What to Watch

What to Watch: World Cup Qualifiers

Starting Thursday, a great slate of international games litters the schedule for fans around the world to tune in to and wave their respective flag. After a break in December, nations in three confederations are looking to give themselves a leg up on their neighbors and punch a ticket to football’s biggest dance.

Running this Thursday through next Wednesday, the final rounds of qualifying in CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, and the AFC see a plethora of tight races for the final spots. Just two squads of the 30 competing this week have already secured their spot in Qatar – Brazil and Argentina – but what that leaves is a ton of competition for the remaining nations as few remain completely out of the running. Ahead of what should be a great week of football from the outset, check out a few matches to keep eyes on:

United States v Canada – Jan. 30 at 12:00 PM PT

Despite their spot at the top of the table entering 2022, the Canadians have a challenging round in front of them. They’ve yet to win a qualifier on the road for the entire cycle and will kick off on Thursday from Honduras. However, after that trip, they return home to take on the United States in what will surely be a spirited – and chilly – match in Ontario on Sunday night. It’ll be the third matchup between the two sides since last July, and just their second meeting in qualification – their last matchup ended in a 1-1 draw.

Mexico v Panama – Feb. 2 at 7:00 PM PT

For all of CONCACAF, eyes will be on Mexico and Panama, as both sides enter this week tied at 14 points apiece and set to battle the same foes. The pair will meet in Mexico next Wednesday, and depending on their results with Costa Rica and Jamaica, it could shake up the table pretty significantly. Mexico is currently the odd man out of the top three as of now due to tiebreakers, but the table is sure to see some shifting in the next few days as teams kick-off.

Saudi Arabia v Oman – Jan. 27 at 9:15 AM PT

Ahead of kickoff in AFC qualifiers, a few sides have a comfortable advantage. Saudi Arabia sits on top of Group B going in, however with Japan right behind them and set to take on a struggling Chinese side, they can’t afford a slip-up. Oman won’t be an easy foe, and they could find themselves back in it with two good showings this week. After finishing the last round with two losses, they’ll be looking to get back on track, and unseating the group’s top squad would be a very good start.

Ecuador v Brazil – Jan. 27 at 1:00 PM PT

The closest side to spot #3 in CONMEBOL is Ecuador, who is set to take on Brazil to open the weekend. They’ll enter with the advantage of being on their home turf and as winners in three of their last five qualifiers, but Brazil will be as tough as ever looking to spoil their chances. They do remain in control of their own destiny, but need to remain in top form as strong showings from Columbia or Peru could unseat them fairly quickly.

What to Watch: Overseas Club action in Full swing to open 2022

After welcoming in 2022, many clubs across the world are organizing for the second half of their 2021-22 campaigns. As they push forward to improve their standing, chances at a trophy, or avoid relegation, getting a good start to 2022 is a major focus for almost every squad from the FA Cup to the Bundesliga.

English FA Cup

While the Premier League takes a break this week, it isn’t for a resting period. English clubs at all levels will kick off the third round of FA Cup starting on Saturday. 32 matches will take place from Friday to Monday as clubs jockey for a shot at football’s oldest trophy. Click here for a full list of fixtures.

In London, fifth-tier Chesterfield FC is arguably playing the biggest match in their club’s history. Making it to the third round for the first time since 2015, they’ll have the chance to upset Chelsea on the road. Without surprise the visitors are significant underdogs, but the FA cup is all about giving chances to the small guys, meaning that this weekend could provide a shock to those in blue.

Among the most notable matchups taking place in England over the weekend, EFL Championship side West Brom will welcome Brighton and Hove in the first home contest for the club since its acquisition of Daryl Dike from the U.S. On a bit of a slide since mid-December, the Baggies could turn things around in a big way with an upset of a Premier League club.

La Liga

In Spain, a Real Madrid v Valencia showdown on headlines a four match slate on Saturday. The contest is a big opportunity for Valencia to both play spoiler and push their way up in the table to start 2022. In other contests, Barcelona will grapple with Granada, Celta Vigo with Real Sociedad, and Mallorca with Levante.

