead of them.

Group 6 – Ollie Bassett’s goal saved the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ campaign

With none of its six teams having claimed maximum points from the opening two games, it’s fair to say Group 6 is the messiest – and the most open – at the halftime point. It’s in that state in part because of Ollie Bassett’s stoppage-time winner for the Tampa Bay Rowdies against South Georgia Tormenta FC that gave the hosts a 2-1 win at Al Lang Stadium and all three points as the sides appeared on the verge of going to a penalty shootout.

The Rowdies could have won that shootout – although facing Tormenta’s Austin Pack, that was no guarantee – but it could also have sat in fifth place in the group had it lost going into what was already looking like a crucial game at FC Naples on July 4. Instead, Tampa Bay is in second place and in with a chance to jump Miami FC over the final two games to advance. As unpredictable as this group has been – who else had the Charleston Battery being pointless after two games? – the Rowdies still have all to play for as they try to salvage their season.