With all of the professional leagues underway, we now get to the best part of the season - the amateur leagues! Host of League Two The 2how, Ryan Stallings, is joined by several members of our staff to pick out the games which seem most interesting to us as we head into the first weekend of fixtures.

The USL League Two Season Preview proved to be too big for just one article, so we split it into two parts!
This part, Part 1, includes these divisions: Northeast, Southeast, Heartland, Southwest, Northwest, Mid-Atlantic, Chesapeake, and the Deep North Division.

Northeast Division Matches

June 3rd - Vermont Green vs Seacoast United Phantoms

Entering their second season as the Northeast Division’s babyface, and as one of the true darlings of lower league soccer, Vermont Green will want to improve on their respectable third place finish in the division with higher seeding and a more secure postseason place. To do that, they’ll have June 3rd circled on the calendars for their first crack in 2023 at the side that inflicted half of Green’s four losses in 2022, Seacoast United.

On their part, the Phantoms will be fending off all comers as they look to repeat as divisional champs in one of the deepest groups in the league (only the southwest division boasted more postseason contestants last year), and their visit to Burlington will mark the most hostile environment they’ll face in the campaign.

If a win is to be found on this date, the victor will have an inside path to the divisional crown.
- Ryan Stallings

Southeast Division Matches

June 14th - NONA FC vs The Villages SC

In 2022, NONA FC barnstormed through their inaugural season in League 2’s Southeast Division, achieving one of the highest point accumulations across the nation while competing in a division that no one would describe as easy. While their postseason stay was short, NONA continues to grow their adult programming and appears poised for a long stay at their newly claimed top perch.

But the Villages SC will have their say to that standing first. Division champs in 2019 and 2021, the Buffalo closed out their 2022 campaign a distant second place finisher. But the League 2 postseason, and US Open Cup, regulars won’t accept being the chasing club in this budding rivalry. After losing two tight affairs against NONA last season (1-2 and 0-1) the Buffalo will have their return to Kissimmee’s Austin Tindall Park on Wednesday night, June 14th, circled on their calendars. If you’re interested in keeping tabs on the probable Southeast division title race, you should circle that date as must-viewing too.
- Ryan Stallings

Heartland Division Matches

July 1 - Des Moines Menace vs Chicago City FC

Death. Taxes. The Des Moines Menace, USL’s longest running member club, winning divisional titles.

The League 2 flagship program finds itself a beneficiary of a gift it doesn’t need, as expansion has necessitated moving the Des Moines side from the Deep North Division it won by eleven points in 2022. The Menace now return to a much changed Heartland Division, void of last season’s divisional champ and runner up, with Chicago FC United folding their league 2 operation and Kaw Valley FC folding.

This means the assumed best chance at coming at the towering kings in Iowa will fall to last season’s third place finisher, 2022 expansion side Chicago City SC. If CCSC can maintain favorable results through the first two months of the season, their visit to Des Moines on July 1st might be the only chance to unseat another inevitable Menace run.
- Ryan Stallings

Southwest Division Matches

May 26th - FC Tucson vs Ventura County Fusion

No better way to test how good this team will be in League 1 than to travel away to the defending champs. The truth is, we have no idea what this version of FC Tucson is going to be. They are in a different league with a different roster playing different opponents. This is the first real test for this team and it comes early into the season. There is a possibility that FC Tucson dominates USL League 2, there is also the possibility they have no idea what they are doing. This match is the first big test that gives us an idea of which direction the organization is going to be trending towards. By the time this match rolls around both teams will have a few matches under their belts and we should have some sort of expectation for how the teams might fare this season. I am a big fan of statement wins and this is an opportunity for FC Tucson to pick up one. If you beat the reigning champs as the new kids on the block you will command respect.
- Elijah Newsome

May 31st - Capo FC vs Ventura County Fusion

After four matchdays, these two Southern California sides . Ventura County Fusion will be looking for revenge from their most recent US Open Cup match where VC Fusion lost 4-1. Capo FC are the new boys around the block. No USL experience, but they have shown they can win at any level they play at. Both clubs will have had some time to gain form which could provide another intense high scoring match. The showdown will be on 5/31/2023 at J Serra High School, San Juan Capistrano, CA
- Steven Ramirez

