2019 USL Championship Media Guide
2019 USL Championship Media Guide
2019 USL Championship Media Guide
TABLE OF CONTENTS
USL ALIGNMENT .........................................................................................................................................................4
SEASON STRUCTURE................................................................................................................................................5
ATLANTA UNITED 2.....................................................................................................................................................6
AUSTIN BOLD FC.........................................................................................................................................................8
BETHLEHEM STEEL FC............................................................................................................................................. 10
BIRMINGHAM LEGION FC.................................................................................................................................... 12
CHARLESTON BATTERY.......................................................................................................................................... 14
CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE............................................................................................................................ 16
CO. SPRINGS SWITCHBACKS FC...................................................................................................................... 18
EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE FC.................................................................................................................................. 20
FRESNO FC.................................................................................................................................................................. 22
HARTFORD ATHLETIC............................................................................................................................................ 24
INDY ELEVEN.............................................................................................................................................................. 26
LA GALAXY II............................................................................................................................................................... 28
LAS VEGAS LIGHTS FC...........................................................................................................................................30
LOUDOUN UNITED FC.......................................................................................................................................... 32
LOUISVILLE CITY FC................................................................................................................................................34
MEMPHIS 901 FC....................................................................................................................................................... 36
NASHVILLE SC........................................................................................................................................................... 38
NEW MEXICO UNITED...........................................................................................................................................40
NEW YORK RED BULLS II...................................................................................................................................... 42
NORTH CAROLINA FC...........................................................................................................................................44
OKC ENERGY FC.......................................................................................................................................................46
ORANGE COUNTY SC............................................................................................................................................48
OTTAWA FURY FC......................................................................................................................................................50
PHOENIX RISING FC............................................................................................................................................... 52
PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS SC.....................................................................................................................54
PORTLAND TIMBERS 2........................................................................................................................................... 56
REAL MONARCHS SLC.......................................................................................................................................... 58
RENO 1868 FC.............................................................................................................................................................60
RIO GRANDE VALLEY FC...................................................................................................................................... 62
SACRAMENTO REPUBLIC FC.............................................................................................................................64
SAINT LOUIS FC.........................................................................................................................................................66
SAN ANTONIO FC....................................................................................................................................................68
SWOPE PARK RANGERS....................................................................................................................................... 70
TACOMA DEFIANCE............................................................................................................................................... 72
TAMPA BAY ROWDIES............................................................................................................................................ 74
TULSA ROUGHNECKS FC.................................................................................................................................... 76
USL EXECUTIVE STAFF...........................................................................................................................................79
RULES & REGULATIONS.........................................................................................................................................80
Special Thanks: U.S. Soccer Federation, Major League Soccer, Canadian Soccer Association
2018 United Soccer Leagues, LLC, All rights reserved.
*ALL SCHEDULES ET & SUBJECT TO CHANGE
www.USLChampionship.com
USL ALIGNMENT SEASON STRUCTURE
2019 CONFERENCE ALIGNMENT The single-elimination format will then continue for the following four weekends in a fixed-bracket format with the higher seed in each matchup serving as host
through the Eastern and Western Conference Finals. The 2019 USL Cup will be held between November 14-18, 2019 and be hosted by the conference champion
with the better regular-season record.
PLAY-IN PLAY-IN
ROUND ROUND
KEY DATES
Regular Season Begins – March 8 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final – August 27/28
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup First Round – May 7/8 USL Championship Roster Freeze – September 20 Conf. Conf. Conf. Conf. Conf. Conf.
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Second Round – May 14/15 Regular Season Ends – October 20 Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals 2019 USL Cup Finals Semifinals Quarterfinals
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Third Round – May 29 USL Cup Play-In Round – October 23
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Fourth Round – June 12 USL Cup Conf. Quarterfinals – October 25-27
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 – June 19 USL Cup Conf. Semifinals – November 1-3
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals – July 10 USL Cup Conf. Finals – November 8-10
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Semifinals – August 7 USL Cup – November 14-18
4 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE ©2019 UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE 5
861 Franklin Gateway SE
ATLANTA UNITED 2
Marietta, Georgia 30067
www.atlutd.com/2
P: (470) 341-1500 KEY PLAYERS 2019 SCHEDULE
Date Home Away Time (ET)
3/9 ATL V HFD 7:30pm
CONTACTS 8/16
8/24
ATL
HFD
V
V
SPR
ATL
7:30pm
7:00pm
8/28 ATL V MEM 7:30pm
HEAD COACH Owner – Arthur Blank President – Darren Eales
9/4
9/7
ATL
ATL
V
V
BHM
OTT
7:30pm
7:30pm
9/14 TBR V ATL 7:30pm
Vice President and Technical Director Head Coach – Stephen Glass 9/25 ATL V IND 7:30pm
Carlos Bocanegra
9/28 STL V ATL 8:30pm
10/5 PIT V ATL 7:00pm
Communications – Chris Raimondi, Operations – Case Garner, Dylan Castanheira 10/9 ATL V BST 7:30pm
Goalkeeper
[email protected] [email protected]
678-491-6321 860-918-5710 10/19 NSH V ATL 8:00pm
@ATLUTD2
6 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE ©2019 UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE 7
9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd
AUSTIN BOLD FC
Austin, TX 78617
www.austinboldfc.com
P: (512) 872-8700 KEY PLAYERS 2019 SCHEDULE
Date Home Away Time (ET)
3/9 LV v AUS 10:30pm
CONTACTS 8/17
8/24
AUS
OKC
v
v
TUL
AUS
8:30pm
9:00pm
9/1 AUS v RGV 8:30pm
HEAD COACH General Manager - Roberto Silva
[email protected]
512-785-6773
Head Coach - Marcelo Serrano
[email protected]
941-730-6494
9/7
9/11
COS
AUS
v
v
AUS
SAC
8:00pm
8:30pm
9/15 AUS v RNO 7:00pm
Team Manager - Ryan Tewes Director of Marketing - Regan Holley 9/22 AUS v LV 7:00pm
[email protected] [email protected]
858-752-9792 512-655-6325 9/29 POR v AUS 4:00pm
9/5 SLC v AUS 3:00pm
Director of Corporate Partnership Director of Sales - Anthony Rizzo Xavier Baez 9/10 ELP v AUS 9:00pm
Midfielder
Bryan Kraham [email protected]
[email protected] 512-536-1453 9/19 TAC v AUS 10:00pm
832-882-8469
A longtime fixture in Liga MX, Xavier Baez joined Austin as one of the
VP-Events & Guest Operations
Brian Mishkin
club’s marquee signings for its inaugural season. Having played pre-
viously for Chivas de Guadalajara and Necaxa, the 31-year-old has
/AustinBoldFC
[email protected] made more than 250 appearances in Mexico’s top flight and helped
512-655-6320
@AustinBoldFC
Cruz Azul claim the Concacaf Champions League in 2014. A central
midfielder, Baez looks set to be a key member of the club’s central
Marcelo Serrano spine alongside the other experienced veterans brought in by Gen-
eral Manager Roberto Silva and Head Coach Marcelo Serrano.
@AustinBoldFC
8 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE ©2019 UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE 9
s: 2501 Seaport Drive, BH Suite 100
BETHLEHEM STEEL FC
Chester PA 19013
www.bethlehemsteelfc.com
P: (844) 783-3532 KEY PLAYERS 2019 SCHEDULE
Date Home Away Time (ET)
3/9 BHM v BST 7:00pm
CONTACTS
again this October.
8/25 BST v BHM 7:00pm
9/1 BST v SPR 7:00pm
9/7 NC v BST 7:00pm
HEAD COACH Owner – Jay Sugarman Sporting Director – Ernst Tanner
9/14
9/18
IND
BST
v
v
BST
LND
7:00pm
7:30pm
9/21 TBR v BST 7:30pm
Director of Business Operations Head Coach – Brendan Burke 9/28 MEM v BST 8:00pm
Tim Seidler [email protected]
[email protected] 10/6 BST v CLT 7:00pm
610-497-6404
10/9 ATL v BST 7:30pm
Communications – Rob Hildreth Team Coordinator – Jason Israel, Ben Ofeimu 10/12 OTT v BST 2:00pm
Defender
[email protected] [email protected]
610-990-4364 732-261-6929 10/19 CHS v BST 7:30pm
Ben Ofeimu’s signing this offseason marked the first time a player that
Game Operations and Partnership
Joshua Buggy
Game Operations and Special Events
Alicia LaPorta
had completed the Union Academy’s Residency Program joined the
professional ranks with Steel FC. The 18-year-old has prior experi-
/BSteelFC
[email protected] [email protected] ence with the club as an Academy signing, having made 12 appear-
(610) 497-8794 (610) 990-4360
@BSteelFC
ances and nine starts. Throughout his time in the Union Academy,
Ofeimu appeared in 63 matches, and scored three goals across four
Brendan Burke seasons. Now the 6-foot-3 center back will be looking to follow in
the footsteps of current Philadelphia Union center back and former
United States U-20 international Auston Trusty, who led Steel FC to
its first postseason berth in the 2017 season as he established himself @BSteelFC
as one of the top young defenders in the United States.
