

TAMPA, Fla. – The United Soccer League (USL), the largest second division professional soccer league in the world, today announced the home openers for the 2017 regular season, with a 13-game slate set to feature on the 2017 USL Kickoff Weekend on Saturday, March 25 and Sunday, March 26.
The Roughnecks will open the 2017 season with a home match against the Colorado Springs Switchbacks at ONEOK Field on Saturday, March 25th. The rest of the 32-match regular season schedule will be announced next week.
The 2016 USL Cup champion New York Red Bulls II will open their new campaign on the road as they visit a revamped Pittsburgh Riverhounds side at Highmark Stadium in one of 11 games on the opening Saturday of the season. The Red Bulls II will play host to the Richmond Kickers the following Saturday, April 1, in the club’s first contest at its new home on the picturesque campus of Montclair State University.
The 2016 USL Western Conference champion Swope Park Rangers will also kick off the season on their opening Saturday when they host a marquee clash with OKC Energy FC.
Two of the league’s newcomers in the 2017 season will also see action on home turf on the opening Saturday of the season, with the Tampa Bay Rowdies set to welcome Sunshine State rivals Orlando City B to scenic Al Lang Stadium, and Reno 1868 FC will square off with Orange County SC at Greater Nevada Field in its inaugural contest.
The third newcomer to the USL in 2017, Ottawa Fury FC, will kick off its inaugural season the following weekend with a visit to Saint Louis FC, while its home opener at TD Place arrives on April 22 against Toronto FC II.
Other highlights of the opening weekend in the Eastern Conference include the first clash for the Kings’ Cup in 2017 when Louisville City FC hosts Saint Louis FC at Slugger Field, while a postseason rematch sees the Charleston Battery host FC Cincinnati at MUSC Health Stadium. Meanwhile in the West, Rio Grande Valley FC hosts Texas rival San Antonio FC, and two 2016 playoff teams meet as the LA Galaxy II welcome Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2.
The full 2017 USL regular season schedule will be announced in the coming days as the league begins the countdown to the seventh season in its history. Home opener kickoff times also will be announced at a later date.
Saturday, March 25
Charleston Battery vs. FC Cincinnati
LA Galaxy II vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
Louisville City FC vs. Saint Louis FC
Phoenix Rising FC vs. Toronto FC II
Pittsburgh Riverhounds vs. New York Red Bulls II
Portland Timbers 2 vs. Real Monarchs SLC
Reno 1868 FC vs. Orange County SC
Richmond Kickers vs. Harrisburg City Islanders
Swope Park Rangers vs. OKC Energy FC
Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Orlando City B
Tulsa Roughnecks FC vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
Sunday, March 26
Rio Grande Valley FC vs. San Antonio FC
Seattle Sounders FC 2 vs. Sacramento Republic FC
Thursday, March 30
Orlando City B vs. Louisville City FC
Saturday, April 1
Bethlehem Steel FC vs. Rochester Rhinos
Charlotte Independence vs. Charleston Battery
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. OKC Energy FC
New York Red Bulls II vs. Richmond Kickers
Real Monarchs SLC vs. Phoenix Rising FC
Sacramento Republic FC vs. Orange County SC
Saint Louis FC vs. Ottawa Fury FC
San Antonio FC vs. LA Galaxy II
Friday, April 7
Toronto FC II vs. Rochester Rhinos
Saturday, April 8
OKC Energy FC vs. Rio Grande Valley FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 vs. Seattle Sounders FC 2
Saturday, April 15
FC Cincinnati vs. Saint Louis FC
Harrisburg City Islanders vs. Bethlehem Steel FC
Sunday, April 16
Orange County SC vs. Tulsa Roughnecks FC
Saturday, April 22
Ottawa Fury FC vs. Toronto FC II
Rochester Rhinos vs. New York Red Bulls II
Host team listed first
Prior to each sporting event across the country, the game truly does not begin until one historic tradition is performed: the national anthem. The Tulsa Roughnecks FC and the Tulsa Drillers take tremendous pride in having the most talented local performers start off our home games with their renditions of the anthem, and are pleased to provide this special opportunity to individuals interested in showcasing their talent before each game.
The Roughnecks FC and Drillers are now accepting video applications from individuals and groups that are interested in performing the Star Spangled Banner prior to a soccer match or baseball game this summer.
To be considered, please send a video of yourself or your group singing or performing the entire National Anthem to entertainment@tulsadrillers.com or a DVD to:
ONEOK Field
Attn: National Anthem
201 N. Elgin Ave.
Tulsa, OK 74120.
Please include your name, daytime phone number and e-mail address with all submissions.
If you have already performed the National Anthem at ONEOK Field, you do not need to re-submit an application. You will be considered along with all the new applicants.
All entries must be received by Friday, February 10th, 2017 to be eligible.
The submissions will be reviewed and we will contact a select number of participants to come to ONEOK Field on Saturday, February 18th for an INVITATION ONLY final audition.
