The 2024 USL Championship Playoffs are set to kick off this Saturday, promising an exciting postseason filled with intense matchups and compelling storylines. Fans can catch select games broadcast on CBS Sports, providing ample opportunities to witness some of the league’s best teams battle for the coveted USL Cup. Among all contenders, Louisville City FC, under the guidance of head coach Danny Cruz, stands out as the team to beat this season. The club is once again staking its claim as one of the best in USL history, aiming to cap off a remarkable campaign with a championship trophy.
Louisville City FC faced significant challenges during the offseason, losing key players Elijah Wynder and Wilson Harris to departures that could have derailed their ambitions. But true to their resilient nature, Louisville quickly reloaded and rebuilt their squad, returning stronger and more balanced than ever. Their efforts paid off handsomely, as the team set a new USL record by accumulating an impressive 73 points over just 30 games. This achievement secured them the Players’ Shield, awarded to the team with the best regular-season record, marking their second consecutive season earning this honor.
Despite Louisville’s dominance in the regular season, their previous campaigns have shown that having the best record doesn’t guarantee success in the playoffs. The club has fallen short of reaching the USL Cup final in recent years, a fact that looms over their postseason hopes. However, the 2024 season feels different. Louisville was unbeatable at home, turning Lynn Family Stadium into a fortress where they conceded just eight goals all season. Their attack was well-distributed, with Phillip Goodrum leading the scoring charts with 13 goals, while midfielder Taylor Davila contributed nine assists, providing the creativity and service needed to unlock defenses.
An important factor in Louisville’s resurgence is the leadership of head coach Danny Cruz. At just 35 years old, Cruz has already made a significant mark on the league, recently becoming the youngest manager in USL history to reach 100 league victories. He achieved this milestone in only his 169th game in charge, underscoring his effectiveness and tactical acumen. The team’s confidence is further buoyed by their impressive 16-match unbeaten streak to close the regular season, a run that no other team has matched during the expanded 30-game schedule. Given these factors, anything less than a championship this year would be a major surprise.
Looking ahead to the playoffs, Louisville will have the advantage of playing all their postseason games at home, which could prove decisive as they aim to finally break through and win their first USL Championship since 2018. The playoff schedule begins with the first round on Saturday, November 1, featuring several key matches across the league. The opening games include Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC facing off against Hartford Athletic at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+, followed by Louisville City FC hosting Detroit City SC at 7 p.m. on CBS Sports Golazo Network. Other notable first-round matches include North Carolina FC versus Loudoun United FC, FC Tulsa facing Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, New Mexico United taking on San Antonio FC, and El Paso Locomotive FC playing Phoenix Rising FC, all broadcast on ESPN+.
On Sunday, November 2, Charleston Battery will host a match at 2 p.m. on CBS Sports Network, followed by Sacramento Republic FC facing Orange County SC at 9 p.m., also on CBS Sports Network. These games will set the tone for the rest of the playoffs and determine which teams will advance to the quarterfinals.
Focusing on the Western Conference, FC Tulsa enters the playoffs after a strong regular season and is expected to secure a home victory in their first match. However, the path forward gets more complicated. Phoenix Rising FC, who have enjoyed a strong finish to the season with just one loss in their last 10 matches, will pose a stern challenge. Despite having several draws, Phoenix’s momentum and experience should be enough for them to advance past the first round. New Mexico United and Sacramento Republic FC also look poised to capitalize on home advantage and move comfortably into the next round.
The Eastern Conference first round is projected to follow a similar pattern, with most favorites expected to win their matches. Louisville City FC is predicted to defeat Detroit City SC, keeping their championship aspirations alive. However, there is potential for an upset as Loudoun United FC, making their first-ever playoff appearance under coach Ryan Martin, could surprise North Carolina FC