TAMPA, FL – (Monday, January 9, 2017) – The United Soccer League announced its structure for the 2017 season, which will feature 30 teams playing an expanded 32-game schedule as the league continues in a two-conference alignment.
The Richmond Kickers will play their 25th Anniversary season in the 15-team Eastern Conference alongside league newcomers Tampa Bay Rowdies and Ottawa Fury FC as well as returning clubs Bethlehem Steel FC, Charleston Battery, Charlotte Independence, FC Cincinnati, Harrisburg City Islanders, Louisville City FC, New York Red Bulls II, Orlando City B, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Rochester Rhinos, Saint Louis FC and Toronto FC II.
The 2017 USL regular season schedule will see teams play 32 matches contested over 30 weeks, with the regular season starting on March 24-26 and concluding the weekend of October 13-15. Teams will play two games (one home, one away) against each conference rival. The remaining four games will be played against regional rivals. Teams will not face each other more than three times during the 2017 regular season.
“Building momentum off our U.S. Soccer Division 2 designation last week, USL aims to become one of the most globally recognized second division professional soccer leagues in the world and our expansive national footprint for this season will showcase teams in 21 of the top 50 U.S. media markets,” said USL President Jake Edwards. “The 2017 USL Season will feature a total of 495 games in 19 states with a focus on enhanced competition, and strong regional rivalries in both Eastern and Western Conferences.”
The top eight teams in each conference will qualify for postseason play that will include Conference Quarterfinals (Oct. 20-22), Semifinals (Oct. 27-29) and Final (Nov. 3-5). The 2017 USL Cup Final will be played the weekend of November 10-12. The full 2017 USL schedule will be released soon.
| Western Conference | Eastern Conference |
| Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC | Bethlehem Steel FC |
| LA Galaxy II | Charleston Battery |
| OKC Energy FC | Charlotte Independence |
| Orange County Blues FC | FC Cincinnati |
| Phoenix Rising FC | Harrisburg City Islanders |
| Portland Timbers 2 | Louisville City FC |
| Real Monarchs SLC | New York Red Bulls II |
| Reno 1868 FC | Orlando City B |
| Rio Grande Valley FC | Ottawa Fury FC |
| Sacramento Republic FC | Pittsburgh Riverhounds |
| San Antonio FC | Richmond Kickers |
| Seattle Sounders FC 2 | Rochester Rhinos |
| Swope Park Rangers | Saint Louis FC |
| Tulsa Roughnecks FC | Tampa Bay Rowdies |
| Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 | Toronto FC II |
Richmond Kickers Season Tickets
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