On Sunday, Rayo Vallecano and Real Betis face off in a meeting between top-six sides, while Atletico Madrid takes on Villarreal squad just four points behind them. The two contests could provide a number of shuffles in the table for fans eagerly watching their clubs standing in qualification spots for continental tournaments.

Bundesliga

Following a break for the holidays, German clubs will be back in action through Sunday. FC Augsberg kicks off the Ricardo Pepi era with a road matchup at TSG Hoffenheim, and will be looking to get back on track and avenge an August loss to the hosts. In Frankfurt, Borussia Dortmond will look to fend off an Eintracht side that surged before the December pause with three wins in seven days. Sunday, four clubs will look for 2022 to be a new beginning, as Hertha Berlin meets FC Colonge, and Wolfsburg takes on Vfl Bochum.

Boxing Day 2021: Biggest Matchday of the Year Brings Full Slate of Premier League Football

Across all of the United Kingdom, and some other parts of the world, Boxing Day is an annual tradition rich in history. As a reward for another year of loyal work, the wealthy would give their servants a day off following Christmas to visit with their families. As an additional token of their gratitude, they would also pack boxes with gifts, food, and money to give to their workers.

Today, Boxing Day is recognized in many countries as a day to shop, eat, and spend time with family and friends. In addition to the U.K., Boxing Day is celebrated in Ireland and Spain, where it is recognized as Saint Stephens Day, while other countries recognize it as a second Christmas or celebrate nationwide festivals. However, since the 1950’s, football and other sports have dominated celebrations of Boxing Day. Many take the opportunity to catch the action on the pitch alongside their friends and family, or if you’re in Australia or New Zealand, take in a rugby or cricket match.

This year, the U.K.’s top flight leagues will feature full slates of matches for all to watch the day after Christmas. 18 of the Premier League’s 20 teams will see action across nine fixtures, and all squads of the Welsh Cymru Premier and the Scottish Premiership are set to compete as well. This year’s Boxing Day will obviously come with more of a special sentiment, as fans weren’t allowed at matches in 2020 as a result of health and safety protocols.

In the Premier League, the all-day slate starts with Liverpool v Leeds and Wolves v Watford in the early slot. West Ham v Southampton, Tottenham v Crystal Palace, Norwich City v Arsenal, Manchester City v Lecister, and Burnley v Everton make up the bulk of the schedule during the day. Aston Villa will welcome Chelsea before the festivities come to a close in Brighton and Hove, with the Seagulls set to battle with Brentford. It’ll surely be a day to watch – with every club in action, the table is sure to see some movement as clubs look to improve their positioning heading into the New Year. The full schedule can be found here.

Checking out the action from Wales and Scotland surely won’t disappoint either, especially as Welsh clubs get ready for the final push to make the Championship Conference. All but one side has a clear path to the top six for a chance to win the title in May, making positive Boxing Day showings important to every team.

This season’s contests are sure to bring crowds ready to cheer loudly and proudly, no matter who they’ll be rooting for. It is after all, a day those who celebrate keep an eye on from afar, ready to shop, sing, and cheer for their club when the time finally arrives.

What to Watch: Previewing the 2021 USL Championship Final

The matchup for the USL Championship final is set.

After a season filled with exciting highs, some tough lows, and challenging moments for every squad in the league, the USL Championship Final is here. Orange County SC of the Western Conference Pacific Division and Tampa Bay Rowdies of the Eastern Conference Atlantic Division will face off for the tenth USL Championship crown this weekend, when the Final match of the 2021 USL season kicks off on ESPN.

The Matchup: #TBRvOC

Where: Al Lang Stadium, St. Petersburg, Florida
When: Sunday, November 28; 5:30 p.m. PT kickoff
Watch: ESPN, ESPN Deportes
Listen: Sirius XM FC

Each Squad’s Road

One of the league’s strongest sides at every turn throughout the season, Tampa Bay finished with the highest point total of any squad in either conference. After a strong opening half of the season, the Rowdies put together a historic second half. They fell just once from August 6 to the end of the season, a stretch headlined by a 12-match lossless streak that spanned a day short of two months. They took care of business in their opening postseason matchup against FC Tulsa, netting six goals, before upending Birmingham in the Conference Semifinal and Louisville in a thrilling extra time win in the Eastern Conference Final.

