
2017 USL Cup Playoffs Matchups Set
Published on October 15, 2017 under United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release
TAMPA, Fla. - The bracket for the 2017 USL Cup Playoffs was unveiled on Sunday evening, with the road to the 2017 USL Cup set to kick off this Friday night, as the top two seeds begin their journey to glory as part of a 16-team field that will battle over the next four weekends for the championship.
The Eastern Conference Quarterfinals will kick off on Friday night, as No. 1-seed Louisville City FC plays host to No. 8-seed Bethlehem Steel FC at Slugger Field at 7:30 p.m. ET. Having reached the Eastern Conference Final each of its first two seasons, Louisville is the No. 1 seed in the East for the first time in its history, ensuring homefield advantage until at least the USL Cup.
Elsewhere in the Eastern Conference, a rematch from the 2016 USL Cup Playoffs will see the No. 4-seed Rochester Rhinos play host to the No. 5-seed Charlotte Independence on Saturday night at Capelli Sport Stadium. The Rhinos took a 3-1 victory against the Independence a season ago, and the teams ended the regular season moving in opposite directions with Rochester on a three-game winning streak and the Independence on a five-game losing streak.
The Charleston Battery claimed the No. 2 seed after its victory against the Independence and will host No. 7-seed and defending champion the New York Red Bulls II on Saturday night at MUSC Health Stadium at 7 p.m. ET. The Tampa Bay Rowdies make their USL Cup Playoffs debut as the East's No. 3 seed and will host No. 6-seed FC Cincinnati on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. ET at Al Lang Stadium.
The Western Conference Quarterfinals also kick off on Friday night, as 2017 USL Regular Season Champion and overall No. 1-seed Real Monarchs SLC play host to No. 8-seed Sacramento Republic FC at 10 p.m. ET at Rio Tinto Stadium. Making their postseason debut, the Monarchs are looking to become the third consecutive side to complete the double by adding the USL Cup to its regular season title, following the Rochester Rhinos (2015) and New York Red Bulls II (2016).
No. 2-seed San Antonio FC will also make its USL Cup Playoffs debut when it hosts No. 7-seed Tulsa Roughnecks FC at Toyota Field on Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. ET. No. 3-seed Reno 1868 FC hosts No. 6-seed OKC Energy FC at 8:45 p.m. ET at Greater Nevada Field on Saturday as well.
Defending USL Western Conference champions the Swope Park Rangers are the No. 4 seed for a second consecutive year and will begin their pursuit of a return to the USL Cup when they host No. 5-seed Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. ET at Children's Mercy Victory Field.
The 2017 USL Cup Playoffs feature seven teams making their first appearances, including five in the Western Conference. The postseason featured four former champions, with the Charleston Battery (2012), Sacramento Republic FC (2014), Rochester Rhinos (2015) and New York Red Bulls II (2016) all aiming to add a second USL Cup.
FOLLOW THE USL Every game of the 2017 USL Cup Playoffs through the Eastern and Western Conference Finals will be available on the league's official Match Center (), with updates from across the league also available via Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/USL), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/USLSoccer), and Instagram (http://www.instagram.com/USLSoccer) .
The 2017 USL Cup will air live on ESPNU and SiriusXM FC on Monday, Nov. 13 at 9 p.m. ET 2017 USL Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Friday, Oct. 20 No. 1 Louisville City FC vs. No. 8 Bethlehem Steel FC, 7:30 p.m. ET, Slugger Field
Saturday, Oct. 21 No. 4 Rochester Rhinos vs. No. 5 Charlotte Independence, 6:05 p.m. ET, Capelli Sport Stadium No. 2 Charleston Battery vs. No. 7 New York Red Bulls II, 7 p.m. ET, MUSC Health Stadium No. 3 Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. No. 6 FC Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m. ET, Al Lang Stadium
Western Conference Quarterfinals Friday, Oct. 20 No. 1 Real Monarchs SLC vs. No. 8 Sacramento Republic FC, 10 p.m. ET, Rio Tinto Stadium
Saturday, Oct. 21 No. 3 Reno 1868 FC vs. No. 6 OKC Energy FC, 8:45 p.m. ET, Greater Nevada Field No. 2 San Antonio FC vs. No. 7 Tulsa Roughnecks FC, 8:30 p.m. ET, Toyota Field No. 4 Swope Park Rangers vs. No. 5 Phoenix Rising FC, 8:30 p.m. ET, Children's Mercy Victory Field
About USL The USL is one of the most prominent Division II professional soccer leagues in the world, with 30 markets in 20 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces for the 2017 season. In total, the USL reaches a population of 75 million people, fueling the growth of professional soccer across North America.
In 2016, more than $100 million were invested league-wide into stadium infrastructure to create venues that deliver an unforgettable fan and competitor experience. The USL has national media partnerships with ESPN and SiriusXM, and recently invested $10 million to create USL Productions - which includes a state-of-the-art facility that will produce and distribute nearly 500 league matches and more than 1,000 hours of original content to national partners, local affiliates, USL's Match Center and international markets.
A growing league, the USL has more than doubled in size since 2014, with Ottawa Fury FC, Reno 1868 FC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies debuting in 2017. Three new clubs are set to debut in 2018, with Nashville, Tenn., Fresno, Calif., and Las Vegas officially announced as new markets. The league will then add a new club in Birmingham, Ala. in 2019, and make its return to Austin, Texas, the same year. The USL regularly features international exhibitions against leading Premier League, Liga MX, and Bundesliga clubs, among others.
Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., the USL provides unparalleled club support with a growing team of more than 50 professionals across 17 departments, ranging from operations to marketing, communications and sponsorship. Follow the USL at USLSoccer.com (http://www.uslsoccer.com/), the USL Match Center, and on social media via Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/USL), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/USLSoccer) and Instagram (http://www.instagram.com/USLSoccer) .
USL Public Relations - Nicholas Murray (mailto:nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com) / Aaron Cranford (mailto:charlie.corr@uslsoccer.com) - Tampa, FL - 813.963.3909
(https://twitter.com/usl) (http://www.facebook.com/USLSoccer) (http://www.instagram.com/USLSoccer) Copyright © 2017 United Soccer League, All rights reserved.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from October 15, 2017
- FCC Finishes Sixth, Travels to No. 3 Tampa Bay Rowdies in Playoff - FC Cincinnati
- 2017 USL Cup Playoffs Matchups Set - USL
- San Antonio FC Playoff Update - San Antonio FC
- MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Louisville City FC Head Coach James O'Connor - Louisville City FC
- POSTMATCH INTEVIEWS & RECAP: Louisville City FC Round out Regular - Louisville City FC
- Match Recap: Sacramento Republic FC 2, Reno 1868 FC 2 - Sacramento Republic FC
- Quote Sheet: Real Monarchs SLC 2-1 LA Galaxy II - Real Monarchs
- Real Monarchs Earn Club-Record 20th Win of Year in 2017 USL Regular Season Finale - Real Monarchs
- RECAP: Louisville City FC Round out Regular Season in Style with 3-1 - Louisville City FC
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