USL schedules set for 2007
Published on January 25, 2007 under USL First Division (USL-1) News Release
TAMPA, FL - United Soccer Leagues announced the 2007 regular season schedules for the USL First Division, Premier Development League and W-League, joining the previously unveiled USL Second Division schedule.
USL First Division
The 182-game USL First Division season opens with the first official action of the USL season when the Virginia Beach Mariners traveling to the tropics for an April 13 fixture in Puerto Rico and an April 15 match at Miami.
The league finalist Rochester Raging Rhinos open their season in Virginia Beach the following week on April 20 with the defending champion Vancouver Whitecaps opening the season the following night when they play host to their arch rival Seattle Sounders April 21. The two finalists square off in rematches on May 4 in Rochester and May 20 in Vancouver.
The 2006 regular season Commissioner's Cup winners Montreal Impact also kick off their campaign on the 21st with a road trip to Atlanta.
The expansion Carolina RailHawks open their inaugural season at home April 21 against the Minnesota Thunder while the first-year California Victory open on the road April 28 in Vancouver. California's home opener will be May 12 versus the Raging Rhinos.
The season comes to a close with three matches on Sunday, September 9.
USL Premier Development League
The 504-game USL Premier Development League season opens April 28 in California where the Fresno Fuego play host to the Bakersfield Brigade and the Ventura County Fusion host the Lancaster Rattlers in a battle of expansion clubs.
The season gets underway in earnest the following weekend with 12 matches. Among them are expansion sides Mississippi Brilla, Springfield Demize, San Jose Frogs and Baton Rouge.
The champion Michigan Bucks begin defense of their title May 16 when they host the West Michigan Edge. The Carolina Dynamo and Cape Cod Crusaders will look to continue their regular season streaks from last year's unbeaten campaigns when they both open their season on the road May 12.
The season comes to a close July 22 with eight matches.
USL W-League
The 218-game W-League season opens Friday, May 11 when the semifinalist Charlotte Lady Eagles play host to the Atlanta Silverbacks.
The action continues with three matches the following night with the Toronto Lady Lynx hosting the Sudbury Canadians while the Long Island Rough Riders make their debut at home against the New York Magic and fellow expansion side Jersey Sky Blue host the Western Mass Lady Pioneers.
The opening weekend concludes Sunday with the Richmond Kickers Destiny visiting the Hampton Roads Piranhas.
The 2006 champion Whitecaps open their title defense May 20 in Vancouver the same night the men's side hosts Rochester in a rematch of last year's USL-1 final. The women face their arch rival Seattle Sounders.
The season, which features each club in the Northeast Division playing 14 games and the rest of the league 12, comes to a close July 22 with seven matches.
USL Second Division (previously announced)
The 100-game schedule opens with a stellar slate of four matches on April 20 and 21 that will feature two expansion clubs playing their first matches as well as three of the four playoff sides from last year in action.
First-year clubs Crystal Palace Baltimore and the Bermuda Hogges will make their debuts on Friday, April 20 when Baltimore visits 2006 finalist and 2005 USL-2 champion Charlotte Eagles and Bermuda plays host to the New Hampshire Phantoms.
The following night, the Cincinnati Kings travel to Richmond to take on the reigning league champion Kickers in a rematch of the semifinal series from last year's postseason while two regular postseason contenders meet in Harrisburg when the City Islanders take on the visiting Wilmington Hammerheads.
The third expansion club, Cleveland City Stars, will play its inaugural match the following weekend on the road Saturday, April 28 in Cincinnati's home opener.
The season comes to a close with four matches Saturday, August 11. All three expansion teams will wrap up their inaugural campaigns on the road with Cleveland at Richmond, Baltimore at Harrisburg and Bermuda at Wilmington. New Hampshire hosts Cincinnati in the fourth contest.
The 2007 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup tournament format and USL qualifying process is expected to be announced next week.
League and team schedules are available on USLsoccer.com.
USL First Division Stories from January 25, 2007
- Thunder and Lightning announce 2007 schedules - Minnesota Thunder
- Silverbacks announce 2007 schedule - Atlanta Silverbacks
- Timbers announce 2007 schedule - Portland Timbers
- Carolina RailHawks Release 2007 Schedule - North Carolina FC
- USL schedules set for 2007 - USL-1
- 2007 Carolina Challenge Cup Tickets and Game Schedule Announced - Charleston Battery
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