Among the Western Conference’s best at the start of the campaign, Orange County was riding high as they outscored their opponents 9-3 in June and held the Pacific Division’s second place spot for much of the first two months. However, they hit a few speed bumps during in July and August, losing ground in the Pacific Division race a stretch that saw just two wins in 11 matches. However, with a new man at the helm in Richard Chaplow, they found form again as summer turned to fall, winning six straight to close the campaign before finding their way to the final by way of a 1-0 victory over Colorado Springs and two penalty shootout wins.

Players to Watch

From the top down, Tampa’s roster is filled with players sure to impact Sunday’s result. Leading them in the back are Goalkeeper Evan Louro and defender Forrest Lasso, each finalists for Player of the Year at their respective positions. Both players were named to the USL Championship All-League First Team alongside striker Sebastian Guenzatti, who finished the regular season with 21 goals, six assists, and a nomination for USL MVP honors.

In addition, Lucky Mkosana has been dangerous off the bench for Rowdies all season long. He netted the stoppage time equalizer for Tampa Bay to send their Conference Final match with Louisville to extra time, and since joining the club in 2019, has scored 12 of 14 goals as a substitute.

For Orange County, they’ll count on forward Ronaldo Damus to continue leading their attacking corps. The Haitian finished the regular season third in the Western Conference in scoring (14), taking full advantage of the 51 chances generated on the campaign from three-year USL veteran Brian Illoski, and captain Michael Orozco. Goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky and leading assist man Brent Richards have locked things down in the back for Orange County of late, limiting opponents to just two scores since an October 9 loss to Tacoma Defiance.

Head to Head – The Numbers

Tampa Bay finished the regular season third in USL in scoring (65), shots taken (496) and conversion rate (18%). More impressively, however, they finished the year with a league-high 16 clean sheets and conceded the fewest goals in USL this season with 27.

Entering their first-ever USL Championship Final, Orange County netted 46 goals on the season and put 14% of their attempts in the net. They were equally stout defensively, recording 14 clean sheets- second in the league behind Tampa Bay- and finished as one of just eight squads to concede less than 40 scores on the season. They’ve posted five clean sheets in their past six matches, giving them a ton of momentum heading into their meeting with the league’s most dangerous team.

What to Watch Across the USL and Beyond

It may be getting colder outside, but the postseason competition is heating up across the leagues. Home field advantage proved key in the USL Conference Semifinals, with all four home clubs advancing to the next round. MLS playoffs kickoff after a two-week hiatus for international play, and the NWSL season wraps up with two teams looking for their first league championship.

USL – Conference Finals

Orange County SC v San Antonio FC – Saturday, Nov. 20 at 7:00 p.m. PT

The two Western Conference clubs meetup for the first time this season, both looking for their first USL Championship Final berth.

Orange County advances to its second-ever Conference Final after besting Oakland Roots in a 6-5 penalty shootout after the California clubs played to a 0-0 draw. After each side converted their five opening penalties, OC goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky came up huge with a diving save. The shootout almost continued when a Ronadlo Damus shot was saved by Oakland goalkeeper Paul Blanchette, but the penalty was replayed when the assistant referee ruled that the keeper left his line early—and the Haitian scored on his second attempt.

San Antonio FC heads into its first appearance in the Western Conference Final following a 3-1win over Rio Grande Valley FC, with forward Santiago Patiño’s brace leading the way in SAFC’s first victory in the South Texas Derby. The San Antonio defense remained strong, allowing just three shots on target.

The big question for Saturday – what will come out on top: San Antonio’s high-pressure offense or Orange County’s strong goalkeeping? This season, SAFC has posted the second-most shots in the Western Conference, while OC keeper Rakovsky has only conceded two goals since the beginning of October and posted two clean sheets in as many postseason matches.

