Sports stats

USL1 Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC

US Open Cup Opponent and Preseason Schedule Announced

February 14, 2022 - United Soccer League One (USL1)
Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC News Release


WINDSOR, Colo. - Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC will make its competitive debut against the Colorado Springs Switchbacks in the second round of the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The match will be played at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs sometime between April 5-7, with the exact date and kickoff time yet to be announced.

This is the 107th edition of the Open Cup, the single-elimination tournament that is the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the United States.

The Open Cup matchup against the in-state Switchbacks comes at the end of a seven-week preseason that includes a friendly against the same side, and a pair of fundraising matches to benefit Colorado residents affected by the recent wildfire in Boulder County.

The preseason opener will see Hailstorm FC take on the Switchbacks behind closed doors at Weidner Field on February 26. It will be a stern test for Hailstorm's backline- not only will the players have had fewer than two weeks to gel as a team, but they will also be facing 2021 USL Championship Golden Boot winner and reigning league MVP Hadji Berry, who matched the USL Championship's single-season record with 25 goals last year.

The following weekend, Hailstorm hits the road to face USL Championship side New Mexico United at NMU's Mesa del Sol training facility in Albuquerque. This time it is Hailstorm's forwards who will face a stern test, as NMU goalkeeper Alex Tambakis finished among the Championship's top-10 in clean sheets in 2021.

United is making 750 tickets available for the match at $10 apiece, with proceeds going towards the club's Somos Unidos Foundation. Fans are encouraged to bring their own chairs or blankets, as the training facility does not have stands.

But Hailstorm FC's two most important preseason matches have less to do with building a team for the season ahead, and more to do with rebuilding a community.

On December 30, 2021, the Marshall Fire- fueled by dry conditions and high winds in excess of 110 miles per hour- burned 6,200 acres, destroyed more than 1,000 buildings, and caused more than $500 million in damage to the Boulder, Superior, Louisville, and Broomfield communities. The fire was the most destructive in Colorado history, and left thousands homeless during Colorado's harsh winter months.

On March 18, Hailstorm FC will play Peak XI FC at Centaurus High School in Louisville, before facing Rapids 2, the Colorado Rapids' MLS Next Pro side, on March 20 at Jackson Stadium on the University of Northern Colorado campus. The two matches will be open to the public and free for all fans to attend, and the crowd will be able to donate to the United for Boulder County Wildfire Fund. Fans can donate ahead of time, and will also be able to contribute to the fund at the matches themselves.

Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC Preseason Schedule (more matches may be added or announced)

@ Colorado Springs Switchbacks February 26, 3:00 p.m. Weidner Field Colorado Springs, CO Closed door

@ New Mexico United March 5, 12:00 p.m. Mesa del Sol training facility Albuquerque, NM Tickets

@ Peak XI March 18, 7:30 p.m. Centaurus High School Louisville, CO Free attendance

v Colorado Rapids 2 March 20, 3:00 p.m. Jackson Stadium Greeley, CO Free attendance

v Regis University March 25, Time TBA Jackson Stadium Greeley, CO Free attendance

@ Harpos March 29, Time TBA Location TBA Free attendance

Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC's players begin preseason training on February 16 ahead of the 2022 USL League One season. The roster includes players from the USA, Ireland, Australia, England, Scotland, and Haiti, and even includes two invitees from Denver who attended the team's tryout in December- Musab Bwana from Gam United, and Danilo Pekovic from Regis University and Flatirons Rush of USL League Two.

The club's USL League One debut will come on April 9 with a match against Richmond Kickers. Due to construction at the Future Legends Complex, the club's first home match will be almost two months later, when they host North Carolina FC on June 8.

Hailstorm FC will play its home matches in the 6,500-seat main stadium of the Future Legends Complex, the premier destination for sports and events in Northern Colorado. Opening in 2022, the 118-acre complex will feature a professional stadium, multiple baseball diamonds and multi-purpose fields, an indoor sports arena, lodging, and retail; and will host guests for major sports tournaments, events, leagues, and more.

Check out the Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC Statistics



United Soccer League One Stories from February 14, 2022


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.

Other Recent Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central