2023 USL Championship playoffs

{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}

{{main|2023 USL Championship season}}

{{infobox football tournament season

| title = USL Championship playoffs

| year = 2023

| country = United States

| image =

| dates = {{nowrap|October 21 – November 12}}

| num_teams = 16

| defending_champions = San Antonio FC

| winners = Phoenix Rising FC

| second = Charleston Battery

| matches = 15

| goals = 43

| scoring_leader = {{flagicon|HAI}} Ronaldo Damus
{{flagicon|ENG}} Cameron Lancaster
(3 goals each)

| attendance = {{#expr:

+3587 +6123 +5249 +7304 +11569 +5500 +2972 +5671

+10619 +2762 +7959 +5500

+4438 +11569

+5094 }}

| prev_season = 2022

| next_season = 2024

| updated = November 12, 2023

}}

The 2023 USL Championship playoffs (branded as the 2023 USL Championship Playoffs presented by Hisense for sponsorship reasons{{cite press release |date=2023-10-01 |title=Playoffs are coming to Heart Health Park on October 21st |url=https://www.sacrepublicfc.com/playoffs/ |type=Press release |language= |location=Sacramento, CA |publisher=Sacramento Republic FC| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002182647/https://www.sacrepublicfc.com/playoffs/ |archive-date=2023-10-02 |access-date=2023-10-02 }}) was the post-season championship of the 2023 USL Championship. It was the thirteenth edition of the USL Championship playoffs. The playoffs began on October 21, and concluded with the USL Championship Final on November 12.{{cite web |url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1288096 |title=Drama on final matchday as bracket is set for 2023 USL Championship Playoffs |date=October 15, 2023 |website=www.uslchampionship.com |publisher= USL Championship |access-date=October 15, 2023}}

San Antonio FC were the defending title holders{{cite web |url=https://sanantonioreport.org/san-antonio-fc-louisville-city-usl-soccer-game-score/ |title='Finally everything coming together': Fans revel in San Antonio FC's first USL Championship |last=Torres |first= Raquel |date=2022-11-14 |website=/sanantonioreport.org/ |publisher=San Antonio Report |location=San Antonio, TX |access-date=2023-09-15 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230916021615/https://sanantonioreport.org/san-antonio-fc-louisville-city-usl-soccer-game-score/ |archive-date=2023-09-16}} and were eliminated in the Conference Semi-finals by Sacramento Republic FC.{{cite news |url=https://www.expressnews.com/sports/article/safc-title-defense-end-semifinal-loss-sacramento-18454322.php |url-access=subscription |title=San Antonio FC has title defense end in semifinal loss at Sacramento Republic |last=Whitaker |first=Stephen |date=2023-10-28 |newspaper=San Antonio Express-News |location=San Antonio, TX |access-date=2023-10-29 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029022147/https://www.expressnews.com/sports/article/safc-title-defense-end-semifinal-loss-sacramento-18454322.php |archive-date=2023-10-29}} Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies were the first teams to clinch a playoff berth which they both achieved on September 3 and subsequently both lost in the first round.{{cite web |url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1283717 |title=USL Championship Race to the Playoffs – Sept. 9-10 |last=Murray |first=Nicholas |date=2023-09-07 |website=www.uslchampionship.com |publisher= USL Championship |location=Tampa, FL |access-date=2023-09-15 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230916022657/https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1283717 |archive-date=2023-09-16}} Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC won the regular season and were eliminated in the Conference Quarterfinals by Detroit City FC.{{cite web |url=https://www.hourdetroit.com/sports-topics/detroit-city-fc-defeats-pittsburgh-in-first-round-of-usl-playoffs/ |title=Detroit City FC Defeats Pittsburgh in First Round of USL Playoffs |last=Clark |first=Christina |date=2023-10-23 |website=www.hourdetroit.com |publisher=Hour Detroit |location=Detroit, MI |access-date=2023-10-27 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231027153148/https://www.hourdetroit.com/sports-topics/detroit-city-fc-defeats-pittsburgh-in-first-round-of-usl-playoffs/ |archive-date=2023-10-27}}

The Charleston Battery and Phoenix Rising FC advanced to the Final after failing to make the postseason the previous year. A match Phoenix won after a penalty shoot-out for their first title.{{cite web |url=https://arizonasports.com/story/3538060/phoenix-rising-fc-wins-2023-usl-championship-title-charleston/ |title=Phoenix Rising FC wins USL title in improbable way vs. Charleston Battery |last=Anderson |first=Jake |date=2023-11-13 |website=arizonasports.com |publisher=Arizona Sports|location=Charleston, SC |access-date=2023-11-28 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128152529/https://arizonasports.com/story/3538060/phoenix-rising-fc-wins-2023-usl-championship-title-charleston/ |archive-date=2023-11-28}}

Format

The top eight teams in each conference qualified for the playoffs which was in a single-elimination, fixed bracket format. All playoff matches were streamed live on ESPN+ except the Championship final on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, and Sirius XM FC.