Tampa Bay Rowdies v Louisville City FC – Saturday, Nov. 20 at 4:30 p.m. PT

Tampa Bay will play host to Louisville in a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference final.

The Rowdies, who entered the postseason with the league’s best record, advances after a 1-0 victory over Birmingham Legion FC last weekend. Following a scoreless first half, forward Yann Ekraput put the 2020 USL Co-Champions ahead in the 57th minute off a cross from Conner Antley. LouCity heads into Saturday’s match following a game-winning 89th minute penalty from Cameron Lancaster in last weekend’s 1-0 win against Charlotte Independence.

Similar to the Western Conference matchup, it’ll be a battle of a high-scoring offense and a stingy defense. LouCity heads into the weekend second in the league in scoring, while Tampa Bay has conceded the fewest goals. The visitors will be looking for payback following last year’s postseason faceoff when the Rowdies claimed a 2-1 victory on the road.

MLS Cup Playoffs – ROUND 1

View the full bracket

Nashville SC v Orlando City SC – Tuesday, Nov. 23 at 5:00 p.m. PT

Despite being separated three positions in the playoff standings, these Eastern Conference clubs have been pretty even throughout the season.

All three of their meetings ended in a draw, and they finished the regular season separated by only three points. Nashville will be looking to capitalize on their home field advantage and add to their streak of unbeaten home matches, dating back to November 4, 2020.

Orlando City punched its ticket to the postseason with a 2-0 win over CF Montreal on Decision Day. While Daryl Dike has delivered in the final stretch of the season—scoring seven goals in nine games—the Lions will need star players Nani and Mauricio Pereyra to step up, as many feel that their lack of quality and leadership was what led to the club’s playoff elimination last season.

Nashville secured the third seed in the Eastern Conference with a 1-1 draw against New York Red Bulls in their final regular season match – becoming the fourth team to clinch a playoff berth in their first two seasons as an MLS franchise. The Boys in Gold have been a formidable opponent this season – posting the fewest losses and tied for fewest goals allowed across the league.

NWSL – Championship

Washington Spirit v Chicago Red Stars – Saturday, Nov. 20 at 9:00 a.m. PT

Third seed Washington and fourth seed Chicago will both be seeking their first NWSL Championship title at Lynn Family Stadium (Louisville, KY) this Saturday—marking the first time that neither the #1 nor #2 seed have reached the final.

The Spirit secured their final berth with a come-from-behind win over OL Reign this past weekend. Reign took an early lead, but rookie Trinity Rodman pulled the Spirit even before halftime and Ashley Sanchez found the back of the net for the go-ahead goal in the 68th minute.

Red Stars punched their way to the final with an on-the-road upset of top-seeded Portland Thorns – a 2-0 win. Things weren’t looking good when former USWNT member Kealia Watt went down with an injury midway through the first half, but it was her replacement, Katie Johnson, who put the first goal on the board less than 10 minutes later. Sarah Woldmoe sealed the win in the 59th minute.

Saturday’s final will feature several USWNT players – Kelley O’Hara, Andi Sullivan, Emily Sonnett, Ashley Sanchez, and Ashley Hatch for Washington; and Tierna Davidson, Alyssa Naeher, Casey Krueger, Julie Ertz, and Mallory Pugh for Chicago.

What to Watch Across the USL: Conference Semifinals

The first round of the USL Championship playoffs did not disappoint. A pair of big upsets and a few tightly contested matches gave fans everything they could possibly want, setting the stage for this weekend’s Conference Semifinals.

Pacific Division Update

Two of the Pacific Division’s squads were unable to stave off elimination in the Conference Quarterfinal round. San Diego fell 2-0 to San Antonio, while Phoenix was taken down by Rio Grande Valley in an exciting penalty shootout after a 3-3 result.

