5. HAMMERED HOME: The obvious counterpoint to Rising FC’s way of doing things is that of the Swope Park Rangers, whose desire to possess and control the tempo of the game before finding the incisive pass in the attacking third has been evident throughout this season. On Sunday against a San Antonio side that seemed under par as it concluded a run of four successive road game, the Rangers took full advantage as they out-possessed, outdueled and outshot their visitors to the tune of a 5-2 victory. The result marked the most goals conceded in SAFC’s history, and a high watermark for SPR’s attack this season as it pushed its way back toward the top three in the standings with a standout performance.

6. STRUCK OUT: Reno 1868 FC had plenty in prospect for its first visit to H-E-B Park, but ended up missing on both securing a place in the playoffs and the USL single-season scoring record as Rio Grande Valley FC kept its slim playoff hopes alive with a 1-0 victory. There shouldn’t be much concern that both of those achievements will arrive – potentially as soon as Wednesday night as the side returns to Greater Nevada Field – as a slowdown from the goal-scoring pace the club was setting was bound to happen at some point. Patience on pulling the trigger might even be a virtue with the finishing line in sight.

7. GOING GREEN: Reno’s visitor on Wednesday night for the USL Game of the Week on ESPN3 is OKC Energy FC, which is coming off a big victory of its own that gave Head Coach Jimmy Nielsen’s side back the reins in the race for the eighth and final place in the USL Cup Playoffs. A 2-0 win against Black Gold Derby rival Tulsa Roughnecks FC at Taft Stadium off the back of two early goals by Miguel Gonzalez and Jose Barril ensured the side wouldn’t go winless against its in-state rival this season, but more importantly pushed the side into a place where it again controls its own destiny in search of a playoff place. The road ahead is still a difficult one – not only is third-place Reno the opponent on Wednesday, but then there’s fifth-place Sacramento Republic FC on Saturday night in the back-end of the road trip – but if Energy FC’s best players continue to shine the pathway is there.