Conference standings

{{col-begin}}

{{col-3}}

Eastern Conference

{{2023 USL Championship Eastern Conference table|show_limit=8|only_pld_pts=true}}

{{col-3}}

Western Conference

{{2023 USL Championship Western Conference table|show_limit=8|only_pld_pts=true}}

{{col-3}}

{{col-end}}

Bracket

{{16TeamBracket

| RD1 = Conference Quarterfinals
October 21–22

| RD2 = Conference Semifinals
October 27–28

| RD3 = Conference Finals
November 4

| RD4 = USL Championship Final
November 12

| RD2-group1 = Eastern Conference

| RD2-group2 = Western Conference

| team-width = 210| score-width = 30

| RD1-seed01 = E1

| RD1-team01 = Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

| RD1-score01 = 0

| RD1-seed02 = E8

| RD1-team02 = Detroit City FC

| RD1-score02 = 1

| RD1-seed03 = E4

| RD1-team03 = Memphis 901 FC

| RD1-score03 = {{nowrap|1 (4)}}

| RD1-seed04 = E5

| RD1-team04 = Louisville City FC {{pso}}

| RD1-score04 = 1 (5)

| RD1-seed05 = E3

| RD1-team05 = Charleston Battery

| RD1-score05 = 5

| RD1-seed06 = E6

| RD1-team06 = Indy Eleven

| RD1-score06 = 0

| RD1-seed07 = E2

| RD1-team07 = Tampa Bay Rowdies

| RD1-score07 = 0

| RD1-seed08 = E7

| RD1-team08 = Birmingham Legion FC

| RD1-score08 = 3

| RD1-seed09 = W1

| RD1-team09 = Sacramento Republic FC

| RD1-score09 = 1

| RD1-seed10 = W8

| RD1-team10 = New Mexico United

| RD1-score10 = 0

| RD1-seed11 = W4

| RD1-team11 = San Antonio FC

| RD1-score11 = 1

| RD1-seed12 = W5

| RD1-team12 = {{nowrap|Colorado Springs Switchbacks}}

| RD1-score12 = 0

| RD1-seed13 = W3

| RD1-team13 = San Diego Loyal SC

| RD1-score13 = 3

| RD1-seed14 = W6

| RD1-team14 = Phoenix Rising FC {{aet}}

| RD1-score14 = 4

| RD1-seed15 = W2

| RD1-team15 = Orange County SC

| RD1-score15 = 1

| RD1-seed16 = W7

| RD1-team16 = El Paso Locomotive FC

| RD1-score16 = 0

| RD2-seed01 = E8

| RD2-team01 = Detroit City FC

| RD2-score01 = 0

| RD2-seed02 = E5

| RD2-team02 = Louisville City FC

| RD2-score02 = 4

| RD2-seed03 = E3

| RD2-team03 = Charleston Battery

| RD2-score03 = 2

| RD2-seed04 = E7

| RD2-team04 = Birmingham Legion FC

| RD2-score04 = 1

| RD2-seed05 = W1

| RD2-team05 = Sacramento Republic FC

| RD2-score05 = 3

| RD2-seed06 = W4

| RD2-team06 = San Antonio FC

| RD2-score06 = 1

| RD2-seed07 = W6

| RD2-team07 = Phoenix Rising FC {{aet}}

| RD2-score07 = 2

| RD2-seed08 = W2

| RD2-team08 = Orange County SC

| RD2-score08 = 1

| RD3-seed01 = E5

| RD3-team01 = Louisville City FC

| RD3-score01 = 1

| RD3-seed02 = E3

| RD3-team02 = Charleston Battery

| RD3-score02 = 2

| RD3-seed03 = W1

| RD3-team03 = Sacramento Republic FC

| RD3-score03 = 1

| RD3-seed04 = W6

| RD3-team04 = Phoenix Rising FC

| RD3-score04 = 2

| RD4-seed01 = E3

| RD4-team01 = Charleston Battery

| RD4-score01 = {{nowrap|1 (2)}}

| RD4-seed02 = W6

| RD4-team02 = Phoenix Rising FC {{pso}}

| RD4-score02 = 1 (3)

