The Top Division in the USL system, The Championship, is set to kick off this weekend and contributors from Protagonist Soccer, Linners & Wosers, Orange & Black SoccerCast, the San Antonio FC FanCast, the 2 Cent Fam, Bluegrass SoccerCast, Oak Roots Blog, the Hammering Down Pod and The USL Show weighed in on the games they are most excited for. So, in chronological order (for the most part) let’s get stuck in!

San Antonio FC vs Loudoun United

March 9th, 5:30 pm PT / 8:30 pm ET at Toyota Field

Neither team strengths seem to be making themselves apparent just yet. And Both sides had a marginal amount of upheaval in the off season as well. Notably, the last minute changing of the guard for Louden. Oliver Gage was appointed as the sporting director after all other personnel were already rostered, an interesting move to be sure. The early power rankings have these two practically at opposite ends of the spectrum, but maybe the commonalities of the pre and off season will close that gap a bit.

MaryBeth Zmuda - Independent Journo / Broadcaster

Sacramento Republic FC vs Orange County SC

March 9th, 7:00 pm PT / 10:00 pm ET at Heart Health Park

Yes, it’s the opening weekend and might not be the first match you’d pick out, but the matchups between Sacramento and Orange County have always been fun to watch and very chippy. There is a lot of history in this match-up and this will play a factor in who could win the West. Since 2020, no season has gone by where this match-up failed to see a red card in at least one of the matches between these two teams.

Alan Underwood - Orange & Black Soccercast / The USL Show

North Carolina FC vs Charleston Battery

March 9th, 4:00 pm PT / 7:00 pm ET at WakeMed Soccer Park

North Carolina FC spent the past season in USL League One and all they bothered to do was come in second in the league then win the playoffs to win the title… no biggie. While they were down there, they also spent a few years building up their academy as well as recruiting some of the top talent in the division; all while scheming to come back up to the USL Championship in full fettle. Meanwhile, the Battery had a fantastic season last year, finished 3rd in the East and lost the final in a shootout! My hope is that both teams come in hot with a bit of a point to prove and this game goes full throttle to open the season.

Josh Duder - Protagonist Soccer

Monterey Bay FC vs Rhode Island FC

March 24th, 3:00pm PT / 7:00pm ET at Cardinale Stadium

This is the opposite of one of Harry’s picks, in that it features the two teams furthest apart. An epic road trip that would take over 3,100 miles and two full days of non-stop driving to complete, this matchup highlights the lengths teams must go through to compete. I do not envy anyone making this trek. Save your points and try to get an upgrade to first class

Harry Austin - SATX Soccer / San Antonio FC FanCast

Oakland Roots SC vs Las Vegas Lights

March 30th, 7:00 pm PT / 10:00 pm ET at CSUEB Pioneer Stadium

Roots come in as an established team in the west. It's a weird battle of local owners vs. Jose Bautista. Lights will be a wreck on the field, whether in a good or bad way is up for interpretation. Oakland can and will dominate this game, but in order to walk away unscathed, they will need to ignore all the crazy wild antics of Vegas on and off the field.

Eboni Christmas - 2 Cents Fam / Independent Journo

Louisville City FC vs Indy Eleven

April 6th, 4:00pm PST / 7:00pm EST at Lynn Family Stadium

One of the best rivalries in all of the USL (and the oldest one in human existence) will be on network television right before the NCAA Final Four. The LIPAC is the perfect match to put the USL on the radar of the more casual soccer/sports fan. Indy and Louisville both have strong cases of being in the mix for the Eastern Conference title come the end of the season, and their matchups always tend to be some of the most exciting matches of the season. The USL or CBS knew what they were doing, putting this rivalry front stage in front of the country, and I know Louisville fans will come out to show the country and the world why Louisville is one of the best soccer cities in America.

