Match Preview: Westchester SC at Athletic Club Boise

Westchester SC Gets Back To The Business Of USL1

The drama and chaos of the US Open Cup is behind us now. And yeah, we had our fun with it. A few moments we’ll be talking about for a long time, and a few laughs ragebaiting our big brothers to the south.

But now it’s time to get back to business.

The USL1 has to be the focus. It always has been.

The Open Cup is magic. The Prinx Cup will have its moments too. Nights like that are why we love this sport. But let’s be honest about what those competitions are for a club like ours. They’re opportunities. They’re swings at something bigger. And more often than not, they’re moments where we’re punching up.

The USL1 is different.

The USL1 is where this club is built. It’s where identities are formed, where points matter every single week, where you find out exactly who you are over the grind of a season.

That’s the business now.

Recent Form

Max Jennings Will Miss Saturday's Game Due To His Red Card Against Sarasota

We’ll start with the obvious one.

The loss to New York City FC is what it is.

A step up in level, a different kind of match, and one where you saw both sides of this team. Westchester hung in it early, showed they could compete, and then got punished when the margins got thin. That’s what happens in those games. You don’t throw it away, but you don’t let it define you either.

Because the league form tells a clearer story.

Back-to-back wins.

A 5–1 performance against Corpus Christi where everything clicked. Goals from everywhere, depth showing up, a team that looked like it could overwhelm you in waves.

And then Sarasota.

Down a man. Still in control. Still the better side. A 2–0 win built on discipline, structure, and a moment of real quality from Dean Guezen, who took over the match when it mattered.

That one might actually be the more important result.

Because it showed something different.

Not just that Westchester can run up the score when things are open, but that they can manage a game, protect a lead, and get the job done even when it gets uncomfortable.

But there’s a catch.

Max Jennings won’t be part of this one.

The red card in that match means he’s out, and that matters. He’s been part of the engine of this team, especially in moments where things get chaotic. Replacing that energy and presence isn’t a small ask.

So yes, the form is good.

But it’s not unchanged.

Now flip it over to Boise.

Unbeaten in their last two, but they won’t be happy about it.

A 1–1 draw where they controlled the match and couldn’t find a winner. Then a 2–2 where they took the lead twice and let it slip away. That’s a team doing a lot right… and still leaving points on the table. Sound familiar?

They want the ball. They want control. And when they don’t get the result, it’s not because they weren’t in the game.

It’s because they didn’t finish it.

The Matchup

This is a styles clash with a twist.

Boise wants control. They’ve shown it in both of their recent matches. They’ll keep the ball, they’ll press, and they’ll try to pin you in until something breaks. When they’re at their best, you don’t get many clean looks. You spend long stretches chasing.

But they’re not airtight.

Both goals they conceded last time out came in transition. Lose the ball, get stretched, and suddenly they’re vulnerable. It’s been a theme. For all the control, there are moments where the structure slips.

That’s where Westchester lives.

When this team has space, when they can run, when it’s not about breaking down a set defense, they can be ruthless. We saw it against Corpus Christi. We saw flashes of it even against New York City FC before the game got away.

So on paper, that part of the matchup leans Westchester.

But here’s where it changes.

No Max Jennings.

And that matters more in this game than it might in others.

Because when Boise is dictating play, when the game gets stretched and messy, you need someone who can win second balls, disrupt rhythm, and help you survive those stretches. Jennings has been a big part of that. Without him, that responsibility shifts.

Someone else has to do that dirty work.

If Westchester can absorb pressure and pick their moments, this becomes a game they can steal.

If they get pinned in, if Boise is allowed to settle and dictate tempo, it starts to tilt the other way.

And that’s really what this comes down to.

Not who has more talent.

Who controls the moments in between.

Players to Watch

Denys Kostyshyn (Boise)

He’s the one pulling the strings in the final third. Already shown he can strike from distance, and he’s involved in just about everything dangerous they do going forward.

Nick Moon (Boise)

Keeps popping up in the right places. Goals in back-to-back matches, and the kind of player who benefits from all that pressure Boise builds.

Blake Bodily (Boise)

Active, direct, and constantly creating problems out wide. If Boise is going to break Westchester down, he’s likely involved.

Conor McGlynn (Westchester)

When he’s on, Westchester looks like a different team. Two goals in that dominant league win and a constant threat to change a match with one moment.

Kyle Evans (Westchester)

Goals, assists, energy. He’s everywhere right now, and he’s one of the players who can really punish Boise if they get caught in transition.

The Depth (Westchester)

This isn’t just one name. Getting players back has changed the look of this team. Fresh legs, more options, and the ability to keep attacking late.

One More Thing

If you’ve been with this club the last couple of weeks, you already know what this is starting to feel like.

The crowds. The noise. The sense that something is building here in Westchester.

That doesn’t stop just because the team is on the road.

Sure, not everyone can make it out to 18th Ward Brewing on Saturday night. But that doesn’t mean you’re not part of it. Turn the match on. Put it on MSG Network. Throw it on the CBS Sports App. Let it run.

Because this is how it grows.

Local pride isn’t just about showing up when it’s easy. It’s about showing up consistently. And it would be impossible to talk about these watch parties without giving credit where it’s due. 18th Ward Brewing has been an incredible supporter of this club and this supporters group from the start. They didn’t have to open their doors the way they have, but they’ve embraced it, and that matters. And Andrew in particular has been a fantastic host to the 914th Infantry. Welcoming, accommodating, and fully bought into what we’re building. Places like that don’t just happen. They choose to be part of it. And we’re lucky to have them.

Home, away, wherever this team goes.

We’re building something here.

And the more people who stay locked in, who keep watching, who keep caring… the harder this club becomes to ignore.

So whether you’re at the watch party or on your couch, stay with it.

How to Watch

If you can’t make it out, make sure you’re still tuned in.

Westchester SC At Athletic Club Boise

Date: 4/18/2026

Kickoff: 9:00 PM Eastern

Local Cable: MSG Network

Streaming: CBS Sports App

Wherever you are, stay locked in.

For the County.