The USL Championship will reach the midpoint of the regular season this weekend with a 10-game slate that delivers a top-four clash in the Eastern Conference, an intriguing contest in the middle of the Western Conference’s playoff positions among its offerings, while all kicking off with one of the league’s historic rivalries.

Here are three top storylines to know going in, three players to keep an eye on, and what else you need to know before tuning in on CBS Sports Golazo Network and ESPN+.

1. SOUTHERN DERBY SPARK?

There was plenty of expectation before the Charleston Battery and North Carolina FC renewed the Southern Derby on the opening weekend of the season. The game itself produced a bit of a dud where the teams neutralized each other on the way to a scoreless draw at WakeMed Soccer Park. There’s reason to hope for better as they square off on Friday night at Patriots Point, though. Here’s why.

• HOME COOKING: The Battery have been great at home this season, and right now they need to recapture that magic. They’re sitting without a win in their last five games and haven’t scored in their last four outings after a scoreless draw in Phoenix last weekend. That will put the onus on the hosts to take the initiative early.

• NCFC NEEDS MORE: North Carolina FC’s return to the Championship has been… fine, I guess? Head Coach John Bradford’s side is in the playoff positions right now, plays an attractive style of soccer and has some head-turning talent – Ezra Armstrong has been brilliantly entertaining on the left side. At the same time, it feels like this team on paper is capable of more, and a rivalry game’s where you want to show that.

• FRESH PRINCE: In Phoenix last week, the Battery looked a lot better after Juan David Torres entered at halftime, allowing Nick Markanich to switch to his preferred right-sided role. Now Charleston has added Prince Saydee, who can also serve as someone to stretch the field and challenge opposing back lines, which can give Markanich space to operate. We could get our first look at the Battery new boy here.

The Southern Derby has delivered some classic encounters in the past. Hopefully we get that sort of entertainment this time around.

2. LEGION READY FOR LOUCITY REMATCH

Birmingham Legion FC was one of the early victims of Louisville City FC’s rampant attack at Lynn Family Stadium in March, suffering a 5-0 defeat that tied for the most goals Legion had conceded in a regular season game in its history. On Saturday night, Birmingham hosts the rematch and while dinged up seems in a better spot than it was to square off with the Eastern Conference leader.

• ON THE MOVE: Legion shifted into the top four in the Eastern Conference on Wednesday night as a dominant second-half display rallied the side to a 2-1 victory against Detroit City FC through late goals by Derek Dodson and Phanuel Kavita.

• TIGHTEN UP: One of the keys to Legion’s move into the top four has been its defense. Dodson’s arrival on loan from Minnesota United FC has solidified a back four that has conceded only three times in the five games he’s started, with Kavita, Alex Crognale and AJ Paterson ever-present as well.

• STEP UP: With LouCity coming off a defeat in which it attack produced a lot of chances it was unable to convert against Rhode Island FC, this figures to be the best test Legion’s new-look back line has received. If they could through with another solid display, it would be major for the bigger picture in the East.

Legion is 2-2-1 at home against Louisville City FC in its history, taking a 2-0 victory a season ago. This potential playoff preview will be well worth watching.

3. AT HOME ON THE ROAD

New Mexico United has ridden a perfect home record to the top of the Western Conference standings, but recently its away form has been a bit shakier. As it heads to San Antonio FC on Saturday night – which is going through major challenges of its own – it’s a chance for the visitors to not only complete a season sweep against the 2022 title winner but maintain its lead in the standings.

• BREAKING OUT: When United rallied for a 2-1 win against San Antonio on May 25 behind a pair of goals by Greg Hurst, it ended a four-game winless run against SAFC that dated to the 2021 season.

• ROAD BLUES: New Mexico has dropped its past two road outings, however, falling against Monterey Bay F.C. and Memphis 901 FC in contests it likely did enough to take something from. Executing in San Antonio – and avoiding getting into a more direct style of game – is going to be front of mind for Head Coach Eric Quill’s squad.

• CLEAR THE DECKS: San Antonio FC is on its worst losing streak since 2018 having lost four in a row after a loss on the road at Birmingham Legion FC last week. With a long absentee list between injuries and international duty, SAFC admitted to feeling fatigue then. With more than a week off, the hosts will be hoping to reset and start a move up the standings.

San Antonio FC sitting in 11th place in the West could hardly have been something anyone would have envisioned at this stage of the season. This game isn’t make or break, but New Mexico could ramp up even more pressure with its first win at Toyota Field in three years.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

• Manuel Arteaga, Tampa Bay Rowdies – The Venezuelan forward bagged his 10th goal of the season last week and is on the way to a career season as Tampa Bay looks to keep rolling against an improved Loudoun United FC side that’s undefeated in its last five league games.

• Kyle Scott, Orange County SC – With Brian Iloski out for the season with a torn ACL, The Chelsea Academy product is going to have to step up even further as OCSC hosts Oakland Roots SC.

• Zach Zandi, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – The attacking midfielder hasn’t quite caught fire yet this season, but with Monterey Bay F.C. set to be without Rafael Baca there could be real opportunity for Zandi to operate at Weidner Field.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

• #MEMvPHX: Phoenix Rising FC has won only once away from home so far this season but would jump past Memphis 901 FC and maybe into the top four if it takes victory at AutoZone Park. As tight as the West is, games like this are critical and should have an edge.

• #MIAvDET: Detroit City FC will try to wash away the bad taste of Wednesday night’s loss at home to Birmingham away as it heads to South Florida, where Miami is looking to break an eight-game winless run.

• #LDNvTBR: We know Loudoun United FC has improved, especially at home where it’s conceded only six times in eight games at Segra Field. The Tampa Bay Rowdies have won their last four visits to Segra Field, which makes them a big litmus test for the hosts.

• #COSvMB: The other game out west where the teams are separated by a point in the playoff positions entering the weekend. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC is coming off a tough loss on the road but has held serve at home in Monterey Bay F.C.’s prior two visits to Weidner Field.

• #OCvOAK: The first game of Orange County SC’s post-Morten Karlsen era sees Oakland Roots SC come to Championship Soccer Stadium for what could be an entertaining contest. It would be big for OCSC if Ethan Zubak can get on a roll after last weekend’s winner.

• #LVvPIT: If there’s something for Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC to hang its hat on, it’s Las Vegas Lights FC hasn’t been great at keeping clean sheets this season. The Hounds sure could use a goal or two in the desert to kickstart their campaign.

• #SACvHFD: Remember when Michee Ngalina almost singlehandedly carried Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC past Sacramento Republic FC a couple of postseasons ago? I bet you Sacramento’s players remember and are locked in to get back in the win column.