10 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE ©2019 UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE 11
BIRMINGHAM 2213 1st Ave. S
Birmingham, AL 35233
CONTACTS 8/17
8/24
BHM
BST
v
v
MEM
BHM
8:00pm
7:00pm
8/28 LDN v BHM 7:30pm
HEAD COACH President/GM - Jay Heaps
[email protected]
205-600-4678
Head Coach - Tom Soehn
[email protected]
(774) 256-4353
9/4
9/13
ATL
BHM
v
v
BHM
STL
7:30pm
8:00pm
9/17 NHS v BHM 8:00pm
Executive Vice President - Doug Hicks Director of Business Operations 9/20 BHM v IND 8:00pm
[email protected] Morgan Copes
(703) 989-7158 [email protected] 9/30 SPR v BHM 8:00pm
(210) 748-8225
10/5 BHM v CHS 8:00pm
Communications Coordinator Director of Ticket Sales - Michael Emert Joe Holland 10/13 HFD v BHM 8:00pm
Midfielder
Clayton Humphries [email protected]
[email protected] (205) 600-3872 10/20 BHM v PIT 4:30pm
(334) 740-9986
@bhmlegion
Conference and a place in the USL Cup Playoffs.
12 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE ©2019 UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE 13
CHARLESTON 1990 Daniel Island Drive
BATTERY
Charleston, SC 29492
www.charlestonbattery.com
(843) 971-4625 KEY PLAYERS 2019 SCHEDULE
Date Home Away Time (ET)
3/9 CHS v OTT 7:30pm
CONTACTS 8/14
8/17
LDN
CHS
v
v
CHS
LOU
7:30pm
7:30pm
8/24 NSH v CHS 8:00pm
HEAD COACH Owner – Eric Bowman President - Mike Kelleher
[email protected]
(865) 235-4850
8/30
9/7
CLT
CHS
v
v
CHS
IND
7:00pm
7:30pm
9/14 PIT v CHS 7:00pm
Head Coach & General Manager Video Production & TV Host 9/22 CHS v NC 2:00pm
Mike Anhaeuser Poppy Miller
[email protected] [email protected] 9/27 NY v CHS 7:30pm
(843) 670-2420 (843) 288-1285
10/5 BHM v CHS 8:00pm
Operations Manager - Wade Crutchfield VP of Corporate of Partnerships Ataulla Guerra 10/13 CHS v LDN 2:00pm
Forward
[email protected] Jodi Witte
(865) 297-2828 [email protected] 10/19 CHS v BST 7:30pm
(919) 414-2509
A big question for the Battery a season ago was how the club would
Director of Communications
Evan Peters
replace Romario Williams’ attacking threat after his loan spell at the
club in 2017 from Atlanta United FC. Guerra stepped up in a big way
/charleston.battery
[email protected] to finish ninth in the Championship with 15 goals to ensure the Bat-
(561) 818-5237
@Chas_Battery
tery’s attack didn’t experience a major drop in production on its way
to an eighth consecutive postseason berth. The Trinidad & Tobado
Mike Anhaeuser international returns for his fourth season in 2019 looking to add to
those figures and could feature this summer for the Soca Warriors at
the Concacaf Gold Cup as well.
@charlestonbattery
14 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE ©2019 UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE 15
CHARLOTTE PO Box 30728
INDEPENDENCE
Charlotte, NC, 28230-0728
www.charlotteindependence.com
CONTACTS 8/17
8/24
CLT
IND
v
v
NSH
CLT
7:00pm
7:00pm
8/30 CLT v CHS 7:00pm
HEAD COACH President & Managing Partner
Jim McPhilliamy
[email protected]
Senior Advisor Executive – Tom Engstrom
tengstrom@@queencitysc.com
(704) 293-0835
9/7
9/13
CLT
NY
v
v
TBR
CLT
7:00pm
7:00pm
(917) 822-3600
9/21 CLT v SPR 7:00pm
General Manager – Mike Jeffries Head Coach - Jim McGuinness 9/28 CLT v HFD 7:00pm
[email protected] 704-756-6041
(708) 227-1741 [email protected] 10/6 BST v CLT 7:00pm
10/12 MEM v CLT 8:00pm
Executive Vice President of Marketing Game Operations Manager Hugh Roberts 10/19 CLT v OTT 7:00pm
Defender
Partnerships - Wade Leaphart Rich Posipanko
[email protected] [email protected]
(704) 516-3418 (803) 524- 2501
@cltindependence
first time since 2015.
16 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE ©2019 UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE 17
COLORADO SPRINGS 234 N. Tejon St.
SWITCHBACKS FC
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
www.switchbacksfc.com
P: (719) 368-8480 KEY PLAYERS 2019 SCHEDULE
Date Home Away Time (ET)
3/9 LA v COS 10:00pm
CONTACTS 8/10
8/17
COS
SAC
v
v
RGV
COS
8:00pm
11:00pm
8/24 FRS v COS 10:30pm
HEAD COACH President – Nick Ragain
[email protected]
(719) 368-8480 x101
Executive VP – James Ragain
[email protected]
(719) 368-8480 x108
8/31
9/7
COS
COS
v
v
PHX
AUS
8:00pm
8:00pm
9/14 NM v COS 9:30pm
Director of Soccer & Team Operations Communications Manager 9/21 ELP v COS 9:30pm
John Wells Cody Costra
[email protected] [email protected] 9/28 COS v LV 8:00pm
(719) 440-2438 (719) 368-8480 x104
10/5 COS v LA 8:00pm
Head Coach – Steve Trittschuh Jordan Burt 10/12 TAC v COS 10:00pm
Defender 10/19 SA v COS 8:30pm
With the retirement of Luke Vercollone this offseason, Jordan Burt will
become the lone member of the Switchbacks’ squad to have played
a part in every season in the club’s history. The 28-year-old sits at
/SwitchbacksFC
the top of the club’s all-time list with 113 appearances and 8,980
minutes of Championship action in Switchbacks’ colors, including a
single-season high 33 appearances a year ago. Set to be part of a @SwitchbacksFC
Steve Trittschuh reconfigured back line this year, Burt’s experience will once again be
valuable to the squad.
@SwitchbacksFC
18 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE ©2019 UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE 19
EL PASO 1 Ballpark Plaza
LOCOMOTIVE FC
El Paso, TX 79901
www.eplocomotivefc.com
P: (915) 235-4625 KEY PLAYERS 2019 SCHEDULE
Date Home Away Time (ET)
3/9 ELP v OKC 9:30pm
CONTACTS 8/17
8/24
ELP
RGV
v
v
TAC
ELP
9:30pm
8:30pm
9/4 ELP v TUL 9:00pm
HEAD COACH President - Alan Ledford
[email protected]
GM, Business Operations - Andrew Forrest
[email protected]
915-283-3413
9/7
9/14
LV
OC
v
v
ELP
ELP
10:30pm
10:00pm
9/21 ELP v COS 9:30pm
Head Coach and Technical Director Director, Marketing & Communications 9/28 SAC v ELP 10:30pm
Mark Lowry Sarah Nollner
[email protected] [email protected] 10/2 ELP v FRS 9:00pm
(915) 283-3414
10/5 RNO v ELP 9:00pm
Coordinator, Marketing & Media Relations Coordinator, Game Operations Mechack Jérôme 10/10 ELP v AUS 9:00pm
Defender
Taylor Hines & Community Services - Taylor Miller
[email protected] [email protected] 10/19 LA v ELP 10:00pm
(915) 283-3417 (915) 283-3436
@eplocomotivefc
going to be a key figure for his new club as he also looks to lead
Haiti to the Concacaf Gold Cup this summer.
