It’s been a busy offseason for the USL, with six teams joining the league for the upcoming 2016 season. During Republic FC’s inaugural season there were just 14 clubs in the USL, but the league has rapidly expanded since 2014. This season there will be 29 clubs all together, with 15 in the Western Conference and 14 in the East.
Joining the Western Conference this season are three expansion teams— Rio Grande Valley FC Toros, San Antonio FC and Swope Park Rangers KC—in addition to Saint Louis FC, who played the 2105 season in the USL Eastern Conference.
Ahead of the 2016 USL regular season, which kicks off on Mar. 25, get to know the newest clubs set to make their inaugural Bonney Field appearances this season.
We’ll kick off our look at the newest members of the USL Western Conference with a look at the most recent addition, San Antonio FC.
It’s been a busy offseason for the USL, with six teams joining the league for the upcoming 2016 season. During Republic FC’s inaugural season there were just 14 clubs in the USL, but the league has rapidly expanded since 2014. This season there will be 29 clubs all together, with 15 in the Western Conference and 14 in the East.
Joining the Western Conference this season are three expansion teams— Rio Grande Valley FC Toros, San Antonio FC and Swope Park Rangers KC—in addition to Saint Louis FC, who played the 2105 season in the USL Eastern Conference.
Ahead of the 2016 USL regular season, which kicks off on Mar. 25, get to know the newest clubs set to make their inaugural Bonney Field appearances this season.
We’ll kick off our look at the newest members of the USL Western Conference with a look at the most recent addition, San Antonio FC.
San Antonio FC is one of the most recent additions to the USL, having been announced as a new USL franchise just this past January.
Head Coach Darren Powell will be leading San Antonio FC in their inaugural season. Powell was a key figure in the youth academy of MLS side Orlando City SC before making the jump to San Antonio. He helped build the structure of what Orlando City SC hopes will be a pipeline of developing players from the academy all the way up to the first team.
February was a busy month for the club, as San Antonio signed player after player to build their roster up from scratch. The club’s first signing was midfielder Carlos Alvarez, who spent last season on loan to Charlotte Independence from MLS side Colorado Rapids. Previously, Alvarez was signed to former MLS club Chivas USA and made 40 appearances for the now-defunct club.
San Antonio FC has also been busy getting some preseason games under their belt in order to build experience before the USL season kicks off. The club tied 1-1 against NASL club Rayo OKC on Saturday, Feb. 27, in a closed door friendly. San Antonio FC also played versus St. Edwards University to a 0-0 tie before defeating St. Mary’s University 2-0 on Saturday, Mar. 5.
Although new to the USL, San Antonio FC already has two supporters’ groups, the Crocketteers and Mission City Firm. The club will play at Toyota Field, the former home of the now defunct San Antonio Scorpions (NASL).
The club is owned by Spurs Sports and Entertainment, who also own the San Antonio Spurs (NBA), San Antonio Stars (WNBA), Austin Spurs (NBA D-League) and San Antonio Rampage (AHL).
Republic FC will face off against San Antonio FC just once this season, when Republic FC hosts the Texas side at Bonney Field on Saturday, Aug. 6. Kickoff is 8:00 p.m.
Republic FC’s USL season will open on the road on Friday, Mar. 25 at Seattle Sounders FC 2. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. The club will then host their home opener at Bonney Field on Saturday, Apr. 2, against Arizona United SC. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. with gates opening at 6:00 p.m.
Single match tickets and season tickets for all 2016 Republic FC home matches are now on sale. For single match tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com. To learn more about season tickets visit www.sacrepublicfc.com or call (916) 307-6100.
San Antonio FC is one of the most recent additions to the USL, having been announced as a new USL franchise just this past January.
Head Coach Darren Powell will be leading San Antonio FC in their inaugural season. Powell was a key figure in the youth academy of MLS side Orlando City SC before making the jump to San Antonio. He helped build the structure of what Orlando City SC hopes will be a pipeline of developing players from the academy all the way up to the first team.
February was a busy month for the club, as San Antonio signed player after player to build their roster up from scratch. The club’s first signing was midfielder Carlos Alvarez, who spent last season on loan to Charlotte Independence from MLS side Colorado Rapids. Previously, Alvarez was signed to former MLS club Chivas USA and made 40 appearances for the now-defunct club.
San Antonio FC has also been busy getting some preseason games under their belt in order to build experience before the USL season kicks off. The club tied 1-1 against NASL club Rayo OKC on Saturday, Feb. 27, in a closed door friendly. San Antonio FC also played versus St. Edwards University to a 0-0 tie before defeating St. Mary’s University 2-0 on Saturday, Mar. 5.
Although new to the USL, San Antonio FC already has two supporters’ groups, the Crocketteers and Mission City Firm. The club will play at Toyota Field, the former home of the now defunct San Antonio Scorpions (NASL).
The club is owned by Spurs Sports and Entertainment, who also own the San Antonio Spurs (NBA), San Antonio Stars (WNBA), Austin Spurs (NBA D-League) and San Antonio Rampage (AHL).
Republic FC will face off against San Antonio FC just once this season, when Republic FC hosts the Texas side at Bonney Field on Saturday, Aug. 6. Kickoff is 8:00 p.m.
Republic FC’s USL season will open on the road on Friday, Mar. 25 at Seattle Sounders FC 2. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. The club will then host their home opener at Bonney Field on Saturday, Apr. 2, against Arizona United SC. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. with gates opening at 6:00 p.m.
Single match tickets and season tickets for all 2016 Republic FC home matches are now on sale. For single match tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com. To learn more about season tickets visit www.sacrepublicfc.com or call (916) 307-6100.
