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Sacramento Republic FC

What to Watch Around the USL: Week 28

October 29, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release


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.

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.

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.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from October 29, 2021


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