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USL: 2018 Schedule and Conference Alignment Set

By Nathan Reynolds

CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 15: FC Cincinnati fans cheer against the New York Red Bulls during the semifinal match of the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at Nippert Stadium on August 15, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 15: FC Cincinnati fans cheer against the New York Red Bulls during the semifinal match of the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at Nippert Stadium on August 15, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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CARY, NC – MAY 31: The starters for both teams march onto the field. The North Carolina Football Club hosted the Charlotte Independence on May 31, 2017, at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, NC in a 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Third Round match. NCFC won the game 4-1. (Photo by Andy Mead/YCJ/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CARY, NC – MAY 31: The starters for both teams march onto the field. The North Carolina Football Club hosted the Charlotte Independence on May 31, 2017, at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, NC in a 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Third Round match. NCFC won the game 4-1. (Photo by Andy Mead/YCJ/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2018 Open Weekend Schedule

The season kicks off in under two months, across the March 16th through the 18th weekend. The marquee match for neutrals is reigning champions Louisville City FC hosting newly expanded, and future MLS club, Nashville SC.

In the West, North Carolina FC returns to the USL with an opening match against a familiar foe in the Tampa Bay Rowdies (both from NASL and USL play over the last decade). While in the northwest, Sounders 2 and Timbers 2 have an early derby match, as Seattle opens the year in their new Tacoma, WA location.

Here is the full opening weekend schedule from USLsoccer.com:

Friday, March 16

  • Rio Grande Valley FC vs. Saint Louis FC
  • Seattle Sounders FC 2 vs. Portland Timbers 2

Saturday, March 17

  • Charleston Battery vs. FC Cincinnati
  • Charlotte Independence vs. Ottawa Fury FC
  • Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. LA Galaxy II
  • Fresno FC vs. Las Vegas Lights FC
  • Louisville City FC vs. Nashville SC
  • New York Red Bulls II vs. Toronto FC II
  • North Carolina FC vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies
  • OKC Energy FC vs. Tulsa Roughnecks FC
  • Orange County SC vs. Phoenix Rising FC
  • Reno 1868 FC vs. Swope Park Rangers
  • Sacramento Republic FC vs. San Antonio FC

Sunday, March 18

  • Bethlehem Steel FC vs. Richmond Kickers

Next: Expansion: A look at 25+ clubs joining US soccer leagues in 2018

Full Schedule Details and Highlights

The season will run 31 weeks, concluding in mid-October before the USL playoffs. The top eight from each conference will make the playoffs, and be seeded into the quarterfinals.

The final weekend of the year is being shaped as a rivalry match day to close out the race for the playoffs.

  • Charlotte Independence vs. North Carolina FC
  • Louisville City FC vs. Indy Eleven
  • Nashville SC vs. FC Cincinnati
  • Sacramento Republic FC vs. Las Vegas Lights FC
  • San Antonio FC vs. Rio Grande Valley FC

You can get the full league schedule right here. Details around league streaming and broadcast deals are expected to be announced in the weeks ahead.

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