Recently, it was announced that North Carolina FC would be making the strategic move to USL League One. The move will allow more first-team minutes for young academy-aged players and focus additional financial resources on youth development.
It’s an entirely new league filled with new competitors to play, so with the 2021 season on the horizon, we take a look at the opponents that North Carolina FC will be facing in USL League One.
Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
Formed in August 2018, Chattanooga Red Wolves Soccer Club are based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. They play at the CHI Memorial Stadium, which has a capacity of 5,500. Jimmy Obleda is the current head coach in charge. In the 2020 season, the side finished in 5th and subsequently missed out on a spot in the League One Final.
Fort Lauderdale CF
Part of David Beckham’s Inter Miami CF organization, Fort Lauderdale CF are based in the state of Florida. Former Real Salt Lake, New York City FC, and Orlando City SC head coach Jason Kreis is currently in charge of the side. Fort Lauderdale share their stadium with their MLS affiliate, playing at the Inter Miami CF Stadium, with a capacity of 18,000. In 2020, they finished 10th.
Forward Madison FC
Based in Madison, Wisconsin, Forward Madison were formed in May 2018. The club played its 2019 home matches at Breese Stevens Field, with a capacity of up to 5,000. Due to the pandemic, the Flamingos spent the 2020 season at Hart Park in nearby Wauwatosa. Englishman Carl Craig is the club’s current Head Coach, joining in December 2020 after Daryl Shore left. They finished 7th in 2020.
Greenville Triumph SC
The 2020 USL League title-winners, Greenville Triumph, are based in Greenville, South Carolina. Formed in March 2018, former US international John Harkes is the current head coach and has been since 2018. Triumph home matches take place at Legacy Early College Field, with a capacity of 4,000 spectators. After a narrow defeat to North Texas SC in the 2019 League One Final, Greenville lifted the trophy in 2020, finishing the season six points ahead of the chasing pack.
New England Revolution II
Part of the New England Revolution organization of Major League Soccer, Revolution II was formed in October 2019. Like the MLS side and the New England Patriots, Revs II plays at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Former North Carolina FC coach Clint Peay is the current head coach. The side finished 9th in the 2020 season.
North Texas SC
A founding member of USL League One, North Texas SC were formed in November 2018. Part of the FC Dallas organization, North Texas currently play at Globe Life Park in Arlington, which has a capacity of 48,114. Eric Quill is currently the club’s head coach, winning the USL League One title in 2019. And in 2020, they finished 3rd, just two points shy of earning a rematch with Greenville in the 2020 League One Final.
Union Omaha
Based in Omaha, Nebraska, Union Omaha were formed in May 2019, making their debut in the 2020 season. The side currently play at Werner Park, a 9,023-capacity stadium in Papillion, Nebraska. Jay Mims was announced as the club’s head coach in May 2019 and guided Omaha to an impressive 2nd place finish as the only expansion side competing in the 2020 season.
Richmond Kickers
Formed in 1993, Richmond Kickers are the oldest club in USL League One and are from Richmond, Virginia. The side have played at City Stadium since 1995, and the stadium has a capacity of 22,611. Currently, the head coach is Darren Sawatzky, who has managed FC Tucson, as well as the Guam national side. In 2020, Richmond Kickers finished in 4th place.
South Georgia Tormenta FC
Formed in 2015, South Georgia Tormenta FC are based in Statesboro, Georgia. The side currently play at the 3,500-capacity stadium Eagle Field at Erk Russell Athletic Park but have plans to move to a soccer-specific stadium. 32-year-old Scotsman Ian Cameron is the club’s current head coach, having previously been in charge of South Georgia Tormenta FC 2. Last season, they finished in 8th.
Toronto FC II
Part of the Toronto FC organization, the league’s only Canadian side was formed in November 2014. They currently play at BMO Training Ground in North York, Toronto, which has a capacity of 1,000. Former Los Angeles Galaxy II Head Coach Mike Muñoz is currently in charge of TFC II. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the side withdrew from the 2020 season, but plan to return for 2021.
FC Tucson
Formed in 2010, FC Tucson are based in the state of Arizona After initially competing in USL League Two, the club turned professional and joined USL League One in 2019. FC Tucson currently play at Kino North Stadium, which has a capacity of 3,200. John Galas is the club’s current head coach, having previously been an assistant in the 2019 season. They finished in 6th place in 2020.
And in 2022, North Carolina FC will be joined be a further two sides in USL League One. Northern Colorado FC and Central Valley Fuego FC, at the time of writing, are set to join next year.
