This week we take a look at a few games from USL League One, USL Championship, UPSL, NISA Nation, EPSL and Metroplex Premier League - there are budding rivalries and playoff positions in the balance all over the place. Let’s get stuck in with the games our staff and guests say are must-watch (if possible).

Josh Duder Picks…
- One Knox SC vs Richmond Kickers - USL League One
  - Friday, October 6th - 4:30p PST / 7:30p EST
    from Regal Soccer Stadium on ESPN+
  - One Knox have to leave nothing out there on the pitch Friday night - there is the slimmest of chances they can make the playoffs in their first season since coming up from USL League Two and while much depends on other results on Saturday, this is a winnable team against a Kickers team who is down and out - look for One Knox to try to put up 3 or 4 goals as they attempt to bring their GD out of the negative and their points into the playoff plausible.

Josh Duder Picks…
- SG Tormenta FC vs Union Omaha- USL League One
  - Saturday, October 7th - 4:30a PST / 7:30p EST
    from Tormenta Stadium on ESPN+
  - The Champs currently sit just outside the final playoff spot - yeah, the one One Knox are chasing too. A win here would eliminate One Knox’s chances and depending on Forward Madison’s game, it could have them leap into that final spot with just a week left. On the other hand, Union Omaha have just gone 12 games unbeaten with 11 of those wins - they’ve finally surpassed both North Carolina FC as well as Northern Colorado and I don’t see them taking it easy with the regular season title and first round bye in the offing.

Jon Hunt Picks…
- Northern Colorado Hailstorm vs Forward Madison - USL League One
  - Saturday, October 7th - 6:00p PST / 9:00p EST
    from Future Legends Sports Complex on ESPN+
  - The final 2 USL1 playoff spots are still up for grabs and Greenville has all but solidified themselves into one of those, Madison has a chance to clinch the final spot with a win and a Tormenta loss, but any other result could mean a lot of drama for the final matchday. On the flip side, NoCo needs a win if they want to stay in contention for the supporters shield (or is it player’s shield? Does it ever really exist?).

MaryBeth Zmuda Picks…
- Flower City Union vs Albion San Diego - NISA
  - Saturday, October 7th - 3:00p PST / 6:00p EST
    from Sahlen’s Stadium at Rochester Community Sports Complex
  - ALBION San Diego has had a pretty good season thus far, keeping themselves among the top 2 or 3 teams the majority of it -BUT they were severely lacking in the goal scoring department. Well friends, after a 3 match scoring drought, it looks like they have cracked the seal having scored a whopping THIRTEEN goals in their last 5 matches (yes one Independent Cup match - but still… goals.) The top of the NISA table has essentially been a steady rotation of the same 5 teams and the carousel is spinning furiously this Saturday! Look for ALBION to keep up its scoring ways against FCU this weekend!

Ben Brannigan Picks…
- North Texas Aztecs vs La Liga Academy U21 - Metroplex Premier League 2
  - Saturday, October 7th - 7:00pm PST / 10:00pm EST from Foro Sports Club in Dallas
    On Maximo Films - YouTube
  - This is a shout out for North Texas Aztecs U21s making their MPL debut and La Liga have been a nice watch too since they started out. The Aztecs have big plans to develop players, as do La Liga, so I highly recommend you get to Foro Sports Club in Dallas at 8pm Saturday. See some future pros, hopefully.

Jon Hunt Picks…
- Dallas Deportivo FC Central vs FC Ladera Boys - Metroplex Premier League
  - Saturday, October 7th - 2:00p PST / 5:00p EST
    On Maximo Films - YouTube
  - A battle of the top MPL teams thus far this season. DDFC’s only loss has been to Ladera 2 weeks ago in a 4-3 thriller. Can Dallas Deportivo pull off the victory on home soil? Or will FC Ladera’s unbeaten run move up to 5 matches to start the year.

Josh Duder Picks…
- San Diego Loyal SC vs Oakland Roots - USL Championship
  - Saturday, October 7th - 7:00p PST / 10:00p EST
    from Torero Stadium on ESPN+
  - San Diego sit 4th in the Western Conference playoffs picture and have just two match left in their final regular season… ever. For all intents and purposes this is the last guaranteed game at Torero Stadium and a chance to give a final bow to their amazing supporters - hey, we all hope they get a playoff game or two as well and there are enough points still on the table to make a push for second. However, Oakland Roots lost a critical match midweek and are now just one point in the playoffs - they need a result desperately to stave off Monterey Bay and the end of the fixture list is looming.

John Howard-Fusco Picks…
- Philadelphia Heritage vs Alloy SC - EPSL
  - Sunday, October 8th - 3pm PST / 6pm EST
    at Germantown Supersite, Philadelphia, PA
  - OK, we see you Alloy Soccer Club, leading the Delaware River Conference with 3 wins and a draw to open the 2023/2024 campaign. The Lancaster, PA, based club heads into Philly to face Philadelphia Heritage who have only played two games so far (1 win, 1 draw). Goals have been plentiful in this conference so far, so expect more of the same here.

Ben Brannigan Picks…
- International Threat FC vs Sporting NTX Vagos - Metroplex Premier League
  - Sunday, October 8th - 5:30p PST / 8:30p EST
    On Maximo Films - YouTube
  - Going by how teams play, this will be a fun game between two well-coached teams. Highly recommend tuning in if you can't make it to Winters Park in Dallas.

Dennis Pope Picks…
- Las Vegas Legends vs FC Golden State Force - NISA Nation
  - Sunday, October 8th - 5:00pm PST / 8:00pm EST from Faith Lutheran High School on Las Vegas FC TV - YouTube
  - After winning three in a row, Las Vegas Legends (3-0-1) is just three points from the top of the table in the Southwest Region. The No. 1 spot is currently held by reigning champion FCGS Force (4-0-0), which got two goals from Moja Hale in a 2-0 victory over Capo FC last week.

Josh Duder Picks…
- Laguna United FC vs Chiriaco FC - UPSL Fall/Winter Season
  - Sunday, October 8th - 7:00pm PST / 10:00pm EST from La Paz Sports Park
  - Currently Chiriaco FC and Laguna United sit one and two, respectively, in the Del Real Foods SoCal North table. Chiraico have 6 wins from 6 and a massive +29 Goal Differential. Laguna finished 3rd in the table in the Spring, losing twice to Chiraico in the process and if they want to win the division this time around, they’ll have to beat them this weekend at home. For the record, despite losing in the playoffs, Chiriaco FC have not lost a regular season game in the UPSL… maybe ever?

by the Protagonist Staff