USL Championship

PHOENIX, Ariz. — It was a gutsy performance from Lexington Sporting Club Saturday night as the club battled back from a two-goal deficit in the second half to end the 2026 regular season with a 3-3 draw. The result extended LSC’s unbeaten streak to seven straight, a club record, heading into next weekend’s playoff match.

Phoenix Rising, who needed a result to clinch the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, took advantage of a Lexington side that struggled with the final action throughout the first half to get out to an early 2-0 lead.

While LSC could have simply thrown in the towel having already clinched a home playoff spot the week before, the Greens instead went to war.

Phillip Goodrum stole one back right before halftime to reduce the deficit to one heading into the break. Malcolm Fry floated a ball to Xavier Zengue at the back post, who headed it back across goal to an on-rushing Goodrum. The forward slotted it into the bottom corner for lucky No. 13 on the season.

After a Lexington own goal early in the second half, the Greens once again showcased their resiliency and their desire to win at all costs.

Braudílio Rodrigues unleashed a wicked strike from 30 yards out in the 65’ minute, then the skipper Aaron Molloy worked his wizardry to bend a free kick from outside the box inside the far post 12 minutes later. Both goals were otherworldly, and both were from outside the penalty area.

From that point on, the match was played at a breakneck pace. As a desperate Phoenix side threw numbers forward in hopes of prolonging its season, play opened up and both sides began flying up and down the pitch. LSC defended for its life while also working several high-quality chances of its own that it was unable to convert.

Molloy came inches away from a second direct free kick goal right before stoppage time when his attempt hit the post and spilled out of play.

The physical match concluded with seven yellow cards handed out in the second half and with LSC leading in shots (11-10), shots on target (6-2) and expected goals (2.22-1.36).

“Obviously, going 3-1 down in an environment like this is never easy, but I think we showed the character and togetherness we have in this group,” said Molloy after the match. “It would’ve been easy to put our heads down, but we kept believing, kept fighting for each other and managed to get something out of the game. Of course, we’re disappointed to concede three goals, but the mentality we showed to come back is something we can take a lot of confidence from. In the playoffs, things aren’t always going to go your way, so having that belief and willingness to fight until the final whistle is going to be massive for us.”

The draw, combined with Sacramento Republic FC’s 3-2 win vs. Oakland Roots SC Saturday night, solidified Lexington as the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference heading into next weekend’s playoff match. LSC will host Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at The Stables next Sunday.

TOP 10 GOODRUM

Phillip Goodrum’s goal in the 45+1’ minute was the 74th of his USL Championship regular season career. The forward is now tied with Corey Hertzog for the 10th-most goals in USL Championship history.

SCORING AVALANCHE

Three more scores for Lexington made it 24 goals in the club’s last seven matches, its highest scoring total over a seven-match stretch in club history. LSC also finished the season with 57 goals to lead the USL Championship. 

IT’S PLAYOFF TIME

Lexington Sporting Club will host Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at home next Sunday, Nov. 1, at 2 p.m. ET in the Western Conference Quarterfinals. In two meetings this season, LSC drew the Switchbacks 1-1 on April 4, then lost 1-0 in the second meeting on Aug. 29.

GOALS

10’ PHX: Ihsan Sacko (assist: Collin Smith)

29’ PHX: Gunnar Studenhofft (assist: Ihsan Sacko)

45+1’ LEX: Phillip Goodrum (assist: Xavier Zengue)

53’ PHX: Phillip Goodrum (OG)

65’ LEX: Braudílio Rodrigues (assist: Kendall Burks)

77’ LEX: Aaron Molloy

LINEUPS

LEX: Oliver Semmle, Jacob Greene, Javain Brown (83’ Marqes Muir), Kendall Burks, Xavier Zengue, Blaine Ferri, Aaron Molloy, Nick Firmino (45’ Braudílio Rodrigues), Marcus Epps (78’ Patrick Seagrist), Malcolm Fry (60’ Noble Okello), Phillip Goodrum

PHX: Chituru Odunze, Luke Biasi (79’ Juan Torres), Ascel Essengue, Pape Boye, Collin Smith (80’ Damián Rivera), John Scearce, Jean Moursou, Tate Schmitt (76’ Daniel Flores), Diego Gómez, Ihsan Sacko, Gunnar Studenhofft (62’ Dominique Badji)

UP NEXT

It’s playoff time in the Bluegrass. Lexington Sporting Club hosts the first playoff match in men’s club history on Sunday, Nov. 1, at 2 p.m. ET. The match will air nationally on CBS Sports Network.

