2017 USL Cup Playoffs results and schedule

Two MLS clubs and two more with MLS affiliations will battle to advance in the USL Cup Playoffs as the conference semifinal round unfolds on Saturday night.

In the Eastern Conference bracket, defending USL champions New York Red Bulls II visit the Tampa Bay Rowdies at Al Lang Stadium at 7:30 pm ET, while Louisville City FC host the 2015 league champs Rochester Rhinos at Slugger Field in a game kicking off at the same time.

Out west, Sporting KC's Swope Park Rangers, who have never lost a playoff game at home, welcome 2014 champions Sacramento Republic FC at Children's Mercy Park at 5 pm ET. The evening's action concludes with a clash between New York City FC affiliate San Antonio FC and OKC Energy, who are partners of FC Dallas, at Toyota Field in San Antonio at 8:30 pm ET.

The victors in these win-or-go-home affairs will advance to the conference finals stage, in the pursuit of a place in the USL Cup on Nov. 13 (9 pm ET | ESPNU).

Upsets abounded in the opening round of the USL Cup Playoffs, including a surprising loss for the Western bracket's No. 1-seeded Real Monarchs SLC (Real Salt Lake).

Five conference quarterfinals games were played on Saturday night, while the Western Conference game between No. 4-seed Swope Park Rangers (Sporting Kansas City) and No. 5-seed Phoenix Rising FC had to be postponed to Sunday afternoon due to heavy rain, with hosts SPR narrowly pulling out a 4-2 penalty-kick shootout win after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

Sacramento Republic FC, who eliminated regular season champions Real Monarchs SLC on Friday, were joined by San Antonio FC and OKC Energy. No. 2 seeds SAFC managed a late 2-1 win over No. 7 seeds Tulsa Roughnecks FC, while No. 6-seeds Energy FC sneaked into the semifinals with a 1-0 victory against No. 3 seeds Reno 1868 FC.

The Eastern Conference semifinals are set as the Rochester Rhinos, New York Red Bulls II (New York Red Bulls) and the Tampa Bay Rowdies joined Louisville City FC after winning their respective games. A deflected goal by Stefan Defregger in extra time gave Rochester a 2-1 victory against the Charlotte Independence, while former German international Marcel Schäfer scored twice to lead the Rowdies to a 3-0 victory against FC Cincinnati.

Red Bulls II kept their USL Cup title defense alive with a big upset as they defeated No. 2-seed Charleston Battery 4-0.