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USL Announces Conference Alignment

On the heels of learning of its designation as a provisional U.S. Soccer Division 2 designation on Friday, the United Soccer League (USL) announced its structure for the 2017 season on Monday.
The 2017 season will feature 30 teams, including the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, playing an expanded 32-game schedule as the League continues in a two-conference alignment that began in 2015.

“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.”

League newcomers the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Ottawa Fury FC will play in the USL’s Eastern Conference while expansion Reno 1868 FC will play in the Western Conference. Saint Louis FC will rejoin the Eastern Conference, and both the Eastern and Western Conferences will each have 15 teams.

RELATED: US Soccer Grants Provisional Division 2 Status To USL And NASL (Fri. Jan. 6)

The 2017 regular season will starting March 24-26 and concluding the weekend of October 13-15. 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.
usl-map
The top eight teams in each conference will qualify for postseason play that will include Conference Quarterfinals (Oct. 20-22), Semifinals (Oct. 27-29) and Final (Nov. 3-5). The 2017 USL Cup Final will be played the weekend of November 10-12.
The full 2017 USL schedule will be released soon (last year — the schedule was released in late January — so there’s a chance they will be ahead of this).

EASTERN CONFERENCE

  • Bethlehem Steel FC
  • Charleston Battery
  • Charlotte Independence
  • FC Cincinnati
  • Harrisburg City Islanders
  • Louisville City FC
  • New York Red Bulls II
  • Orlando City B
  • Ottawa Fury FC
  • Pittsburgh Riverhounds
  • Richmond Kickers
  • Rochester Rhinos
  • Saint Louis FC
  • Tampa Bay Rowdies
  • Toronto FC II

WESTERN CONFERENCE

  • Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
  • LA Galaxy II
  • OKC Energy FC
  • Orange County Blues FC
  • Phoenix Rising FC
  • Portland Timbers 2
  • Real Monarchs SLC
  • Reno 1868 FC
  • Rio Grande Valley FC
  • Sacramento Republic FC
  • San Antonio FC
  • Seattle Sounders FC 2
  • Swope Park Rangers
  • Tulsa Roughnecks FC
  • Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2

 
The USL enters the 2017 season with three new teams, and has announced Nashville SC as joining the league in 2018.
Additional expansion announcements are expected in the near future.
The Riverhounds already have nearly a full-roster of players signed, and will be starting training together in the coming weeks.
 
 

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).

Glory on the Grass

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

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