PHILLIP GOODRUM — 45+1′ MINUTE

BRAUDÍLIO RODRIGUES — 65′ MINUTE

AARON MOLLOY — 77′ MINUTE

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. 

TAMPA, Fla. — Following Lexington Sporting Club’s inspiring five-goal victory over Las Vegas Lights FC to clinch a home playoff match, Lexington Sporting Club’s Nick Firmino and Blaine Ferri have both been named to the USL Championship’s Week 33 Team of the Week.

Firmino scored twice for Lexington in the match on two total shots to complete his second brace of the season. He bagged his first in the 39’ minute, and was set up for his second by a jaw-dropping backheel flick from Phillip Goodrum in the 92’ minute. 

The Brazilian is now up to seven goals on the season, the highest single-season tally of his USL Championship career. 

Overall, Firmino won 78% of his duels (7/9), 67% of his tackle attempts (2/3) and completed two dribbles. 

For Ferri, appearing in the Team of the Week is just another day at the office. 

The midfielder collects his 10^th weekly honor of the season after scoring the club’s fourth goal of the contest in the 75’ minute, his fourth of the campaign. 

He created one scoring chance and completed 87% of his passes, 15 of which were in the final third. Ferri also won 75% of his duels (3/4), successfully won possession seven times, tallied nine final third entries and notched one interception. 

2026 USL Championship Team of the Week Awards                  

Week 2: Oliver Semmle (bench)                   

Week 4: Blaine Ferri, Aaron Molloy (bench)                   

Week 5: Xavier Zengue                  

Week 7: Blaine Ferri (bench)                 

Week 8/9: Blaine Ferri (bench)                

Week 10: Nick Firmino, Phillip Goodrum, Arturo Ordóñez               

Week 12: Aaron Molloy (bench)              

Week 13: Aaron Molloy, Nick Firmino (bench)             

Week 14/15: Blaine Ferri, Marcus Epps             

Week 17/18: Oliver Semmle, Aaron Molloy            

Week 21: Oliver Semmle (bench), Blaine Ferri (bench)          

Week 22: Aaron Molloy         

Week 23: Blaine Ferri (bench)         

Week 25: Aaron Molloy, Marcus Epps        

Week 27: Marcus Epps (bench)       

Week 28: Phillip Goodrum (Player of the Week), Blaine Ferri, Xavier Zengue, Marcus Epps (bench)      

Week 29: Phillip Goodrum (Player of the Week), Nick Firmino, Marcus Epps, Blaine Ferri (bench), Mac Hemmi (Coach of the Week)     

Week 30: Phillip Goodrum, Marcus Epps (bench)    

Week 31: Blaine Ferri, Marcus Epps (bench)   

Week 32: Jacob Greene (bench) 

Week 33: Nick Firmino, Blaine Ferri 

2026 Prinx Tires USL Cup Team of the Round Awards                 

Round 1: Marcus Epps            

Round 4: Aaron Molloy (bench)        

Player of the Month        

July: Aaron Molloy 

LAS VEGAS — A barnburner broke out in Sin City late Saturday night as Lexington Sporting Club piled on five goals in a 5-3 victory over Las Vegas Lights FC. Spurred on by a brace from Nick Firmino, the win guarantees Lexington a home playoff match in the first round of the USL Championship playoffs and a top-four finish in the Western Conference.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair as Lexington scored, then promptly conceded an equalizer twice.

Marcus Epps found Xavier Zengue at the back post just four minutes into the match for an easy header to get the Greens on the board.

After a quick response by the home side with a goal of its own, an Aaron Molloy service from a corner kick took a deflection off a Vegas defender and was directed onto goal by Firmino to retake the lead.

Vegas would again even things up right before halftime, but Phillip Goodrum and Firmino combined for a no-doubt Goal of the Week finalist to kick-start the second period.

Braudílio Rodrigues charged down the middle of the pitch to put Vegas on its heels, then laid it off to Goodrum on the right. Goodrum waited for Firmino to make the underlapping run and perfectly timed a backheel pass into the Brazilian’s path. Firmino buried it to complete his second brace of the season and give LSC a 3-2 lead.