20 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE ©2019 UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE 21
1800 Tulare Street
FRESNO FC
Fresno, CA 93721
www.fresnofc.com
P: (559) 320-2525 KEY PLAYERS 2019 SCHEDULE
Date Home Away Time (ET)
3/9 NM v FRS 9:30pm
CONTACTS 8/24
8/31
FRS
TUL
v
v
COS
FRS
10:30pm
8:30pm
9/7 RNO v FRS 10:00pm
HEAD COACH Owner & President – Ray Beshoff
[email protected]
General Manager – Frank Yallop
[email protected]
(559) 320-2525
9/14
9/18
LV
FRS
v
v
FRS
RGV
10:30pm
10:30pm
9/21 FRS v PHX 10:30pm
Vice President of Operations Head Coach – Adam Smith 9/28 SA v FRS 8:30pm
Chris Wilson [email protected]
[email protected] 10/2 ELP v FRS 9:00pm
(559) 283-7261
10/5 FRS v TAC 10:30pm
Team Administrator - Efrain Rojas Director of Communications Jemal Johnson 10/12 FRS v LA 10:30pm
Midfielder
[email protected] Angel Moreno
(831) 240-9976 [email protected] 10/19 OC v FRS 10:00pm
(559-284-7028)
While the Foxes missed out on the postseason in their first year, the club
got its fair share of highlight moments. Leading the way was Jemal John-
son, whose ability to strike from long-range twice landed him on ESPN’s
/FFCFoxes
SportsCenter Top 10 over the course of the campaign. The New Jersey native
also notched nine goals a season ago to finish tied with Caffa for the team
lead. If he can improve on that figure and get into double digits this season,
it would provide a significant boost to Fresno’s postseason chances. @FFCFoxes
Adam Smith
@ffcfoxes
22 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE ©2019 UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE 23
250 Huyshope Ave
HARTFORD ATHLETIC
Hartford, CT 06106
www.hartfordathletic.com
P: 860-216-0816 KEY PLAYERS 2019 SCHEDULE
Date Home Away Time (ET)
3/9 ATL v HFD 7:30pm
CONTACTS 8/7
8/10
NSH
HFD
v
v
HFD
NY
8:00pm
7:00pm
8/24 HFD v ATL 7:00pm
HEAD COACH Chief Operating Officer - Donovan Powell
[email protected]
267-455-8252
Head Coach - Jimmy Nielsen
[email protected]
9/1
9/7
STL
HFD
v
v
HFD
LDN
8:30pm
7:00pm
9/14 HFD v LOU 7:00pm
Team Administrator Director, Operations - Kevin Mellon; 9/22 OTT v HFD 2:00pm
Aaron McMillan-Gordon [email protected]
[email protected] 845-401-5923 9/28 CLT v HFD 7:00pm
925-818-1010
10/5 HFD v SPR 7:00pm
Vice President, Marketing Vice President, Corporate Partnership Sem de Wit 10/9 HFD v BHM 8:00pm
Defender
Joe Calafiore Jordan Charlupski;
[email protected] 860-335- [email protected] 10/19 HFD v TBR 7:00pm
8536 248-259-6604
/hartfordathletic
After two strong campaigns with Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2, Sem
Manager, Marketing and Communications de Wit got lost in the shuffle with FC Cincinnati a season ago as he
John Ponziani recorded only 10 appearances for the side after falling behind other
[email protected] defenders in Alan Koch’s pecking order. The 23-year-old Dutch cen-
@hartfordathletic
860-707-0087 ter back has shown his quality in the league before, however, having
helped lead WFC2 to the Western Conference Final in 2016. A strong
Jimmy Nielsen bounce-back season in Hartford is definitely a possibility as he looks
to get things back on track in 2019.
@hartfordathletic
24 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE ©2019 UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE 25
47 S. Pennsylvania Street, Suite 611
INDY ELEVEN
Indianapolis, IN 46204
www.indyeleven.com
P: (317) 685-1100 KEY PLAYERS 2019 SCHEDULE
Date Home Away Time (ET)
3/9 STL v IND 2:00pm
CONTACTS
Barrett that appear set to make a big difference for the
Eleven this year as they go in pursuit of silverware. 9/4 IND v NY 7:00pm
9/7 CHS v IND 7:30pm
9/11 IND v OTT 7:00pm
HEAD COACH Head Coach & General Manager
Martin Rennie
Director of Corporate Partnerships &
Broadcasting
Larry Linde
9/14
9/20
IND
BHM
v
v
BST
IND
7:00pm
8:00pm
[email protected]
317-514-0366 9/25 ATL v IND 7:30pm
Director of Operations – Andy Piggush
[email protected]
Vice President of Marketing & Sales
Joshua Mason
9/28 PIT v IND 7:00pm
317-685-1100 ext. 167 [email protected] 10/2 OTT v IND 7:00pm
317-371-6149
10/5 IND v MEM 7:00pm
Content Communications Manager Dane Kelly 10/12 TBR v IND 7:30pm
Forward
Trey Higdon,
[email protected] 10/19 IND v SPR 7:00pm
(317) 828-4337
/IndyEleven
Dane Kelly returns to the league with the Eleven after spending the 2018
campaign at D.C. United, and the USL Championship’s all-time leading scorer
will be looking to regain the form that saw him claim the league’s Golden
Boot with 18 goals for Reno 1868 FC two season ago. With 67 regular-season
goals since his league debut in 2011 and another five in the USL Cup Playoffs,
the 27-year-old parlayed his performances in Reno into a first call-up to
the Jamaican national team. With Enevoldsen and former Louisville City FC
@IndyEleven
Martin Rennie forward Ilija Ilic joining him in the Eleven’s attack, there should be plenty of
chances for Kelly to add to his tally.
@indyeleven
26 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE ©2019 UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE 27
18400 Avalon Blvd. Suite 200
LA GALAXY II
Carson, CA 90746
www.lagalaxy.com/2
P: (310) 630-2200 KEY PLAYERS 2019 SCHEDULE
Date Home Away Time (ET)
3/9 LA v COS 10:00pm
CONTACTS 8/10
8/17
AUS
NM
v
v
LA
LA
8:30pm
9:30pm
8/31 LA v SAC 10:00pm
HEAD COACH President – Chris Klein Head Coach – Mike Muñoz
9/7
9/14
LA
PHX
v
v
SLC
LA
10:00pm
10:30pm
9/20 LA v SAC 10:00pm
VP of Marketing, Communications Digital and Communications Associate 9/28 LA v OKC 10:00pm
& Digital – Brendan Hannan, Chloe Piepho
[email protected] [email protected] 10/2 SAC v LA 10:30pm
(310) 630-2245 (507) 254-5756
10/5 COS v LA 7:00pm
Director of Digital and Marketing Digital and Communications Specialist Abraham Romero 10/12 FRS v LA 10:30pm
Goalkeeper
Chris Thomas Chris Hybl
[email protected] [email protected] 10/19 LA v ELP 10:00pm
(310) 630-2243 (316) 558-2459
/LAGalaxyII
There’s a feeling of the story of the prodigal son in Romero’s signing
Supervisor, Game Presentation & Events with the Galaxy II, with the goalkeeper having left the Galaxy’s Acad-
Nicolas Gilbert emy in 2016 to join Liga MX’s Pachuca before joining the professional
[email protected] ranks with the same side the following year. Romero isn’t guaranteed
@lagalaxyII
(310) 630-2284 of the starting place with fellow young standout Eric Lopez return-
ing, making that one of the more interesting positional competitions
Mike Munoz in the league. Romero’s experience with the Mexico U-20 National
Team is a plus, though, and after his return to the Galaxy fold, he’ll be
one to watch this year.
@lagalaxyII
28 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE ©2019 UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE 29
231 S. 3rd Street, Suite 110
CONTACTS
up with a playoff place waiting for them at the end.
8/24 LV v POR 10:30pm
8/28 TUL v LV 8:30pm
9/4 SLC v LV 9:00pm
HEAD COACH Owner & CEO – Brett Lashbrook
[email protected]
Vice President, Corporate Partnerships
Steve Pastorino
[email protected]
9/7
9/11
LV
LV
v
v
ELP
PHX
10:30pm
10:30pm
9/14 LV v FRS 10:30pm
President Marketing & Communications Director of Communications - Harry Ruiz 9/22 AUS v LV 7:00pm
Jim Lambright [email protected]
[email protected] 323-218-6659 9/28 COS v LV 8:00pm
702-339-6260
10/5 LV v SA 10:30pm
Director of Operations – Justin Roper Javan Torre 9/12 LV v RNO 10:30pm
Defender
[email protected]
9/19 NM v LV 9:30pm
@lvlightsfc
30 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE ©2019 UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE 31
100 Potomac Ave SW
LOUDOUN UNITED FC
Washington, DC 20024
www.loudoununitedfc.com
P: (571) 385-1140 KEY PLAYERS 2019 SCHEDULE
Date Home Away Time (ET)
3/9 NSH v LDN 8:00pm
CONTACTS
jumping up and surprising some of its more experi-
enced counterparts. 8/31 LDN v NC 7:30pm
9/7 HFD v LDN 7:00pm
9/13 LDN v MEM 7:30pm
HEAD COACH Chief Operating Officer - Adam Behnke
[email protected]
571-385-1498
Marketing and Media Manager
Emma Carlin
[email protected]
9/18
9/25
BST
LDN
v
v
LDN
SPR
7:30pm
7:30pm
571-385-1334
9/28 LDN v NSH 7:30pm
Sales and Operations Manager 10/1 LDN v PIT 7:30pm
Perez Moodley
[email protected] 10/4 LDN v TBR 7:30pm
571-399-6340
10/13 CHS v LDN 2:00pm
Calle Brown 10/19 LDN v NY 7:30pm
Goalkeeper
The first official signing in Loudoun United FC history, Virginia native Cal-
le Brown returns home after featuring in the USL Championship for three
different clubs in the past four seasons. Brown’s career began with Pittsburgh
/LoudounUnitedFC
Riverhounds SC in 2015, where his performances saw him make the move to
Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo the following offseason. After two
seasons that saw him feature regularly on loan with Rio Grande Valley FC,
Brown headed to Seattle Sounders FC last year and made 21 appearances @LoudounUnitedFC
Richie Williams on loan with the Tacoma Defiance. With almost 5,000 minutes of experience
at the Championship level, the 26-year-old former NCAA Division I Cham-
@LoudounUnitedFC
pionship winner’s experience will prove invaluable to Head Coach Richie
Williams’ squad in its inaugural season.