Jon Hunt - Bluegrass Soccer Cast / Protagonist Soccer

Detroit City FC vs Oakland Roots SC

April 20th, 1:00pm PST / 4:00pm EST at Keyworth Stadium

A rematch of the NISA 2020 Fall Cup Final, where Detroit City won 2-1 to claim the star on their badge that, somehow, they still get to use in a new league. Last year, Roots and Detroit played to a 1-1 draw at Pioneer Stadium, this time returning to Keyworth Stadium.

Jonathan Comeaux - Oak Roots Blog

Phoenix Rising vs Sacramento Republic

May 4th, 7:30pm PST / 10:30pm EST at Phoenix Rising Stadium

Happy Star Wars Day as we are treated to a rematch of last season’s Western Conference final, as defending champions Phoenix Rising host Sacramento Republic. This match, just nine games into the season for both clubs, could go a long way in setting the tone for who leads the Western Conference into the summer. Sacramento has not won a match in Phoenix since 2018 (May 19th, 2018, a 3-1 win), and will be looking to end that drought with this early season meeting.

Ryan Allen - The USL Show

Hartford Athletic vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

May 11th, 4:00pm PST / 7:00pm EST at Trinity Health Stadium

A battle between two clubs, who at times seem forgotten by fans around the league. This matchup is more than just East versus West but a revisit for Head Coach Brendan Burke of Hartford Athletic to face off against his former USL Championship side before joining MLS side Houston Dynamo as an assistant coach. Hartford this season is looking to rebuild a team to look more competitive, attract beautiful attacking football, and make a push for the playoffs. These are some of the characteristics that he developed in Colorado Springs and has made them a team with an underrated talented pool. It’s the old versus the new, East versus West, the Brendan Burke Battle.

Riccardo Cominelli - Linners & Wosers / Area Sports Net

Birmingham Legion vs Memphis 901

April 27th, 4:30pm PST / 7:30pm EST at Protective Stadium

On the anniversary of the April 27th tornadoes that saw 68+ in the area and over 300 in the region passed away during the outbreak. This version of Southern Harm will have a gloom of somber remembrance hanging over it.

Kaylor Hodges - The USL Show / Hammering Down Pod

Hartford Athletic vs Rhode Island FC

June 1st, 4:00pm PST / 7:00pm EST at Trinity Health Stadium

Hartford Athletic had been one of the most isolated clubs in the Eastern Conference, geographically and competitively. But the former part of that predicament changes this year as their new neighbors from the state next door, Rhode Island FC, begin USL Championship play. Having made waves all offseason with signings such as Albert Dikwa and JJ Williams, led by Khano Smith as manager, RIFC appear to be roaring into their maiden season. This has been a stark contrast to Hartford’s previous seasons rooted in Eastern Conference mediocrity. Still, this New England derby’s first meeting in June should provide an intriguing matchup neither side will want to lose.

Ryan Allen - The USL Show

Loudoun United v Las Vegas Lights

June 14th, 4:00pm PST / 7:00pm EST at Segra Field

This might be among the most “USL Sickos” matchup of the early season. It’s on a Friday night as the only game being played on the day. Las Vegas has had new life breathed into the club since the arrival of Jose Bautista as their new owner. Loudoun has attempted to make more strides as a club on and off the field in recent seasons. Each team has had seasons at the bottom of their conference, both teams are working to right the wrongs of year’s past, providing a matchup that might get even the neutrals invested in each team’s project.

Ryan Allen - The USL Show

Sacramento Republic FC vs Oakland Roots SC

June 15th, 6:00pm PST / 9:00pm EST at Heart Health Park (July 20th at CSUEB Pioneer Stadium)

The NorCal Derby, the I80 Derby–whatever you want to call it–this is a budding rivalry. Roots support utterly despises Sacramento, while Republic fans may view Roots as the annoying little brother they don’t think about. It’s always a heated game between Oakland and Sacramento.