}}

Schedule

= Conference Quarterfinals =

{{football box collapsible

| round = East

| date = {{Start date|2023|10|21}}

| time = 6:30 PM EDT

| team1 = Memphis 901 FC

| score = 1–1

| aet = y

| report = https://www.uslchampionship.com/memphis901fc-louisvillecityfc-2411972

| team2 = Louisville City FC

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| penaltyscore = 4–5

| penalties1 =

| penalties2 =

| stadium = AutoZone Park

| location = Memphis, Tennessee

| attendance = 3,587

| referee = Elton García

}}

{{football box collapsible

| round = East

| date = {{Start date|2023|10|21}}

| time = 7:00 PM EDT

| team1 = Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

| score = 0–1

| report = https://www.uslchampionship.com/pittsburghriverhoundssc-detroitcityfc-2411973

| team2 = Detroit City FC

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| stadium = Highmark Stadium

| location = Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

| attendance = 6,123

| referee = Sergii Demianchuk

}}

{{football box collapsible

| round = East

| date = {{Start date|2023|10|21}}

| time = 7:30 PM EDT

| team1 = Tampa Bay Rowdies

| score = 0–3

| report = https://www.uslchampionship.com/tampabayrowdies-birminghamlegionfc-2411971

| team2 = Birmingham Legion FC

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| stadium = Al Lang Stadium

| location = St. Petersburg, Florida

| attendance = 5,249

| referee = Matthew Thompson

}}

{{football box collapsible

| round = West

| date = {{Start date|2023|10|21}}

| time = 8:00 PM CDT

| team1 = San Antonio FC

| score = 1–0

| report = https://www.uslchampionship.com/sanantoniofc-coloradospringsswitchbacksfc-2411975

| team2 = Colorado Springs Switchbacks

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| stadium = Toyota Field

| location = San Antonio, Texas

| attendance = 7,304

| referee = Alexis Da Silva

}}

{{football box collapsible

| round = West

| date = {{Start date|2023|10|21}}

| time = 7:00 PM PDT

| team1 = Sacramento Republic FC

| score = 1–0

| report = https://www.uslchampionship.com/sacramentorepublicfc-newmexicounited-2411974

| team2 = New Mexico United

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| stadium = Heart Health Park

| location = Sacramento, California

| attendance = 11,569

| referee = Ricardo Fierro

}}

{{football box collapsible

| round = West

| date = {{Start date|2023|10|21}}

| time = 7:30 PM PDT

| team1 = Orange County SC

| score = 1–0

| report = https://www.uslchampionship.com/orangecountysc-elpasolocomotivefc-2411976

| team2 = El Paso Locomotive FC

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| stadium = Championship Soccer Stadium

| location = Irvine, California

| attendance = 5,500

| referee = Natalie Simon

}}

{{football box collapsible

| round = East

| date = {{Start date|2023|10|22}}

| time = 4:00 PM EDT

| team1 = Charleston Battery

| score = 5–0

| report = https://www.uslchampionship.com/charlestonbattery-indyeleven-2411978

| team2 = Indy Eleven

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| stadium = Patriots Point Soccer Complex

| location = Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

| attendance = 2,972

| referee = Jeremy Scheer

}}

{{football box collapsible

| round = West

| date = {{Start date|2023|10|22}}

| time = 7:00 PM PDT

| team1 = San Diego Loyal SC

| score = 3–4

| aet = y

| report = https://www.uslchampionship.com/sandiegoloyal-phoenixrisingfc-2411977

| team2 = Phoenix Rising FC

| goals1 =

  • Damus {{goal|4||25||90+7|pen.}}
  • Adams {{yel|45+2}}

| goals2 =

| stadium = Torero Stadium

| location = San Diego California

| attendance = 5,671

| referee = Elvis Osmanovic

}}

= Conference Semifinals =

{{football box collapsible

| round = West

| date = {{Start date|2023|10|27}}

| time = 7:30 PM PDT

| team1 = Sacramento Republic FC

| score = 3–1

| report = https://www.uslchampionship.com/sacramentorepublicfc-sanantoniofc-2412448

