The USL continues to expand, prompting some necessary changes ahead of the 2017 season.
On Monday, the USL announced the league’s structure for 2017, which will feature two 15-team conferences playing a 32 game schedule. NASL imports Ottawa Fury FC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies will join the Eastern Conference while newcomers Reno 1868 FC will join the West. To make up the numbers, Saint Louis FC will rejoin the Eastern Conference.
“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 USL season begins March 24-26 and runs through the weekend of Oct. 13-15. The top eight teams in each conference will qualify for the postseason, which will begin on Oct. 20 and run through the league final in the first week of November.
Orange County is leaving me in suspense. Rebrand not yet announced, Stadium not yet announced, Coach not yet announced, No player signings announced. Only thing I know is who we will be playing this year.
I did not know that was all happening for the Blues. On that note I can’t believe the NASL says they are going to expand to Orange County.
Teams will play two games (one home, one away) against each conference rival. The remaining four games will be played against regional foes. Teams will not face each other more than three times during the 2017 regular season.
Wow! They’re going to play themselves twice?
I don’t follow your math. 14×2+4=32.