32 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE ©2019 UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE 33
110 W. Main St, Second Floor
LOUISVILLE CITY FC
Louisville, KY, 40202
www.louisvillecityfc.com
P: (502) 384-8799 KEY PLAYERS 2019 SCHEDULE
Date Home Away Time (ET)
3/9 NC v LOU 3:00pm
MEMPHIS 901 FC
Memphis, TN 38103
www.memphis901fc.com
P: (901) 721-6000 KEY PLAYERS 2019 SCHEDULE
Date Home Away Time (ET)
3/9 MEM v TBR 7:00pm
CONTACTS 8/10
8/17
MEM
BHM
v
v
NC
MEM
8:30pm
8:00pm
8/24 TBR v MEM 7:30pm
HEAD COACH Sporting Director - Andrew Bell
[email protected]
901-722-0261
Head Coach - Tim Mulqueen
[email protected]
901-722-2222
8/28
9/7
ATL
MEM
v
v
MEM
SPR
7:30pm
8:00pm
9/13 LDN v MEM 7:30pm
Soccer Operations Coordinator Director of Operations - Mike Voustinas 9/21 MEM v STL 8:00pm
Lauren Magdefrau [email protected]
[email protected] 901-722-0236 9/28 MEM v BST 8:00pm
919-235-2878
10/5 IND v MEM 7:00pm
Director of Marketing Director of Media & Public Relations Luca Uccello 10/12 MEM v CTL 8:00pm
Midfielder
Travis Lamprecht, Michael Schroeder
[email protected] [email protected] 10/19 MEM v LOU 8:00pm
901-722-0296 901-722-0293
A recent member of the Canada U-20 National Team, Luca Uccello
joins 901 FC after spending the past four seasons in the Champion-
ship with Toronto FC II. The 21-year-old made 77 appearances for
/Memphis901FC
TFC II in that span but was unable to find a breakthrough season as
he recorded just 10 goals over those four seasons. Finding a fresh
start in Memphis could be the move that helps Uccello regain his
footing, and he can certainly look to a former TFC II colleague for
@Memphis901FC
Tim Mulqueen inspiration in the form of Mark-Anthony Kaye, who came into his own
over two seasons with Louisville City FC before joining Major League
Soccer’s Los Angeles FC for the 2018 campaign. There’s a long way
to go for Uccello on that road, but there’s still time for the Markham,
@Memphis901FC
Ontario native to live up to his potential.
36 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE ©2019 UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE 37
650 Rundle Ave
NASHVILLE SC
Nashville, TN 37210
www.nashvillesc.com
P: (615) 457-8200 KEY PLAYERS 2019 SCHEDULE
Date Home Away Time (ET)
3/9 NSH v LDN 8:00pm
/NashvilleSC
After producing a stellar season on loan with North Carolina FC from Chi-
vas de Guadalajara last season, Daniel Rios became the first MLS signing
in Nashville SC’s history this offseason. The 24-year-old notched 20 goals
for NCFC to finish tied for second in the Golden Boot race behind his new
teammate Cameron Lancaster, and while that wasn’t enough to propel North
Carolina to a playoff berth it certainly caught the attention of all that were
watching. Teaming up with Lancaster and fellow new arrival Kharlton Belmar,
@NashvilleSC
Gary Smith Rios could have another big year ahead before making the move with Nash-
ville to the top flight, though, it will be worth watching how the club looks
to incorporate all three – and returnees Tucker Hume, Ropapa Mensah and
Alan Winn – over the course of the season to ensure attacking success. @nashvillesc
38 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE ©2019 UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE 39
317 Commercial St. NE
CONTACTS
of the season, and potentially more.
8/17 NM v LA 9:30pm
8/24 SA v NM 8:30pm
9/1 NM v OC 6:00pm
HEAD COACH CEO & Owner - Peter Trevisani
[email protected]
Head Coach & Technical Director
Troy Lesesne
[email protected]
9/8
9/14
OKC
NM
v
v
NM
COS
7:00pm
9:30pm
9/20 NM v RNO 9:30pm
Director of Soccer Operations COO - Amanda Powers 9/28 NM v PHX 9:30pm
& Assistant Technical Director [email protected]
Brandon Morris 505-907-6052” 10/5 NM v RGV 9:30pm
[email protected]
10/12 TUL v NM 8:00pm
Josh Suggs
270-227-3817
Vice President of Sales & Partnerships Director of Marketing & Communications 10/16 NM v TAC 9:00pm
Defender
Ron Patel Liz Davis
[email protected]” [email protected] 10/19 NM v LV 9:30pm
/NewMexicoUTD
A native New Mexican, Josh Suggs brings more than 150 appearances
Digital Media Manager - Lukas Cash in the USL Championship to his new club. The veteran defender most
[email protected] recently played for fellow Championship side Colorado Springs Switch-
backs FC, where he earned selection to the 2016 All-League Second
@NewMexicoUTD
Team and helped the Switchbacks reach the USL Cup Playoffs that year.
Prior to joining the Switchbacks, Suggs played for two seasons with
Orange County SC, where he helped the side finish top of the Western
Troy Lesesne Conference in 2015. He has recorded eight goals and 19 assists in his USL
Championship career, which has seen him log more than 13,000 minutes
of action and sit in the Top 10 in the league in both appearances and
minutes played over his career.
@NewMexicoUTD
40 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE ©2019 UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE 41
NEW YORK 600 Cape May St.
RED BULLS II
Harrison, NJ, 07029
www.newyorkredbulls.com/2
P: (973) 268-8420 KEY PLAYERS 2019 SCHEDULE
Date Home Away Time (ET)
3/9 NY v SPR 1:00pm
CONTACTS
mance around the corner.
8/2 NY v STL 7:00pm
8/10 HFD v NY 7:00pm
8/14 NY v PIT 7:00pm
HEAD COACH Chief Executive Officer
Marc de Grandpre
General Manager - Jamie Ponce
[email protected]
973.776.8956
8/24
9/4
SPR
IND
v
v
NY
NY
8:00pm
7:00pm
9/13 NY v CTL 7:00pm
Head Coach – John Wolyniec Director of Communications 9/18 STL v NY 8:00pm
& Social Media – Zach Lahey,
[email protected] 9/21 LOU v NY 7:00pm
9/27 NY v CTL 7:30pm
Director of Operations – D.J. McCaffery Tom Barlow 10/5 NC v NY 7:00pm
Forward
[email protected]
10/19 LDN v NY 7:30pm
/NYRBII
The former University of Wisconsin forward began his rookie season
serving as understudy to Brian White for the New York Red Bulls II, but
by the end of the year Tom Barlow had carved out a place as another
promising SuperDraft selection by the organization as he notched 10
@NYRBII
goals at a rate of a goal every 120 minutes of action. At 6-foot-2, Barlow
has both the ability to serve as a central target man while exhibiting a
great instinct for being the right place at the right time. With the creativ-
John Wolyniec ity his teammates bring, another double-digit season of goals could be
on the cards for the 23-year-old.
@nyrb2
42 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE ©2019 UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE 43
5501 Dillard Drive
NORTH CAROLINA FC
Cary, NC 27518
www.northcarolinafc.com
P: (919) 459-8144 KEY PLAYERS 2019 SCHEDULE
Date Home Away Time (ET)
3/9 NC v LOU 3:00pm
CONTACTS
Conference this season.
8/17 NC v PIT 7:00pm
8/21 NC v TBR 7:00pm
8/24 LOU v NC 3:00pm
HEAD COACH Chairman & Owner – Steve Malik President & General Manager
Curt Johnson
[email protected]
8/31
9/7
LDN
NC
v
v
NC
BST
7:30pm
7:00pm
(919) 459-8144
9/14 SPR v NC 5:00pm
Head Coach - Dave Sarachan VP Operations - Bobby Hammond 9/22 CHS v NC 2:00pm
[email protected] [email protected]
9/28 NC v OTT 7:00pm
10/5 NC v NY 7:00pm
Director of Communications – Marco Rosa Manager of Communications Manny Perez 10/12 NSH v NC 8:00pm
Defender
[email protected] Daniel Neal
(919) 349-0491 [email protected] 10/19 NC v STL 7:00pm
(252) 373-5144
United States U-20 international Manny Perez begins his professional career
Director of Creative Services
Luis Trinh Nava
with eyes from either side of the Atlantic Ocean paying close attention, with
his loan to North Carolina FC from legendary Scottish club Celtic FC ensur-
/NorthCarolinaFC
[email protected] ing a close following of his progress this year. Perez should be in an ideal
environment to grow, having come through the NCFC Academy and having
former United States Men’s National Team Manager Dave Sarachan as his
Head Coach. Solid production early in the year could also lead to a place in @NorthCarolinaFC
Dave Sarachan the squad for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland this May and a chance to
shine on the international stage.
