Championship Look Ahead
March 5, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Tampa Bay Rowdies News Release
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- After a long offseason, the USL Championship is finally back as the 2020 season kicks off Friday night.
The Rowdies will make their debut Saturday afternoon in New Jersey in one of the most anticipated matches of opening weekend.
Here's a look at some of the best matches taking place around the Eastern Conference.
New York Red Bulls II vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies
Saturday, 3 p.m. | ESPN+
New York is full of mystery with just nine players listed on its website roster with less than 48 hours to kickoff. The Red Bulls finished in sixth last season, just one point below the Rowdies last season.
Tampa Bay heads into the 2020 season with a totally rebuilt backline and plenty of fresh faces. Evan Louro and Jordan Scarlett could make their Rowdies debuts against their former club.
North Carolina FC vs. Louisville City FC
Saturday, 2:30 p.m. | ESPN+
North Carolina surprised Louisville City FC with a 4-1 loss on opening day. NCFC went on to finish in 7th place in the Eastern Conference, but was bounced out in the first round of the playoffs.
Louisville City surged up the table late in the regular season to finish in fourth place before marching through the USL Championship Playoffs to win its fourth-consecutive Eastern Conference crown.
Saint Louis FC vs. Miami FC
Saturday, 8 p.m. | ESPN+
Saint Louis was the first team left out of the playoff field last season and returns for 2020 with a new head coach in Steve Trittschuh.
Miami FC was a surprise addition to the USL Championship in December and makes its league debut on the road before hosting the Rowdies in week two.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from March 5, 2020
- Tacoma Defiance Enters into Standard USL Loan Agreements with Five Players - Tacoma Defiance
- Match Preview at S.D. Loyal SC - Las Vegas Lights FC
- Metro Council Approves New Louisville City Project - Louisville City FC
- Championship Look Ahead - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Red Bull No More, Louro Set to Face Former Team - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Loudoun United FC and the National Conference Center Announce Partnership - Loudoun United FC
- Louisville City Signs Youth International Jonathan Gomez - Louisville City FC
- T2 Acquire Williams Velasquez on Loan from Watford FC - Portland Timbers 2
- Paul Lewis Joins Charleston ahead of Season Opener - Charleston Battery
- Philadelphia Union II Names Sun East Federal Credit Union Official Partner - Philadelphia Union II
- North Carolina FC Kicks off 2020 Season at Home on Saturday against Louisville City - North Carolina FC
- Hounds Announce Kickoff Time Changes to 2 Home Matches - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Position Group Preview: Forwards - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- United Soccer League Launches Official League App - USL
- Philadelphia Union II Acquires Midfielder David Rabadan - Philadelphia Union II
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