Conference Semifinals: all you need to know

We had a good week, predictions-wise. The Forge went 7 for 8, missing only the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ win over Detroit City. That was one of two games to end up in a penalty shootout (officially, kicks from the mark), the other being Las Vegas Lights v. Sacramento Republic. Amazingly, in that game the first five attempts all missed and in the Rowdies’ game the first four missed. Did that have anything to do with SacRep firing head coach Mark Briggs? Probably not, but I don’t care because that was one of the dumbest management decisions ever in this league. The Legion needs to hire him NOW.

So we have just four games in the USL this week. Of the eight teams still standing, only Orange County cannot host a game, having the weakest record going forward (they are tied with Tampa Bay for #6 seed, but the Rowdies beat them in regular season play and have more points). Rhode Island joined those two teams as an away team winning last week.

Saturday

#2 Colorado Springs Switchbacks v. #6 Orange County (6:30pm, ESPN+)

The Switchbacks were unsurprising 2-0 winners over the Oakland Roots last week. Orange County also met our expectations, beating Memphis 901 1-0, although it took them 116 minutes to score the game’s only goal even playing a man up for 27 minutes at that point. The Southern Californians will have a tougher time of it this week at altitude and relatively cooler weather. Prediction: Colorado Springs win.

#1 Louisville City v. #5 Rhode Island (7:30pm, ESPN+)

Both teams won by 3-2 scorelines last week. Lou City made it shockingly close against North Carolina, and held an equally shocking 37.5% possession the game. Rhody were a bit more predictable, going up against a very erratic Indy Eleven squad in a fairly even game, which you would expect from the 4th and 5th seeds. This week’s trip a little further down I-65 will not be as easy a task tough. Prediction: Louisville City win.

#1 New Mexico United v. #4 Las Vegas Lights (9:30pm, ESPN+)

New Mexico had to come from behind to beat Phoenbix Rising 2-1 at home last week, and managed only 7 total shots in the process. They did not look convincing, and in fact have not done so down the stretch. The Lights won that shootout 3-2 after going 0-0 with SacRep for 120 minutes. This could be the most unpredictable game of the weekend, although this a Lights team with its tails up. Prediction: Las Vegas win.

Sunday

#2 Charleston Battery v. #6 Tampa Bay Rowdies (3:00pm, CBS Sports Network)

The Rowdies’ win over Detroit was entertaining; the Charleston Battery’s 1-0 win was clinical, and – the opponent being the Pittsburgh Riverhounds – quite satisfying. The goalscorer was Nick Markanich, naturally. Last years’ champion is now out; will the runner-up be joining them? Yeah, proinbably not. Prediction: Charleston win.

Back in the Old Country

As expected, BIrmningham City won its FA Cup game last week against Sutton United easily. Although the score was only 1-0, the Blues held 76% possession and fired off 13 shots. Wrexham, y the way, managed to lose by the same score to Harrogate Town. Birmingham moves on to face Blackpool December 1st (a Sunday; 7:00am). Blackpool are 16th in League One and will play the Blues for first time in the league December 29th.

This week it’s back to league action (although the Blues will miss next week’s league game against Stevenage due to international callups, and that will be the second US broadcast the Bluess will miss for that reason). Tomorrow (9:00am, no US TV) they square off against Northampton Town, who are a lowly 18th right now. Note that City have dropped to second in the league for the time being, as Wycombe Wanderers stomped Stockport 5-0 in midweek to take the goal difference advantage, although with one extra game played.