The 2022 USL Championship season kicks off on Saturday night with an 11-game slate of action across the country that features both of the league’s newcomers in Detroit City FC and Monterey Bay F.C. heading on the road, and nine new Head Coaches leading their sides for the first time.

Loudoun United FC vs. Indy Eleven

Venue: Segra Field
Kickoff: 6 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: LDN 32%, IND 41%, Draw 27%

The Lowdown: A new era begins on the road for Indy Eleven as the side takes to the field for the first time under Head Coach Mark Lowry against Loudoun United FC. The Boys in Blue will be hoping to avoid a repeat of their last trip to Segra Field, which saw Loudoun take a 4-1 victory last August, one of only four wins United recorded in the regular season in 2021.

Spotlight Players
Loudoun United FC – Grant Lillard: One of Loudoun’s new arrivals this offseason, the former Chicago Fire FC Homegrown will hope to reinforce the center of United’s defense in his potential debut.

Indy Eleven – Manuel Arteaga: The Venezuelan forward will be looking to get out to a strong start this campaign after notching 10 goals in his first season for the Boys in Blue.

Charleston Battery vs. FC Tulsa

Venue: Patriots Point
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: CHS 36%, TUL 37%, Draw 26%

The Lowdown: The Charleston Battery kick off their 30th anniversary season with former United States international Conor Casey at the helm and a retooled squad that will be hoping to deliver a bounce-back season. They play host to an FC Tulsa side that has reached the playoffs the past two campaigns and has added some key new defensive pieces to try and reinforce a solid attacking group.

Spotlight Players
Charleston Battery – Augustine Williams: The Sierra Leone international should make his regular season debut for the Battery after recording 26 goals over the past three seasons overall.

FC Tulsa – Ronald Rodriguez: One of Tulsa’s defensive reinforcements is set to join El Salvador teammate Joaquin Rivas in the starting lineup for the visitors.

Memphis 901 FC vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

Venue: AutoZone Park
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: MEM 40%, PIT 33%, Draw 27%

The Lowdown: Two playoff sides from a season ago square off in the season opener with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC having added Championship all-time leading scorer Dane Kelly to a strong returning attack. Memphis’ defense will be tested on its home turf, where it went undefeated in its final seven games of the 2021 regular season, as it looks to incorporate new faces into its lineup in the attacking third of the field including Philip Goodrum after leading scorer Kyle Murphy’s departure this offseason.

Spotlight Players
Memphis 901 FC – Niall Logue: A breakthrough player a season ago, the Northern Ireland center back will lead 901 FC’s defense as it tries to withstand a big opening test.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC – Dane Kelly: The Jamaican veteran will take aim at his 100th regular season goal in the Championship as he makes his debut for the Hounds.

Miami FC vs. New York Red Bulls II

Venue: FIU Stadium
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: MIA 70%, NY 11%, Draw 19%

The Lowdown: After reaching the postseason for the first time in the Championship a season ago, Miami FC will be aiming for an opening day victory for the second consecutive season as it plays host to the New York Red Bulls II. The hosts could hand debuts to offseason arrivals Kyle Murphy and Mark Segbers – both Championship All-League selections a season ago – while a trio of players in Florian Valot, Bolu Akinyode and Speedy Williams could face the side they made their professional debuts for early in the Red Bulls II’s history.

Spotlight Players
Miami FC – Kyle Murphy: After recording his first 20-goal season in Memphis a year ago, Murphy will be looking to get off on the right foot for his new club in the attacking third.

New York Red Bulls II – Jeremy Rafanello: The 21-year-old had seven goals and six assists for the Red Bulls II a season ago and will likely provide the attacking spark for the visitors.

Louisville City FC vs. Atlanta United 2

Venue: Lynn Family Stadium
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: LOU 63%, ATL 16%, Draw 22%

The Lowdown: Perennial title contenders Louisville City FC welcomes Atlanta United 2 for its home opener for a second consecutive season, with Paolo DelPiccolo having scored the goals in a 2-0 victory for the hosts to open the 2021 campaign. The hosts will be without leading scorer Cameron Lancaster – out with what the club announced as a long-term injury suffered in preseason – but have won all four of their prior meetings with Atlanta at home in the regular season.

Spotlight Players
Louisville City FC – Wilson Harris: With Lancaster out, the LouCity attack looks set to be led by new arrival Wilson Harris, who was the Championship’s Young Player of the Year in 2020 at Sporting KC II.

Atlanta United 2 – Robbie Mertz: Entering his second season with Atlanta, Mertz will need to put in a big performance in midfield to help the visitors try to come away with a result.

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. Orange County SC

Venue: Weidner Field
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: COS 38%, OC 35%, Draw 26%

The Lowdown: Orange County SC begins its title defense with a challenging contest on the road against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, a side OCSC defeated last postseason 1-0 in a tightly-fought game in Southern California. The contest could see the debut of former Mexico international Erick “Cubo” Torres for Orange County alongside returning striker Ronaldo Damus, while the Switchbacks boast 2021 Championship MVP Hadji Barry as part of a high-powered attack that will make this one of the marquee games of the opening weekend.

Spotlight Players
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – Hadji Barry: After tying the Championship’s single-season scoring record with 25 goals last year, the Guinean forward will look to lead his side to an opening night win.

Orange County SC – Erick “Cubo” Torres: The highest-profile arrival to the Championship this season, Torres will be hoping for a good start at his new club after making the move from Atlanta United FC.

