As the men's professional leagues are weeks away from wrapping up the regular season, the women's newest pro league, the USL Super, is just getting warmed up. Our writers and friends take a look at the many faces of USL, the EPSL, and the Cosmo League this week. So, let's get stuck the heck in!

Chris Walker Picks…
- New Mexico United vs FC Miami FC in USL Championship
  - Fri, 09/06 - 7:00pm MT / 9:00pm ET
    at The Lab at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque, NM
  - Miami FC are looking to chill out in the Land of Enchantment for the weekend. New Mexico United, the great hosts they are, better take care of business on the pitch. Otherwise, Miami FC may bill them for the work they did on their vacation. United should shower them with goals as advertised in the brochure.

Josh Duder Picks…
- Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs Tampa Bay Rowdies in USL Championship
  - Sat, 09/07 - 6:00pm PT / 9:00pm ET
    at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs, CO
  - Colorado Springs Switchbacks have had two massive wins in a row; last week winning 4-1 away to FC Tulsa and the week before winning 3-1 at home over Memphis 901FC. They find themselves sitting right in the middle of the playoff pack and depending on other results in their conference, should they pick up a third consecutive win, they could jump as high as 3rd. On the other hand, Tampa Bay are in third in their Eastern Conference and although the gap between themselves and the 1 or 2 seed is large, they’ll want a win - if anything, to hold off other challengers to their seed. This should be a lively game.

John Howard-Fusco Picks…
- Lansdowne Yonkers FC vs Doxa SC in Eastern Premier Soccer League - Metropolitan Conference
  - Sat, 09/07 - 5:00pm PT / 8:00pm ET
    at Tibbetts Brook Park, Yonkers NY
  - The EPSL gets a new season going this weekend, and this is the showcase matchup for the opening Saturday. These are two clubs that have been regularly in the top half of the table in the Metropolitan Conference, not to mention their history in the Cosmopolitan League. Is this the year Doxa breaks through and wins the conference?

Dan Vaughn Picks…
- Dallas Trinity FC vs DC Power FC in USL Super League
  - Sat, 09/07 - 7:00pm CT / 8:00pm ET
    at The Cotton Bowl in Dallas, TX
  - Two of the best attacking squads in the league go toe to toe this weekend and I’m thrilled for it. Dallas will be looking to bounce back from their friendly with FC Barcelona. Both squads have looked dangerous but have yet to get three points in any of their matches. Really looking forward to this one!

Josh Duder Picks…
- Chattanooga Red Wolves vs Forward Madison in USL League One
  - Sat, 09/07 - 4:30pm PT / 7:30pm ET
    at CHI Memorial Stadium in East Ridge, TN
  - Chattanooga are on the outside looking in; sitting on 16 points, a win at home this weekend could see them leapfrog Tormenta, who have the week off. It won’t be easy holding onto that spot, though - the Red Wolves have lost 3 in a row, including losses to last place CV Fuego, and Spokane Velocity (who are just 3 points better in the table than Chattanooga and hopeful for playoffs as well). Red Wolves do have four home games left, and three on the road, to cement ta spot in the post-season and it starts this weekend when they host title contenders Forward Madison. The Mingos are out win out of first - expect an absolute dog fight with so much on the line.

Michael Battista Picks…
- New York International FC vs Zum Schneider 03 in The New York Cosmopolitan League
  - Sat, 09/07 - 5:00pm PT / 8:00pm ET
    at Randalls Island - Field 74
  - The 102nd season of the CSL kicks off with new blood vs old veterans. NY International has had three promotions in five years and is playing in the top division for the first time. Zum II, who’s first team plays in the EPSL Metropolitan Conference, is coming off a third place finish in D1 last season.

Dan Vaughn Picks…
- El Paso Locomotive FC vs Detroit City FC in USL Championship
  - Sat, 09/07 - 7:00pm MT / 9:00pm ET
    at Southwest University Park in El Paso, TX
  - Sure, Locomotive have had an epicly bad season, sitting dead last in the West. However, hope springs eternal and Detroit City is coming into town. DCFC is sitting 4th in the East and need the points to keep pace with the rest of the playoff teams in their conference. Should be trouble for the home side.

Danielle Gawronski Picks…
- Lexington SC vs Tampa Bay Sun in USL Super League
  - Sun, 09/08 - 1:00pm PT / 4:00pm ET
    at Lexington Stadium in Lexington, KY
  - This is an evenly-matched game, expect there to be shots, but both teams have struggled to find the back of the net. Ashley Orkus was nominated for two “Saves of the Week” anticipating another stand-on-her-head performance. Lexington has a young team that’s playing team good team soccer.

John Howard-Fusco Picks…
- Lansdowne Yonkers FC vs Doxa SC in Eastern Premier Soccer League - Delaware River Conference
  - Sun, 09/08 - 3:30pm PT / 6:30pm ET
    at Toms River High School South, Toms River NJ
  - The Delaware River is somehow making its way to the Jersey shore this fall as Jersey Shore Boca joins the EPSL. Founded in 1978, Boca has been a regular member of the Garden State Soccer League. Now the club is stepping into a larger spotlight. Oaklyn United has become a competitive side in EPSL, strengthened in 2023 by its partnership with USL League 2’s Ocean City Nor’easters.

Josh Duder Picks…
- Spokane Zephyr FC vs Brooklyn FC in USL Super League
  - Sun, 09/08 - 6:00pm PT / 9:00pm ET
    at One Spokane Stadium in Spokane, WA
  - Last week Brooklyn were forced to postpone their opening match - so this is our first chance to see the squad they’ve been able to assemble and our second shot at watching Spokane Zephyr play at home. Last time out, Spokane were outshot and out-possessed by Fort Lauderdale, but with just their one shot on target, the electric Emina Ekic, was able to score the club’s historic first goal and help earn an inaugural home result. This week, coach Jo Johnson will be looking for all three and the crowd will be there in full force, as I’m certain One Spokane Stadium will sell out once again.

Del Shaffer Picks…
- Charleston Battery vs Sacramento Republic in USL Championship
  - Sat, 09/07 - 4:30pm PT / 7:30pm ET
    at Patriots Point in Mt Pleasant, SC
  - Game of Twos - Charleston are second in the East and Sacramento are second in the West. The Battery have the second best home record while Republic have the second best away record. Nick Markanich (CHS) is two goals away from setting a record for most goals in a USL Championship regular season. There is a change of personnel in the back for the Battery as Segbers is available again but Leland Archer is away with Trinidad & Tobago. We have to go with the home side to win this one!

by the Protagonist Staff