USL Championship Playoffs First Round: BGN Predictions

The 2020 USL Championship Playoffs kick off tomorrow on ESPN+ and we have some great matchups on the docket with group winners facing off against the runner-ups of another group. Some of our writers and podcasters weighed in on their predictions for the opening weekend.

Eastern Conference

(Group G #1) Charlotte Independence vs. (Group H #2) Charleston Battery

BGN’s Predicted winner: 80% Charleston Battery, 20% Charlotte Independence

(Group F #1) Hartford Athletic vs. (Group E #2) Saint Louis FC

BGN’s Predicted winner: 80% Saint Louis FC, 20% Hartford Athletic

 

(Group E #1) Louisville City FC vs. (Group F #2) Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

BGN’s Predicted winner: 53% Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, 47% Louisville City FC

 

(Group H #1) Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. (Group G #2) Birmingham Legion FC

BGN’s Predicted winner: 87% Tampa Bay Rowdies, 13% Birmingham Legion FC

 

Western Conference

(Group A #1) Reno 1868 FC vs. (Group B #2) LA Galaxy II

BGN’s Predicted winner: 93% Reno 1868 FC, 7% LA Galaxy II

 

(Group D #1) San Antonio FC vs. (Group C #2) New Mexico United

BGN’s Predicted winner: 80% San Antonio FC, 20% New Mexico United

 

(Group B #1) Phoenix Rising FC vs. (Group A #2) Sacramento Republic FC

BGN’s Predicted winner: 80% Phoenix Rising FC, 20% Sacramento Republic FC

 

(Group C #1) El Paso Locomotive FC vs. (Group D #2) FC Tulsa

BGN’s Predicted winner: 87% El Paso Locomotive FC, 13% FC Tulsa

Carson A Merk

Reporting live from Sin City, I have covered both RGVFC and Las Vegas Lights FC since their inceptions. I also write profiles to highlight players from the NCAA to USL to NWSL and everywhere in between.