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USL Championship Announces 2021 Home Openers 

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 03/23/21, 2:00PM EDT

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Black Gold Derby highlights opening weekend ahead of stadium openings in Phoenix, Colorado Springs

TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced today its home openers for the 2021 season, with the season set to kick off on Saturday, April 24 with one of the league’s big in-state rivalries and a host of top-quality action in the weeks to follow that will see four new venues make their debut in the league this year.  

The Black Gold Derby between Oklahoma rivals OKC Energy FC and FC Tulsa is one of two games that will open the new season, with the contest set for Taft Stadium on April 24. The same day, perennial USL Championship Final contender Louisville City FC will open its new campaign with a home game against Atlanta United 2 at Lynn Family Stadium.

The first new venue opening in the league arrives the following Friday, April 30, as defending Western Conference title-holder Phoenix Rising FC debuts its new 10,000-seat home at Wild Horse Pass in the Gila River Indian Community with a big early-season visit from San Diego Loyal SC. The following night then brings the opener for defending Eastern Conference title holder the Tampa Bay Rowdies as they play host to the Charlotte Independence at Al Lang Stadium, as well as intriguing contests between Birmingham Legion FC and Indy Eleven at BBVA Field, and San Antonio FC and Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at Toyota Field.

Regional rivals El Paso Locomotive FC and New Mexico United will renew their rivalry in El Paso’s home opener on Saturday, May 8 at Southwest University Park, and the following Saturday, May 15, will see New Mexico play its first official game in its home state since the conclusion of the 2019 season as it faces Austin Bold FC at Isotopes Park.

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC will host its first official game at the club’s new 8,000-seat downtown stadium on Friday, May 21 as New Mexico United visits Weidner Field. Then on Saturday, June 5 it will be the turn of the Charlotte Independence to open its new 10,000-seat Legion Stadium with a return visit from the Tampa Bay Rowdies to the historic and newly renovated venue.

Championship newcomer Oakland Roots SC will be the final team to host its home opener in 2021 with regional rival Sacramento Republic FC set to visit Laney Stadium on Saturday, June 19.

More details on the 2021 USL Championship season, including the national television schedule on ESPN, the complete regular season schedule, and the postseason structure, will be available in the coming weeks.  

2021 USL Championship Home Openers  

Saturday, April 24 
Louisville City FC vs. Atlanta United 2 
OKC Energy FC vs. FC Tulsa 

Friday, April 30 
LA Galaxy II vs. Sacramento Republic FC 
New York Red Bulls II vs. Hartford Athletic 
Phoenix Rising FC vs. San Diego Loyal SC 

Saturday, May 1 
Birmingham Legion FC vs. Indy Eleven 
FC Tulsa vs. Sporting Kansas City II 
Rio Grande Valley FC vs. New Mexico United 
San Antonio FC vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 
Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Charlotte Independence 

Sunday, May 2
Miami FC vs. Loudoun United FC

Friday, May 7 
Sporting Kansas City II vs. OKC Energy FC 

Saturday, May 8 
El Paso Locomotive FC vs. New Mexico United 
Indy Eleven vs. FC Tulsa 

Wednesday, May 12 
Sacramento Republic FC vs. Las Vegas Lights FC 

Thursday, May 13 
Tacoma Defiance vs. San Diego Loyal SC 

Friday, May 14 
Charleston Battery vs. Charlotte Independence 
Real Monarchs SLC vs. LA Galaxy II 

Saturday, May 15 
Hartford Athletic vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 
New Mexico United vs. Austin Bold FC 

Tuesday, May 18 
Loudoun United FC vs. New York Red Bulls II 

Wednesday, May 19 
Atlanta United 2 vs. FC Tulsa 

Friday, May 21 
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. New Mexico United 

Saturday, May 22 
Orange County SC vs. Sacramento Republic FC 

Saturday, May 29 
San Diego Loyal SC vs. Las Vegas Lights FC 

Sunday, May 30 
Austin Bold FC vs. Tacoma Defiance 

Saturday, June 5 
Charlotte Independence vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies 
Las Vegas Lights FC vs. Tacoma Defiance 

Sunday, June 6 
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC vs. Austin Bold FC 

Wednesday, June 16 
Memphis 901 FC vs. Atlanta United 2 

Saturday, June 19 
Oakland Roots SC vs. Sacramento Republic FC 

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