Oakland and Orange County both knocked off formidable squads in El Paso and Colorado Springs, and as a result will face each other for the fifth time this season in a battle to reach the Western Conference final. Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM from Irvine on Saturday, November 14.

Tampa Bay Rowdies v Birmingham Legion FC – Saturday, Nov. 13 at 4:00PM PT

Two of the Eastern Conference’s best will face off for the first time this season.

Tampa Bay will play host in the fixture, and are coming off a dominating 6-2 victory over FC Tulsa that saw them explode in the second half with 14 shots and five scores. One of the league’s best all season long, they’ll need to maintain that offensive form to keep ahead of a Birmingham side that possesses similar attacking prowess.

Despite advancing by virtue of COVID-19 protocols, Birmingham Legion is in no way inferior. Statistically, they’ve matched up pretty evenly with the Rowdies at nearly every turn, finishing the regular season just behind Tampa Bay in scoring, conversion rate, and shots taken. Legion also conceded fewer scores on the year than every team in USL but one- the Tampa Bay squad they will face off with on Saturday.

Louisville City FC v Charlotte Independence – Saturday, Nov. 13 at 4:30PM PT

A pair of white-hot clubs will meet in Kentucky, each coming off strong first round victories.

After taking the Central Division crown in exciting fashion, Louisville kept their good times rolling with a win over Miami in the Conference Quarterfinals. Their second consecutive clean sheet after shutting out Birmingham to close the regular season gives the club more defensive momentum than they’ve had all season.

Independence has been among the most efficient and disciplined teams in the league all year- they finished the regular season third in conversion rate. They will take to Louisville coming off their eighth straight match without a loss, a 3-1 win that saw them silence a confident Memphis team, looking to keep their streak of eight matches conceding one score or less intact.

San Antonio FC v Rio Grande Valley FC – Saturday, Nov. 13 at 6:00PM PT

A playoff meeting between division rivals will surely be worth watching when these two kick off in Texas.

San Antonio enters the contest following a 2-0 win over San Diego Loyal SC that saw them make the most of their opportunities. Despite being outshot and significantly out-possessed, two successful set piece opportunities put San Antonio over Landon Donovan’s men. Against RGV, continued excellence on defense- the club hasn’t allowed a goal since October 20- should give them an advantage in a matchup that proved tough on them in all four of their regular season contests.

The Toros will be riding a high into Saturday’s matchup. After going round for round with the league’s highest-scoring team, they emerged victorious in a penalty shootout to advance. Staying strong on the offensive end and taking advantage of any opportunity they get will be critical to pulling out a win, especially since every match between the two squads this season was decided by one score or less.

What to Watch Around the USL: Week 28

The final week of the regular season is here. However, even with 27 weeks of play completed, the best is still yet to come. Ahead of the season’s final match day, a number of fixtures across the league serve as win-or-go-home contests for some, while others will be looking to take advantage of one last chance to improve their seeding before the postseason commences in November.

Pacific Division Update

Ahead of the final week, only Phoenix knows where they will sit when postseason play begins. Below the Arizona side rests San Diego and Orange County, separated by just a point with one match each to play.

Below them, Los Angeles, Oakland, and Tacoma all remain in competition for the fourth and final spot in the Pacific Division. A win over Orange County will secure the spot for Los Dos. For Tacoma or Oakland to take it, they’ll need to take three in their respective final matches against Phoenix and Sporting KC II, in addition to a draw or loss for Los Angeles.

Birmingham Legion FC v Louisville City FC

The two squads find themselves in a winner-take-all meeting for the Central Division crown on Saturday.

Birmingham has the luxury of a larger margin for error in the contest. A win or draw with Louisville will leave them atop the division when the final whistle sounds, since they enter Saturday with a two point advantage. Unbeaten since September 4, Legion has recorded four clean sheets their last nine matches, and will need another great defensive effort to keep Louisville’s Cam Lancaster quiet as he looks to take over the Eastern Conference Golden Boot.

