While most of the worlds top divisions take an international break, we still get to celebrate and watch loads of soccer here! USL Championship, and USL League One go into their respective final regular season fixtures, while NISA has a few weeks left with the playoff picture yet to be fully painted. We also have Metroplex Premier League games, UPSL Fall/Winter, and the Bay State Soccer League to keep an eye on. Let’s get stuck in!

Ben Brannigan Picks…
- Denton Diablos FC vs La Liga Academy Dallas U21s - Metroplex Premier League
  - Friday, October 13th - 5:30p PST / 8:30p EST
    at North Lakes Park Field 2
  - What a great game this will be with two of our newest MPL clubs, who play a lovely brand of ball and for sure will be an exciting game. With lots of local DFW young talent on show. Highly recommend taking the family to watch this game.

Josh Duder Picks…
- New Mexico United vs Memphis 901 FC - USL Championship
  - Friday, October 13th - 6:00pm PST / 9:00pm EST
    at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park
  - Currently New Mexico United occupy the 8th and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. In order to keep it that way they need to either win outright to eliminate Oakland Roots and Monterey Bay - or get a draw and keep their fingers crossed all weekend. Meanwhile a win for Memphis doesn’t help them move up in the playoff picture, however a loss could see them lose their home field advantage in round one - we’ll see if they show up to fight Friday afternoon.

Rich Schenck Picks…
- Las Vegas Lights FC vs SD Loyal SC - USL Championship
  - Saturday, October 14th - 7:30p PST / 10:30p EST
    at Las Vegas Ballpark on ESPN+
  - Nate Miller’s Loyal squad looks to finish off their last regular season undefeated in their last six games. Second, third and fourth in the Western Conference are separated by 1 point going into the final round of regular season games. WC basement dwellers Las Vegas will look to avoid going winless in their final six games.

Tim Howerton Picks…
- Charlotte Independence vs SG Tormenta FC - USL League One
  - Saturday, October 14th - 4:00p PST / 7:00p EST
    at American Legion Memorial Stadium on EPSN+
  - Charlotte, NC. Bolt and company had been soaring, winning three straight and climbing back into the playoff discussion. However, a crushing defeat in their last outing means they need a win in Charlotte (and some help) to avoid missing the playoffs, and they’ll have to do it without defensive stalwart Daltyn Knutson (red card). The Jacks still have it all to play for as well, as a win will see them secure 4th place and a home playoff match against Greenville Triumph next week.

Tim Howerton Picks…
- Forward Madison vs Union Omaha - USL League One
  - Saturday, October 14th - 4:00pm PST / 7:00pm EST at Breese Stevens Field on ESPN+
  - The Mingos haven’t been in the best form of late, but ending the season against an Omaha team that they traditionally play tough might help. Madison is the only team in the league that Los Bùhos haven’t beaten yet, and they’ll need that to continue to ensure they hold on to that final playoff spot. Three points to Union Omaha, however, not only ensures the Player’s Shield will be on display at Werner Park, but also opens the door for Tormenta to slip right past Forward Madison and into the playoffs.

Josh Duder Picks…
- Greenville Triumph SC vs FC Lexington SC - USL League One
  - Saturday, October 14th - 4:00p PST / 7:00p EST
    at Paladin Stadium on ESPN+
  - Sure, Lexington SC don’t have a playoff spot to fight for, but that doesn’t mean players aren’t looking to impress or fight for their jobs as the season comes to close. On the other hand, Greeville Triumph have grinded out results all season long and they need to put in a shift for this match to try to leap over the Independence and host a first round playoff game against that very Charlotte team.

Josh Duder Picks…
- Inter Boston FC vs Kendall Wanderers - BSSL
  - Saturday, October 14th - 9:00a PST / 12:00p EST
    at Reservation Road Park in Hyde Park, MA
  - With only three matchdays left to save their skin, Inter Boston have two home and one away game to get out of the drop zone. They’ll need either or both of Loco Gunners and ***Providence City to drop points as well, but should they beat Wanderers on Saturday, they could find themselves back in the world of the living. Meanwhile, should Kendall Wanderers win out, they could be on enough points to challenge for the top of the table… they’ll need an absolute glut of goals to win it though!

MaryBeth Zmuda Picks…
- Albion San Diego vs Michigan Stars FC - NISA
  - Sunday, October 15th - 6:30pm PST / 9:30pm EST
    at The Stadium at Canyon Crest Academy
  - Albion’s final regular season game is a huge matchup with playoff positions at risk! Michigan Stars trail San Diego by 1 point but have two games in hand and depending on how LA Force deal with CDL next weekend, this weekend’s game could boost either team into 2nd place going into the playoffs.

Dan Vaughn Picks…
- Club De Lyon FC vs Savannah Clovers - NISA
  - Sunday, October 15th - 4:00p PST / 7:00p EST
    at Hancock Park Field 1 in Clermont, FL
  - Who would have thought that a match featuring these two clubs would be so interesting this late in the season. Club de Lyon should, by all facts and logic, be dead in the water, yet they are very much in the hunt for the final playoff spot with Flower City Union. If Club de Lyon get a win in this one, all bets are off, baby! NISA chaos machine, fire up!

Josh Duder Picks…
- Bellevue Athletic vs St Johns FC - UPSL Fall/Winter
  - Sunday, October 15th - 5:00pm PST / 8:00pm EST
    at Bellevue College Soccer Field
  - Not only do we get a top of the table clash on Sunday, its just one leg of a home and away battle between these two teams - they meet up again on Saturday the 21st in Portland. If you’re closer to Seattle you’ll want to check out their home leg this weekend and if you’re in Oregon, they play at Milwaukie High School and to be honest, the Pacific Northwest Conference could be decided between these two games.

by the Protagonist Staff