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USL FC Tulsa

Roughnecks to Play in Western Conference of USL PRO

January 21, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Tulsa News Release


USL PRO unveiled its 2015 competition format today. Th league will feature a two-conference alignment that will further promote regional rivalries. The new Tulsa Roughnecks will join the Oklahoma City Energy and ten other clubs in the league's Western Conference.

USL PRO has expanded to 24 teams and the full 2015 league schedule will be announced later this month.

USL PRO will be split into 12-team Eastern and Western Conferences, with teams facing each of their conference opponents at least twice during the 28-game regular season schedule. The additional six games (beyond the standard home and away against the other 11 intra-conference foes) will be matchups against geographic rivals resulting in several cross-conference contests.

"We are extremely excited about the schedule possibilities," said Roughnecks Vice President Brian Carroll. "First and foremost, it means that our fans will have at least one opportunity to travel down the Turner Turnpike to see our team take on our closest rivals, Oklahoma City Energy FC. In return, their fans will have the chance to visit Tulsa. We think it has the possibility to be the best rivalry in all of USL PRO. Additionally, this alignment means that Los Angeles Galaxy 2, Portland Timbers 2 and Seattle Sounders 2 will be playing at ONEOK Field at some point this season. It really sets up as a very attractive home schedule for us."

USL PRO Executive Vice President Jake Edwards said, "Transitioning to a conference-based structure is consistent with our long-term growth strategy and enabled by the rapid expansion of the league."

"This new format will promote regional rivalries and will allow fans greater opportunity to support their clubs home and away as the league continues to bring its brand of professional soccer to enthusiastic markets throughout the U.S. and Canada.

The league alignment will be:

Eastern Conference

Charleston Battery

Charlotte Independence

FC Montreal

Harrisburg City Islanders

Louisville City FC

*New York Red Bulls

Pittsburgh Riverhounds

Richmond Kickers

Rochester Rhinos

Saint Louis FC

Toronto FC II

Wilmington Hammerheads FC

Western Conference

Arizona United SC

Austin Aztex

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

LA Galaxy II

OKC Energy FC

Orange County Blues FC

Portland Timbers 2

Real Monarchs SLC

Sacramento Republic FC

Seattle Sounders FC 2

Tulsa Roughnecks FC

Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2

*Name TBA

The 2015 season will also bring changes to USL PRO's single-elimination playoff format with the top six finishers in each conference moving on to the four-week postseason. Teams will be seeded No. 1 through No. 6 in each conference, with the top two seeds receiving first-round byes and the No. 3 seed hosting the No. 6 seed and the No. 4 seed hosting the No. 5 seed.

The winner of the No. 3 vs. No. 6 game will then travel to face the No. 2 seed, and the winner of the No. 4 vs. No. 5 game will travel to face the No. 1 seed. The winners will meet in the Eastern & Western Conference Championship games with the remaining two teams advancing to square off in the 2015 USL PRO Championship, hosted by the higher seeded club.

There are a total of six awards to be earned in the 2015 USL PRO season. In addition to the highest honor of 2015 USL PRO Champions - awarded to the winner of the league's post-season tournament - USL PRO will officially honor the Eastern Conference & Western Conference champions for both the regular season and the playoffs, as well as the overall USL PRO Regular Season Champion - the team earning the most regular season points.

Season tickets for the Roughnecks inaugural season are now available for purchase at ONEOK Field, online at TulsaRoughneckFC.com or by calling (918)744-5901. Season tickets start at $120 per seat.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from January 21, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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