The 2023 USL Championship season kicked off in earnest last weekend and was solid entertainment - a handful of matches ended in draws but there were a few surprises including a shocking away win for Loudoun United at Memphis 901 and a convincing first step toward title defense for San Antonio FC.

Memphis had the statistical edge in their home opener against a Loudoun United many picked to struggle - more shots, more possession, and slightly higher passing percentage. Loudoun, newly independent from their MLS overseers, lined up in a 4-4-2 with Thomas Williamson and Zach Ryan up top - both got on the scoreboard in under 10 minutes and the hosts were left to chase goals for the rest of the match. Laurent Kissiedou pulled one back in the first half, but he earned himself a red in the second half and Memphis were down a goal and down a man until Zach Ryan put them out of their misery in the 94’ to get his brace.

Memphis haven’t been Loudoun since May of 2022 and will get a shot at revenge in August - until then, they’re getting ready to push the restart button and host at home again, this weekend, against Pittsburgh Riverhounds, who went away to Birmingham and got a point on the road. Loudoun United are set to host 2022 USLC Champions San Antonio FC. SAFC got off to a convincing win of their own, besting Oakland Roots 3-1, with an early goal from Niko Hansen and a brace from Lamar Batista. A week ago some might have said a San Antonio win on the road was a given, but after Loudoun’s first week performance, I think Alen Marcina may take a more cautious approach.

A very impressive Loudoun United look to repeat their week one performance against the champs and if you wanna be the best, you gotta beat the best - here’s their shot at that. San Antonio will be aware of Loudoun’s ability to score and instead of playing cagey on the road, look for SAFC to try to simply outscore the hosts - this should have plenty of fireworks.

Results from Saturday, March 11th & 12th

Miami FC 1 - 1 FC Tulsa
Memphis 901 1 -3 Loudoun United FC
Birmingham Legion 1 - 1 Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Charleston Battery 1 - 1 Phoenix Rising
Tampa Bay Rowdies 1 - 1 Indy Eleven
San Antonio FC 1 - 3 Oakland Roots
El Paso Locomotive 0 - 1 Sacramento Republic
Monterey Bay 5 -3 Hartford Athletic
San Diego Loyal 1 -0 Detroit City FC
Orange County SC 1 - 3 Louisville City
RGV Toros 1 -1 Las Vegas Lights

Monterey Bay got off to an explosive start to their campaign with a 5-3 win over Hartford Athletic - they host Eastern Conference contenders Louisville City who put up three goals of their own, on the road, last week against Orange County SC. If these two sides play anything like they did last weekend, this match is going to set your laptop on fire.

Wednesday, March 15th

El Paso Locomotive vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC - 6:00pm (PST) / 9:00pm (ET)

Friday, March 17th

Birmingham Legion vs FC Tulsa - 5:00pm (PST) / 8:00pm (ET)

saturday, march 18th

Memphis 901 FC vs Pittsburgh Riverhounds - 2:00pm (PST) / 5:00pm (ET)
Miami FC vs New Mexico United - 4:00pm (PST) / 7:00pm (ET)
Colorado Springs Switchbacks vs Hartford Athletic - 5:00pm (PST) / 8:00pm (ET)
El Paso Locomotive vs Detroit City FC - 6:30pm (PST) / 9:30 (ET)
Sacramento Republic vs Charleston Battery - 7:00pm (PST) / 10:00pm (ET)
Orange County SC vs Tampa Bay Rowdies - 7:00pm (PST) / 10:00 (ET)
Monterey Bay vs Louisville City - 7:00pm (PST) / 10:00 (ET)

sunday, March 19th

Loudoun United vs San Antonio FC - 1:00pm (PST) / 4:00pm (ET)
San Diego Loyal vs Phoenix Rising - 3:00pm (PST) / 7:00pm (ET)
RGV Toros vs Oakland Roots - 5:00pm (PST) / 8:00pm (ET)

by Joshua Duder