This week we take a look at a few games from USL League One, the Championship, UPSL, NISA and of course the second round of qualifying for the US Open Cup. The regular seasons are weeks away from ending and the race for playoff positions is heating up!

Tim Howerton Picks…
- North Carolina FC vs Union Omaha - USL League One
  - Friday, September 29th - 4:00p PST / 7:00p EST
    from WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, NC
  - The top two teams in USL One (and the only two who control their own destinies for the 1-seed) square off to start the USL 1 weekend. North Carolina passed a huge test last week in their quest for the Player’s Shield by knocking off the Hailstorm in Windsor. Now they have to defend Cary to put distance between them and the Owls who are trying to make their win streak go to 11. A draw won’t be a great result for NCFC as Union Omaha is only one point back with a game in hand.

John Howard Fusco Picks…
- Vereinigung Erzgebirge vs Philadelphia Heritage SC - 2024 US Open Cup, Second Round Qualifying
  - Saturday, September 30th - 11:00a PST / 2:00p EST
    from Vereinigung Clubhouse, Warminster, PA
  - VE Club, formed in 1931 and a mainstay out of the United Soccer League of PA, faces off against Philadelphia Heritage SC out of EPSL’s Delaware River Conference. Oktoberfest is over, but the biergarten will be open after the game.

Josh Duder Picks…
- Inter San Francisco vs The Olympic Club - 2024 US Open Cup, Second Round Qualifying
  - Saturday, September 30th - 6:30p PST / 9:30p EST
    from James P Lang Athletic Field in San Francisco
  - If it feels like these two just met in a meaningful match its because they did - Inter SF hosted The Olympic Club in the SFSFL Final on August 20th where the Olympic Club won 3-1. Can Inter SF flip the script and knock their league rivals out of the US Open Cup?

Harry Austin Picks…
- Phoenix Rising FC vs Orange County SC - USL Championship
  - Saturday, September 30th - 7:30p PST / 10:30p EST
    from Phoenix Rising Stadium on ESPN+
  - Red Hot Phoenix Rising FC are hoping to continue the run to move up the standings and make a claim to the 3rd seed in the USL West. Orange County SC was on a roll, but back to back loses has opened that 3rd seed back open. At this time, it is a 4 team race for that 3rd seed, but I think the winner of this match will have the edge. Especially when it comes down to H2H tiebreakers.

Dennis Pope Picks…
- Temecula FC vs Murrieta Soccer Academy - 2024 US Open Cup, Second Round Qualifying
  - Saturday, September 30th - 7:00pm PST / 10:00pm EST from Chaparral High School
  - Temecula FC has resurrected its program and is again among the top sides in the Inland Empire, finishing second in its inaugural NISA Nation Southwest Region campaign. MSA Pro has participated in UPSL since 2021 and is attempting to qualify for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup for the first time.

Josh Duder Picks…
- Charlotte Independence vs One Knoxville SC - USL League One
  - Saturday, September 30th - 2:00p PST / 5:00p EST
    from American Legion Memorial Stadium on ESPN+
  - While Charlotte have clinched a playoff spot, they are still mathematically in the hunt for a first round bye. With just three games left, its unlikely, but they’ll still be fighting for something and that’s bad news for One Knox who are 6 points outside the playoffs and need a win to keep the dream of playoffs in their inaugural season alive.

Harry Austin Picks…
- Lansdowne Yonkers FC vs Doxa SC - EPSL
  - Saturday, September 30th - 5:00p PST / 8:00p EST
    from AutoZone Park on ESPN+
  - Southern Harm Derby has a lot on the line in the possible final match up for 2023. Especially for Birmingham who is trying to stay in the playoffs race. Legion holds a lead in the H2H record at 6 wins, 5 draws and 3 Losses to 901FC. However, current form shows that Memphis, who is playing at home and trying to hold on to the final home playoff spot in the East, makes this game a must watch! Can Memphis hammer a serious dent into the Legion playoff dreams?

Harry Austin Picks…
- Alamo City SC vs Lonestar SC - UPSL
  - Wednesday, October 4th at Alamo SportsPlex in San Antonio, TX
  - Alamo City SC started off the UPSL Fall season strong with a big 7-0 win. This coming off a pretty convincing win in Open Cup Qualifying. Lonestar SC also had a strong statement winning 5-1. Obviously Austin vs San Antonio is a great rivalry no matter the level.

Josh Duder Picks…
- NY Pancyprian Freedoms vs Lansdowne Yonkers FC - 2024 US Open Cup, Second Round Qualifying
  - Sunday, October 1st - 5:00pm PST / 8:00pm EST at Belson Stadium (St John’s University)
  - Both sides are off to a good start in their respective EPSL seasons - with NY Pancyprian Freedoms in 1st place on 9 points and Lansdowne Yonkers in 3 with 6 points from just 2 played. They’re set to clash in US Open qualifying this week, then meet again on October 10th for league play - should be very good soccer on display from two very well-regarded clubs.

Josh Duder Picks…
- Maryland Bobcats vs Albion San Diego - NISA
  - Wednesday, October 4th - 4:00pm PST / 7:00pm EST from Maureen Hendricks Field at the Maryland SoccerPlex
  - Bobcats FC currently sit in 5th place with a playoff spot all but sewn up; however, they are just 6 points out of a first round bye and hosting a semifinal. Of course, they have their game away to Michigan Stars first, but should they get three points from that, then their home game against Albion (currently holders of the first round bye) becomes massive with just a few weeks to go.

John Howard Fusco Picks…
- New Jersey Alliance FC vs SC Vistula Garfield - 2024 US Open Cup, Second Round Qualifying
  - Sunday, October 1st - 4:00pm PST / 7:00pm EST from Anzaldi Park in Clifton, NJ
  - NJ Alliance, playing in the UPSL, has become an amateur powerhouse in the region. SC Vistula was promoted into the EPSL for this fall after winning the Garden State Soccer League. The Garfield-based side formed in 1952 and brands itself as the oldest Polish soccer club in the country.

by the Protagonist Staff