| team2 = San Antonio FC

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| stadium = Heart Health Park

| location = Sacramento, California

| attendance = 10,619

| referee = Elvis Osmanovic

}}

{{football box collapsible

| round = East

| date = {{Start date|2023|10|28}}

| time = 7:00 PM EDT

| team1 = Charleston Battery

| score = 2–1

| report = https://www.uslchampionship.com/charlestonbattery-birminghamlegionfc-2412478

| team2 = Birmingham Legion FC

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| stadium = Patriots Point Soccer Complex

| location = Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

| attendance = 2,762

| referee = Elton Garcia

}}

{{football box collapsible

| round = East

| date = {{Start date|2023|10|28}}

| time = 7:30 PM EDT

| team1 = Louisville City FC

| score = 4–0

| report = https://www.uslchampionship.com/louisvillecityfc-detroitcityfc-2412447

| team2 = Detroit City FC

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| stadium = Lynn Family Stadium

| location = Louisville, Kentucky

| attendance = 7,959

| referee = Ricardo Fierro

}}

{{football box collapsible

| round = West

| date = {{Start date|2023|10|28}}

| time = 7:30 PM PDT

| team1 = Orange County SC

| score = 1–2

| aet = y

| report = https://www.uslchampionship.com/orangecountysc-phoenixrisingfc-2412479

| team2 = Phoenix Rising FC

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| stadium = Championship Soccer Stadium

| location = Irvine, California

| attendance = 5,500

| referee = Calin Radosav

}}

= Conference Finals =

{{football box collapsible

| round = East

| date = {{Start date|2023|11|04}}

| time = 7:30 PM EST

| team1 = Charleston Battery

| score = 2–1

| report = https://www.uslchampionship.com/charlestonbattery-louisvillecityfc-2412813

| team2 = Louisville City FC

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| stadium = Patriots Point Soccer Complex

| location = Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

| attendance = 4,438

| referee = Elvis Osmanovic

}}

{{football box collapsible

| round = West

| date = {{Start date|2023|11|4}}

| time = 7:00 PM PST

| team1 = Sacramento Republic FC

| score = 1–2

| report = https://www.uslchampionship.com/sacramentorepublicfc-phoenixrisingfc-2412815

| team2 = Phoenix Rising FC

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| stadium = Heart Health Park

| location = Sacramento, California

| attendance = 11,569

| referee = Ricardo Fierro

}}

= USL Championship Final =

{{football box collapsible

| date = November 12, 2023

| time = 7:00 PM EST

| team1 = Charleston Battery

| score = 1–1

| aet = y

| report = https://www.uslchampionship.com/charlestonbattery-phoenixrisingfc-2413091

| team2 = Phoenix Rising FC

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| penaltyscore = 2–3

| penalties1 =

| penalties2 =

| stadium = Patriots Point Soccer Complex

| location = Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

| attendance = 5,094

| referee = Elton Garcia

}}

Championship Game MVP: Rocco Ríos Novo (PHX)

Top goalscorers

{{cite web|url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/playoffs-stats |title=2023 USLC Playoff Stats |publisher=USL Championship |date=November 11, 2023}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:left"
Rank

!Player

!Club

!Goals

rowspan=2|1

|{{flagicon|HAI}} Ronaldo Damus

|San Diego Loyal SC

!rowspan=2|3

{{flagicon|ENG}} Cameron Lancaster

|Louisville City FC

rowspan=9|3

|{{flagicon|USA}} Russell Cicerone

|Sacramento Republic FC

!rowspan=9|2

{{flagicon|ARG}} Emil Cuello

|Phoenix Rising FC

{{flagicon|POL}} Dariusz Formella

|Phoenix Rising FC

{{flagicon|GHA}} Prosper Kasim

|Birmingham Legion FC

{{flagicon|PHI}} Nick Markanich

|Charleston Battery

{{flagicon|MEX}} Arturo Rodríguez

|Charleston Battery

{{flagicon|MEX}} Danny Trejo

|Phoenix Rising FC

{{flagicon|SLE}} Augustine Williams

|Charleston Battery

{{flagicon|USA}} Emilio Ycaza

|Charleston Battery

References

{{reflist}}

{{2023 USL Championship season}}

{{2023 in American men's soccer}}

Category:2023 USL Championship season

Category:USL Championship playoffs