The USL Championship playoffs promise big moments and unexpected results, and 2025’s first round delivered in a major way. The two teams that entered the postseason with a trophy (Players’ Shield-winning Louisville City and Jagermeister Cup champion Hartford Athletic) both crashed out. Defensive tactics reigned, red cards abounded, but the standout performance of the weekend came from the West’s best possession team.
With the dust settled, which of the eight remaining clubs have the best chance of taking home the hardware? What should the eliminated clubs take away with a long offseason approaching? Let’s dig in.
1. New Mexico United
Result: 2-0 win v. San Antonio
New Mexico can go fast, and New Mexico can go slow. When Dennis Sanchez’s Las Vegas Lights stalled out in last year’s playoffs, their one-speed attack was the primary culprit for a slog of postseason. By contrast, his 2025 New Mexico side is far more variable, and that paid off against San Antonio this Saturday.