Rio Grande Valley FC vs. Oakland Roots SC

Venue: H-E-B Park
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: RGV 48%, OAK 25%, Draw 27%

The Lowdown: Two teams that not only advanced to the playoffs a season ago but then earned road upsets in the Western Conference square off in what should be an intriguing opening test for both sides. The Toros have seen some notable departures but have brought in some notable names including former United States international Jose Francisco Torres to replenish the roster. Oakland, meanwhile, has brought back a solid core of players for new Head Coach Juan Guerra, and among its new arrivals has added former Toros forward Juan Carlos Azocar, who’s set to make his debut for Roots SC against his former club.

Spotlight Players
Rio Grande Valley FC – Ricky Ruiz: The 2021 USL League One Assists Champion could make his Championship debut on Saturday after notching 10 helpers last season for Chattanooga Red Wolves SC.

Oakland Roots SC – Juan Carlos Azocar: The Venezuelan forward notched seven goals a season ago for Rio Grande Valley FC and will be hoping to open his account for Roots SC in an early return to H-E-B Park.

San Antonio FC vs. Detroit City FC

Venue: Toyota Field
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: SA 70%, DET 11%, Draw 19%

The Lowdown: Detroit City FC makes its USL Championship debut on the road against San Antonio FC, which last season made its deepest run in the USL Championship Playoffs reaching the Western Conference Final. The hosts have needed to reload in attack after the departures of Jose Gallegos and Marcus Epps but have brought in former Austin FC winger Kekuta Manneh and Chicago Fire FC forward Elliot Panicco to join some key returnees from last year’s squad. Detroit has also added some Championship experience to a solid returning core from its last campaign, including former San Antonio standout Billy Forbes and ex-FC Dallas forward Francis Atuahene.

Spotlight Players
San Antonio FC – Santiago Patino: The Colombian netted eight goals in 14 appearances despite a lengthy absence due to injury in his first year at SAFC and scored a hat trick in the season opener for the club last year.

Detroit City FC – Stephen Carroll: A longtime standout for DCFC, Carroll is set to make his Championship debut in the center of defense against what looks on paper to be a dangerous home attack.

Phoenix Rising FC vs. Monterey Bay F.C.

Venue: Wild Horse Pass
Kickoff: 9:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: PHX 71%, MB 10%, Draw 19%

The Lowdown: Monterey Bay F.C. heads to face Phoenix Rising FC in its inaugural game in the Championship with a roster that has plenty of experience in the league including defender Hugh Roberts and forward Christian Volesky, but the visitors will get a big early test from the perennial title contender. Rising FC has seen changes this offseason, including the departure of two-time Championship MVP Solomon Asante, but has added some impressive pieces to a strong returning core that includes three Championship All-League selections in 2021 – James Musa, Santi Moar and Aodhan Quinn.

Spotlight Players
Phoenix Rising FC – Santi Moar: The Spanish winger recorded 16 goals a season ago to earn Championship All-League First Team honors, a total that was ignited by a hot start to the campaign.

Monterey Bay F.C. – Hugh Roberts: Sitting third in the Championship’s all-time list for minutes played, the veteran defender will be key to Monterey Bay F.C. weathering the host’s attack.

Sacramento Republic FC vs. El Paso Locomotive FC

Venue: Heart Health Park
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: SAC 46%, ELP 27%, Draw 27%

The Lowdown: Sacramento Republic FC kicks off its new campaign after a major roster overhaul this offseason against an El Paso Locomotive FC side that will be led for the first time by new Head Coach John Hutchinson. Republic FC has added some notable piece in attack led by Bermuda international Zeiko Lewis and Honduran international Douglas Martinez Jr., while the midfield boasts four potential standouts including former Locomotive FC player Nick Ross and returning standout Rodrigo Lopez. Locomotive FC, meanwhile, has its attacking trio of Luis Solignac, Josue Aaron Gomez and 18-year-old standout Diego Luna all back to lead the side into its fourth season.

Spotlight Players
Sacramento Republic FC – Rodrigo Lopez: The Republic FC legend returned to the side this offseason after a strong campaign for Rio Grande Valley FC, and will want to get off to a winning start.

El Paso Locomotive FC – Diego Luna: The United States U-20 international was a finalist for the Championship’s Young Player of the Year in 2021 and will be eager to shine on the road.

San Diego Loyal SC vs. LA Galaxy II

Venue: Torero Stadium
Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: SD 69%, LA 12%, Draw 20%

The Lowdown: San Diego Loyal SC kicks off its third season in the Championship with a visit from an LA Galaxy II side it dominated in the 2021 campaign, winning all four meetings between the sides. After reaching the postseason for the first time in 2021, Head Coach Landon Donovan’s side has tried to add to its attack this offseason, including the arrival of veteran Northern Ireland forward Kyle Vassell. Los Dos could prove dangerous as they enter the new season led by Head Coach Yoann Damet, with leading scorer Preston Judd – who notched 17 goals in his first pro campaign – among the notable returnees for Los Dos.

Spotlight Players
San Diego Loyal SC – Nikko Boxall: The New Zealand international was one of SD Loyal’s notable offseason arrivals as he joins the defensive group and should make his debut against LA.

LA Galaxy II – Daniel Aguirre: The 22-year-old central midfielder had a bright 2021 campaign and will need to have a big performance against the experienced SD Loyal midfield on the road.