@NorthCarolinaFC
44 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE ©2019 UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE 45
615 N Hudson Ave., Suite 100
OKC ENERGY FC
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
www.energyfc.com
P: (405) 235-5425 KEY PLAYERS 2019 SCHEDULE
Date Home Away Time (ET)
3/9 ELP v OKC 9:30pm
CONTACTS
ites in the Western Conference, but they have the look
of a side that can work itself into that conversation by 8/10 OKC v FRS 9:00pm
the time the USL Cup Playoffs arrive. 8/16 POR v OKC 10:30pm
8/24 OKC v AUS 9:00pm
HEAD COACH Owner – Bob Funk Jr.
[email protected]
Owner – Tim McLaughlin
[email protected]
8/30
9/8
SLC
OKC
v
v
OKC
NM
10:00pm
7:00pm
9/14 SA v OKC 8:30pm
General Manager – Jason Hawkins Head Coach – Steve Cooke 9/22 OKC v SAC 7:00pm
[email protected] [email protected]
(405) 235-5425, ext. 1401 9/28 LA v OKC 10:00pm
10/5 OC v OKC 10:00pm
Director of Team Operations VP of Marketing and Communications Alexy Bosetti 10/13 OKC v RGV 7:00pm
Forward
Padraic Farrell Jen McAbee
[email protected] [email protected] 10/18 PHX v OKC 10:30pm
(610) 393-6727 (972) 904-0464
The 25-year-old French forward was one of the most intriguing signings
Social Media Manager - Tyler Vaughn
[email protected]
of the Championship this offseason, bringing with him to Oklahoma City
experience in France’s top flight and at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup, where
/EnergyFC
(405) 620-7661 he was part of the tournament-winning squad alongside Paul Pogba and
Samuel Umtiti. Joined by fellow countryman Nicolas Taravel in joining Energy
FC this offseason, Bosetti will be hoping to have a major impact at his new
club and looking to turn the page after an uneven period of his career over @energyfc
Steve Cooke the past couple of years.
@energyfc
46 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE ©2019 UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE 47
20 Fairbanks, Suite 181
ORANGE COUNTY SC
Irvine, CA 92618
www.orangecountysc.com
P: (949) 647-4625 KEY PLAYERS 2019 SCHEDULE
Date Home Away Time (ET)
3/9 ATL V HFD 7:30pm
CONTACTS
contender with hopes of going one step further than a
season ago. 8/16 ATL V SPR 7:30pm
8/24 HFD V ATL 7:00pm
8/28 ATL V MEM 7:30pm
HEAD COACH Owner & Team President – James Keston General Manager & Executive
Vice President – Oliver Wyss
[email protected]
9/4
9/7
ATL
ATL
V
V
BHM
OTT
7:30pm
7:30pm
(949) 647-4625
9/14 TBR V ATL 7:30pm
Assistant GM & Senior VP Player Head Coach – Braeden Cloutier 9/25 ATL V IND 7:30pm
Recruitment, Soccer Operations [email protected]
Peter Nugent (949) 647-4625 9/28 STL V ATL 8:30pm
[email protected]
10/5 PIT V ATL 7:00pm
Harry Forrester
(949) 647-4625
Orange County struck it big with the signing of Thomas Enevoldsen last
Senior VP, Sales & Marketing
Robert Alvarado
offseason and will be hoping for similar returns from former Rangers FC
forward Harry Forrester as he joins the club after Enevoldsen’s departure
/OrangeCountySoccer
[email protected] to Indy Eleven. Forrester came up through the youth teams of Watford and
(949) 433-2947 Aston Villa, but achieved his most notable success in Glasgow with Rangers
before leaving the historic Scottish club after disagreements with then Man-
ager Pedro Caixinha. Forrester’s arrival at Orange County offers an effective @OrangeCountySC
Braeden Cloutier reset for the 28-year-old’s career and could pay big dividends for Orange
County if he can mesh with his new teammates.
@OrangeCountySoccer
48 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE ©2019 UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE 49
1015 Bank St.
OTTAWA FURY FC
Ottawa, Ontario K1S 3W7
www.ottawafuryfc.com
P: (613) 232-6767 KEY PLAYERS 2019 SCHEDULE
Date Home Away Time (ET)
3/9 CHS v OTT 7:30pm
CONTACTS
his chance creation level is going to be a big factor
in whether Ottawa’s third season in the Championship 8/24 OTT v STL 2:00pm
results in its first postseason appearance. 8/30 OTT v PIT 7:00pm
9/7 ATL v OTT 7:30pm
HEAD COACH President – John Pugh
[email protected]
(613) 232-6767 ext. 8320
General Manager – Julian de Guzman
[email protected]
(613) 232-6767 ext. 8329
9/11
9/18
IND
OTT
v
v
OTT
TBR
7:00pm
7:00pm
9/22 OTT v HFD 2:00pm
Head Coach – Nikola Popovic Director of Communications 9/28 NC v OTT 7:00pm
[email protected] Michele Dion
(613) 232-6767 [email protected] 10/2 OTT v IND 7:00pm
613) 857-0827
10/8 SPR v OTT 8:00pm
Assistant General Manager Social Media Coordinator - Michael Reid Kevin Oliveira 10/12 OTT v BST 2:00pm
Midfielder
Carrie McKay [email protected]
[email protected] 613-232-6767 x8271 10/19 CLT v OTT 7:00pm
(613) 818-8156
PHOENIX RISING FC
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
www.phxrisingfc.com
P: (623) 594-9606 KEY PLAYERS 2019 SCHEDULE
Date Home Away Time (ET)
3/9 SA v PHX 8:30pm
RIVERHOUNDS SC
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
www.riverhounds.com
P: (412) 224-4900 KEY PLAYERS 2019 SCHEDULE
Date Home Away Time (ET)
3/16 TBR v PIT 7:30pm
CONTACTS
squads elsewhere in the East may grab the preseason
spotlight, but it would be surprising if the Hounds are 8/17 NC v PIT 7:00pm
unable to go toe-to-toe with anyone over the course 8/23 PIT v LDN 7:00pm
of this campaign.
8/30 OTT v PIT 7:00pm
HEAD COACH Owner & President – Tuffy Shallenberger General Manager – Kevin Johnston,
[email protected]
412-325-7240
9/7
9/14
PIT
PIT
v
v
LOU
CLT
7:00pm
7:00pm
9/21 NHS v PIT 8:00pm
Head Coach – Bob Lilley Director of Communications – Tony Picardi 9/28 PIT v IND 7:00pm
[email protected] [email protected]
(412) 325-7229 10/1 LDN v PIT 7:30pm
10/5 PIT v ATL 7:00pm
Director of Operations – John Rotz, Kenardo Forbes 10/12 STL v PIT 8:30pm
Midfielder
[email protected]
412-325-7239 10/20 BHM v PIT 4:30pm
/RiverhoundsSC
Heading to Pittsburgh alongside the club’s first-year Head Coach Bob
Lilley, Kenardo Forbes brought his calm ability on the ball and creativity
to the Hounds’ midfield and continued to put himself among the better
playmakers to have ever played in the league. Forbes notched eight
@riverhoundssc
assists for the Hounds in the 2018 campaign, giving him 22 over the past
four seasons as he earned a second All-League selection in the past
three years. A former USL Cup-winner with Lilley at the Rochester Rhinos,
Bob Lilley the 30-year-old Jamaican shows no signs of slowing and will continue to
be a key figure for Pittsburgh this year.
@riverhoundssc
54 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE ©2019 UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE 55
1844 Southwest Morrison St.
PORTLAND TIMBERS 2
Portland, OR 97205
www.timbers.com/T2
P: (503) 553-5400 KEY PLAYERS 2019 SCHEDULE
Date Home Away Time (ET)
3/9 TUL v POR 8:00pm
@timbersfc2
56 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE ©2019 UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE 57
9256 S. State St.
CONTACTS
like Douglas Martinez and Lionel Etoundi fit in with
their new teammates is going to be crucial for Real to 8/10 RNO v SA 10:30pm
remain among the West’s leading contenders. 8/16 PHX v RNO 10:30pm
8/31 RNO v POR 10:00pm
HEAD COACH Owner – Dell Loy Hansen General Manager – Dan Egner
[email protected]
(707) 344-5762
9/7
9/10
RNO
RNO
v
v
FRS
TAC
10:00pm
10:00pm
9/15 AUS v RNO 7:00pm
Head Coach - Martin Vasquez Director of Social Media 9/20 NM v RNO 9:30pm
[email protected] & Communications - Taran Meyer
626-422-9761” [email protected] 9/28 RNO v SLC 9:00pm
(801) 657-2161
10/5 RNO v ELP 9:00pm
Director of Operations – Justin Nelson, Director of Social Media – Derick Fox Noah Powder 10/12 LV v RNO 10:30pm
Defender
[email protected] [email protected]
(385) 434-3095 10/19 TUL v RNO 8:00pm
@realmonarchs
58 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE ©2019 UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE 59
