Can anybody cease the Birmingham Stallions? That is the massive query heading into the inaugural United Soccer League playoffs, as coach Skip Holtz & Co. are hoping so as to add one other championship trophy to their listing of accolades.
The Stallions (9-1) have been the spring soccer normal since their reboot in 2022, successful back-to-back USFL titles in 2022 and 2023. They’ve carried over that dominance to the UFL, compiling a 15-game win streak (courting to final yr) at one level. The Stallions will host the Michigan Panthers (7-3), who fell one level in need of upsetting Birmingham in Week 10, within the USFL Convention Championship Recreation on Saturday (3 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC).
The XFL Convention Championship Recreation takes the stage Sunday (7 p.m. ET, Fox), as quarterback AJ McCarron leads the St. Louis Battlehawks (7-3) towards the San Antonio Brahmas (7-3) and ageless coach Wade Phillips. Ought to St. Louis prevail, it is going to be the de facto host for the UFL championship sport on June 16 at The Dome at America’s Middle. The Battlehawks bought internet hosting rights for Sunday’s sport with a season-ending win over the Brahmas.
Time: 3 p.m. ET, Saturday
Website: Protecting Stadium, Birmingham, Alabama
TV: ESPN/ABC
Line: Stallions -5, O/U 43
The Stallions have been the UFL trendsetters, successful their first eight video games earlier than falling to San Antonio in Week 9. Birmingham’s league-best offense has been boosted by All-UFL quarterback Adrian Martinez, who seized the beginning position early within the yr. Not solely has Martinez been efficient by means of the air (1,750 yards, 15 landing passes), however he additionally led the UFL with 528 dashing yards and scored three TDs on the bottom.
Martinez’s primary targets are All-UFL tight finish Jace Sternberger (42 receptions for 454 yards and 4 touchdowns) and vast receiver Deon Cain (33 receptions, 436 yards, 3 TDs). Defensively, the Stallions are led by All-UFL security A.J. Thomas, who tied for the league lead with three interceptions, and All-UFL defensive lineman Carlos Davis, who had seven sacks.
That mentioned, the Panthers have been a missed game-winning 53-yard area objective away from pulling the upset in Birmingham final weekend. It was a uncommon misfire for all-UFL kicker Jake Bates, who began the season with a 64-yard walk-off area objective towards St. Louis and hasn’t missed a beat since, hitting 17 of twenty-two area objectives.
Michigan is led by its protection, which had 4 All-UFL performers. Defensive finish Breeland Speaks, a former second-round choose of the Chiefs, led the league with 9.5 sacks, whereas security Kai Nacua, the older brother of Rams star Puka Nacua, had three interceptions. All-UFL tight finish Marcus Simms is important to the Panthers’ offense, as he averaged 18.5 yards per reception on the best way to 23 catches for 435 yards and three TDs.
Time: 7 p.m. ET, Sunday
Website: The Dome at America’s Middle, St. Louis
TV: Fox
Line: Battlehawks -3, O/U 44.5
Longtime NFL veteran McCarron is in place so as to add to his trophy case, because the Battlehawks’ 13-12 win over San Antonio earned them homefield benefit for this sport. That is necessary for St. Louis, which averaged 34,365 followers per contest. McCarron accomplished 64.3% of his passes this season (164-of-255) for 1,582 yards and 15 landing passes to 4 interceptions.
He had loads of assist, as 4 of St. Louis’ 5 All-UFL gamers have been on offense, together with working again Jacob Saylors (461 dashing yards and a UFL-high eight complete touchdowns) and vast receiver Hakeem Butler (45 receptions for a league-leading 652 yards and 5 TDs). All-UFL linebacker Willie Harvey leads the Battlehawks protection after compiling a league-high 78 tackles and 4 sacks.
Like Michigan, the Brahmas might have received final week’s sport with a last-second area objective. However Ryan Santoso’s kick went vast, giving St. Louis a sweep of San Antonio. Anticipate the Brahmas to depend on a stingy protection that has allowed a league-low 153 factors and surrendered solely 12 touchdowns — eight fewer than the next-best workforce.
That protection is led by All-UFL linebacker Tavante Beckett, who had 72 tackles and 9 tackles for loss, and security Jordan Mosley, who led San Antonio with 75 tackles. Extensive receiver Jontre Kirklin (56 receptions, 614 yards, three TDs), working again John Lovett (422 yards, 5 TDs) and quarterback Quinten Dormady (1,206 yards and 6 TD passes in seven video games) are key to the Brahmas offense.