The past weekend in USL League One gave us plenty of late drama, a new team jump above the playoff line, a big home victory for the league leaders, and mixed fortunes for the two sides who’ll battle for the first silverware of the season this weekend.

Here’s the big storyline we took away from Week 21’s action, our picks for who’s up and who’s down coming out of the weekend, and thoughts on everything else we saw around the league.

ONE BIG THING - LOS BUHOS’ RESILIANCE

When we profiled Union Omaha’s playoff potential last week, its lack of home form was central to the argument against why it will claim a second star in the postseason.

Well, Los Buhos produced a 1-0 victory against third-place One Knoxville SC at Werner Park on Saturday in the highest-profile game of the weekend and fought off some self-inflicted adversity to do so.

• TAKING CONTROL: Omaha was well on top in the first half, controlling the flow of the game on both sides of the ball before being rewarded with Charlie Ostrem’s first goal for the club just past the half-hour mark.

• TIPPING POINT: The hosts looked well set as halftime approached as Knoxville was unable to break them down defensively until Pedro Dolabella rashly got his second yellow card in stoppage time, reducing Union to 10 players.

• BEND, DON’T BREAK: That gave One Knox the impetus it needed to turn the tables after recording only one shot before the break. The visitors created good enough chances to level – most notably Callum Johnson’s opportunity that was cleared off the line by Ostrem with 15 minutes to go – but simply couldn’t convert.

Omaha’s big challenge this season has been dropping points on home turf. It’s tied for second in the league with five points dropped from winning positions at home this season and could have seen that pattern continue here.

This time, however, it found a way to hold on. Combine that with Forward Madison FC being the only other team in the top six to take victory this weekend and Los Buhos have a four-point advantage in the Players’ Shield with five games to play.

Dolabella will come back from his suspension and be fine, but this performance could end up being exactly the sort that Omaha needed as the playoffs approach.

Three Up

Chandler O’Dwyer & João Gomiero: After combining for the Richmond Kickers’ winner in Charlotte last time out, the two each had a goal and assist in a 3-0 victory against Lexington SC at City Stadium as their chemistry continued to grown, much to the enjoyment of Mamma Gomiero in the stands.

• Read More: How the Richmond Kickers took a decisive victory in the race for the postseason

Tormenta’s Fightback: Recording a pair of own goals to trail by two goals with less than 10 minutes to go is a horrible situation to find yourself in. Tormenta battled back in dramatic fashion against the Charlotte Independence and took a huge point for its playoff chances.

Forward Madison’s Patience: Thunderstorms throughout the night delayed kickoff for the Flamingos at home to Spokane Velocity FC and then caused another interruption during the game, but they didn’t let it affect them in a dominant win. Really impressive stuff ahead of this week’s Jägermeister Cup Final.

Three Down

Eamon Zayed: A Head Coach getting sent off at any time isn’t a good look, but when you get the gate in stoppage time with the chance it might rule you out of the club’s first final through suspension, that’s worse. The Hailstorm and Zayed will hold out hope for their appeal ahead of Saturday’s showdown.

Charlotte Independence’s Fortitude: All the Independence had to do was see out a two-goal lead with five minutes to go. They didn’t manage it against Tormenta and now they’ve dropped a spot in the standings and are winless in four games across all competitions.

Lexington SC’s Intensity: Five of Lexington’s 11 shots against Richmond came in the final 10 minutes, by which point the visitors were chasing the game. This isn’t the performance we were looking for after the prior romp past Central Valley.  

THE REST OF THE ACTION

#MADvSPK: The third consecutive win for Forward Madison was comprehensive and stretched their undefeated streak to eight games across all competitions. They seem ready for the spotlight in this Saturday’s Jägermeister Cup Final in Northern Colorado.

#GVLvCV: Got to like the effort from Central Valley Fuego FC after its midweek drubbing, and we’ll be watching Alfredo Midence’s strike on repeat. Greenville will be disappointed it didn’t pick up all three points – which on balance it deserved – but what can you do when Fuego produced a pair of excellent finishes.

#TRMvCLT: The last time Tormenta rallied to earn a result from a two-goal deficit was its 5-5 draw against Greenville Triumph SC two years ago. This team is just filled with drama, apparently.

#NCOvCHT: The Hailstorm put up a mark of 3.04 Expected Goals as it rained down 34 shots on the Red Wolves’ goal, only to come up blank. They’ll be hoping for a bit more good fortune this weekend against Forward Madison to try and bring the Jägermeister Cup home.