PHOENIX, Ariz. — Only one match stands between Lexington Sporting Club and playoff soccer. After 29 USL Championship matches, four Prinx Tires USL Cup contests and two U.S. Open Cup battles, the Greens wrap up the 2026 regular season Saturday at Phoenix Rising FC, with The Stables primed to host a Western Conference Quarterfinal on Nov. 1.
That being said, Saturday’s clash cannot be overlooked. Both sides still have plenty to play for.
Lexington is guaranteed at least the No. 4 seed, but could finish as high as the No. 2 seed in the West with a:
Win at Phoenix Rising FC
AND
No. 3 Sacramento Republic FC loss/draw vs. Oakland Roots SC
Both matches kick off at 10 p.m. ET.
On the other side, Phoenix is fighting for its postseason life from ninth place. With a result and some help, Phoenix could still clinch a playoff berth on the final night of the season.
The Lexington vs. Phoenix series has been about as lopsided as it gets. LSC has won all three prior meetings and only surrendered one total shot on target, though it was more of a haphazard cross by Rémi Cabral on Aug. 9, 2025, than a true strike on goal.
The Greens enter play with all the momentum in the world. They are unbeaten in their last six matches, the longest streak in men’s club history, and have won five of those contests. Mac Hemmi’s group has outscored its opponents 21-7 over that stretch and won all three of its road matches.
Phillip Goodrum has scored eight of those 21 goals, trailed by Marcus Epps and Nick Firmino with three apiece.
Midfielder Blaine Ferri is in the mix for the USL Championship’s Golden Playmaker award, an annual honor bestowed upon the league’s assist leader. Ferri enters Week 34 with nine assists, tied with three others and trailing Las Vegas Lights FC’s Christian Pinzón by one.
Ferri also leads the league in chances created with 70.
Phillip Goodrum could potentially finish as the USL-C’s shots leader. He currently paces all players with 66, though he would need at least four goals to potentially win the Golden Boot.
For the final time in the 2026 regular season, Lexington will kick off at 10 p.m. ET from Phoenix Rising Stadium.
SCOUTING PHOENIX
Streaky is the perfect word to describe Phoenix Rising FC’s 2026 season.
Rising began the season winless through five matches before rattling off three wins in a row. It began the summer winless in five of six, then went unbeaten in eight of its next nine matches. Shifting to the fall, Phoenix lost three consecutive matches as the calendar flipped to October, but now rides a two-match win streak.
Overall, Phoenix finds itself at 10W-10L-9D on the season and in desperate need of a result, plus some help, to keep its playoff hopes alive.
Phoenix’s main man this season has been forward Ihsan Sacko, a Frenchman tied for the Golden Boot lead. Sacko has posted a career-high 16 goals in just his second USL Championship season after making the move stateside from top-flight Switzerland.
Thanks in large part to Sacko, Phoenix’s 42 total goals are tied for the seventh-most in the league. However, its 43 goals allowed are tied for the ninth-most.
HOW TO WATCH
The match will stream live on CBS Sports Golazo Network.
