USL Championship Gameweek 6 Preview – West | OneFootball

Here we focus on the Western Conference, where four pure fixtures are contested, plus a pair of cross-conference games.

Lexington SC vs. Las Vegas Lights FC

Saturday, April 12th @ 7:00pm ET – Lexington SC Stadium, Lexington, Kentucky. Streaming on ESPN+. Vegas made some big moves to bolster their attack during the transfer window, but so far that hasn’t borne fruit. They average a single goal per game, and every score has come in the second half after the 70th minute. Happily, their defense is super stingy. Right below them in the Western Table is host Lexington. After an explosive opener reality has set in for the new USL club: two draws and a loss have followed. They have to like their chances at home.

FC Tulsa vs. Oakland Roots

Saturday, April 12th @ 8:00pm ET – ONEOK Field, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Streaming on ESPN+. I really want to write something positive here about the Roots, but it’s hard. Wait, they do have the fewest yellow cards of any team. That’s a positive, right? Last week they hosted the offensively anemic Rhode Island and allowed three goals in a ten minute span. Tulsa doesn’t score much (they average 0.75 goals/game) but they have the tightest backline in the league (only one goal conceded). The only question is how bad Oakland will lose.

New Mexico United vs. North Carolina FC

Saturday, April 12th @ 9:00pm ET – Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Streaming on ESPN+. I haven’t seen NCFC play this year, but the statistics paint a picture of a solid unit humming along and getting results. New Mexico is always dangerous, and traditionally strong at home in the quirky Isotopes Park. With both teams sitting in fourth in their respective divisions, this looks to be a thrilling fixture USL gameweek 6.

Monterey Bay vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

Saturday, April 12th @ 10:00pm ET – Cardinale Stadium, Seaside, California. Streaming on ESPN+. Monterey Bay is a surprising team. First, they’re second in the West with the highest goal differential. Second, they lost to El Farolito in the U.S. Open Cup. I expect them to be in the former form when they host the Switchbacks, who lack the ruthlessness to put a game to bed. Both teams love to score late; expect this to go down to the wire.

Orange County SC vs. Sacramento Republic FC

Saturday, April 12th @ 10:00pm ET – Championship Soccer Stadium, Irvine, California. Streaming on ESPN+. It’s been a struggle for the OC after their commanding 4 – 2 win over Oakland in the opening week. Similarly, Sacramento are far off their usual dominating pace coming into USL gameweek 6. Both are languishing in the bottom of the table and are looking at this match to spark a turnaround.

Phoenix Rising FC vs. Detroit City FC

Saturday, April 12th @ 10:00pm ET – Phoenix Rising Stadium at 38th St/Washington, Phoenix, Arizona. Local broadcast only.An alternative title for this game is Phoenix Sinking vs. Mismatch City. Alright, that’s a little harsh but with grain of truth. Rising’s inconsistency this season was perfectly encapsulated with their unexpected upset win over San Antonio last week. They might have it in them to punch above their weight and take down a solid Detroit City team, but I doubt it. DCFC must strike quick against a leaky Phoenix defense, then grind out the victory.

Read about Gameweek 6 Eastern fixtures.