After a tough 1-0 loss for Louisville to Indy Eleven on October 16, the Eastern Conference scoring leaders rebounded in a crucial match with Memphis. A win- and only a win- over Birmingham will crown them Division Champions by putting them a point ahead in the table over their Alabama foes, who have been one of the league’s hottest teams since September.

The two squads find themselves in a winner-take-all meeting for the Central Division crown on Saturday.

Austin Bold FC v Charlotte Independence

One of two inter-division matches remaining during the season’s final weekend will have a big impact on both participants.

Austin is in a win-or-go-home scenario, and will need three points in addition to help from Real Monarchs and El Paso Locomotive FC to get into the final playoff spot. Cooling down a Charlotte team on a six-match win streak will be tough, but they have the defense to do it as they enter the contest fourth in USL in clean sheet performances this season.

Charlotte still needs three points to keep a hold on second place in the Atlantic, even after taking their tenth win in eleven matches Wednesday. Getting on the board early will be a major key for the league’s fourth best scoring team, especially since Austin has had trouble playing from behind of late.

One of two inter-division matches remaining during the season’s final weekend will have a big impact on both participants.

Rio Grande Valley FC v El Paso Locomotive FC

The Mountain Division playoff picture will likely be decided by the final match between first-place El Paso and Rio Grande Valley.

Two consecutive wins for the Toros have thrust them into sole possession of fourth place in the division, putting them in control of their own destiny- win and they are in, lose or draw and they will need some help. A win over an El Paso team that has shut out each of their last two opponents will be tough, but Rio Grande Valley has been excellent of late, conceding just three goals in their last five matches and claiming three wins and a draw in that time.

As mentioned, Mountain Division champion Locomotive FC is coming off of consecutive clean sheets, a feat they’ve accomplished three other times this season. They have returned to form since a blowout loss to LA Galaxy II earlier in the month, and should respond well to a chance to spoil their divisional foes’ playoff chances. El Paso has fared well against RGV this season, taking two wins and a draw in three contests.

The Mountain Division playoff picture will likely be decided by the final match between first-place El Paso and Rio Grande Valley.

What to Watch Across the USL Championship: Week 27

Even with just two weeks remaining in the 2021 season, a lot still needs to be decided before the regular season comes to a close. One division remains up for grabs while the number of squads looking to stave off playoff elimination has grown with every passing match day. This week, a number of key matchups could further solidify the playoff picture across USL Championship.

Pacific Division Update

Results across the league on Saturday made San Diego Loyal SC the second club to clinch a playoff spot in the Pacific Division. However, Landon Donovan’s squad will need two more positive results to keep ahead of Orange County SC, who could take over the second spot in the table with a victory over last-place Las Vegas on Saturday evening.

LA Galaxy II’s loss to Charleston and a scoreless draw between Oakland Roots SC and Tacoma Defiance in the Pacific Northwest on Wednesday tightened the screws even more on the Pacific Division postseason race. With Orange County securing the division’s third playoff spot and Los Dos, Sacramento, Oakland and Tacoma now all having two games left, the last two match weeks of the regular season will be must-see soccer as the division completes its playoff picture.

New Mexico United v Rio Grande Valley FC

A pair of matchups in the Mountain Division this weekend will likely determine who goes and who doesn’t.

It’s do-or-die for Rio Grande Valley, who following a loss to Colorado Springs sits two points back of fourth in the table with two matches to play. A victory would give them the tiebreaker in head-to-head points should things not be decided after their final contest on October 30. A loss would eliminate the Toros, leaving them five points back going into their final contest.

New Mexico could clinch a playoff spot with a win, but the results of Austin Bold FC’s matches this week could have a major impact on their chances. United currently sits in a tie for fourth, but has the tiebreaker over the Texas club. With no games in hand, however, three points every time they take the field is a must-have.

A pair of matchups in the Mountain Division this weekend will likely determine who goes and who doesn’t.

FC Tulsa v Indy Eleven

With just one spot left in the Central Division, three clubs are all grappling for the last postseason berth.

