The USL Eastern Conference’s second-place Tampa Bay Rowdies and third-place Louisville City FC enter their marquee clash this Saturday night at Slugger Field both undefeated, and both led by two of the top talents in the league as a whole. Tampa Bay’s Georgi Hristov and Louisville’s George Davis IV have been key attacking components this season – and historically – and could hold the key to success this weekend.

Hristov has been a talisman for the Rowdies since joining the club prior to the 2013 season. His 41 goals in Tampa Bay are the most in the club’s modern era, but this year he’s proven as adept at creating chances as well as putting them away. 

With both Tampa Bay and Louisville also possessing two of the better defenses in the league so far this season, Saturday’s game is being keenly anticipated by fans of both clubs and others around the league. Hristov or Davis could be the players to unlock the path to victory for their respective clubs.

BELMAR BOUNCES BACK

After earning the 2015 USL Rookie of the Year award, Kharlton Belmar saw his numbers drop in his second season in the league. An offseason move to the Swope Park Rangers has appeared to rejuvenate the standout striker, though, as he looks for his third goal in as many games to start the season on Saturday against Sacramento Republic FC.

Belmar has been efficient in the final third, scoring on two of his three shots on goal, but he’s also been solid in Swope Park’s build-up play. Getting into wide positions, particularly down the left side in the team’s opening game of the season against OKC Energy FC, Belmar has completed 85 percent of his passes so far this season overall, and 77 percent in the opponents’ half, before getting into the penalty area to provide finishing.

Sacramento’s defense should offer a good test to the Rangers as they look to remain perfect this season, but Belmar’s success against Republic FC, scoring in each of the past two seasons against Sacramento for Portland, could bode well for SPR.