In professional golf, the third round of a tournament is known as “Moving Day.”

As the 2025 USL Jägermeister Cup enters Round 3 of its group stage on Wednesday night, that’s about how things are stacking up across the six groups.

There’s the potential for the first berths in the knockout round to be claimed by the end of Saturday night’s games, but the results this week are going to determine who controls their pathway to the Quarterfinals over the final round in July.

With that in mind, here’s where every team stands.

Group 1

1. Sacramento Republic FC
Record – 2-0-0, 6pts, 5 goals scored
Remaining Games – at Orange County SC (6/28), at Spokane Velocity FC (7/26)

Republic FC held serve on home turf over its first two games with maximum points. Now it needs to keep that pace on the road. Republic FC can’t clinch a spot in the knockout round with a win, but it will have a close eye on how Monterey Bay FC fares against Oakland Roots, and the key game of the round between the Las Vegas Lights and Spokane Velocity.

2. Las Vegas Lights FC
Record – 2-1-0, 6pts, 5 goals scored
Remaining Games – vs. Spokane Velocity FC (6/28)

It’s do or die for the Lights after their defeat against Sacramento, with Saturday marking their final game of the group stage against Spokane Velocity. With all three points, the Lights could at least keep pace with Republic FC and Monterey Bay in a bid to take the group, and if they put up some numbers in attack a wild card could also be in play. Any other result – including a shootout win – would likely leave the Lights on the outside looking in.

3. Monterey Bay FC
Record – 2-0-0, 6pts, 4 goals scored
Remaining Games – at Oakland Roots SC (6/28), at AV ALTA FC (7/26)

In the same vein as Republic FC, Monterey Bay held serve with maximum points in its two home games. It’s also got what on paper looks like the easiest assignment of the teams in contention in Group 1, but the side’s recent struggles for form in league play will mean its visit to Oakland Roots SC could be a real battle, as will its trip to AV ALTA FC to close things out.

4. Spokane Velocity FC
Record – 1-1-0, 3pts, 2 goals scored
Remaining Games – at Las Vegas Lights FC (6/28), vs. Sacramento Republic FC (7/26)

Velocity might look in a bit of a tight spot, but the League One leaders have a level of control over their path thanks to their remaining opponents. Sweep victories against the Lights on Saturday and at home to Republic FC on the final weekend and they could end up sitting pretty as a wild card, and maybe more if Monterey Bay falters. Anything but all three points against Las Vegas, though, and it’s going to be difficult to advance.

5. AV ALTA FC
Record – 0-2-1, 2pts, 3 goals scored
Remaining Games – vs. Monterey Bay FC (7/26)

As rousing as AV ALTA’s penalty shootout win against Oakland Roots SC was last month, it also meant the side doesn’t have a path to the knockout stage with all three of Sacramento, Las Vegas and Monterey Bay out of reach. All Antelope Valley can do is play spoiler against Monterey Bay in July.

6. Oakland Roots SC
Record – 0-1-1, 1pt, 3 goals scored
Remaining Games – vs. Monterey Bay FC (6/28), vs. Orange County SC (7/26)

Roots simply have to win each of their final two games and hope for help from elsewhere. It’s almost certainly a long-shot from here, though.

7. Orange County SC
Record – 0-2-0, 0pts, 3 goals scored
Remaining Games – vs. Sacramento Republic FC (6/28), at Oakland Roots SC (7/26)

This won’t be Orange County’s year, and if it fails to take all three points against Sacramento, it’ll be eliminated before facing Oakland to round out the stage.

Group 2

1. New Mexico United
Record – 1-0-1, 4pts, 5 goals scored
Remaining Games – vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (6/28), at San Antonio FC (7/26)

Outside the two clubs involved, New Mexico will be the team following Wednesday night’s game between Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and San Antonio FC. Whatever happens in that contest, United’s going to slip into at least second place in the group, but it’s also going to have control over its potential to advance as it faces both teams to close the group stage. Win against Colorado Springs on Saturday at the Lab and it could set up a winner-take-all showdown against San Antonio on July 26.

2. San Antonio FC
Record – 1-0-0, 3pts, 1 goal scored
Remaining Games – at Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (6/25), vs. Union Omaha (6/28), vs. New Mexico United (7/26)

San Antonio had a bye last month after its road victory against Phoenix Rising in April and could set itself up for the group victory or at least a wild card spot if it delivers this week. SAFC has had Colorado Springs’ number for a few years – see the 14-game undefeated streak in league play – but fell to Union Omaha in the U.S. Open Cup earlier this year. Two regulation wins could clinch the group pending results elsewhere. Victory in both games with one win coming via shootout would also put San Antonio in control ahead of its final game against New Mexico.

3. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
Record – 1-0-0, 3pts, 1 goal scored
Remaining Games – vs. San Antonio FC (6/25), at New Mexico United (6/28), vs. Texoma FC (7/26)

This is the week for the Switchbacks. Take regulation victories against San Antonio and New Mexico and the defending Championship title-holders will go into the final round potentially having clinched a spot in the knockout stage if other results go the right way. Shootout victories wouldn’t be as definitive but could put the Switchbacks in control going to their final game. If they can’t find a way past San Antonio on Wednesday, though, it becomes much more difficult.

4. Phoenix Rising FC
Record – 0-1-1, 2pts, 3 goals scored
Remaining Games – at Texoma FC (6/28), at El Paso Locomotive FC (7/19)

Phoenix has found some form over the past month, including its shootout victory against New Mexico in the past round. It’s going to probably need to sweep its final two games to have a chance at advancing, starting against Texoma FC and former star Solomon Asanté on Saturday, and hope the trio above them split up a couple of draws and shootout results.

5. El Paso Locomotive FC
Record – 0-1-1, 2pts, 0 goals scored
Remaining Games – vs. Phoenix Rising FC (7/19), at Union Omaha (7/26)

Locomotive gets to be the odd team out this round with its final two games of the group stage set for next month. As with Phoenix, it’s going to be hoping for some draws among the top three to keep it in the hunt.

6. Texoma FC
Record –0-0-1, 1pt, 0 goals scored
Remaining Games – vs. Phoenix Rising FC (6/28), at Union Omaha (7/23), at Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (7/26)

With three games still to play – only one of which comes against a current top-three team – Texoma and its newly-found form aren’t out of this yet. Los Pájaros are going to need to take victory in regulation against Phoenix on Saturday night and then see where the rest of the results lie before heading on the road to wrap up in July.

7. Union Omaha
Record – 0-1-0, 0pts, 0 goals scored
Remaining Games – at San Antonio FC (6/28), vs. Texoma FC (7/23), vs. El Paso Locomotive FC (7/26)

Union Omaha must dig out from the wrong result in its opener, but the club’s victory against San Antonio FC in the U.S. Open Cup earlier this season could provide some inspiration. Follow that up with two home games against Texoma and an El Paso Locomotive side Los Buhos’ have held the upper hand on previously in their Open Cup showdowns, and who knows what might happen?

Group 3

1. Indy Eleven
Record – 2-0-0, 6pts, 5 goals scored
Remaining Games – vs. Birmingham Legion (6/28), vs. FC Tulsa (7/26)

We could learn our first group winner on Saturday night when Indy Eleven hosts Birmingham Legion with the top two teams in Group 3 sitting four points clear of the rest. A regulation win for the Boys in Blue would secure their spot in the next round via the head-to-head tiebreaker before a potentially tricky final game against FC Tulsa. A shootout win or loss and things would go to the final day.

2. Birmingham Legion FC
Record – 2-0-0, 6pts, 5 goals scored
Remaining Games – at Indy Eleven (6/28), vs. Forward Madison FC (7/26)

Legion is in the same scenario as Indy as they clash on Saturday – win in regulation and you’re through as the group winner. Birmingham will be looking to turn the tables on the Boys in Blue from the 1-0 defeat they suffered at Protective Stadium earlier this month, but a shootout victory or defeat would still leave Legion in decent shape to advance as a group winner or wild card as it faces a Forward Madison side that’s struggling for form in its final game.

3. One Knoxville SC
Record – 0-1-1, 2pts, 2 goals scored
Remaining Games – at Forward Madison FC (6/28), at Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (7/26)

The concession of a late equalizer against Tulsa has really come back to bite One Knoxville. Taking only two points from a shootout win instead of all three means the side probably needs to win its final two games in regulation and then hope for a wild card slot. The math just doesn’t add up for the side to win the group with Indy and Birmingham squaring off this weekend.

4. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
Record – 0-1-1, 2pts, 2 goals scored
Remaining Games – at FC Tulsa (6/28), vs. One Knoxville SC (7/26)

The Red Wolves are in the same spot as One Knoxville. Trailing the two group leaders by four points, they’ll likely need to take all six from their remaining games and hope for good fortune to smile on them. Visiting Tulsa this weekend, those three points are likely to be tricky to come by, but Chattanooga’s was on a good run prior to Saturday’s setback and will be up for the challenge.

5. FC Tulsa
Record – 0-1-1, 1pt, 3 goals scored
Remaining Games – vs. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (6/28), at Indy Eleven (7/26)

Tulsa’s league form hasn’t translated to the USL Jägermeister Cup, so it’s going to be hoping for Birmingham to win against Indy in regulation while it takes on Chattanooga at ONEOK Field to keep it in with a chance of second place and the wild card.