250 Evans Ave.
RENO 1868 FC
Reno, NV 89501
www.reno1868fc.com
P: (775) 334-7001 KEY PLAYERS 2019 SCHEDULE
Date Home Away Time (ET)
3/9 ATL v HFD 7:30pm
VALLEY FC
Edinburg, TX 78542
www.rgvfc.com
P: (956) 972-1144 KEY PLAYERS 2019 SCHEDULE
Date Home Away Time (ET)
3/8 TAC v RGV 10:00pm
CONTACTS
the side, as youngsters like Wilmer Cabrera Jr. look to
come into their own. 8/17 SA v RGV 8:30pm
8/24 RGV v ELO 8:30pm
9/1 AUS v RGV 8:30pm
HEAD COACH CEO of Sports - Rene Borrego
[email protected]
956.279.6992
General Manager – Nick Kowba
[email protected]
9/7
9/15
RGV
SAC
v
v
TUL
RGV
8:30pm
5:00pm
9/18 FRS v RGV 10:30pm
Head Coach – Gerson Echeverry Media Relations Manager 9/21 RGV v SLC 8:30pm
[email protected] Amairani Ramirez
[email protected] 9/28 RGV v OC 8:30pm
(956) 225-7028
10/5 NM v RGV 9:30pm
Digital Media Manager Carlos Small 10/13 OKC v RGV 7:00pm
Forward
Julie Vasquez
[email protected] 10/18 RGV v POR 8:30pm
(956) 984-9018
CONTACTS
Villyan Bijev and Jaime Villarreal and Iwasa providing
a strong foundation for Sacramento’s run at a second 8/23 PHX v SAC 10:30pm
USL Cup. 8/31 LA v SAC 10:00pm
9/7 SAC v TAC 10:30pm
HEAD COACH Chairman & CEO – Kevin Nagle Executive Vice President – Joe Wagoner
[email protected]
9/11
9/15
AUS
SAC
v
v
SAC
RGV
8:30pm
5:00pm
President & Chief Operating Officer Head Coach – Simon Elliott 9/22 OC v SAC 7:00pm
Ben Gumpert
9/28 SAC v ELP 10:30pm
General Manager – Todd Dunivant Communications Manager
Omar Gonzalez 10/2 SAC v LA 10:30pm
[email protected]
10/5 TUL v SAC 8:00pm
Cameron Iwasa
(530) 601-6287
10/12 SAC v OC 10:30pm
Vice President of Operations – Brian May,
[email protected]
Content Specialist - Eira Castillo
[email protected] Midfielder 10/19 SLC v SAC 3:00pm
(916) 416-1125 916.540.8256
Sacramento Republic FC’s Cameron Iwasa had a career season
SAINT LOUIS FC
Fenton, MO 63026
www.saintlouisfc.com
P: (636) 680-0999 KEY PLAYERS 2019 SCHEDULE
Date Home Away Time (ET)
3/9 STL v IND 2:00pm
The promise shown by Caleb Calvert while on loan with the Char-
Videography & Media Relations
John Venneman
lotte Independence in the 2016 Championship season saw him land
on the inaugural edition of the Championship 20 Under 20 list, but
/STLFC1
[email protected] since then the former Chivas USA Homegrown signing hasn’t yet tak-
(314) 440-4836 en the next step in his career. The 22-year-old arrives at Saint Louis
FC looking to change that after scoring one goal and adding two @saintlouisfc
Anthony Pulis assists in 18 appearances on loan with the Independence last season.
If he can, it would add a second key scorer to Greig for STLFC’s front
line and put the side in line for a second consecutive postseason
berth. @saintlouisfc
66 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE ©2019 UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE 67
5106 David Edwards Drive
SAN ANTONIO FC
San Antonio, TX 78233
www.sanantoniofc.com
P: (210) 444-5657 KEY PLAYERS 2019 SCHEDULE
Date Home Away Time (ET)
3/9 SA v PHX 8:30pm
TEAM OUTLOOK 3/16
3/23
SA
COS
v
v
POR
SA
8:30pm
8:00pm
After standing as the best defensive side in the league
in 2017, San Antonio FC slid back to the middle of the 3/30 AUS v SA 10:30pm
pack a season ago in a year that saw a rollercoaster
ride end with the side sitting on the wrong side of the
4/6 SA v LV 8:30pm
postseason line. San Antonio put together winning 4/13 SA v LA 8:30pm
streaks of four and three games in the second half of
the season as it pushed to reach the USL Cup Playoffs 4/20 SLC v SA 7:00pm
for a second consecutive year, but followed each with
a losing streak to match that put paid to the club’s
4/26 SA v TAC 8:30pm
postseason aspirations. 5/5 NM v SA 7:00pm
That inconsistency resulted in a major turnover of 5/11 SA v OC 8:30pm
SAFC’s squad this offseason, with only six players that
ended the 2018 campaign back with the side this year. Amer Didic 5/18 SA v TUL 8:30pm
Among those is attacking midfielder Lance Laing, who Defender 5/25 RGV v SA 8:30pm
joined the club on a permanent deal after impressing
on loan from FC Cincinnati last year, while goalkeeper
6/1 SAC v SA 11:00pm
A 2016 Championship All-League First Team selection for the Swope Park
Matt Cardone and midfielders Pecka and Rafa Castillo Rangers in the club’s inaugural season, Amer Didic arrives in San Antonio 6/8 SA v RNO 8:30pm
also returned to the club after signing new contracts. as an experienced defensive piece that will be charged with improving
the club’s defensive record from a season ago. The Canadian U-23 inter- 6/15 OKC v SA 9:00pm
national couldn’t quite find a breakthrough into Sporting Kansas City’s
Cardone will have a retooled defensive line in front of
him this year, with former All-League selection Amer lineup after signing an MLS deal with the club after his standout displays 6/21 FRS v SA 10:30pm
Didic (Sporting Kansas City) and fellow defenders
for the Rangers. But the experience Didic brings from two Western
Conference championships with Swope Park will bring a lot to SAFC’s 6/26 SA v ELP 8:30pm
Joshua Yaro (Philadelphia Union) and Kai Greene (Rio
Grande Valley FC) heading to the Alamo City. Other
overhauled squad, as will his ability to distribute out of the back as well
as win possession defensively. 7/3 SA v AUS 8:30pm
newcomers include midfielders Michael Lahoud (FC
Cincinnati) and Jack Barmby (Portland Timbers), while
7/17 ELP v SA 9:00pm
Bradford Jamieson IV arrives on loan from the LA Gal- 7/20 OC v SA 10:00pm
axy. The cherry on top is the return of Billy Forbes after
a season with Phoenix Rising FC, with the San Antonio 7/27 SA v SLC 8:30pm
8/3 SA v SAC 8:30pm
CONTACTS
icon aiming to repeat his previous successes at Toyota
Field.
8/10 RNO v SA 10:30pm
8/17 SA v RGV 8:30pm
HEAD COACH Chairman & CEO – Julianna Hawn Holt Managing Director – Tim Holt
[email protected]
(210) 552-7808
8/24
8/30
SA
TAC
v
v
NM
SA
8:30pm
10:00pm
9/7 PHX v SA 10:30pm
Head Coach – Darren Powell Communications Manager – Preston Petri
[email protected]
9/14 SA v OKC 8:30pm
(210) 444-5738
9/20 LA v SA 10:00pm
9/25 TUL v SA 8:00pm
Communications Coordinator – Luis Leyva Operations Manager – Jose Lizardo Lance Laing 9/28 SA v FRS 8:30pm
Midfielder
[email protected] [email protected]
(830) 370-4369 (210) 444-5195
10/5 LV v SA 10:30pm
Struggling for minutes with FC Cincinnati a season ago, Lance Laing
found a new lease on life after arriving on loan with San Antonio FC
midway through the 2018 campaign as he recorded five goals and six
/SAFCUSL
assists to end the season. Now signed to a permanent deal, the Jamaican
winger will have a chance to add to those numbers and contribute to a
resurgence for San Antonio after it missed out on the postseason a year
ago. Joined by SAFC returnee Billy Forbes and new loan arrival Brad-
@SanAntonioFC
Darren Powell ford Jamieson IV, Laing could be a serious contributor to an attack that
should be far more explosive than a season ago.
@SanAntonioFC
68 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE ©2019 UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE 69
SWOPE PARK 2020 Baltimore Ave.
RANGERS
Kansas City, MO 64108
www.sportingkc.com/rangers
P: (913) 387-3400 KEY PLAYERS 2019 SCHEDULE
Date Home Away Time (ET)
3/9 NY v SPR 1:00pm
CONTACTS
likely be challenged strongly this year, but it would
be unwise to underestimate what the Rangers will be 8/24 SPR v NY 8:00pm
capable of. 9/1 BST v SPR 7:00pm
9/7 MEM v SPR 8:00pm
HEAD COACH President – Jake Reid
[email protected]
(913) 951-3552
Manager – Peter Vermes
[email protected]
(913) 387-3826
9/14
9/21
SPR
CLT
v
v
NC
SPR
5:00pm
7:00pm
9/25 LDN v SPR 7:30pm
Head Coach – Paulo Nagamura Chief Communications Officer 9/30 SPR v BHM 8:00pm
[email protected] Rob Thomson,
(310) 614-7843 [email protected] 10/5 HFD v SPR 7:00pm
(913) 387-3405
10/8 SPR v OTT 8:00pm
Director of Operations – Dan Lolli Communications & Digital Lead Wilson Harris 10/12 LOU v SPR 7:00pm
Forward
[email protected] Patrik Bergabo
(913) 912-7502 [email protected] 10/19 IND v SPR 7:00pm
(203) 300-9927
One of the Sporting Kansas City’s Academy standouts in the past, Wilson
Harris should command a far bigger spotlight this season after recording
three goals in 15 appearances in the 2018 campaign. With the experi-
/SwopeParkRangers
enced trio of Kharlton Belmar, Tyler Blackwood and SPR leading scorer
Hadji Barry all having moved on this offseason, Harris is likely going to
have to perform if Swope Park is to keep its streak of reaching the post-
season intact. If this preseason is any indication, the 19-year-old could
@swoperangers
Paulo Nagamura be bound for a breakout season in the Championship after featuring
regularly on the scoresheet for the side over the past month.
