One of the most heated rivalries in the USL Championship will be on display this weekend, headlining a slate of games that also includes a top-three clash in the Eastern Conference and some crucial contests in the race for the postseason in the East and West.

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 Network, CBS Sports Golazo Network and ESPN+.

1. TOSS THE STANDINGS, IT’S A DERBY

In ordinary circumstances, a matchup between the teams at the top and bottom of their respective conference wouldn’t be a headliner in the USL Championship.

For the Derby Del Camino Real, an exception must be made.

Last-placed El Paso Locomotive FC plays host to first-placed New Mexico United on Saturday night at Southwest University Park, and whatever the standings say, it’s going to be worth your time.

• LOCOS DERAILED: No question, it’s been a tough go of things for El Paso this season. Last Friday night’s 2-0 loss to Phoenix Rising FC was the side’s fourth in a row as the side dropped to 2-5-1 under Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera.

• ON THE UP: New Mexico, meanwhile, is putting together its best season in club history. While it saw its 10-game home winning streak end last Saturday in a 1-1 draw against Birmingham Legion FC, United has a three-point lead on Sacramento Republic FC with two fewer games played.

• REASON TO BELIEVE: While they’ve been moving in opposite directions, these matchups typically find a way to deliver. Just look at the first encounter this season, when Locomotive scored twice in the final 10 minutes to take the lead at Isotopes Park only for New Mexico to answer with two goals in three minutes to take a 3-2 win.

United’s victory in April edged it into the lead in the all-time series, which now sits at five wins for New Mexico, four wins for El Paso and seven draws. There would be no better moment for Locomotive to take its first home win of the season than here.  

2. TOP-THREE EASTERN SHOWDOWN

In terms of potential entertainment value, it doesn’t get much better than Saturday night’s top-three Eastern Conference showdown between the Tampa Bay Rowdies and the Charleston Battery at Al Lang Stadium.

• STAR POWER: Wherever you look, there are going to be top players on the field led by the two leading goalscorers in the Championship. The Battery’s Nick Markanich is on a tear with seven goals in his last five games to move to 19 in the league this season, while Tampa Bay’s Cal Jennings has three in his last two games to sit on 12 as he continues to make his way up the all-time charts.

• STANDINGS IMPLICATIONS: The Battery’s 2-1 midweek win against Loudoun United FC moved the side into first place in the Eastern Conference. However, they’ve played two more games than both Louisville City FC and the Rowdies. If Tampa Bay has aspirations of battling for first, it needs to cut into the eight-point divide separating it and Charleston here.

• TURN THE TABLES: The Battery swept the seasons series in 2023, including a dramatic 2-1 victory at Al Lang Stadium that saw Augustine Williams score a late winner. If there’s any additional motivation for the Rowdies to be had, it’s right there.

In terms of complete squads, the Battery and Rowdies are up with the best of them in the Championship. They both rank in the top three overall in attack – Charleston averages 1.9 goals per game, Tampa Bay is at 1.7 – and defense – Charleson averages 0.8 goals conceded per game, Tampa Bay is at 0.9.

If you’re looking for a potential playoff preview, you’ve come to the right place.

3. LIGHTS LOOK FOR HISTORY

After a week off, Las Vegas Lights FC has a chance to make club history on Friday night as it heads to face Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at Weidner Field in a game with serious implications for the Western Conference playoff race.

• ON THE RISE: The Lights enter the weekend on an eight-game undefeated streak. That’s tied for the longest in club history – Las Vegas ended the 2022 season with a four-game undefeated run and began the 2023 season with the same – but the club’s current run has moved it into sixth place in the Western Conference.

• KEEPING IT CLEAN: Key of late to that success has been the side’s defensive stability. Las Vegas has won its last three outings while posting shutouts, putting it on a 317-minute shutout streak as it heads to Colorado Springs.

• HOME COOKING: The Switchbacks, meanwhile, will likely be happy to be back home. In two road outings over the past two weeks, they scored the opening goal but came away without a point in 2-1 defeats to Birmingham Legion FC and Louisville City FC. By contrast, Colorado Springs has won six in a row at Weidner Field dating back to April.

The Switchbacks and Lights enter this weekend level on 27 points in the congested Western Conference standings. After their thrilling 3-3 draw at Cashman Field a few weeks ago in which both sides held the lead before Ronaldo Damus’ late equalizer earned Colorado Springs a point, there’s the potential for more fireworks here.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Nick Ross, Sacramento Republic FC – After his standout display against Oakland Roots SC, the Scottish midfielder is up to five assists this season. He could be key again as Sacramento puts its undefeated road record on the line in Detroit.

Zach Ryan, Loudoun United FC – Loudoun’s captain scored his third goal in the past three games in midweek against Charleston and is closing in on a second consecutive season with double-digit goals as United visits Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.

Sam Gleadle, Louisville City FC – The English forward could face former club Monterey Bay F.C. for the first time since his offseason move to LouCity having notched a pair of goals so far this campaign.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

#HFDvPHX: Phoenix Rising FC delivered a strong performance last weekend against El Paso, but hasn’t won consecutive games yet this season. Hartford Athletic, meanwhile, is entering must-win territory after last week’s defeat.

#TULvIND: Indy Eleven is in a quasi-limbo state after going four consecutive games without a win in league play. Going to FC Tulsa might look a good chance to end that run, but it’s going to be trickier than it seems.

#DETvSAC: We’d love to be able to listen into the pregame conversation between Sacramento Republic FC’s Mark Briggs and his former assistant and Detroit City FC Head Coach Danny Dichio before they square off for the first time. This could be fun.

#MIAvOAK: Miami FC has been the get-right cure for the teams it has been facing of late with one point since the start of May. After conceding five goals in each of its last two games, Oakland Roots SC will be hoping that’s the case here as well.

#PITvLDN: Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC is on a two-game bounce but it has to keep that momentum going against Loudoun United FC. There’s a five-point gap between the sides going into Saturday’s contest, and a Hounds win could make things very interesting indeed.

#BHMvOC: As it stands both Birmingham Legion FC and Orange County SC are playoff sides, but the inconsistency they’ve shown in their performances and results is a worry. Legion in particular needs to show out on home turf.

#RIvNC: Rhode Island FC and North Carolina FC are separated by two points on either side of the playoff line going into this six-pointer. We’re hoping for something different to the snore-draw that occurred when they played earlier this season.

#LOUvMB: Monterey Bay F.C. pulled off a stunning 2-0 upset the last time it visited Lynn Family Stadium two years ago. Louisville City FC will be aiming to ensure there isn’t a repeat performance this time.

#MEMvSA: San Antonio FC needs to shake off its setback last time out as it tries to complete a season sweep of Memphis 901 FC, but the hosts are undefeated in their last six at AutoZone Park (4-0-2).