Birmingham Legion 0 – 1 Rhode Island FC
We kicked off week ten with an unusual Wednesday fixture. There’s a trope in playwriting that states you can never show a gun on stage unless you intend to have it fired. Early yellow cards are kind of like that in soccer. The earlier the card, the greater the likelihood that a red will indubitably appear later in the match. For Birmingham, midfielder Samuel McIllhatton saw yellow in the 5th minute; sure enough, he drew a second one literally seconds before halftime. Man, that must have been an awkward conversation with the manager.
Maxi Rodriguez earned his first club goal in the 14th, which was way before RIFC began to dominate the stats. Hell, they put 10 of their 13 shots on frame. All this means the Legion’s keeper Matt Van Oekel had a banner day between the posts (he registered seven saves).
North Carolina FC 4 – 2 Oakland Roots
Oakland simply cannot catch a break in Cary, NC. Their first ever meeting last year resulted in a 5 – 0 shellacking by the hosts, and kickstarted the Roots’ long decline in form. This fixture wasn’t much better, even if the Roots made a game effort in the second half to come back.
El Paso Locomotive FC 3 – 1 Indy Eleven
El Paso has one of the strongest home records in the league, and this game simply bolstered that. Their first goal came off the transition, as Amando Moreno took a cleared corner in his defensive half and drove the length of the field, beating the keeper with a low left-footed shot. Defending the transition proved too difficult for Indy, as Los Locos scored twice more on the counter. Indy’s goal was notable as it came from substitute Edward Kizza on his first touch, a thumping header, but it was an empty consolation late in the match.
Hartford Athletic 1 – 1 Louisville City FC
LouCity struck first on the counter, Phillip Goodrum connecting to the pass from Manny Perez. This was Goodrum’s fourth career score against Hartford. Desperate to ignite his team, Adewale Obalola tried to draw a PK late in the first half and got a booking for simulation. This would ultimately prove costly, as Obalola would draw a second yellow in the 65th for a tackle from behind to slow a Louisville counter. Hartford showed tremendous resolve as they continued to pressure the visitors and snatched a crucial equalizer in the 88th minute.
Charleston Battery 4 – 0 San Antonio FC
This was a straight-up beat-down by the home side. The Battery dominated in every aspect of the game, and jumped to the top of the East with this victory. San Antonio, who until gameweek 8 were atop the West, now slide to fifth place.
Miami FC 2 – 1 Loudoun United FC
This is Loudoun’s second loss in three games, an uncharacteristic slump for one of the strongest teams in 2025. By all rights Miami should have scored three, but Francesco Celeste’s 82nd minute penalty was saved by keeper Hugo Fauroux (one of the few bright points in this match for Loudoun).
Tampa Bay Rowdies 0 – 3 Rhode Island FC
Man, Tampa Bay just got flat-out beat in this one. They had more corners (9 to 2) and equal shots, but couldn’t find the net. After a difficult start to their season, RIFC are finally finding their groove, and this is their second consecutive win.
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 1 – 0 Pittsburgh Riverhounds
The Switchbacks recorded their first league win since late march, courtesy of captain Matt Mahoney’s precision header off a set-piece in the 12th minute. The defending USL champs have had a rough 2025 campaign so far. They have more red cards (3) than wins (2), but this last one allows them to leap two places into ninth in the West.
Orange County SC 0 – 3 New Mexico United
OCSC gave it their best shot, but simply could not break down the New Mexico defense. The visitors took advantage of two penalties to jump ahead, then put the capper in the 79th with a Luiz Fernando goal. New Mexico now sit atop the West.
Phoenix Rising FC 2 – 0 Monterey Bay
This loss tumbled Monterey out of the top and down to fourth place in the West, which is only appropriate as the Seasiders have had a terrible run of form in the past six weeks, with only one win. Phoenix are living up to their name recently; this is their second consecutive win.
Sacramento Republic FC 5 – 0 Las Vegas Lights FC
Prior to this game, Las Vegas had conceded the fewest goals in the West. Shockingly, Vegas attempted more shots than the hosts but were denied by goalkeeper Daniel Vitiello. Meanwhile, every Republic shot on frame found the net.
Birmingham Legion FC 1 – 1 Detroit City FC
Legion’s Phanuel Kavita sure picked a good time to score his first goal of the season. The 31 year old Rwandan defender poked the ball over the line off a rebound in the 81st minute to salvage his team a valuable point and keep them in ninth place.
Lexington 0 – 2 FC Tulsa
If Lexington was in the Eastern Conference, they would be in ninth place. But they’re dead last in the West, mainly due to performances like this one. With 65% possession, Lexington only managed 2 total shots; zero on frame. Tulsa, however, exhibited far more ruthlessness with 11 shots, also drawing a penalty before halftime to take the lead from Taylor Calheira’s conversion. They climbed to second in the West with the win.