Tulsa has not just one, but two games in hand on Indy, giving the Oklahoma side control over their foes’ playoff destiny. A victory will eliminate Indy Eleven, as well as set Tulsa up well for what could be a winner-take-all contest with in-state rival OKC Energy during the season’s final weekend. To get there, they’ll need to turn things around on the defensive end, where they have conceded eight scores in a six-match winless streak.

Indy Eleven, much like RGV in the Mountain Division, is in a win-or-go-home scenario. Six points back of Tulsa in the table, they’ll need to win out and see their foes drop each of their remaining contests to have a chance to qualify by tiebreaker. They have momentum on their side after taking three points from Louisville City FC, knocking the Kentucky side another point back of first-place Birmingham.

With just one spot left in the Central Division, three clubs are all grappling for the last postseason berth.

Louisville City FC v Memphis 901 FC

The final contest between the two clubs this season could very well dictate who raises the Central Division crown.

After dropping three points to Indy Eleven last week, Louisville City fell another point behind of Birmingham Legion FC in the table, where just one point had kept them from a share of first place. With a win needed to keep their division title hopes alive, Louisville will be looking for their high flying offense to get back on track after being shut out for just the third time this season.

Memphis has everything to gain from a win over Louisville on Saturday. Just four points up on a FC Tulsa side who plays an extra match next week, keeping their standing in third place will be difficult. Issuing Louisville their season-high third straight defeat and stripping them of their Division title chances gives them a lot to play for, even though they’ve already solidified a playoff berth. They have been one of the league’s hottest teams in October, claiming four wins while netting 14 scores in five matches.

The final contest between the two clubs this season could very well dictate who raises the Central Division crown.

What to Watch Across USL: Week 26

With just two weeks until the final match of the 2021 season, much across the USL landscape is yet to be decided. Every playoff race features more squads than will be permitted to advance come the end of the month, while two division crowns remain up for grabs.

Pacific Division Update

On the West Coast, Phoenix Rising remains the only team with a solidified spot in the 2021 postseason. Beneath the league’s leader in points sits San Diego and Orange County, followed by four teams–Los Angeles, Oakland, Tacoma, and Sacramento– who are separated by just three points entering the final two weeks of the season.

With the exception of Oakland, who will take on Sporting KC II the final weekend of the season, every squad has completed their inter-divisional schedule, which could possibly take the playoff race all the way down to the final match of the year.

The Miami FC vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

While Pittsburgh has clinched a playoff spot, final seedingin the Atlantic Division is yet to be determined.

Riverhounds enters the week coming off a huge victory over Atlantic Division Champion Tampa Bay last weekend. The club notched their eighth clean sheet of the season in the victory, and will be looking to put together a similarly dominant performance against a South Florida side they have yet to defeat in three matches this year. With Miami just three points back and Charlotte Independence behind by just two, they’ll need a victory to keep second place in the table as the season winds down.

Miami will be looking to rebound come Saturday. While they sit comfortably in fourth place, a win could catapult them into second. In addition, the club will need to bounce back from a tough 3-2 defeat at the hands of last place Loudon United, who had won just three matches this season. They hold the edge in the season’s series with Pittsburgh, winning 3-2 in their last meeting on October 2.

While Pittsburgh has clinched a playoff spot, final seedingin the Atlantic Division is yet to be determined.

Orange County SC vs. Oakland Roots SC

With the Pacific Division still up for grabs by almost every team, this weekend’s contest between Oakland and Orange County could have a major impact on the playoff race.

Saturday could be a big opportunity for Orange County to hold their place in the Pacific Division. Coming off a big win at home against Phoenix, staying in the win column would be big for them as they look to generate momentum heading into the postseason. They’ve bested Oakland in each of their three meetings this season, conceding just one score to the Bay Area side.

Aftera tough start to the season, Oakland has thrust themselves into the thick of the playoff conversation with a string of positive performances. They’ve taken just four losses since the start of August, and prior to their 1-0 loss to Phoenix last week had been held scoreless just twice in 14 matches dating back to August 14. A win could put them in sole possession of a playoff spot, pending results from around the division.