Blaine Ferri joined in on the scoring party in the 75’ minute off another corner kick that Aaron Molloy delivered into the mixer. The Vegas goalkeeper punched it clear, but only as far as Ferri, who was lurking right outside the penalty box to collect and fire.

The Lights added a third near the end of the match, but it was LSC’s Patrick Seagrist who had the last laugh with one final goal in the 90+2’ minute. The nail in Las Vegas’ coffin will forever be immortalized as the last goal scored in the history of Cashman Field.

“I’m really proud of the group,” said head coach Mac Hemmi after the match. “Whether you’re a professional manager or player or member of the coaching staff, you always want to be a positive part of club history. First, to be able to make the playoffs and two, to be able to host — I’m really proud of how the entire group approached this.”

The contest marked the second time this season Lexington has scored five goals or more and extended its unbeaten streak to six matches on the bounce with only one left to play in the regular season.

LSC now ranks second in the USL Championship with 54 goals scored, trailing only Charleston Battery by one. The club’s +18 goal differential is also the best mark in the Western Conference.

GOALS

4’ LEX: Xavier Zengue (assist: Marcus Epps)

25’ LV: Carson Locker

40’ LEX: Nick Firmino

45+2’ LV: Oalex Anderson (assist: Christian Pinzón)

62’ LEX: Nick Firmino (assist: Phillip Goodrum)

75’ LEX: Blaine Ferri

81’ LV: Patrick Leal (assist: Christian Pinzón)

90+2’ LEX: Patrick Seagrist (assist: Braudílio Rodrigues)

LINEUPS

LEX: Oliver Semmle, Jacob Greene, Marqes Muir, Kendall Burks, Xavier Zengue, Blaine Ferri (84’ Cielo Tschantret), Aaron Molloy, Nick Firmino (83’ Patrick Seagrist), Marcus Epps (90+2’ Milo Yosef), Malcolm Fry (45’ Braudílio Rodrigues), Phillip Goodrum

LV: Triston Henry, Themi Antonoglou (75’ Blake Pope), Aarón Guillén, Nate Jones, Nyk Sessock, Giorgio Probo, Carson Locker (84’ Abraham Okyere), Marc Ybarra (75’ Patrick Leal), Christian Pinzón, Oalex Anderson (45’ Manuel Arteaga), Johnny Rodriguez

UP NEXT

Lexington is off to Arizona to take on Phoenix Rising FC in the 2026 USL Championship regular season finale. The match kicks off at 10 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Golazo Network.

XAVIER ZENGUE — 4′ MINUTE

NICK FIRMINO — 40′ MINUTE

NICK FIRMINO — 62′ MINUTE

BLAINE FERRI — 75′ MINUTE

PATRICK SEAGRIST — 90+2′ MINUTE

LAS VEGAS — Just one weekend after clinching its first playoff spot, the Lexington Sporting Club men could make it a home playoff spot Saturday night to bring the party to The Stables.  

To do so, two pieces of the puzzle must fall into place: 

Lexington win at Las Vegas Lights FC 

AND 

FC Tulsa draw/loss vs. Oakland Roots SC 

Tulsa is up first with an 8 p.m. ET kickoff, trailed by Lexington with the red-eye 10:30 p.m. ET start time. 

Lexington would also lock down at least the No. 4 spot in the Western Conference, the cutoff for a home playoff match, by beating Las Vegas and then Phoenix Rising FC the following weekend in the 2026 regular season finale. 

LSC’s advantage over its main Western Conference competitors vying for a top-four finish is twofold. 

First, Lexington owns the tiebreaker over the other three clubs all within four points of one another and currently ranked No. 3-6 in the conference — Sacramento Republic FC, FC Tulsa and Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. 

The USL Championship’s first tiebreaker is not goal differential, but rather matches won against conference opponents. Lexington has 11 conference wins compared to Sacramento’s eight, Tulsa’s seven or Colorado Springs’ seven. 

Second, LSC is the hottest club in the West. Nobody else has four wins in its last five matches, and Lexington is unbeaten in its last five outings overall with a +12 goal differential. 

The offense continues to be paced by Phillip Goodrum and Blaine Ferri, just as it has been all season long. 