“Providing local performers the opportunity to share their talent with those in attendance at ONEOK Field is a tremendous feeling,” said Paige Martin, the Roughnecks FC and Drillers Promotions Assistant. “We are blown away each year with all the talented submissions we receive, and look forward to reviewing new submissions this year. We want to have the best showcased in front of our Roughnecks and Drillers fans in 2017!”
The Tulsa Roughnecks FC and Tulsa Drillers are searching for energetic and dynamic entertainers to perform in front of crowds of THOUSANDS each night during Roughnecks FC and Drillers home games.
The Roughnecks FC and the Drillers have established themselves as a summer time favorite for all Tulsa families! Each year, the Promo Team has enhanced the overall fan experience by infusing excitement and enthusiasm into each game. Members of the Promo Team are talented, outgoing, energetic and dedicated individuals.
If you find yourself being easily embarrassed by:
Promo member duties will include coordinating and executing in-game promotions, ensuring all on-field games are set up properly with all required props, distributing promotional items, interacting with fans, serving as an ambassador for non-gameday, off-site events, and adding to the overall entertainment at ONEOK Field.
Required Qualifications:
To be given consideration, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Application Process:
Submissions should be sent by E-mail to Promotions Assistant Paige Martin: entertainment@tulsadrillers.com
(TAMPA, Fla.) – The United Soccer League (USL) today was granted provisional Division 2 status by the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) Board of Directors, beginning with the 2017 season.
Earlier this year, the USL submitted its application and supporting documentation for entry into Division 2. This landmark decision by USSF supports the USL’s vision to become one of the most globally recognized second division professional soccer leagues.
Since 2014, the USL has more than doubled in size. Ottawa Fury FC, Reno 1868 FC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies are joining as new clubs for next season while Nashville SC will begin play in 2018 with further expansion on the horizon.
“The USL is honored to receive U.S. Soccer Federation Division 2 status, which provides further validation about our League’s financial sustainability, national footprint, ownership quality, stadium infrastructure and player development,” said Alec Papadakis, the USL Chief Executive Officer. “Our teams have invested more than $100 million into stadium development in the last year to enhance the experience for the 1.5 million passionate fans that attended games in 2016, the 1,000-plus players and nearly 100 coaches that have positioned our League as a highly sophisticated competition model that cultivates strong regional rivalries.”
The USL’s expansive national footprint features teams in 21 of the top 50 U.S. Metropolitan Statistical Areas and three of the top six populated Canadian cities. This year, team markets reached 75 million people including 30 million who lived in a region where the USL was the only professional league.
“After an exhaustive process working with both leagues, in the best interest of the sport the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors has decided to grant provisional Division II status to the USL,” said U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati. “U.S. Soccer will create an internal working group that will work with the league to set a pathway to meet the full requirements for Division II and allow for the larger goal of creating a sustainable future. We look forward to another productive year for professional soccer in this country.”
With the USL kicking off its 2017 season in late March, the League will be announcing its official schedule and conference alignments soon.
“Today is a big day for the Tulsa Roughnecks and for professional soccer in the city of Tulsa. The United Soccer League continues to make giant strides in its goal to become one of the top Division 2 leagues in the world. We are proud to have the Roughnecks and Tulsa be a part of the process as USL and its teams continue to grow their presence in the international soccer community.” said Brian Carroll, Vice President of the Tulsa Roughnecks FC.
More Information: www.USLSoccer.com.
About United Soccer League
The United Soccer League is the fastest growing professional soccer league in the world with teams in 19 states and three Canadian provinces. Since 2014, the USL has doubled in size and established a sizeable North American footprint with strong ownership, experienced executives and regional rivalries.
The USL prides itself on three key tenets when identifying a potential expansion city. First, a strong local ownership group. Second, a millennial and diverse population. Third, plans for a soccer-specific stadium to showcase the game in the way it was supposed to be, while giving supporters a first-class venue.
In 2016, the USL experienced record growth with a total season attendance of almost 1.5 million, a 33 percent increase from 2015. The average attendance for the league’s top-10 drawing teams was 6,724, a 25 percent increase year-over-year.
Creating an engaging environment for passionate fans, the USL aims to establish all clubs as owners or primary tenants of 8,000-10,000 seat soccer-specific stadiums by 2020. Teams have invested more than $100 million into stadium infrastructure in the last year to enhance the experience for the USL’s passionate fans, 900-plus players and nearly 100 coaches in building a highly sophisticated league.
Expanding its broadcast reach with ESPN and SiriusXM partnerships, USL “Games of the Week” were available this year on ESPN3 to 99 million households. The USL aired more than 500 games last season through its Match Center. Recently, the USL finalized a $10 million investment and partnership with VISTA Worldlink to create USL Productions, which will create more than 1,000 hours of live match coverage for 2017. Additionally, statistical analysis will be powered by Opta – the world’s leading provider of live, detailed sports data – who will manage and deliver in-depth details for all USL games.
Based in Tampa, Fla., the USL supports its teams with operational excellence through 50-plus employees and 16 departments including Analytics, Competition, Creative, Digital, League Operations, Marketing, Merchandise/Licensing, Team Services, USL Productions and more.
Follow the USL at USLSoccer.com, on USL Match Center, and on social media via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.