Jonathan Comeaux - Oak Roots Blog

Tulsa FC v Memphis 901

July 20th, 5:30pm PST / 8:30pm EST at ONEOK Field

Another peculiar matchup this season is this Western Conference clash between two teams previously in the Eastern Conference. Should we call this the “Saint Louis FC Derby” where the loser has to flip flop between conferences?

Harry Austin - SATX Soccer / San Antonio FC FanCast

El Paso Locomotive vs New Mexico United

July 27th, 6:00pm PST / 9:00pm EST at Southwest University Park

It's shocking to think that 6 years ago, this part of the country had no USL Championship sides. Since 2018, these two clubs have built great followings and solid organizations, connecting to the fabrics of their respective cities. You'd be hard pressed to find two rival clubs with supporter culture like these two and when they meet, everyone comes out for the party. Sure, I could have picked the away matchup, but why wouldn't I choose the one that happens in my backyard at Southwest University Park? I'll be there and I'll be the biggest homer from El Paso.

Dan Vaughn - Protagonist Soccer

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs Phoenix Rising FC

August 3rd, 1:00pm PST / 4:00pm EST at Weidner Field

One of three nationally televised matches for Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, and it is arguably the most exciting one to watch. Although it comes later in the season and by then we will have a better understanding of how strong teams are, this is by no means going to be an easy game for either side. Phoenix Rising FC are your 2023 USL Championship side winners, however you might not know that they struggled against Switchbacks last year. Last time Phoenix came to Colorado Springs and won, was back on August 31st, 2019. Last year Switchbacks managed a 2-0 win at home and a 1-1 draw away against Phoenix. This match is also a big battle between two Colorado Rapids 2 (MLS Next Pro) players who are on loan to each club. Yosuke Hanya is on loan to the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and Remi Cabral is on loan to Phoenix Rising FC. Both players have the capability to deliver for their respective team. It should be an exciting one and we get to see it on national television!

Riccardo Cominelli - Linners & Wosers / Area Sports Net

Rhode Island FC vs Hartford Athletic

August 10th, 4:30pm PST / 7:30pm EST at Bulldog Stadium

It has been a long time since USLC could say there was an actual rivalry in the New England area. Hartford and Rhode Island are separated by 90 miles,with two great fanbases, expect both games to be a tough ticket to get. Both teams on paper look to be possible playoff clubs, which only adds to what could develop into one of the premier rivalries in USLC.

Harry Austin - SATX Soccer / San Antonio FC FanCast

Phoenix Rising vs North Carolina FC

August 24th, 8:00pm PST / 11:00pm EST at Phoenix Rising Stadium

The 2023 USL Championship Champions host the USL League One Champions. This game is, in a way, a measuring stick for USLC and USL1 and any proposed USL Super Cup.

Aaron Jay - Independent Videographer

Detroit City FC vs. Louisville City

September 22nd, 12:00pm PST / 3:00pm EST at Keyworth Stadium

A matchup with likely playoff position impact, as the momentum from this match will propel both teams into their final 5 match stretch of the season. Add in that the rivalry between these teams is among one of the more underrated in the league + it being on national TV on a Sunday afternoon, and you have plenty of fuel to give the Northern Guard to show out and showcase why Detroit has the best fans and fan atmosphere in all of the lower leagues. Considering both teams ' defensive excellence, we may only see a little smoke in this one, but the Northern Guard will more than bring the thunder in the stands.

Jon Hunt - Bluegrass Soccer Cast / Protagonist Soccer

New Mexico United v Phoenix Rising

October 9th, 6:00pm PST / 9:00pm EST at Isotopes Park

Rising vs New Mexico is a top 3 rivalry in the USL Championship. Neither fan base likes or respects each other. Rising has all the trophies after winning it all in 2023. In a Rivalry that has had everything from stickers to forcing a team to play with academy kids. What will 2024 bring to this rivalry, where a bus trip is already planned to head to the Valley of the Sun!

Harry Austin - SATX Soccer / San Antonio FC FanCast

Edited by Joshua Duder
Special thanks to all contributors - we couldn’t do things like this without you!