June 3rd - Redlands FC vs Arizona Arsenal

These two new USL League Two clubs will face each other when Redlands FC hosts Arizona Arsenal. Despite being a new team, Arizona Arsenal has a strong academy foundation and could be well-prepared for the level of play in their first season. Meanwhile, Redlands FC has been employing plenty of local players and will have had time to build chemistry, as well as establish some fanfare to create a vibrant atmosphere. This matchup provides a good opportunity to compare these two expansion clubs, regardless of where they currently stand in the standings. The match will be played on 6/3/23 at Dodge Stadium, Redlands, California
- Steven Ramirez

Capistrano FC are new to the division, but this isn’t their first rodeo

June 24th - Redlands FC vs Capo FC

Entering the national conversation on the back of its run into the second round of the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Capo FC is quickly building a reputation for its talented players and slick attacking style. Forward Hevany Mota has put in goals in all competitions for Capo FC, which recently won the SoCal Premier League title for the 2022-'23 season.
Having gathered some of the top collegiate talent around the Inland Empire area of Southern California, Redlands FC coach Cody Carlson is attempting to bring it all together in the club's inaugural campaign. The club is playing at venerable Dodge Stadium on the campus of Redlands High School, a 6,000-seat facility opened in 2008.
- Dennis Pope

July 3rd - FC Tucson vs Arizona Arsenal

If you haven’t listened to the USL League 2 pod, you might have missed why this is the biggest match of the year for FC Tucson. I am trying to single handedly start a rivalry between FC Tucson and our neighbors up north Arizona Arsenal. There is no history between the two clubs and this is FC Tucson’s first League 2 Season, but none of that matters because as the latest FC Tucson Fan I HATE Arizona Arsenal. In all seriousness, this is a good opportunity to actually create a decent rivalry for FC Tucson. That was previously hard considering it is incredibly difficult to build good rivalries with teams that were on the other side of the country when FC Tucson was in League 1. Now we have a prime opportunity for FC Tucson fans to make the 2 hour drive to see us play another team in our division and create moments that create rivalries. Don’t worry, I will do my part talking smack on Twitter as well. - Elijah Newsome

Northwest Division Matches

May 26th - Ballard FC vs Lane United FC

Ballard FC have taken cool to a whole new level - not only are they successful on the pitch (finished 2nd in the NW last season with 8 wins, 2 draws, and 26 points) they are also amazing off the pitch, with some of the tastiest kits in the league. Last year, on May 21st, Ballard eviscerated the old guard, Lane United, 5-1 in Seattle at the Interbay Stadium. Lane United, one of the most successful teams in Cascadia at hosting and developing players and coaches, also boasts one of the very best Supporters Groups in the division. Expect the team from Eugene, Oregon to travel well to a sold out Interbay Stadium for a revenge tour.
- Joshua Duder

July 1st - PDX FC vs United PDX

PDX FC, the former NPSL team, found themself making a move to USL League Two on a temporary basis in 2022 because the other league was taking another year off. They joined OVF Alliance as newcomers to the division and found the move was more of a step-up than a lateral move in competition. They finished in last place with a -22 goal difference - but they’re back for more and they’ve recruited some new faces and familiar ones as well as they look to host this year’s new team, United PDX - who have replaced OVF Alliance in the NW division table. This will be the first competition between two Portland-based sides in this particular league and could be a fun one to catch at the Eastside Timbers Complex if you are in the Rose City that Saturday.
- Joshua Duder

Mid-Atlantic Division Matches

June 3rd - Ocean City Nor’easters vs Reading United

Kickoff is 7pm at Alvernia University in Reading, Pennsylvania, AND, Saturday, June 24th at 7pm at Carey Stadium in Ocean City, New Jersey. Let’s face it - long-time rivalries in lower league soccer are hard to come by. These two clubs have played each other over 50 times, so it is something special when they get together. Ocean City once again made a little bit of noise in the Open Cup, winning one and giving a pro side agita. And, the club is coming off an undefeated season last year and winning the Mid-Atlantic Division. Reading (as well as the other four teams in the division) will be motivated to not let that happen again.
- John Howard Fusco

June 6th - Ocean City Nor’easters vs West Chester United SC

With the slow decline of Reading United AC in the past few seasons, the greatest beneficiary of space at the top of the Mid Atlantic Division has been Ocean City. 2022 underscored that point as the Nor’easters maintained an unblemished record in regular season play and claimed the divisional title. With a deep roster loaded with both returning and new talents, one of League 2’s oldest clubs (founded in 1997, joined USL in 2003) seems all but assured of a repeat run in 2023.