Recently, it was announced that North Carolina FC would be making the strategic move to USL League One. The move will allow more first-team minutes for young academy-aged players and focus additional financial resources on youth development.
It’s an entirely new league filled with new competitors to play, so with the 2021 season on the horizon, we take a look at the opponents that North Carolina FC will be facing in USL League One.
Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
Formed in August 2018, Chattanooga Red Wolves Soccer Club are based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. They play at the CHI Memorial Stadium, which has a capacity of 5,500. Jimmy Obleda is the current head coach in charge. In the 2020 season, the side finished in 5th and subsequently missed out on a spot in the League One Final.
Fort Lauderdale CF
Part of David Beckham’s Inter Miami CF organization, Fort Lauderdale CF are based in the state of Florida. Former Real Salt Lake, New York City FC, and Orlando City SC head coach Jason Kreis is currently in charge of the side. Fort Lauderdale share their stadium with their MLS affiliate, playing at the Inter Miami CF Stadium, with a capacity of 18,000. In 2020, they finished 10th.
Forward Madison FC
Based in Madison, Wisconsin, Forward Madison were formed in May 2018. The club played its 2019 home matches at Breese Stevens Field, with a capacity of up to 5,000. Due to the pandemic, the Flamingos spent the 2020 season at Hart Park in nearby Wauwatosa. Englishman Carl Craig is the club’s current Head Coach, joining in December 2020 after Daryl Shore left. They finished 7th in 2020.
Greenville Triumph SC
The 2020 USL League title-winners, Greenville Triumph, are based in Greenville, South Carolina. Formed in March 2018, former US international John Harkes is the current head coach and has been since 2018. Triumph home matches take place at Legacy Early College Field, with a capacity of 4,000 spectators. After a narrow defeat to North Texas SC in the 2019 League One Final, Greenville lifted the trophy in 2020, finishing the season six points ahead of the chasing pack.
New England Revolution II
Part of the New England Revolution organization of Major League Soccer, Revolution II was formed in October 2019. Like the MLS side and the New England Patriots, Revs II plays at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Former North Carolina FC coach Clint Peay is the current head coach. The side finished 9th in the 2020 season.
North Texas SC
A founding member of USL League One, North Texas SC were formed in November 2018. Part of the FC Dallas organization, North Texas currently play at Globe Life Park in Arlington, which has a capacity of 48,114. Eric Quill is currently the club’s head coach, winning the USL League One title in 2019. And in 2020, they finished 3rd, just two points shy of earning a rematch with Greenville in the 2020 League One Final.
Union Omaha
Based in Omaha, Nebraska, Union Omaha were formed in May 2019, making their debut in the 2020 season. The side currently play at Werner Park, a 9,023-capacity stadium in Papillion, Nebraska. Jay Mims was announced as the club’s head coach in May 2019 and guided Omaha to an impressive 2nd place finish as the only expansion side competing in the 2020 season.
Richmond Kickers
Formed in 1993, Richmond Kickers are the oldest club in USL League One and are from Richmond, Virginia. The side have played at City Stadium since 1995, and the stadium has a capacity of 22,611. Currently, the head coach is Darren Sawatzky, who has managed FC Tucson, as well as the Guam national side. In 2020, Richmond Kickers finished in 4th place.
South Georgia Tormenta FC
Formed in 2015, South Georgia Tormenta FC are based in Statesboro, Georgia. The side currently play at the 3,500-capacity stadium Eagle Field at Erk Russell Athletic Park but have plans to move to a soccer-specific stadium. 32-year-old Scotsman Ian Cameron is the club’s current head coach, having previously been in charge of South Georgia Tormenta FC 2. Last season, they finished in 8th.
Toronto FC II
Part of the Toronto FC organization, the league’s only Canadian side was formed in November 2014. They currently play at BMO Training Ground in North York, Toronto, which has a capacity of 1,000. Former Los Angeles Galaxy II Head Coach Mike Muñoz is currently in charge of TFC II. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the side withdrew from the 2020 season, but plan to return for 2021.
FC Tucson
Formed in 2010, FC Tucson are based in the state of Arizona After initially competing in USL League Two, the club turned professional and joined USL League One in 2019. FC Tucson currently play at Kino North Stadium, which has a capacity of 3,200. John Galas is the club’s current head coach, having previously been an assistant in the 2019 season. They finished in 6th place in 2020.
And in 2022, North Carolina FC will be joined be a further two sides in USL League One. Northern Colorado FC and Central Valley Fuego FC, at the time of writing, are set to join next year.