6. Forward Madison FC
Record – 0-1-1, 1pt, 1 goal scored
Remaining Games – vs. One Knoxville SC (6/28), at Birmingham Legion FC (7/26)

It’s likely last year’s finalists aren’t going to make it to the knockout stage this time around. Madison will be hoping for Indy to take victory in regulation, which would keep its chances alive if it wins in regulation against One Knoxville.

Group 4

1. Rhode Island FC
Record – 2-0-0, 6pts, 5 goals scored
Remaining Games – vs. Portland Hearts of Pine (6/27), vs. Hartford Athletic (7/26)

Rhode Island can’t clinch the group this weekend as it faces Hartford Athletic in the final round, but it would take a major step toward advancement if it takes a regulation win against Portland Hearts of Pine at home on Saturday. RIFC defeated Portland when they met in the U.S. Open Cup earlier this season, but there could be some lingering emotion from that contest that should make things interesting at Centreville Bank Stadium.

2. Hartford Athletic
Record – 2-0-0, 6 pts, 5 goals scored
Remaining Games – vs. Detroit City FC (6/28), at Rhode Island FC (7/26)

Hartford has won as many games in the USL Jägermeister Cup as the USL Championship so far this season, but that’s got it in great position to advance as one of only seven teams to have two wins out of two to start the group stage. Saturday’s game at home to Detroit City will be pivotal – either Hartford moves clear and sets up a showdown with Rhode Island in Round 4, or Detroit keeps itself in contention – but a regulation win could mean a draw against Rhode island might be enough to advance as a wild card on 10 points.

3. Portland Hearts of Pine
Record – 1-1-0, 3pts, 4 goals scored
Remaining Games – at Rhode Island FC (6/27), vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (7/25)

Hearts of Pine’s victory against Detroit City FC pulled them right back into the running after two rounds, but they’re going to have to keep that going to stay in with a chance going to the final day. A shootout win against Rhode Island would keep the defending Championship Eastern Conference title-holders within reach, but Portland will likely need to win in regulation to have a chance at either winning the group or a wild card.

4. Detroit City FC
Record – 1-1-0, 3pts, 3 goals scored
Remaining Games – at Hartford Athletic (6/28), vs. Westchester SC (7/26)

Detroit City’s loss to Portland means they’re in a similar spot to Hearts of Pine with two games to go. Taking all three points against Hartford Athletic on Saturday keeps the potential for winning the group alive, anything less and it’s probably going to be tricky to advance as group winner or wild card even with a winnable home game against Westchester SC to close things out.

5. Westchester SC
Record – 0-2-0, 0pts, 3 goals scored
Remaining Games – at Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (6/28), at Detroit City FC (7/26)

With no points from two games and the clubs above them meeting in the final two rounds, it doesn’t look like there’s a path to advancement for Westchester here. At the same time, finding a win on the road against Pittsburgh would be good for the side’s confidence as it heads into the second half of the League One campaign.

6. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
Record – 0-2-0, 0pts, 0 goals
Remaining Games – vs. Westchester SC (6/28), at Portland Hearts of Pine (7/25)

The chance to advance has also likely gone for the Hounds as well. All that’s left to do is put in a pair of good performances that can carry over to their playoff push in the Championship.

Group 5

1. Loudoun United FC
Record – 2-0-0, 6pts, 3 goals scored
Remaining Games – vs. Charlotte Independence (6/28), at North Carolina FC (7/26)

Loudoun United’s victory against Louisville City put it in pole position to win the group. That could happen this weekend if Loudoun wins in regulation against the second-place Charlotte Independence and Louisville either wins or takes North Carolina FC to a shootout. If United takes victory in a shootout, or misses, then it could make for a winner-take-all clash in North Carolina to close.

2. Charlotte Independence
Record – 1-0-1, 5pts, 4 goals scored
Remaining Games – at Loudoun United FC (6/28), vs. Richmond Kickers (7/26)

Heading to Loudoun United on Saturday, the Independence can’t clinch a place in the knockout stage for a second consecutive year, but it can put itself in prime position to advance. A regulation win would move Charlotte top of the group and two points ahead of United, while a shootout win would also move the Independence top on head-to-head points. Then it would just need to close out with a regulation win against the Richmond Kickers to move on.

