The USL Championship announced its home openers for the 2021 season, with the season set to kick off on Saturday, April 24 with one of the league’s big in-state rivalries and a host of top-quality action in the weeks to follow that will see four new venues make their debut in the league this year.?
The Black Gold Derby between Oklahoma rivals OKC Energy FC and FC Tulsa is one of two games that will open the new season, with the contest set for Taft Stadium on April 24. The same day, perennial USL Championship Final contender Louisville City FC will open its new campaign with a home game against Atlanta United 2 at Lynn Family Stadium.?
The first new venue opening in the league arrives the following Friday, April 30, as defending Western Conference title-holder Phoenix Rising FC debuts its new 10,000-seat home at Wild Horse Pass in the Gila River Indian Community with a big early-season visit from San Diego Loyal SC. The following night then brings the opener for defending Eastern Conference title holder the Tampa Bay Rowdies as they play host to the Charlotte Independence at Al Lang Stadium, as well as intriguing contests between Birmingham Legion FC and Indy Eleven?at BBVA Field, and San Antonio FC and Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC?at Toyota Field.?
Regional rivals El Paso Locomotive FC and New Mexico United will renew their rivalry in El Paso’s home opener on Saturday, May 8 at Southwest University Park, and the following Saturday, May 15, will see New Mexico play its first official game in its home state since the conclusion of the 2019 season as it faces Austin Bold FC at Isotopes Park.?
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC will host its first official game at?the club’s?new 8,000-seat downtown stadium on Friday, May 21 as New Mexico United visits Weidner Field. Then on Saturday, June 5 it will be the turn of the Charlotte Independence to open its new 10,000-seat Legion Stadium with a return visit from the Tampa Bay Rowdies to the historic and newly renovated venue.?
Championship newcomer Oakland Roots SC will be the final team to host its home opener in 2021 with regional rival Sacramento Republic FC set to visit Laney Stadium on Saturday, June 19.?
More details on the 2021 USL Championship season, including the national television schedule on ESPN, the complete regular season schedule, and the postseason structure, will be available in the coming weeks.?
2021 USL Championship Home Openers?
Saturday, April 24
Louisville City FC vs. Atlanta United 2
OKC Energy FC vs. FC Tulsa
Friday, April 30
LA Galaxy II vs. Sacramento Republic FC
New York Red Bulls II vs. Hartford Athletic
Phoenix Rising FC vs. San Diego Loyal SC
Saturday, May 1
Birmingham Legion FC vs. Indy Eleven
FC Tulsa vs. Sporting Kansas City II
Rio Grande Valley FC vs. New Mexico United
San Antonio FC vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Charlotte Independence
Sunday, May 2
Miami FC vs. Loudoun United FC
Friday, May 7
Sporting Kansas City II vs. OKC Energy FC
Saturday, May 8
El Paso Locomotive FC vs. New Mexico United
Indy Eleven vs. FC Tulsa
Wednesday, May 12
Sacramento Republic FC vs. Las Vegas Lights FC
Thursday, May 13
Tacoma Defiance vs. San Diego Loyal SC
Friday, May 14
Charleston Battery vs. Charlotte Independence
Real Monarchs SLC vs. LA Galaxy II
Saturday, May 15
Hartford Athletic vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
New Mexico United vs. Austin Bold FC
Tuesday, May 18
Loudoun United FC vs. New York Red Bulls II
Wednesday, May 19
Atlanta United 2 vs. FC Tulsa
Friday, May 21
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. New Mexico United
Saturday, May 22
Orange County SC vs. Sacramento Republic FC
Saturday, May 29
San Diego Loyal SC vs. Las Vegas Lights FC
Sunday, May 30
Austin Bold FC vs. Tacoma Defiance
Saturday, June 5
Charlotte Independence vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies
Las Vegas Lights FC vs. Tacoma Defiance
Sunday, June 6
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC vs. Austin Bold FC
Wednesday, June 16
Memphis 901 FC vs. Atlanta United 2
Saturday, June 19
Oakland Roots SC vs. Sacramento Republic FC
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