Goodrum’s 12 goals lead Lexington and rank second all-time in a single season in club history behind Ates Diouf’s 15 scored in 2023. Goodrum also leads the USL Championship with 65 shots. 

Blaine Ferri remains tied for the league’s assist lead with nine while also leading all players with 69 chances created. 

The club also picked up its 10^th clean sheet of the season last weekend vs. Tulsa, the first time it has hit double-digit shutouts in a single season. 

With the stakes as high as ever and only two matches remaining in the regular season, LSC kicks off the last-ever match at Cashman Field in Las Vegas at 10:30 p.m. ET. The match is presented by Toyota.

SCOUTING LAS VEGAS 

Las Vegas Lights FC enters the match in 10^th place in the Western Conference and as owners of a 10W-12L-6D record. The club has lost five of its last eight outings and gone 2W-5L-1D over that stretch. 

The Lights rank middle-of-the-pack with 37 goals this season, the seventh-most in the conference. However, they rank in the top quarter in goals conceded with 41 in 28 matches played. 

Forward Johnny Rodriguez continues to lead the group with 12 goals, though he has failed to find the back of the net in his last four matches. Christian Pinzon’s eight assists put him only one short of the league lead. Goalkeeper Triston Henry has posted a 68.8% save percentage in eight matches this season with two clean sheets. 

STAT OF THE MATCH 

Five Lexington Sporting Club players are currently ranked among the top 36 USL Championship players in goals added, per American Soccer Analysis — Marcus Epps (5), Aaron Molloy (8), Blaine Ferri (21), Nick Firmino (35) and Phillip Goodrum (36). 

HOW TO WATCH 

The match will stream locally on fox56news.com and the FOX 56 News app, as well as nationally on ESPN+. 

TAMPA, Fla. — Lexington Sporting Club’s Jacob Greene has been named to the USL Championship Week 32 Team of the Week bench for his performance at FC Tulsa on Oct. 9. 

Greene covered virtually the entire pitch in Lexington’s shutout vs. Tulsa, its 10^th of the season and the fourth-most in the USL Championship. 

With the ball at his feet, Greene’s three chances created tied Blaine Ferri for the most among all players in the match. He completed nearly 95% of his passes, 21 of which were in the final third. 

The LSC left back won 60% of his duels (3/5) and completed both of his dribble attempts. He also won possession twice, tallied one interception and recorded three clearances. 

Greene’s Team of the Week inclusion marks his first of the season. 

2026 USL Championship Team of the Week Awards                 

Week 2: Oliver Semmle (bench)                  

Week 4: Blaine Ferri, Aaron Molloy (bench)                  

Week 5: Xavier Zengue                 

Week 7: Blaine Ferri (bench)                

Week 8/Week 9: Blaine Ferri (bench)               

Week 10: Nick Firmino, Phillip Goodrum, Arturo Ordóñez              

Week 12: Aaron Molloy (bench)             

Week 13: Aaron Molloy, Nick Firmino (bench)            

Week 14/15: Blaine Ferri, Marcus Epps            

Week 17/18: Oliver Semmle, Aaron Molloy           

Week 21: Oliver Semmle (bench), Blaine Ferri (bench)         

Week 22: Aaron Molloy        

Week 23: Blaine Ferri (bench)        

Week 25: Aaron Molloy, Marcus Epps       

Week 27: Marcus Epps (bench)      

Week 28: Phillip Goodrum (Player of the Week), Blaine Ferri, Xavier Zengue, Marcus Epps (bench)     

Week 29: Phillip Goodrum (Player of the Week), Nick Firmino, Marcus Epps, Blaine Ferri (bench), Mac Hemmi (Coach of the Week)    

Week 30: Phillip Goodrum, Marcus Epps (bench)   

Week 31: Blaine Ferri, Marcus Epps (bench)  

Week 32: Jacob Greene (bench)

2026 Prinx Tires USL Cup Team of the Round Awards                

Round 1: Marcus Epps           

Round 4: Aaron Molloy (bench)       

Player of the Month       

July: Aaron Molloy       

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Lexington Sporting Club clinched the first playoff berth in men’s club history Saturday night, guaranteeing LSC a top-eight position in the USL Championship’s Western Conference. The club secured its spot after drawing FC Tulsa on Oct. 9, followed by Las Vegas Lights FC’s loss at Phoenix Rising FC on Oct. 10.