3. Louisville City FC
Record – 1-1-0, 3pts, 5 goals scored
Remaining Games – vs. North Carolina FC (6/28), at Lexington SC (7/26)

Louisville City’s under pressure to advance after its defeat to Loudoun United last month, and probably needs to win out to have a chance to either win the group or claim a wild card. Saturday’s clash against North Carolina is going to be crucial for both sides while also giving us a fascinating rematch from last Friday’s 2-1 victory for NCFC. Depending on the result between Loudoun United and the Charlotte Independence, a shootout win might not be enough for either side, something that’s important to keep in mind if the game is level late on.

4. North Carolina FC
Record – 1-1-0, 3pts, 2 goals scored
Remaining Games – at Louisville City FC (6/28), vs. Loudoun United FC (7/26)

North Carolina rebounded with a win last month but as with this week’s opponent in Louisville City it likely needs a regulation win to stay in the hunt for a place in the knockout stage. A draw and shootout win for Loudoun United against the Charlotte Independence, meanwhile, could keep the door open for NCFC to claim the group with victory against Loudoun in the final round of the group stage.

5. Lexington SC
Record – 0-1-1, 1pt, 2 goals scored
Remaining Games – at Richmond Kickers (6/28), vs. Louisville City FC (7/26)

With the top two teams squaring off, there doesn’t appear to be a path for Lexington to claim the group from here. Getting a regulation win against Richmond is a must to see where things stand going to the final round, but it might be LSC ends up attempting to play spoiler to LouCity.

6. Richmond Kickers
Record – 0-2-0, 0pts, 1 goal scored
Remaining Games – vs. Lexington SC (6/28), at Charlotte Independence (7/26)

The Kickers don’t have a path to the knockout stage from here, which means the most important element of Saturday’s game against Lexington is to try and regain a semblance of form for the League One campaign to come.

Group 6

1. Miami FC
Record – 1-0-1, 5pts, 6 goals scored
Remaining games – at Greenville Triumph SC (6/28), vs. South Georgia Tormenta FC (7/26)

Miami is in control of the group and on paper has two winnable games to close things out as it heads to Greenville Triumph SC this weekend. Victory in regulation would put Miami in prime position to advance as group winner, pending the result of the July 4 clash between FC Naples and the Tampa Bay Rowdies. A shootout victory should also keep the side in a strong position.

2. Tampa Bay Rowdies
Record – 1-0-1, 4pts, 5 goals scored
Remaining Games – at FC Naples (7/4), at Charleston Battery (7/26)

With the way their regular season is going, this is clearly the Rowdies’ best chance at silverware in its 50th anniversary season. Tampa Bay isn’t in action this week ahead of its Fourth of July visit to FC Naples and that means it will have a close eye on Miami’s visit to Greenville. A draw and shootout loss for Miami would open the door for Tampa Bay to jump into first place before it heads to Charleston for its final game.

3. South Georgia Tormenta FC
Record – 1-1-0, 3pts, 3 goals scored
Remaining Games – vs. Charleston Battery (6/28), at Miami FC (7/26)

Tormenta is still in the running to win the group despite its loss to the Rowdies in April. They’re going to have to find a way past the Charleston Battery to stay there, though, as a draw and shootout defeat could leave it unable to catch Miami FC ahead of their showdown in the final round of the group stage. Repeating the club’s 2022 U.S. Open Cup upset of the Battery would be a massive boost and take things to the final day.

4. FC Naples
Record – 1-1-0, 3pts, 3 goals scored
Remaining Games – vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies (7/4), at Greenville Triumph SC (7/26)

As with Tormenta, Naples is still in contention to win the group if Miami FC slips up over its final two games. Head Coach Matt Poland’s side could jump into second place with a regulation victory against the Tampa Bay Rowdies as it looks to reverse the shootout defeat it suffered when the sides met in the U.S. Open Cup earlier this season. Before that clash on the Fourth of July, they’ll be hoping Miami misses out on maximum points against Greenville this weekend.

5. Greenville Triumph SC
Record – 1-1-0, 3pts, 2 goals scored
Remaining Games – vs. Miami FC (6/28), vs. FC Naples (7/26)

Everyone else in Group 6 will be in Greenville’s corner this weekend as they get a chance to knock off group leaders Miami FC. A regulation win would put Triumph ahead of Miami going to its final game, while a shootout win would at least keep the side in contention a point back. If Greenville doesn’t emerge victorious, however, the path to the knockout stage may be at an end.

6. Charleston Battery
Record – 0-2-0, 0pts, 0 goals scored
Remaining Games – at South Georgia Tormenta FC (6/28), vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies (7/26)

The favorite to emerge as group winner pre-tournament, the Battery might not have a path to advance after losing their first two games while being held scoreless in the process. It’ll look for all three points against Tormenta on Saturday night, but if Miami claims at least a shootout victory the top spot in the group will be out of reach for Charleston.