USL Championship Playoff Predictions, Schedule & Matchups
The USL Championship Playoffs kick off this weekend, and Louisville City FC enters the postseason as the clear favorite. After setting a new league record with 73 points in a 30-game season, Danny Cruz’s side looks primed to capture their first USL Cup since 2018. Below, we break down key storylines, the full conference quarterfinal schedule, and expert bracket predictions.
Louisville City FC: Record-Setting Favorite
Dominant Regular Season Performance
Louisville City FC claimed the Players’ Shield for a second consecutive year, finishing with an unprecedented 73 points in 30 matches. Phillip Goodrum led the attack with 13 goals, while Taylor Davila contributed nine assists. Manager Danny Cruz also became the youngest coach in USL history to reach 100 league victories.
Home Advantage at Lynn Family Stadium
Unbeaten at home in league play, Louisville conceded just eight goals at Lynn Family Stadium. With the entire playoff run happening within city limits, the team’s fortress-like advantage should carry them through early rounds and beyond.
Conference Quarterfinal Schedule
All times Eastern; select matches televised on CBS Sports networks and ESPN+.
Saturday, Nov. 1
- Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC vs. Hartford Athletic | 6:30 p.m. | ESPN+
- Louisville City FC vs. Detroit City SC | 7 p.m. | CBS Sports Golazo Network
- North Carolina FC vs. Loudoun United FC | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN+
- FC Tulsa vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC | 8 p.m. | ESPN+
- New Mexico United vs. San Antonio FC | 9 p.m. | ESPN+
- El Paso Locomotive FC vs. Phoenix Rising FC | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Sunday, Nov. 2
- Charleston Battery vs. TBD | 2 p.m. | CBS Sports Network
- Sacramento Republic FC vs. Orange County SC | 9 p.m. | CBS Sports Network
Expert Bracket Picks
Conference Quarterfinal Predictions
- East: Louisville City FC advances comfortably; Loudoun United pulls off a minor upset over North Carolina FC.
- West: FC Tulsa and New Mexico United secure home victories; Phoenix Rising edges El Paso in a close contest; Sacramento Republic handles Orange County SC.
Quarterfinals
Pittsburgh Riverhounds’ unbeaten close to the regular season ends at the hands of Louisville City. Charleston Battery comfortably dispatches Loudoun United at home, while New Mexico United upsets Sacramento and Phoenix Rising knocks off top-seeded FC Tulsa.
Semifinals
In the West, New Mexico uses home-field support to defeat Phoenix and earn a USL Championship final berth. In the East, Louisville City overcomes a resilient Charleston side to advance to their first final since 2022.
USL Championship Final Prediction
Louisville City FC’s historic season culminates in a home-field USL Cup final against New Mexico United. With a balanced attack, stalwart defense, and the energy of their home crowd, Louisville finally ends its championship drought and lifts the trophy.
Create Your Own Bracket
Want to test your predictions? Build your own USL Championship playoff bracket on the official USL website and see if you can forecast every upset and Cinderella run.