@swoperangers
70 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE ©2019 UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE 71
2502 S. Tyler St.
TACOMA DEFIANCE
Tacoma, WA 98405
www.tacdefiance.com
P: (253) 752-7707 KEY PLAYERS 2019 SCHEDULE
Date Home Away Time (ET)
3/8 TAC v RGV 10:00pm
CONTACTS
last year in Tacoma. A U.S. U-17 international, Leyva
could be on the fast-track to the top if he can perform 8/17 ELP v TAC 9:30pm
at a high level for the Defiance this year. 8/27 TAC v PHX 10:00pm
8/30 TAC v SAC 10:00pm
HEAD COACH General Manager & President of Soccer
Garth Lagerwey
VP of Soccer & Sporting Director
Chris Henderson
9/7
9/10
SAC
RNO
v
v
TAC
TAC
10:30pm
10:00pm
9/20 POR v TAC 10:30pm
Head Coach – Chris Little VP of Business Development 9/28 TAC v TUL 10:00pm
Nick Cherniske
[email protected] 10/5 FRS v TAC 10:30pm
505.603.8052
10/12 TAC v COS 10:00pm
VP of Marketing Senior Coordinator of Communications Nick Hinds 10/16 NM v TAC 9:00pm
Defender
Megan Mead Brian Verdi
[email protected] [email protected] 10/19 TAC v AUS 10:00pm
253.761.5620 516.359.2610
@TacDefiance
72 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE ©2019 UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE 73
150 2nd Ave. North, Suite 1600
/TampaBayRowdies
One of the midseason additions brought in by the Tampa Bay Rowdies to try
and turn their season around last June, Kwadwo Poku had some bright mo-
ments, but not enough to lead a second-half charge to the postseason at Al
Lang Stadium. Now set for his first full year with the Rowdies, a strong season
from the former New York City FC cult figure will be essential if Tampa Bay is
to put the disappointment of 2018 behind it. Having just turned 27 years old,
Poku is still in his prime and is still capable of producing big performances
@TampaBayRowdies
Neill Collins on a consistent basis. If he manages that this season, the Rowdies will make a
significant surge back up the Eastern Conference standings.
@TampaBayRowdies
74 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE ©2019 UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE 75
TULSA 201 N. Elgin Ave.
Tulsa, OK 74120
ROUGHNECKS FC
www.roughnecksfc.com
(918) 744-5998 KEY PLAYERS 2019 SCHEDULE
Date Home Away Time (ET)
3/9 TUL v POR 8:00pm
CONTACTS
be big simply to put 2018 in the rear-view mirror.
8/17 AUS v TUL 8:30pm
8/28 TUL v LV 8:30pm
8/31 TUL v FRS 8:30pm
HEAD COACH President - Barry Williams General Manager - Wayne Farmer
[email protected]
(918) 297-6808
9/4
9/7
ELP
RGV
v
v
TUL
TUL
9:00pm
8:30pm
9/21 TUL v OC 8:00pm
VP of Team Operations - Jim Tindell VP of Revenue & Partnership - Nick Salis 9/25 TUL v SA 8:00pm
[email protected] [email protected]
(918) 297-6808 (918) 297-6808 9/28 TAC v TUL 10:00pm
10/5 TUL v SAC 8:00pm
Director of Marketing - Rick Clemons PR Social Media Coordinator AJ Ajeakwa 10/12 TUL v NM 8:00pm
Forward
[email protected] Shelbee Stilwell
(918) 297-6808 [email protected] 10/19 TUL v RNO 8:00pm
If the defense wasn’t good, the Roughnecks’ attack wasn’t much better
Stadium Manager - Marshall Schellhardt
[email protected]
as it recorded only 36 goals in 34 regular-season contests in 2018. To try
and help turn that around, the Roughnecks went out and added former
/RoughnecksFC
(918) 297-6808 Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC forward AJ Ajeakwa, whose speed
should help Tulsa stretch defenses more than in the past season. Ajeak-
wa’s record in front of goal hasn’t always been stellar – he finished with
four goals and one assist in 30 appearances for the Switchbacks a sea-
@roughnecksfc
Michael Nsien son ago – but he could help provide a spark for his attacking colleagues
in Head Coach Michael Nsien’s new-look squad.
@roughnecksfc
76 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE ©2019 UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE 77
USL EXECUTIVE STAFF
A former player for the Atlanta Chiefs and Boston Minutemen, Papadakis had a Edwards played collegiately for James Madison in Virginia. After completing his
long, successful career in the U.S. at both the professional and collegiate level. MBA from Warwick Business School in 2009, while also serving as commercial
He helped Atlanta to a 1971 regular-season championship and Boston to a 1974 manager for Solihull Moors Football Club, Edwards was hired by Octagon, the
regular-season crown. Papadakis was a three-time, First Team All-American at global sports sponsorship agency. Based in Octagon’s London office, Edwards
Hartwick College (New York) and he also attended Ibero-American University served as a business strategy consultant in the company’s rights holder side of
in Mexico City before receiving his law degree at the University of Akron in the business.
1976.
Justin Papadakis
Papadakis’ legal focus has been U.S. and European franchise transactions. He USL Chief Operating Officer
also has practiced in the area of commercial real estate, acquisitions, devel- Papadakis was named the USL President of Commercial Ventures in Decem-
opment, financing and leasing. He was the founder and first president of the ber of 2014 and in May of 2016 began his role as the league’s Chief Operating
Hellenic Franchise Association and holds affiliations with the Board of Advisors Officer.
of International Quarterly, the International Franchise Association, the State Bar
of Georgia, the American Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and the Board of A former goalkeeper, Papadakis represented Duke from 2004-07, with one of
Directors for the Hellenic American Institute in Washington, D.C. his biggest highlights being a two-save effort during a penalty shootout to lift
the Blue Devils past North Carolina to win the 2005 ACC Championship. The
Jake Edwards Roswell, Ga., native also had a strong youth career in the greater Atlanta re-
USL President gion as well as abroad with Benfica FC in Portugal during his high school years.
Edwards has served as USL President since March 2, 2015, when he succeed-
ed Tim Holt in this position. Edwards has played an integral role toward the Papadakis earned his juris doctorate in real state after attending the Cleve-
league’s long-term strategic plan, Destination 2020, which focuses on the USL’s land-Marshall College of Law from 2011-15.
expansion, the launch of media and commercial properties, partnership with
Major League Soccer and the important step for all USL teams to be situated
in soccer-specific stadiums. Edwards oversees the 40-plus staff at the league’s
headquarters in Tampa, Fla., and the daily servicing of its 30-plus clubs.
With the new season comes a new ball which showcases the branding specific to Michael Cohen, Media Consultant
Every disciplinary incident shall be reviewed to ensure that players are not over-penalized, either by the number of matches served or fines. The USL has the Penalty Points
authority and reserves the right to levy additional suspensions or fines (above the minimum for that type of infraction), if a review of the incident warrants such All cautions/yellow cards will account for one point and send-offs/red cards will account for two points. Any player receiving two cautions in one match, which
action. results in a send-off, will receive one point for the first caution and one point for the resulting send-off for a total of two points. Any player receiving one caution
and one red card in a match, which results in a send-off, will receive one point for the caution and two points for the send-off for a total of three points. Send-
The USL Disciplinary Commitee may act in contravention of a referee’s ruling on the field when a play, or the consequences of a play, are of an egregious or ex- offs/red card suspensions must be served the following game in which the team participates.
ceptional nature. The USL Disciplinary Committee is the body that deems whether or not an incident undergoes a formal review by the Independent Disciplinary
Panel. Player Caution Accumulation
Players exceeding the caution accumulation penalty point plateau(s) will begin serving their suspension in their next match. If a player receives two cautions in
Independent Disciplinary Panel one match, these cautions will not count toward a player’s caution accumulation total. The USL also reserves the right to reevaluate player accumulation plateaus
The Independent Disciplinary Panel is comprised of three outside members, consisting of a former professional coach, a former professional referee and a for player eligibility rulings, including playoffs, with the reserved power to postpone suspensions to the following season.
former professional player. This panel is charged with the responsibility of reviewing any disciplinary matters deemed worthy of increased disciplinary measures
(i.e. escalating a yellow card to a red card). Any disciplinary decisions rendered by the Independent Disciplinary Panel will be final and cannot be appealed. A Players accumulating the following number of caution/yellow cards throughout the season will be sanctioned as follows:
unanimous decision must be reached in order for any discipline to be escalated by the panel. Five cautions: one-game suspension and $200 fine
Eight total cautions: one-game suspension and $300 fine
Disparaging Comments 11 total cautions: two-game suspension and $400 fine
Players, coaches and team officials may not disparage referees, referee decisions, league disciplinary decisions or the league in team press releases, press con- 14 total cautions: three-game suspension and $500 fine
ferences or in quotes provided to the media which includes social media platforms. Fines will be levied accordingly based on the nature, severity and context of
the comments made. Suspensions could also be levied for very serious comments. Caution accumulation suspensions can only affect regular-season games. For those players who reach a caution accumulation suspension at the end of the sea-
son that suspension will not be implemented in any potential playoff games that season. Accumulations will be wiped clean at the end of the season. If a player
Serving Suspensions During the Regular Season exceeds 14 cautions in a season, the league reserves the right to fine and suspend the player at its discretion.
