
USL Championship Announces 2022 Competition Format
December 21, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Sacramento Republic FC News Release
Today, USL Championship announced its league alignment for the 2022 regular season. In a departure from the 8-team division format in 2021, the league's 27 clubs will return to conference play for the upcoming season. Teams will be divided into two conferences - 14 in the Eastern Conference and 13 in the Western Conference.
The full schedule for the 2022 USL Championship season-including Republic FC's opening night-will be announced in January 2022. More information on ticket packages and single- game tickets will be available soon after.
Preparations are well underway for the 2022 season. Stay up to date on roster news at SacRepublicFC.com/roster-updates. Think you have what it takes to join the squad for the 2022 season? Join us for open tryouts on January 15 & 16. At least one player in attendance will be invited to train with the team ahead of the 2022 USL Championship season with the chance to earn a professional contract. For more information on registration and requirements, visit SacRepublicFC.com/tryouts.
Regular Season Overview
34 games played from March 11 to October 15
Clubs will play each of their conference opponents twice - once at home, once away
The remaining games will be against interconference opponents, with an even split of home and away
Playoffs Overview
Single-elimination, 2022 USL Championship Final to be played between November 10 and November 14
Top 7 teams in each conference qualify for 2022 USL Championship Playoffs
The top seed in each conference will receive a first-round bye. Following the first round, the bracket will be reseeded to ensure the top conference seeds play against the lowest-seeded remaining opponent in their respective conferences.
What Does This Mean for Republic FC?
The Indomitable Club will remain in the Western Conference, which includes six other teams from 2021's Pacific Division and a few teams they haven't seen since 2019. And don't forget about league debutants Monterey Bay FC, who will surely add to a budding rivalry in Northern California.
Western Conference
Sacramento Republic FC
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC - In 2021, reached the playoffs for the first time in five years; have not played Sacramento since 2019
El Paso Locomotive FC - Finished 1st in the Mountain Division in 2021 after posting the 3rd-most points across the league
LA Galaxy II - A familiar opponent for Republic FC, they finished just outside the playoffs last season
Las Vegas Lights FC - Another familiar foe for Sacramento, they will be looking to make improvements after finishing last in the Pacific Division
Monterey Bay FC - One of two teams entering the league this year and the newest addition to the Western Conference
New Mexico United - Finished one point out of the playoffs in 2021; have not played against Sacramento since 2019
Oakland Roots SC - The Norcal rivalry continues into its second season
Orange County SC - Took home its first-ever USL Championship title in 2021
Phoenix Rising SC - Finished 2021 at the top of the Pacific Division and 2nd-best record across the league
Rio Grande Valley FC Toros - Made it to the 2021 Western Conference Semifinals; have not played Republic FC since 2019
San Antonio FC - Reached 2021 Western Conference Finals after finishing the regular season 2nd-best in the Mountain Division
San Diego Loyal SC - Entering their 3rd season in the league; finished 2021 in 3rd place in the Pacific Division
Eastern Conference
Atlanta United 2
Birmingham Legion
Charleston Battery
Detroit City FC (first season)
Hartford Athletic
Indy Eleven
Loudoun United FC
Louisville City FC
Memphis 901 FC
The Miami FC
New York Red Bulls II
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
Tampa Bay Rowdies
FC Tulsa
Take your Republic FC experience to the next level by becoming an Indomitable Member today. Membership provides discounts in and out of the stadium and exclusive benefits to Sacramento Republic FC 365 days a year!
United Soccer League Championship Stories from December 21, 2021
- Experience FC Tulsa from March to October in 2022 - FC Tulsa
- Spend New Years with Oakland Roots and KOFY TV - Oakland Roots
- By the Numbers: Danny Reynolds - Sacramento Republic FC
- Defender Martín Payares Joins El Paso Locomotive FC for 2022 USL Championship Season - El Paso Locomotive FC
- Switchbacks FC Sign RGV Top Scorer Elvis Amoh for 2022 Season - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
- Republic FC Add Goalkeeper Danny Vitiello for 2022 Season - Sacramento Republic FC
- LouCity Wins Eight of USL Championship's 'Starting XI' Awards - Louisville City FC
- United Soccer League Announces Starting XI Awards - USL
- Midfielder Junior Palacios Returns to Miami for 2022 Season - Miami FC
- USL Championship Announces 2022 Competition Format - Sacramento Republic FC
- Oakland Roots to Call Former Oakland Raiders Training Facility Home for 2022 - Oakland Roots
- USL Championship Announces 2022 Competition Format - Phoenix Rising FC
- USL Championship Announces Alignment, Start Date for 2022 Season - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- New Mexico United Adds USL Champion Justin Portillo to 2022 Roster - New Mexico United
- FC Tulsa Placed in 14-Team Eastern Conference for 2022 USL Championship Season - FC Tulsa
- El Paso Locomotive and USL Championship Unveil 2022 Season Format - El Paso Locomotive FC
- USL Championship Announces 2022 Competition Format - USL
- San Antonio FC Re-Signs Midfielder Victor 'PC' Giro to Multi-Year Contract - San Antonio FC
- Hartford Athletic Re-Signs Jeciel Cedeño - Hartford Athletic
- Indy Eleven Signs Midfielder Sam Brown - Indy Eleven
- Academy Standout Damm Signs Pro Deal Including Scholarship - Louisville City FC
- Defender Chapman-Page Returns for Third Season with Miami FC - Miami FC
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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