Nipping at their heels is West Chester United. The consistently successful club in Pennsylvania continues to be one of the few to field strong sides in both League 2 and the NPSL. That hasn’t proven a path to success over the New Jersey rivals as of yet (three L2 losses to OC in 2022, NPSL side lost to OC in 2023 Open Cup)but they get their chance to rewrite that trend early in the season when they visit “The Beach House” on June 6th.
- Ryan Stallings

Ocean City Nor’Easters look to blow away the competition.

Chesapeake Division Matches

July 8th - Lionsbridge FC vs Christos FC

When Christos FC joined League 2, it was commonly assumed that the club would continue it’s trophy-accruing run unabated in their newest competition. Behind their oft-brash online presence, social media engaged supporter base, and on-pitch results stacking hardware up in every corner of their home office, the expectations weren’t poorly founded. For the most part, Christos delivered on those expectations. When they didn’t, it was influenced strongly by the club from Newport News.

Lionsbridge FC didn’t lose a Chesapeake division match in 2022, and earned the Eastern Conference’s overall one seed on the strength of the results of that record, collecting 38 points in fourteen matches. Three of those results came versus Christos; a thrilling 3-3 affair in Maryland, a 3-0 thrashing on a return visit, and workmanlike 2-1 result before their massive home crowd at TowneBank Stadium.

In a reshuffled Chesapeake division, last year’s top two look likely to repeat atop its standings. Where they finish between the two this year rests heavily on who can claim the points on the early July evening in Virginia.
- Ryan Stallings

*Can MPLS City improve upon their rookie year in the league? The Murder are set to kill it.*

Deep North Division Matches

May 13th - Minneapolis City vs St. Croix

Is sure to be a fascinating reunion. These two clubs were Minnesota’s only two representatives in League Two last year and they played some eventful matches, including 1-0 wins for both clubs and a 3-3 draw in between. St. Croix surprised many by finishing above the Crows last year and this season opener is full of narratives. With their conference reshaped to give both clubs a shot at a high table finish, the winner of this first-day game could put themselves in a very promising position.
- Dominic Jose Bisogno

May 27th - Rochester FC vs Minneapolis City

Will provide the newly joined Rochester FC a chance to leave its first mark on this league, in combination with their one game prior at home against Bavarians. If Rochester can get a result at home against City, the club can perhaps start to show it has some sway over this USL League Two season. It’s also a big chance for the two clubs to begin to develop their relationship and young rivalry.
- Dominic Jose Bisogno

July 7th - Thunder Bay Chill vs Minneapolis City

With Des Moines’ departure from the Deep North, new hope and clearer paths to the top await the new rivals they left behind. While newcomers Bavarian United are certain to make noise this season, the two likely competitors for the division’s pole position are Thunder Bay Chill and MPLS City SC.

For the Chill, it would be a return to their accepted norm. The Canadian side have been a near constant face in the league’s postseason since 2007 before a canceled 2020 campaign seems to have thrown off their rhythm, if only slightly. They’ll look to improve on their third place finish in 2022.

And MPLS City will be eager to show what they can field at full strength in their second season in the league now that they’re no longer shackled to splitting their talents across two sides in both League 2 and the NPSL. The lower league darling side should make a ‘murder’-ous season of it in the Deep North for their divisional competition.

Any separation of the two preseason favorites might come near the end of the season and north of the border when the Crows visit Thunder Bay on July 7th.
- Ryan Stallings

Don’t miss Part 2! HERE
by the Protagonist Soccer Staff