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Las Vegas Charleston splitIMAGN
Tom Hindle

USL Championship Conference Finals Preview: Can 2023 finalists Charleston Battery make another run, and will Las Vegas Lights shock the world?

The USL Championship could have two brand new finalists by Saturday, and GOAL US previews the two fixtures to see who will get there

If one thing is certain, the USL postseason hasn't lacked in drama. Through two rounds of play, the No. 1 seeds in both conferences, New Mexico United and Louisville City, have been bounced from play. It is very possible that a first time champion could be crowned come the end of November.

It's all set up rather tantalizingly for what should be two interesting conference final matchups. Charleston will travel to Patriots Point to take on USL debutants Rhode Island FC, where they will hope to make the final for the second straight year. Meanwhile, Las Vegas makes the trip to Colorado Springs, with both sides looking to win the Western Conference for the first time in franchise history.

By Saturday evening, the final will be sorted, and GOAL US looks at the two matchups to determine who will be playing in it...

  • Nick Markanich Charleston Battery 2024Michael Wiser/Charleston Battery

    Eastern Conference Final: No. 2 Charleston Battery vs. No. 5 Rhode Island FC

    The breakdown: The favorites and the usurpers meet. Charleston were finalists last year, but lost in heartbreaking fashion to Phoenix on penalties. They could feel hard done by in that fixture, too, having enjoyed more shots on goal than the eventual champions. After a successful 2024 season, they're back - and this time look well-equipped to go one further.

    Rhode Island might have what it takes to stop them, though. RIFC beat top-seeded Louisville City, the Player's Shield holders, 3-0 on the road last week, posting one of the more significant upsets in USL history. It's their first season in existence, and they have already shown the kind of quality to scare the Battery - playing them to two hard-fought draws in the regular season.

    Charleston player to watch: Who else but Nick Markanich? The striker is, statistically, the best goalscorer in USL history, having banged in 28 regular season goals. RIFC will have their hands full trying to stop him.

    Rhode Island player to watch: Some players get hot at the right time, and that is exactly what has happened to JJ Williams. The forward has scored five in his first two playoff games, and is one goal shy of the playoff record, which has stood for eight years.

    Charleston thing to know: This is Markanich's last season in Charleston, with the forward agreeing to move to Spanish second tier side Castellon in January.

    Rhode Island thing to know: They can become just the third team in USL history to make the championship in their inaugural season, following Sacramento in 2014 and Sporting KC 2 in 2016.

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  • Valentin NoelLas Vegas Lights

    Western Conference final: No. 2 Colorado Springs Switchbacks vs. No. 4 Las Vegas Lights

    The breakdown: The West pits two teams who haven't won silverware against each other. Las Vegas Lights are under new management and ownership and have turned from one of the worst teams in the league into one of the best. They have already caused one upset, bouncing No. 1 New Mexico United on the road thanks to a late winner from Khori Bennett. Las Vegas has playmakers all over the pitch, while goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena has starred of late, and made save-after-save in the conference semis.

    Colorado Springs, meanwhile, have been here before. They have made two Western Conference finals in the last three seasons. And although they needed to overturn an early deficit against Orange County in the semis, there is a real assuredness about them. The Switchbacks are yet to lose a postseason game at Weidner Field, and will be favored to continue that streak.

    Las Vegas player to watch: There are potential difference makers all over the pitch for Vegas, but Valentin Noel is the main main in attack, having provided 17 goal contributions this season.

    Colorado Springs player to watch: Keep Ronaldo Damus quiet at your peril. On loan from the Swedish top flight club GIF Sundsvall, the Haitian striker has been one of the better attacking players in the league this campaign - and bagged the winner against Oakland in the quarters.

    Las Vegas thing to know: The Lights are partially owned by former Major League Baseball star Jose Bautista.

    Colorado Springs thing to know: Weidner Field, their home stadium, and venue for the weekend's fixture, is the highest elevation of any home stadium for any team in the American soccer pyramid at 6,035 feet.