The penultimate weekend of the USL Championship regular season has arrived, and with it a collection of key games that see a recent champion facing a high-pressure contest to keep its playoff hopes alive, a chance for a potential playoff newcomer to make a statement, and one of the more intriguing returns of the season following a mid-season transfer deal.

If you haven’t checked it out yet, here’s where you can find where everyone stands in the Race to the 2024 USL Championship Playoffs. Here are three more 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. SAN ANTONIO’S PRESSURE PACKED NIGHT

San Antonio FC has gone through the wringer this season. Its 14 losses are a single-season high in club history. It could also set a single-season low in goals – the side currently has 34 goals, two fewer than the 36 goals it recorded in its inaugural 2016 season – all of which has put the side under pressure to reach the playoffs with two games to go.

Under those circumstances, the last team you’d want to come and visit Toyota Field is Louisville City FC, which has already clinched the Players’ Shield and could equal the USL Championship’s single season record for wins if it takes all three points.

That makes Saturday’s rematch of the 2022 USL Championship Final about as pressure packed as it could be for the hosts on Saturday (8:30 p.m. ET | ESPN+).

• RISE TO THE MOMENT: What we’ve seen in the past few outings, though, has been reminiscent of the San Antonio side that achieved success in the past few seasons. Last Saturday’s comeback 2-1 victory in Colorado Springs gave the side seven points from its last three games.

• HE SAID IT: “For the moment that we are in the season, and the position we are in the table, we know every game is going to be like this. We take every game as a fight, and we showed it today.” – SAFC forward Luis Solignac, who has goals in the past two games

• YES, BUT: San Antonio’s recent comebacks haven’t been the trend this season. In fact, SAFC has been among the club’s most susceptible to letting leads get away, as evidence by its 22 points dropped from winning positions. Facing the league-leader in points gained from losing positions is going to put pressure on the hosts to make any lead it might earn stick.

If there’s one thing going in San Antonio’s favor, it’s that it holds the head-to-head tiebreaker over Oakland Roots SC, the side it is now chasing for eighth position. It doesn’t have that luxury against either Phoenix Rising FC or Orange County SC, which adds another wrinkle to the story.

The long and short of it, however, is this is effectively a must-win for San Antonio. We’ve seen the side meet big challenges before, but it’s going to need to here or risk its season coming to a premature end.

2. LOUDOUN UNITED GETS STATEMENT OPPORTUNITY

A couple of weeks ago, we referred to Loudoun United FC’s 2-0 win against Hartford Athletic as the biggest result in club history, so far.

There was a reason for that phrasing. This Saturday’s game at home to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (6 p.m. ET | ESPN+) is now set to take that mantle as the most important game in the club’s history – and one that could propel it into a first postseason berth.

• LITMUS TEST: In terms of a nemesis, there has been none greater for Loudoun than the Hounds. They’ve met 14 times, and Pittsburgh has won 12. Loudoun’s only win in the series came on June 30, 2021, when Ted Ku-DiPietro was among the scorers in a 2-1 win, and since then the Hounds have reeled off another six-game undefeated streak, including five wins.

• EVEN STEVEN: While that’s the case, the sides enter Saturday equal on 42 points from 32 games as part of a four-team cluster level on points as they vie for a postseason berth. Thanks to its success against in-conference opponents, United (1.3ppg vs. the East) sits ahead of North Carolina FC (1.14ppg) and Birmingham Legion FC (1.0ppg), which could end up being crucial in the final standings.

• OVER THE HUMP: But no-one wants to rely on a tiebreaker unless they must, which makes Saturday’s game crucial. Not only would Loudoun give itself a leg up on the Hounds going to the final game of the season with a win, it would stand as a landmark result for a team that in all areas is on the rise.

Given their history and recent form, the Hounds will probably be viewed as the favorites on Saturday night. Loudoun’s aim must be to change the narrative and set itself up for a first postseason berth.

3. WELCOME BACK, PANOS?

There’s are bigger things at stake for both Phoenix Rising FC and Memphis 901 FC when the teams meet on Saturday night, but it’s impossible to overlook the potential return of Panos Armenakas to Phoenix Rising Stadium for the first time since his mid-season transfer as one of the key storylines of the contest.

• TITLE PEDIGREE: Acquired by Rising midway through the 2023 season, Armenakas played a notable role in the side’s run to winning last year’s USL Championship Final, starting every contest in the postseason.

