We’ve got a full night of action in USL League One on Saturday with every team in action as clubs vie to join Union Omaha in clinching a place in the postseason. The slate is highlighted by a top-three clash that will be key in the race for the Players’ Shield, while there’s also crucial game between two sides currently below the playoff line.

If you haven’t checked it out yet, here’s where you can find where everyone stands in the Race to the 2024 USL League One Playoffs. Here are the storylines to know going in, three players to keep an eye on, and what else you need to know before tuning in on ESPN+.

1. THE MAIN EVENT: Omaha, Knoxville square off

It’s a sign of how tight things are in the top seven in the League One standings that Union Omaha’s dramatic 3-2 victory against Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC last weekend pushed Los Buhos into control of the race for the Players’ Shield and the Hailstorm down to seventh spot thanks to results elsewhere.

With a three-point cushion at the top of the standings, Omaha is on course to claim the Players’ Shield for a second consecutive season, but One Knoxville SC’s visit to Werner Park could provide another twist to the story.

• BUHOS RISING: Omaha’s win against NoCo was crucial not only for the side’s position, but also as a modicum of revenge after the Hailstorm knocked out Union in the Semifinals of the inaugural USL Jägermeister Cup three days earlier.

• TIMING THEIR RUN: One Knox, though, has been arguably the most consistent side in League One since the end of June. They’ve taken 15 points from their last seven games and are undefeated in 11 games overall under interim Head Coach Ilija Ilic.

• MIND THE GAP: While Knoxville isn’t the closest rival to Omaha for first place sitting four points back, it also has six games remaining while the Charlotte Independence only have five. If Knoxville can turn the tables from Omaha’s 1-0 win at Regal Stadium in April, we should have a race to the finish.

If Knoxville is going to challenge, it’s going to have to find a way to beat Omaha for the first time in its history. Union has a 3-0-1 record against its visitors in their prior League One meetings, and with a win would be assured of maintaining at least a three-point lead with five games to play.

For Knoxville, then, this is a litmus test of how far they’ve come under Ilic’s stewardship. If they pass, it immediately propels them into the conversation as a potential challenger for the league title in November.

2. THE UNDERCARD: Richmond, Lexington Face Must-Win

It’s fair to say we’ve got one spot open for the five teams at the bottom of the League One standings – and after Wednesday night’s drubbing in Lexington, we’re also wondering if Central Valley Fuego FC’s still in that picture.

That makes Saturday’s clash between the Richmond Kickers and Lexington SC key as both sides could jump past South Georgia Tormenta FC with a win when they meet at City Stadium.

• UPWARD SWING: League One Players’ Shield winners just two seasons ago, the Kickers might have just found the shift in gears they need to get over the line. The side has won its last two outings – doubling its win total in league play in the process – after last weekend’s surprise 1-0 win on the road in Charlotte.

• OPEN THE FLOODGATES: Lexington, meanwhile, produced a performance out of absolutely nowhere on Wednesday night with a seven-goal romp against Fuego. Led by a first-half hat trick from Cameron Lancaster, the side increased its regular season goal total by 36.8 percent in one night as it moved within a point of Tormenta.

• MAINTAIN MOMENTUM: The key for both teams will be sustaining those performances. Lexington has yet to win consecutive games this season, while Richmond needs to show it can sustain its drive back to the postseason after its positive run as after falling to LSC when the teams last met in July.

The one thing neither side wants out of this game is a draw. That opens the door for Tormenta to add to their advantage if it can find a result at home to the Charlotte Independence on Saturday night.

For whichever side comes out on top, the goal of the playoffs remains clearly viable. For the side that falls, though, it’s going to be difficult to make up ground with only four games to play.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Lyam MacKinnon, Greenville Triumph SC: The Swiss forward's second career hat trick in League One against Chattanooga Red Wolves SC last weekend moved him into a tie for the Golden Boot lead. Now he gets to go up against a Central Valley Fuego FC side that will be smarting after Wednesday night. Watch out.

Bernd Schipmann, Forward Madison FC: Madison took a 3-0 victory when it visited Spokane Velocity FC earlier this season, but Schipman was key as he posted a four-save shutout. With the Flamingos aiming to push up the standings, he could be crucial again as Velocity visits Breese Stevens Field.

Aaron Walker, South Georgia Tormenta FC: The veteran midfielder had a solid outing in Spokane. With Tormenta looking to break its four-game winless run at home to Charlotte, Walker will need to put in a strong two-way shift to keep South Georgia above the playoff line.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

#MADvSPK: Forward Madison is undefeated in its last seven games across all competitions and could still chase down Union Omaha in the Players’ Shield race. After taking victory against Spokane Velocity FC in their first meeting, they’ll be hoping to complete a sweep and maintain momentum toward next weekend’s USL Jägermeister Cup Final.

#GVLvCV: What’s the last thing Central Valley Fuego FC would want after its heaviest defeat in club history? How about a trip to Greenville Triumph SC, which found its shooting boots last week away at Chattanooga and needs a win to continue its pursuit of a top-four finish.

#TRMvCLT: The Charlotte Independence have hit a bump in the road over the last three outings between elimination from the Jägermeister Cup and their loss to the Richmond Kickers last weekend. They need to get back in the win column to try and chase down Union Omaha against South Georgia Tormenta FC, which is fighting for its playoff life thanks to a seven-game winless run.

#NCOvCHA: Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC has averaged over two goals-per-game at home in League One play this season. Facing a Chattanooga Red Wolves SC defense that’s allowed 18 goals over its last five outings across all competitions, this is the game the hosts need to resume their push for the top four.