USL Sacramento Republic FC

Around the Leagues: International Break Ends, But Drama Does Not

Published on October 19, 2021 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


More playoff tickets were punched in the NWSL and USL Championship this weekend while the Pacific Division remains wide open with two weeks remaining. Across the pond, a giant has fallen from the top mix of the Premier League, while a dark horse has soared up to the top five.

USL Championship

San Diego Loyal SC locked up a spot in the USL Championship postseason and can clinch a home game with three points on Wednesday at Orange County SC. Two hours up the I-5, LA Galaxy II put five goals past El Paso Locomotive FC in a 5-0 win that gave Los Dos its fifth win in its last seven games. With Phoenix and San Diego having postseason tickets in hand, the Pacific Division fight continues to remain exciting. Three clubs directly under the playoff line are tied with 34 points. The last two weeks of play could determine the field of four up to the final Saturday in league play.

Losses from Austin Bold FC and Rio Grande Valley FC left the door cracked open for New Mexico United to gain ground in the playoff race, but United busted that door down on Saturday with a stoppage time equalizer at Loyal SC from Ilija Ilić.

RGV's setback came against a Colorado Springs side that has been plagued with the injury bug in its attacking third. One of those injury-ridden attackers though, Thomas Amang, returned to the pitch on Saturday and bagged a late winner that pushed Colorado Springs into a tie with San Antonio FC for second in the Mountain Division.

Memphis 901 FC completed its postseason pursuit over the weekend with a little help. After 901 FC's 4-2 victory over Atlanta United 2, it wasn't until a scoreless draw between OKC Energy FC and Birmingham Legion FC that Memphis could celebrate its first playoff berth in franchise history.

Charlotte and Miami FC also clinched playoff spots over the weekend, meaning the Central Division's last playoff spot will complete the Eastern Conference postseason bracket. Struggling OKC and FC Tulsa sides continue to battle for that fourth seed and will face off on the last matchday of the regular season at ONEOK Field.

Premier League

A hat trick from Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mané's 100th Premier League goal helped visiting Liverpool put a 5-0 hurt on Watford, while back on Merseyside, Everton dropped points at Goodison Park for the first time this season in a 1-0 defeat to West Ham.

Ben Chilwell's first half goal was the difference in a West London derby as Chelsea beat Brentford 1-0 to overtake Man City and the Reds for the top of the table.

Manchester United's struggles continued after a 4-2 defeat to a Leicester City side with their first Premier League win since August 28, while Tottenham's three first half goals spoiled the ushering in of a new era at Newcastle United. At sixth and without a Premier League win since September 19, United are at their lowest point in the table since matchday two.

At the other end of the scale, it's all sunshine for Brighton. The Seagulls sit in fourth place following a scoreless affair with Josh Sargent and Norwich City and have now walked away with points in all but one match this season. The club's ascension up English football's topflight is in full gear, with fourth being the club's highest table standing after eight match weeks in their now-five-year run in the Premier League.

Major League Soccer

LA Galaxy cooled off the Portland Timbers over the weekend with a 2-1 win to move above the playoff line, while Seattle returned to winning ways with a 4-1 win over Cascadia rivals Vancouver Whitecaps FC, who squandered a chance to crash the playoff picture.

PTFC has now fallen behind in the race for the top three in the Western Conference, but still separate themselves by four points from both the Galaxy and Real Salt Lake. Minnesota United joined the Galaxy above the playoff line with a 1-0 win over Austin FC.

The Red Bulls took bragging rights with a 1-0 win over NYFC to pull level with their Hudson River neighbors at 40 points apiece, but Gyasi Zardes' brace in a 4-0 win over Inter Miami CF earned him MLS Player of the Week and his reigning MLS champion Columbus Crew three more points and a more realistic chance at the playoffs.

National Women's Soccer League

Portland Thorns FC locked up the NWSL Shield for the second time in franchise history after Lindsey Horan's goal in the 43rd minute sealed a 1-0 victory over the Houston Dash.

Washington Spirit were the latest team to clinch a playoff spot and are now on pace to end the season with a top-three league finish for the second consecutive season.

With two weeks left until the conclusion of the regular season, spots four through eight in the NWSL table are separated by three points. Chicago Red Stars leads the way with 35, while Gotham FC, Houston and North Carolina are deadlocked at 32.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from October 19, 2021


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