Twelve of the thirteen Eastern Conference sides take the pitch this weekend. It’s all intra-conference matchups, which means we’ll likely see some major fluctuations in the standings before April.
Detroit City FC vs. Charleston Battery
Saturday, March 28 @ 4:00pm ET / 1:00pm PT
Streaming on ESPN+
Detroit City have one win, one loss and +2 goal differential. They sit in sixth place. Darren Smith, who was so critical last season, has continued from where he left off with three of Les Rouges’ four goals so far.
Like the Tampa Bay Rowdies (more on them below), Charleston Battery are also two for two with a win over the ‘Hounds. However, they’ve conceded three goals and don’t quite look like they’re firing on all cylinders. They’re traveling north and unless they contain that Smith fella will return with no points.
The Hooligan Take: 2-2 draw. Neither side is all that, but there’s enough there that goals will happen.
Hartford Athletic vs. Indy Eleven
Saturday, March 28 @ 5:00pm ET / 2:00pm PT
Streaming on ESPN+
Hartford Athletic finally gets to play at home, and are no doubt pleased to be sitting in second place in the East after three road matches. The key to their success? A stingy defense that’s only conceded one goal (only Tampa Bay has fewer, but played a game less). Up front, Auggie Williams leads scoring on two, and would have a hat-trick if not for a missed penalty in the opening game.
It’s difficult to know exactly where Indy Eleven is at. They clearly suffered opening day jitters and were shutout by Brooklyn, but recovered two weeks later to take down Detroit. Their straightforward 3-0 win over Des Moines Menace in the Open Cup didn’t give us any additional insight. Traveling to Hartford to take on the in-form hosts will be a real test of character.
The Hooligan Take: 3-1 Hartford. Hosts will steamroll the Eleven.
Miami FC vs. Rhode Island FC
Saturday, March 28 @ 7:00pm ET / 4:00pm PT
Streaming on ESPN+
Why Miami FC, who have perhaps the most clement weather in the early part of the season, played their first three matches away is a scheduling mystery. They’ll host Rhode Island in their home opener on Saturday. Miami have gone from blowout loss (4-1 Louisville), to gritty draw (0-0 Loudoun), to commanding win (4-2 Sporting JAX) – so the outcome of this fixture is anyone’s guess.
Struggling on the pitch, and sitting in 12th place, Rhode Island FC faces a long flight south to take on Miami. Both sides score (nine goals in their last five games); both sides also concede (RIFC have dropped five this season in their two games). RIFC have the edge on the head-to-head, having won three out of four contests. They also have the advantage of not playing a mid-week tie, as Miami did.
The Hooligan Take: 2-0 Miami. The wind’s at their back.
Pittsburgh Riverhounds vs. Sporting JAX
Saturday, March 28 @ 7:00pm ET / 4:00pm PT
Streaming on ESPN+
The Riverhounds will be stoked to return to Highmark after a three game opening stretch on the road in which they dropped two. They defeated local rival Steel City in a delayed U.S. Open match on Wednesday, but the 2-1 win wasn’t as easy or comfortable as they would have liked. They’ll be even more pleased that the visiting team is Sporting JAX. The new expansion club has shipped eight goals, the most goals in the East (but only one more than Pittsburgh).
Sporting JAX played a midweek tie on Wednesday, losing to state rivals Miami 4-2. I’m looking for some positives in their season so far, but have nothing. They’re an expansion team, so rough starts are to be expected.
The Hooligan Take: 2-1 Pittsburgh. The ‘Hounds should handle this one.
Brooklyn FC vs. Louisville City FC
Saturday, March 28 @ 7:30pm ET / 4:30pm PT
Streaming on ESPN+
After that heart-warming opening day victory over Indy Eleven, it’s been a rough road for Brooklyn FC. They’ve dropped their last three games, and been shutout in two of those. And it won’t get any easier as they host the red-hot Louisville City FC.
The only USL team with a perfect winning record, Louisville City will embark on their first road game of the season, traveling to Maimonedes Park in the shadow of Coney Island, Brooklyn. Louisville are averaging 3+ goals per game, and are the only side with double digits scored, which more than compensates for their somewhat porous defense and lack of clean sheets.
The Hooligan Take: 3-2 Louisville. If the smell of Nathan’s Hot Dogs wafting in doesn’t distract them, they should win. But not easily.
Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Loudoun United FC
Saturday, March 28 @ 7:30pm ET / 4:30pm PT
No Streaming Options
Tampa Bay is a perfect two for two, both shutout victories. The home crowd will be fired up, particularly after they manhandled the defending champions Pittsburgh Riverhounds, but I would caution about being overconfident. The strategy to scrap last year’s side and build anew has been successful so far. Facing a winless Loudoun United will give them a good opportunity.
Loudoun United‘s one saving grace is that they’ve only conceded three goals, which gives them the top position among four Eastern Conference teams with one point.
The Hooligan Take: 2-0 Tampa Bay. It’s hard seeing the hosts lose this one.
