USL Championship GW 7 – Late Game Preview | OneFootball

Would one team that played 120+ minutes of extra time be matched up with a side that didn’t play at all, thereby having a disadvantage?

As it turns out, my concerns were overblown. I do not know who has a crystal ball in the USL scheduling department, but nearly every fixture is creepily equitable. Really.

Below is the Qooligan take on all the late games (kickoffs are after 5pm ET) on Saturday, April 19th.

Indy Eleven vs. Charleston Battery

7:00pm ET @ Michael A. Carroll Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana Streaming on ESPN+ Both teams played mid-week during the Open Cup. Indy won in dramatic fashion in the 123rd minute; Battery cruised to an easy win over Tormenta. In theory, this means slightly more fatigue on the Indy roster. In practice, it shouldn’t make a difference. Charleston signed striker Cal Jennings from Tampa Bay during the offseason and he has not disappointed, scoring five of the team’s eight goals. In contrast, no player on Indy has more than two contributions; theirs is a real team effort. We’ll see which philosophy wins out.

Lexington SC vs. Monterey Bay

7:00pm ET @ Lexington SC Stadium, Lexington, Kentucky Streaming on ESPN+ Upsets in Round 2 mean no mid-week fixtures were played by either team. Since their opening games both teams have taken opposite trajectories. Lexington won in dominating fashion, and has since drawn 3 and lost 2. Monterey Bay lost, but has since won four and drawn 1, placing them top of the Western Conference. Lexington’s contributions are evenly distributed among players and positions, with nobody having more than three. Monterey Bay, however, rely heavily on forwards Ilijah Paul and Anton Søjberg, who have nearly 50% of the team’s contributions.

Miami FC vs. North Carolina FC

7:00pm ET @ South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium, Miami, Florida Streaming on ESPN+ Both teams played mid-week during the Open Cup. Miami lost in the waning seconds of extra time, and NCFC handily won. Although they pushed Indy to the brink of a penalty shootout, Miami were just as creatively bankrupt in offense. NCFC should handily win this match as well.

Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Louisville City FC

7:30pm ET @ Al Lang Stadium, St. Petersburg, Florida Local broadcast only Both teams played mid-week during the Open Cup; both teams won (though Tampa had to do it in 10 PKs during the shootout). Having to play 120+ minutes, then take 10 penalty kicks, to defeat an USL-1 expansion team is not a good flex for Tampa Bay, no matter how good it felt in the moment. They still sit in 10th place. Meanwhile, LouCity sit in second and although they haven’t been perfect, should have the quality to win this one.

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. El Paso Locomotive FC

8:00pm ET @ Weidner Field, Colorado Springs, Colorado Streaming on ESPN+ Both teams played mid-week during the Open Cup and were victorious after extra time. In addition to this similarity, the teams statistically are nearly identical. They both score (and concede) a LOT and have a -1 goal differential. El Paso’s trifecta of Amando Moreno, Wilmer Cabrera (Jr.) and Roberto Avila provide their up front threat. Switchbacks rely heavily on Justin Dhillon and Marco Micaletto.

Las Vegas Lights FC vs. FC Tulsa

10:30pm ET @ Cashman Field, Las Vegas, NevadaLocal broadcast only Both teams played mid-week during the Open Cup and lost after extra time. FC Tulsa have only scored four goals, tied for the lowest in the West with… Las Vegas. Also curious is that each team has also only conceded three, and they sit next to one another in fifth and fourth place respectfully. I would not expect a high scoring affair here.