Fans can place a $10 deposit to secure their spot at a potential home playoff match. LSC ONE Members can claim their spot at every potential home playoff match in the “offers” tab of their SeatGeek profiles.

Playoff seeding is still to be determined in the tightly contested conference. LSC would need to finish as a top-four seed to guarantee a home playoff match in the first round of postseason play.

Lexington SC has two matches remaining in the 2026 regular season. It will travel to Las Vegas Lights FC on Saturday, Oct. 17, before concluding the 2026 campaign on Oct. 24 at Phoenix Rising FC.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Lexington Sporting Club and FC Tulsa played to a scoreless draw Friday night. The Greens picked up a critical point and their 10^th clean sheet of the season to inch closer to securing their first playoff spot.

The Greens were the stronger side throughout, posting 1.32 expected goals compared to Tulsa’s 0.18 and possessing over 63% of the ball. LSC also quadrupled Tulsa’s shots on target, 4-1.

“I thought we were definitely the better team on the night,” said Head Coach Mac Hemmi after the match. “That’s just the game of football sometimes. It felt like a playoff match and the margin of error was very very small, especially when defending in the second half. But I’m very proud of the group and I thought they were brilliant. It’s great to get a shutout in a playoff-like match. It will prepare us for the postseason.”

The nil-nil finish extended Lexington’s unbeaten streak to five in a row and moved the club into third place in the Western Conference.

Lexington could still clinch the first playoff spot in men’s history Saturday night with a Las Vegas Lights FC loss or draw at Phoenix Rising FC, or a San Antonio FC loss at Oakland Roots SC. Both matches kick off at 10 p.m. ET.

GOALS

N/A

LINEUPS

LEX: Oliver Semmle, Jacob Greene, Javain Brown, Kendall Burks, Xavier Zengue, Blaine Ferri, Aaron Molloy, Nick Firmino (61’ Braudílio Rodrigues), Marcus Epps, Malcolm Fry (75’ Milo Yosef), Phillip Goodrum

TUL: Dane Jacomen, Lamar Batista, Abdoulaye Cissoko, Joel Sangwa, Wilson Eisner, Boubacar Diallo (76’ Stefan Lukic), Owen Damm, Jamie Webber (86’ Delentz Pierre), Will Wilson (45’ Jeorgio Kocevski), Logan Dorsey (76’ Rémi Cabral), Arquímides Ordóñez (67’ Giordano Colli)

UP NEXT

Lexington is on the road for the final two matches of the 2026 regular season. Next up is a trip to Sin City to take on Las Vegas Lights FC Saturday, Oct. 17. The match will kick off at 10:30 p.m. ET.

TAMPA, Fla. — The USL Championship announced Thursday that Lexington Sporting Club forward Phillip Goodrum has been voted the league’s Player of the Month for September. 

The award was decided by a weighted poll that included the USL Championship Technical Committee, a national panel of independent media representing every USL market and an online fan vote held at USLChampionship.com. Goodrum received 64% of the total vote. 

Goodrum bagged seven goals in September, the most by any USL Championship player. 

With his back-to-back hat tricks against Oakland Roots SC on Sept. 12 and Orange County SC on Sept. 19, Goodrum became just the second player in league history with consecutive three-goal outings, joining Dane Kelly, who did so with Reno 1868 FC in 2017. 

“I’m honored to receive the league’s Player of the Month award,” said Goodrum. “The goals and wins have been flowing lately, and it’s really a testament to the team as a whole. I’m really grateful to be a part of this amazing club that is building something special, and I’m super excited to carry this moment into the playoffs with this whole group.” 

Goodrum has increased his season total to 12, the most in a single season in LSC men’s USL-C era. 

“Phil is coming into great form at the right time of the season,” said Lexington Head Coach Mac Hemmi. “He works tirelessly on both sides of the ball, and his character and work rate define the team’s personality from the frontline. His Player of the Month award is well-deserved, and he’s just getting started here in Lexington.” 

The forward’s play has directly correlated with Lexington’s current four-match win streak and has put the Greens in position to clinch the first playoff berth in LSC men’s history with a win on Oct. 9 vs. FC Tulsa. 

Goodrum joins midfielder Aaron Molloy as one of two Lexington players to receive Player of the Month honors in 2026.