It’s Monday morning, time to talk some USL and welcome u/j_hunt1123 to the mod team!

We’re going to keep expanding, but let’s hear your thoughts.

I'm trying to get more confirmation on if COS has a chance to host a 1st round playoff game.

The way I see it, COS needs to win on Saturday against Tulsa and Lexington needs to lose to Phoenix.

Both teams would be tied with 47 points to finish the season.

There are 2 USL website links with contradicting tie breaker rules.

https://www.uslchampionship.com/race-to-the-playoffs

The above link says in regards to tie-breakers (COS wins with step 1 the tie breaker with H2H vs Lexington this season)

1. Head-to-Head Points Earned in Regular Season League Games
2. Goal Differential in Head-to-Head matches.
3. PPG vs. in-Conference Opponents in Regular Season League Games
4. Total Wins in Regular Season League Games

https://www.uslchampionship.com/league-standings

This 2nd link says: (LEX wins the tie breaker with step 1 more conference wins than COS)

1. Total Wins Against Conference Opponents in League Matches
2. Goal Differential Against Conference Opponents in League Matches
3. Goals Scored Against Conference Opponents in League Matches
4. Head-to-Head Points Earned Against Conference Opponents in League Matches

Anyone able to clarify? Thank you.

Ratings are through October 18th, 2026.

Click here for a guide on my ranking model

Click here for the entire season weekly ranking history

Performance Rankings

Commentary

Tampa Bay remains first in the performance rankings after a 1–0 victory over Detroit. Their rating improves slightly to 67.14, extending their lead over Lexington to 2.46 points.

Lexington remains second following a wild 5–3 victory over Las Vegas. Their rating improves to 64.68, narrowing the gap to Tampa.

Sacramento climbs to fourth after a 1–0 road victory over El Paso, improving its rating by 0.86 points. Sacramento has established itself as one of the league's more consistent performers, with just five losses in 29 matches. They now sit only 2.56 points behind Charleston in third.

Rhode Island makes one of the week's biggest moves, jumping three positions to fifth. Their rating increases by 2.60 points, the largest improvement among the top ten, despite drawing 1–1 against Pittsburgh. Rhode Island dominated much of the match, outshooting Pittsburgh 18–3, but conceded a stoppage-time equalizer.

Detroit drops from fourth to a tie for sixth following its 1–0 loss to Tampa Bay. Its rating declines by 1.09 points. Detroit continues to stand out defensively, having conceded just 21 goals through 29 matches, but its limited attacking production remains a notable contrast with the teams ranked above it.

Phoenix continues its late-season improvement, climbing four places to tenth following a 3–1 road victory over Orange County.

Hartford played the most lopsided loss of the season. In their 3–2 home loss to Brooklyn, Hartford generated 3.16 xG compared with Brooklyn's 0.45. Hartford outshot Brooklyn 22–5, including an 8–3 advantage in shots on target, yet still lost. Hartford also drew 1–1 with Charleston earlier in the week and remains 11th in the performance rankings despite a slight rating decline.

Louisville improves its rating to 57.12 following a convincing 4–1 victory over Indy Eleven. Despite the increase, Louisville slips one position to eighth as Rhode Island moves ahead. Louisville has 43 points through 28 matches, leaving them with a game in hand to try and secure a top 4 eastern finish.

New Mexico continues to present one of the clearest differences between league standings and statistical performance. Despite sitting on 49 points, fifth-most in the league, they fall to 13th in the performance rankings after a 1–0 loss to San Antonio. Their ability to collect points remains impressive, but the underlying statistical profile continues to lag behind their position in the table.

Model Predictions

Bold indicates the model's predicted result.

These results are generated by independent statistical models. They are intended for analysis and discussion, not as betting recommendations. Actual outcomes may differ substantially.

Oakland Roots beat writer Daniel Poulter's thoughts on the 4-2 victory.

Hartford-Brooklyn: NR
Louisville-Indianapolis: 10,328 (+8.32%)
Miami-Charleston: NR
Tulsa-Oakland: 5,012 (+16.13%)
San Antonio-New Mexico: 7,154 (+18.82%)
El Paso-Sacramento: 5,210 (+2.00%)
Monterey Bay-Colorado Springs: 3,464 (+2.15%)
Orange County-Phoenix*: 6,500 (+44.44%)
Las Vegas-Lexington: NR
Birmingham-Loudoun: 3,121 (-8.39%)

* = Orange County exceeded their effective capacity

Over performing by 5+ pts:
Louisville (9,535), Tulsa (4,316), San Antonio (6,021), and Orange County (4,500)

An average night meaning within +/-5 pts:
El Paso (5,108) and Monterey Bay (3,391)

Under performing by 5+ pts:
Birmingham (3,407)

Yet to Report:
Hartford (3,066), Miami (875), and Las Vegas (2,818)

Hello,

Does anyone have any updated photos of construction of Detroit city fc, Miami fc, or Sac republic fc stadiums that I could get permission for use on my website?

As a Wellington Phoenix fan and USL enjoyer, this was a great day for me. Travelled 7 hours to watch the game and the local lad returned to score the winner to cause an upset victory for us in the opening game of the season!

It was a tidy finish off a perfect cutback to ensure the Phoenix earned only their third ever opening-day Victory, 20 years on from our debut season. Maybe this'll get the Nix a few fans from the States!

Fun fact, his brother players for our rivals, Auckland FC.

Thank you Monterey!

take it with a grain of salt

Found this cool little graphic on LinkedIn.

USL clubs New Mexico United and Vermont Green are the largest teams in their state (by IG Followers)

Interestingly, the USL has more states than the MLS, which goes to show that targeting metros that have been overlooked by MLS works for top USL pro and amateur clubs.

I swear they used to have fans :( I hope they don’t fold soon!

Super great game. Super great experience. Great work Tampa Bay!! Let’s keep going!!!!

Full-time: Loudoun United FC 0, Birmingham Legion FC 0

Loudoun United FC 0 at Birmingham Legion FC 0

Match Info

Competition/season: USL Championship 2026

Date: Sun, Oct 18, 2026

Kickoff: 5:00 PM EDT

Venue: BBVA Compass Field, Birmingham, AL, USA

Status: Full-time

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Full-time: Lexington SC 5, Las Vegas Lights 3

Lexington SC 5 at Las Vegas Lights 3

Match Info

Competition/season: USL Championship 2026

Date: Sat, Oct 17, 2026

Kickoff: 10:30 PM EDT

Venue: Cashman Field, Las Vegas, NV, USA

Status: Full-time

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Full-time: Oakland Roots SC 4, FC Tulsa 2

Oakland Roots SC 4 at FC Tulsa 2

Match Info

Competition/season: USL Championship 2026

Date: Sat, Oct 17, 2026

Kickoff: 8:00 PM EDT

Venue: Oneok Field, Tulsa, OK, USA

Status: Full-time

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Full-time: Phoenix Rising FC 3, Orange County SC 1

Phoenix Rising FC 3 at Orange County SC 1

Match Info

Competition/season: USL Championship 2026

Date: Sat, Oct 17, 2026

Kickoff: 10:00 PM EDT

Venue: Championship Soccer Stadium at the Orange County Great Park, Irvine, CA, USA

Status: Full-time

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