With the Pacific Division still up for grabs by almost every team, this weekend’s contest between Oakland and Orange County could have a major impact on the playoff race.

Colorado Springs Switchbacks vs. Rio Grande Valley FC

Another battle for playoff position will take place in the Mountain Division over the weekend.

Behind USL scoring leader Hadji Barry, Switchbacks will be looking to get back in the win column when they welcome Rio Grande Valley on Saturday. A victory would claim them three points for the first time since September 25, as well as move them closer to second place in the division ahead of the postseason.

Another battle for playoff position will take place in the Mountain Division over the weekend.

The Toros need a victory to stay in the playoff picture. While the Mountain Division remains crowded– just nine points separate second place from sixth– a win would keep them in control of their own destiny. They’ve had trouble containing the potent offense of Colorado Springs this season, surrendering eight scores, but recent success on the defensive end against Real Monarchs and New Mexico give them some momentum heading into the final two weeks.

What to Watch Around the USL: Week 25

Playoff Races around the USL remain in full force this week, as teams from across the league make their final pushes for postseason seeding.

Pacific Division Update

With their win over Orange County on Saturday, Phoenix became the first squad to clinch their division in 2021. The USL’s best team in terms of points entering the week, the Arizona squad will take on a number of teams looking to improve their standing in the final few weeks- starting with Oakland Roots on October 9.

The remainder of the Pacific Division remains up for grabs, as four teams sit within two points of each other for the final spot. As it stands, Republic FC, Galaxy II, Oakland, and Tacoma all sit within four points of one another. Sacramento will meet with San Diego this weekend, while Oakland clashes with Phoenix and Tacoma hosts Orange County.

Birmingham Legion FC v Indy Eleven

While Birmingham has already clinched a playoff spot, Indy Eleven still has a lot on the line as the season enters the final weeks.

Legion FC enters the week as one of just four squads in the league with a playoff spot already secured. However, a string of wins could allow them to overtake Louisville City FC for first place in the Central Division. They sit just two points back with five to play, and they’ll match up with the divisional leaders in their final matchup of the year. Until then, every contest is important.

Indy Eleven has a lot on the line come Saturday. Following Memphis’ Wednesday win, the club currently sits seven points back of playoff seeding, and each of their final five contests will come against clubs ahead of them in the standings. They’ll be looking to pull even in the season series with Birmingham- with whom each contest this season has been decided by one score- as well as get back on track with their first win since September 11.

While Birmingham has already clinched a playoff spot, Indy Eleven still has a lot on the line as the season enters the final weeks.

New Mexico United v Rio Grande Valley FC

The Toros and United meet for the final time this season in a match that could well decide the final spot in the Mountain Division playoff race.

New Mexico enters the contest coming off a tough 2-2 draw with Hartford Athletic. Winners of three of their last five, things are going well in Albuquerque as the club has lost just three times since mid-July. They had their way with the Toros in the two clubs’ last clash– a 2-0 home win on September 29.

RGV will need a win this week over their divisional rivals to keep pace. While they sit just a point back from New Mexico and two back from the fourth place, they have one additional loss on their record, leaving them on the outside looking in. Getting on the board early will be crucial, especially against a squad in the top 10 in USL in clean sheets through 24 weeks.

The Toros and United meet for the final time this season in a match that could well decide the final spot in the Mountain Division playoff race.

Tampa Bay Rowdies v Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

Tampa Bay has been one of the best in USL this season, leading in clean sheets, sitting at eighth in scoring, and posting the seventh-best conversion rate. Entering their final matchup of the season against Pittsburgh, they’ll be looking for their tenth straight win to bring them closer to an Atlantic Division title, and will lean hard on Eastern Conference scoring leader Sebastián Guenzatti, who enters the contest just two ahead of Louisville’s Cameron Lancaster, to get them there.

While Tampa has the division all but locked up, Pittsburgh has plenty to play for– they currently sit tied in points with The Miami FC. A win over the hottest team in the League would surely give them some much needed confidence going into their final three contests.