• LET’S MAKE A DEAL: After more than a month on the sidelines after his last appearance for Phoenix – ironically in a 5-1 defeat at Memphis on June 28 – the Australian headed to 901 FC on August 1 looking for a fresh opportunity as Rising hit a mini-reset on its season.

• FINDING A PLACE: Armenakas has notched a goal and assist in 10 appearances for 901 FC since his arrival, primarily coming off the bench with three starts in that span. With Marlon Santos suspended for Saturday’s game, however, it could cause a reshuffle of the lineup for Head Coach Stephen Glass that gets Armenakas in to face his former team.

While assured of a playoff spot, Memphis needs a victory on Saturday to keep its bid for a top-four finish in the Western Conference going to the final game of the season. Rising, meanwhile, can clinch its postseason return if it picks up a third win in a row.

Whatever role he plays, we’re expecting Armenakas to get a warm reception from the home fans given how well-liked he had become during his time in Arizona. He’s certainly going to be ready for the opportunity and spotlight this game could provide.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Ethan Zubak, Orange County SC – The 25-year-old has recorded four goals and an assist in the past four games to drive OCSC to the verge of a playoff berth. He’ll look to continue that form as OCSC hosts New Mexico United in a potential playoff preview on Saturday night.

Danny Vitiello, Sacramento Republic FC – Vitiello could equal the USL Championship’s single-season record with his 15th shutout of the season as Republic FC heads on the road to face El Paso Locomotive FC. Current Canada Men’s National Team goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau (2018) and Jordan Farr (2022) each previously notched 15 shutouts in a regular season campaign.

Tyler Pasher, Birmingham Legion FC – The Canadian playmaker hasn’t recorded a goal or assist against former club Indy Eleven in two meetings since joining Legion. Changing that on Saturday at Michael A. Carroll Stadium could be essential for Birmingham’s playoff chances as the side looks to break a three-game winless streak.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

#DETvMIA: Detroit City will be aiming to get back in the win column after a couple of draws in their last two outings as Miami FC comes to Keyworth Stadium. If they take all three points, it could clinch a home game to start November’s postseason campaign.

#NCvTBR: The Tampa Bay Rowdies will head to North Carolina FC due to damage sustained in the Tampa Bay region from Hurricanes Helene and Milton and try to find a turnaround in results. A win would be big for both sides, though, as it would either seal a playoff spot for the Rowdies or keep North Carolina firmly in the postseason picture going to the final day of the season.

#TULvHFD: Hartford Athletic can build momentum ahead of a two-game week to close the season after last week’s dramatic win against North Carolina. Getting an early goal against FC Tulsa, which is on the verge of mathematical elimination, would be big for the visitors at ONEOK Field.

#INDvBHM: Six weeks ago, this felt like it could be a matchup on the opening weekend of the postseason. Indy Eleven’s stayed on course since then, but Birmingham Legion FC would be out of the playoffs for the first time in its history as it stands. That makes this contest massive for the visitors, who need all three points desperately.

#CHSvRI: The Battery experimented last weekend in Pittsburgh, but we get the sense that’s not going to happen here as they try to pick up speed before the playoffs. That should make for a fascinating contest against a Rhode Island side aiming for a top-four finish of its own.

#ELPvSAC: Since its outstanding performance against New Mexico United to close September, Sacramento Republic FC is winless in its last three games. The visitors are going to want to change that on a night when El Paso Locomotive FC will honor Yuma and Eder Borelli, who will retire following the contest.

#MBvCOS: Monterey Bay F.C. was mathematically eliminated from playoff contention on Wednesday night, which could be good news or bad news for Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC as it pursues a top-four finish. This game could get pretty free-wheeling at times, which would suit the visitors.

#OCvNM: Orange County SC continues to be on a roll after its midweek victory against El Paso. New Mexico United isn’t, having gone winless in three games in a row for the first time this season. We’re expecting a reaction from United on the road, but Orange County has the bigger incentive of clinching a playoff spot with a win.

#LVvOAK: Las Vegas Lights FC are within sight of a top-two seed with a win at home to Oakland Roots SC, and the form book for each side is moving in opposite directions. The Lights are undefeated in their last eight (5-0-3) and Roots are winless in their last six (0-5-1), but Oakland could clinch a playoff berth if it flips the script and takes victory.