Welcome to The Weekender, where we’ll get you set up for what you need to know going into the upcoming weekend of USL Championship action.

The race to the 2025 USL Championship Playoffs continues to heat up as we reach the final weekend in September, including key six-pointers for top-four position and around the playoff line in the Western Conference that includes Sunday evening’s nationally-televised clash between New Mexico United and Lexington SC on CBS Sports Network.

1. Game of the Weekend – Phoenix Rising FC vs. Oakland Roots SC

We’re reaching the do-or-die section of the regular season, and that’s the reality facing Oakland Roots SC as it heads to face Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday night at Phoenix Rising Stadium (10 p.m. ET | CBS Sports Golazo Network.)

With six games to go in the regular season, Roots face a five-point deficit to eighth-place Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, and a six-point deficit to Rising, which enters the weekend in seventh place. With a win, Oakland would halve that deficit to Phoenix and still have a game in hand to boost its postseason drive, making this game essential to its playoff chances.

• EDGING FORWARD: By the numbers, Oakland has improved since its appointment of Head Coach Benny Feilhaber on June 2, but there’s only been an incremental improvement from where the club was previously. According to American Soccer Analysis, Roots have gotten what they’ve earned out of games, taking 16 points at an Expected Points mark of 15.15xP in 13 games under Feilhaber, up from averaging less than a point-per-game in both categories in their first 11 games of the season.

• BATTLING THE BIG BOYS: Results over the past two weeks, while lacking a victory, have been notable. Roots became only the second team to go to the Charleston Battery this season and come away with a result after a 3-3 draw – ending Charleston’s 10-game home winning streak in the league – and then played current Western Conference leader FC Tulsa to a 1-1 draw on home turf last weekend.

• LOSING RUNWAY: After the Tulsa contest, Feilhaber acknowledged that despite a creditable point, his side was running out of time to make its move in the playoff face. “I think that we’re headed in the direction that we want to be,” he said. “We’re headed towards our goal. I just don’t know if we have enough runway anymore.”

There certainly could be an opening for Oakland this weekend. While Phoenix is undefeated in its last six games, five of those have been drawn, including Rising’s last four outings. The past two of those outings required late comebacks to earn points, while over the same duration as Feilhaber’s tenure in Oakland the underlying numbers for Phoenix have been just as middling with the side taking 16 points from a 14.25 Expected Points mark since June 2.

If Roots can break Phoenix’s five-game undefeated streak in the series, it should be game on for their postseason chances as the final month arrives.

2. Three More Games to Watch

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. Hartford Athletic (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET | ESPN+)

• There’s plenty at stake beyond this clash marking the return of former Switchbacks Head Coach Brendan Burke to Weidner Field with the hosts in need of a bounce-back victory against an Athletic side vying for a place in the Eastern Conference’s top four. Five current Hartford players could also face their former club, including 2021 USL-C Player of the Year Hadji Barry and 2022 USL-C Young Player of the Year Michee Ngalina in one of the most intriguing games of the season.

Monterey Bay FC vs. Sacramento Republic FC (Saturday, 10 p.m. ET | ESPN+)

• If you look at the standings, the divide between Monterey Bay FC and Sacramento Republic FC is a pretty wide one. Second-place Sacramento currently sits 16 points ahead of its Nor Cal Hella Cup rival with Monterey Bay at the bottom of the West and unlikely to reach the postseason. Look at the underlying numbers, though, and it shows how close Monterey Bay could have been to its first postseason berth if not for a lack of overall attacking punch. This game should have more to offer than what meets the eye.

New Mexico United vs. Lexington SC (6 p.m. ET | CBS Sports Network)

• Both New Mexico United and Lexington SC are looking well set for postseason berths in November, but this meeting could be key in determining whether they’ll start the playoffs at home or on the road. New Mexico’s first comeback win of the season on Wednesday night should have the hosts in buoyant mood as they take on a Lexington side that picked up a big road win last time out against Detroit City. This should make for an entertaining matchup.

3. Kit of the Week – Orange County SC’s “Saddleback Mountain” Kit

Released mid-season, OCSC will wear its home “Saddleback Mountain” kit on Saturday which features a view of the Saddleback Mountains as seen from Championship Soccer Stadium and a Hot Air Balloon, a tribute to the Great Balloon Park that’s part of the larger Great Park complex.

4. Landmark of the Week – Sean Totsch, Louisville City FC

Three-time USL Championship title-winner Sean Totsch could add another landmark in his career on Saturday against Detroit City FC, with the chance to record his 296th regular season appearance and become the USL Championship’s all-time leader.

Check out Week 30’s News & Notes

5. Where to Watch Nationally
Friday
North Carolina FC vs. Miami FC, 7 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Golazo Network)

Saturday
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC vs. Las Vegas Lights FC, 7 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Golazo Network)
Phoenix Rising FC vs. Oakland Roots SC, 10 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Golazo Network)

Sunday
New Mexico United vs. Lexington SC, 6 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network)

Full Week 30 Broadcast Listings