Any player and/or coach sent off/dismissed during a regular-season game will be fined (min. $100 for player and min. $500 for coaches) and will be suspended
from the next league regular-season game. A person who serves as both player and coach may not return as a player or a coach until the suspension has been Good Behavior Incentive
served. The USL Disciplinary Committee reserves the right to assess further or limited penalties depending on the severity of the incident. A player will automatically reduce his yellow card accumulation total by one yellow card each time he appears in five consecutive league games without a card
or supplemental discipline. For clarity, a player cannot have a negative yellow card accumulation total; the Good Behavior Incentive reset can only reset to a
The penalties set forth shall apply to all cards awarded to a player in any USL match. For the purposes of determining accumulations and game suspensions, any zero-card total. This incentive will be automatically applied a maximum of three times through the course of the USL season.
games that count as part of a team’s official league schedule shall be utilized.
For example, a player on his third caution of the season appearing in five consecutive league matches without receiving a card or supplemental discipline re-
Exhibition Game Send-off moves one (1) caution from his cumulative total, leaving the player with a total of two. This player now has two remaining Good Behavior Incentive opportunities
Any player and/or coach sent off/dismissed in an exhibition game shall serve a suspension during the team’s next exhibition game. for the 2018 Season. If that players completes five more consecutive league matches without receiving a card or supplemental discipline, one more caution is
removed from his cumulative total leaving the player a total of one caution and one more Good Behavior Incentive opportunity.
Final Regular Season Game Send-off
Any player sent off in a final regular season match must serve the suspension in the first playoff match, unless the season is over, in which case the suspension will Staff Send-off Accumulation
be served in the team’s first league game the following season. Any coach accumulating the following number of ejections, will be suspended and fined as the following:
First Send-off: coach will serve a one game suspension and will be fined minimum of $500
Coach/Staff Cautions and Ejections Second Send-off: coach will serve a one game suspension and will be fined minimum of $1,000
Referees, at their discretion, may warn or dismiss coaches and team staff for unprofessional behavior. Any coach or other team staff member not acting in a Third Send-off: coach will serve a two game suspension and will be fined minimum of $1,500
professional manner in the opinion of the League, whether or not the incident is reported in the Referee Game Report, shall be subject to a minimum $500 fine *Note that the accumulation is an aggregation of all dismissals of the club’s staff (i.e. the first individual dismissed is punished under the “First Dismissal” guideline,
and/or suspension. Referees are instructed not to physically show a red card to non-players, although they may require the removal of coaches and team staff in the second individual dismissed is punished under the “Second Dismissal” guideline, etc., even if the first party dismissed and second party dismissed are differ-
accordance with Rule 647 for unprofessional behavior at their own discretion. ent individuals)
Pre-Game
Suspended personnel are allowed to communicate pre-game information to the team in the locker room prior to the match. However, they are not allowed on
the field during warm-ups and may not stand or in any way be in close proximity to the field of play.
©2019 UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE 80 ©2019 UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE 81
RULES & REGULATIONS
Within 48 hours of receiving the appeal the USL shall hold a call to determine the appeal. The USL shall convene the Independent Disciplinary Panel to decide The date of the Roster Freeze is Sept. 20, 2019, at 5 p.m. ET.
the appeal. The panel will review the video of the incident prior to the appeal. $500 is due to the USL in order to conduct an appeal, but if the appeal is success-
ful, then the $500 will not be invoiced. Any MLS player legitimately on the final Master Roster of a USL team at the time of the Roster Freeze date will be permitted to compete for the USL team for the
rest of the season, regardless of whether or not that player is subsequently traded or transferred to another MLS team. In this instance, it is possible that a newly
Cross League and Competition Suspensions executed loan agreement would be required by the USL. However, if a player is sold or released from his contract with MLS, this will terminate the player’s loan
Players joining the USL (on loan or through transfer) may be subject to any suspension that has been levied by other competitions. The USL shall determine if it with the USL team.
will permit a player who receives a red card or other supplemental discipline in another competition for an egregious act to play in USL matches. As per USSF
policy, supplemental discipline issued for referee assault/abuse shall preclude the suspended individual from participating in any soccer competition until the Any outfield player on loan from another league must play a minimum of five games during the regular season to be eligible to play in the USL Cup Playoffs. One
suspension has expired. of these games must occur prior to the roster freeze date. This standard does not apply to goalkeepers.
Players who are suspended in any cup competition such as the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Canadian Championship or CONCACAF Champions League are not Any player who is sold to an MLS team after the Roster Freeze deadline may rejoin the USL team on loan for the remainder of the season, as long as he assumes
automatically suspended in the USL. The USL will independently review the action and suspension and have the right to implement supplemental discipline in the the spot on the roster he vacated when he was sold by the USL club. As long as the player played in a minimum of five games during the season, either prior or
USL Disciplinary Commitee, if it determines the player’s behavior was deemed to be egregious. after being sold, he is eligible to play in the USL Cup Playoffs.
Master Roster SPECIAL EXEMPTION (GOALKEEPERS): In the unlikely event that a team is reduced to a single “available and healthy” goalkeeper due to National Team call-up
23-Man Game Day Player Pool – All players must be rostered (i.e., registered with the League and Federation) prior to their inclusion in a Team’s 23-Man Game or medically-verifiable injury, the team may petition the USL in writing to be permitted to add a backup goalkeeper to their Master Roster. This may only be done
Day Player Pool. Suspended players cannot be included in the 23-Man Game Day Player Pool. Should a player be successfully rostered (provided all regis- in the event that at least two eligible and healthy goalkeepers are under contract with the club, participating in regular team activities, not on loan with another
tration paperwork and ITC cleared before the applicable match registration deadline) and fall within the 48-24 hour window, they may be added to the 23-Man team, and listed on the final Master Roster submitted at the time of the Roster Freeze date. This backup goalkeeper will be permitted to remain on the team’s
Game Day Player Pool; however, the change will be subject to the opposing team’s approval in accordance with Master Roster Guidelines. roster until such time that one or more of the originally rostered goalkeepers becomes available and is able to compete. The USL will have the power to reject
the addition of a goalkeeper in this situation if it feels its primary intent is to create a competitive advantage.
The Master Roster consists of up to 30 Active Players and is the official player roster of the team as set by the USL. Inactive Players do not count toward a team’s
Master Roster.
A maximum of seven players on the Master Roster may be International Players, pending the trade or sale of international roster spots.
A professional team must carry 12 or more professional players on its Master Roster. Players loaned from leagues other than MLS with no right to recall count
toward this minimum.
Active Players consist of properly registered players on USL contracts and players in on loan and Academy Players whose the team has indicated are to be ac-
tive. Players who are signed to a USL Standard Professional Player Contract and are not in on loan can only be active on the roster.
Teams are required to submit their 23-Man Game Day Player Pool of players that are available and active for a match 48 hours prior to each match. Between 48
and 24 hours prior to the match, any change to that Game Day Player Pool must be approved by the opposing team and the league. There will be no changes
allowed to 23-Man Game Day Player Pool less than 24 hours prior to a match. Failure to submit the 23-Man Game Day Player Pool 48 hours prior to the match
will result in a minimum fine of $500. If a player not included on the 23-Man Game Day Player Pool appears on the Game Day Lineup, it will result in a minimum
fine of $1,000. All appropriate parties must be included on the correspondence for the standard to be met. All aforementioned times are subject to change in
accordance with the best interests of the game and in the spirit of the intent of this rule in the League’s absolute discretion. The League reserves the right to
override approvals or denials of the opposing team.
No player may be simultaneously active on the Master Roster of two separate teams in two different leagues. The only exception to this rule occurs if a player
has been listed as active on a USL team’s 23-Man Game Day Player Pool, which is submitted to the League no later than 48 hours prior to the match. In such an
instance, a player may remain active in both systems. Any player that does not meet this exception must be listed as inactive in the USL registration system to partic-
ipate on a separate team in a different league. No player may be listed on the active roster for two separate teams in two different leagues on the same day. Failure
to meet this standard will result in a minimum fine of $500.
©2019 UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE 82 ©2019 UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2019 USL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDIA GUIDE 83