Here's all you need to know about Saturday night's USL PRO semifinals. Winner moves on, loser goes home:
No. 2 SACRAMENTO REPUBLIC FC vs. No. 3 LA GALAXY II
Saturday at 10:30 pm ET, WATCH LIVE HERE
On the weekend they try to prove to MLS they are expansion-worthy, Sacramento Republic has a chance to knock off the lone MLS representative in the USL PRO semifinals at a sold-out Bonney Field.
This will be the fifth time the two sides will meet this year, with the previous meetings resulting in two draws and a victory for each team.
Sacramento forward Adam Jahn is a San Jose Earthquakes loanee and he scored in the club's 4-1 quarterfinal triumph over Wilmington.
The Galaxy II arrive to the semifinal date after beating Rochester Rhinos 2-1, with goals from forwards Chandler Hoffman (13 goals during the USL regular season) and Charlie Rugg. They'll be without central midfielder Rafael Garcia, who will sit out due to suspension after receiving a red card in the quarters.
As the highest remaining seeds, the winner of this semifinal match will host the USL PRO championship match.
No. 4 RICHMOND KICKERS vs. No. 8 HARRISBURG CITY ISLANDERS
Saturday at 7 pm ET, WATCH LIVE HERE
Harrisburg, the lowest seed in the USL PRO playoffs, are the Cinderella of this postseason after knocking off No. 1 Orlando City in the quarterfinals by a narrow 1-0 road win last weekend. Philadelphia Union on-loan forward Antoine Hoppenot netted the historic winner on a counterattack.
The host Kickers had a dramatic quarterfinal of their own after needing extra time to oust the Charleston Battery with the club's leading scorer, Matthew Delicate (16 goals in all competitions), getting the winner with just three minutes to avoid a penalty kick shootout.
On paper, this match should be a no-contest with Richmond sporting a 15-3-7 all-time record over Harrisburg adding three victories in each of their encounters this season.
