The 2023 USL Championship season is finally upon us! After weeks of controversial pre-season grading and well-informed rankings from our peers, we’re here to just tell you who’s playing and when. As the season progresses we’ll expand our coverage to include pertinent statistics, news, and notes.

20 of the 24 teams play on Saturday in the first 10 matches of the season - 1 more match on Sunday and a midweek match next Wednesday. We’ll get a double-dose of El Paso Locomotive but won’t see New Mexico United until Week 2. It looks as if most, if not all, matches will be available on ESPN+.

Our highlighted game of the week is a rematch of last year’s first round playoff meeting between champions San Antonio FC and Oakland Roots - we spoke with OakRootsBlog host Jonathan Comeaux about the Roots last week. Then earlier this week we caught up with Harry Austin of the SA Soccer podcast to see how the champs were approaching the season.

Saturday, March 11th

Miami FC vs FC Tulsa - 2:00pm (PST) / 5:00pm (ET)
Memphis 901 vs Loudoun United - 2:00pm (PST) / 5:00pm (ET)
Birmingham Legion vs Pittsburgh Riverhounds - 4:30pm (PST) / 7:30 (ET)
Charleston Battery vs Phoenix Rising - 4:30pm (PST) / 7:30 (ET)
Tampa Bay Rowdies vs Indy Eleven - 4:30pm (PST) / 7:30 (ET)
San Antonio FC vs Oakland Roots - 5:30pm (PST) / 8:30 (ET)
El Paso Locomotive vs Sacramento Republic - 6:30pm (PST) / 9:30 (ET)
Monterey Bay vs Hartford Athletic - 7:00pm (PST) / 10:00pm (ET)
San Diego Loyal vs Detroit City FC - 7:00pm (PST) / 10:00pm (ET)
Orange County SC vs Louisville City - 7:00pm (PST) / 10:00pm (ET)

In the East we think the Tampa Bay Rowdies hosting Indy Eleven is a compelling matchup between two likely playoff teams.

Sunday March 12th

RGV Toros vs Las Vegas Lights - 5:00pm (PST) / 8:00pm (ET)

Wednesday, March 15th

El Paso Locomotive vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC - 6:00pm (PST) / 9:00pm (ET)

by Joshua Duder