The USL Championship’s 2026 season is already underway! The second division league features regional rivalries, drama, and a ton of hot matchups every year and this year promises to be no different. Our favorite USL Championship podcasters, bloggers, and fans weighed in on the games they think you need to circle the date for - so get your calendars out and grab a pen.

Sporting Jax vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies

Sat, 04/04, 7:30 pm PT / 10:30 pm ET at Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville, FL

After starting their club play on the women’s side in the USL Super League, Jax are beginning the expansion of their club by joining the USL Championship. An ownership group with big ambition, they have stated their intent with a great start on the women’s side. Tampa Bay will have every motivation to kick the year off well after a rough 2025. The circumstances could create another Floridian rivalry!

James Knowles - RBLR Sports

Louisville City FC vs Charleston Battery

Sat. 04/04, 1:00 pm PT / 4:00 pm ET at Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville, FL

The Number 1 and 2 seeds, respectively, from the Eastern Conference in 2025 - who were both knocked out in round one of the playoffs - are set to go hammer and tongs this weekend. The “Boys in Purple” have started off hot once again, as to be expected, but The Battery really could use three points from the road trip to get higher up the ladder so early in the season.

Josh Duder - Protagonist Soccer / The C / One League Under the C

Sporting JAX vs. Brooklyn FC

Sat, 05/30, 4:00 pm PT / 7:00 pm ET at Paradise Coast Sports Complex Stadium in Naples, FL

You can throw out the record books when these two clubs meet in May. Why? Well, they haven’t played each other yet, so consulting the record books would be silly. The two new kids on the block will be looking to hang tough against each other as they make their way, step by step, through their inaugural season. The last time two new USLC sides met each other? You have to go back to July 16th, 2022, when Monterey Bay hosted Detroit City FC.

John Howard-Fusco - Protagonist Soccer / The Super Show / W League Show

Pittsburgh Riverhounds vs Louisville City

Sat. 07/18, 8:00am PT / 12:00pm ET at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA

In the doldrums of mid-season, the Hounds have a stretch of five home games in six matches that will be crucial to any playoff hopes in 2026. None of these is more critical than the match against Louisville City, who remain the top dogs in the East until proven otherwise, despite the Hounds miraculous 2025 title run. A win here would do a lot to legitimize the Hounds as title contenders.

Colton Coreschi - PGH City Paper / PSN / TheCup.us

Get a Bloody Mary and get out to watch Pittsburgh, who are last year's league winners, and Louisville, who are last year's Shield winners. This is a grudge match between two powerhouses last year. Louisville has started the season attack-minded, scoring high goals, but also letting other teams in. Pittsburgh is struggling to find form, losing players in the offseason. Anything can happen in the USLC.

Danielle Gawronski - Protagonist Soccer / The Super Show / W League Show

Rhode Island FC vs Hartford Athletic

Sat, 07/18, 4:30 pm PT / 7:30 pm ET at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, RI

This is one of the more interesting rivalries in the USL system; simmering but could turn up to boiling this season. So far, they drew once in 2024 then Rhode Island won at home 3-0. Then in 2025, they technically drew twice (though, one of those was a Cup match which went to penalties and Hartord advanced 4-3) and Hartford won at home 3-0. Last year, Hartford went to the playoffs but did not qualify in 2024 and that year Rhode Island made big noise in the playoffs, going all the way to the final, but did not qualify in 2025.

This year they will face each other three times again, starting with a Cup match in April, then they will play this one in July and finish up at Hartford on the final day of the season - all three matchups should be contentious and this is the kind of game neutrals should get excited for.

Josh Duder - Protagonist Soccer / The C / One League Under the C

Oakland Roots vs Sacramento Republic

Sat, 07/25, 7:00 pm PT / 10:00 pm ET at The Oakland Coliseum in Alameda, CA

I may be biased, but I think Roots vs. Republic might be the best rivalry in the USL Championship. It’s a new Oakland Roots squad under the tutelage of Ryan Martin, and the NorCal Derby match could have serious implications on the standings. The two won’t face again until the season finale, and this match could help shape the vibe leading into October.

Jonathan Comeaux - Oakland Roots Blog

Monterey Bay FC vs Orange County SC

Sat, 07/25, 7:00 pm PT / 10:00 pm ET at Cardinale Stadium in Seaside, CA

It’s been a rough stretch for Monterey Bay fans, they’ve finished behind OCSC in the table for the last three seasons and back in 2022, when Monterey Bay finished above OCSC, it was because both of them stank up the place, finishing 12th & 13th, respectively. Last year was looking up for the Seasiders, as they defeated Orange County in all three matchups, but somehow they still finished outside the playoffs and OCSC were playing post-season soccer yet again. But maybe this year will be the year for Monterey Bay FC - a couple new faces and a stable coaching position could see them beat OCSC three times again this year and maybe even get to the big dance.

Josh Duder - Protagonist Soccer / The C / One League Under the C

THE Miami FC vs Tampa Bay Rowdies

Sat, 07/25, 7:00 pm PT / 10:00 pm ET at Cardinale Stadium in Seaside, CA

Last year was a down year for Floridians who enjoy USL Championship soccer - both Miami FC and Tampa Bay Rowdies finished outside the playoff positions and despite some very interesting additions, that was four years in a row for Miami FC to miss the playoffs. Miami got past Tampa Bay in a Cup match, but lost home and away to the Rowdies in the regular season. Miami FC can set things right for themselves in July when they host the Rowdies at Pitbull Stadium and show Tampa who is really Mr Worldwide.

Josh Duder - Protagonist Soccer / The C / One League Under the C

Louisville City FC vs San Antonio FC

Sat. 05/30, 5:00 pm PT / 8:00 pm ET at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville, KY

Two historically great teams, near the end of the season, both pushing to add more hardware, with San Antonio looking to bounce back under Carlos Llamosa, and Louisville looking to soar to new heights under Simon Bird (sorry)

Fletcher Sharpe - Guest Writer

San Antonio FC vs El Paso Locomotive

Sat,. 08/15, 4:00 pm PT / 7:00 pm ET at Toyota Field in San Antonio, TX

Derbies in USLC don’t get bigger than this. This is the final game in Copa Tejas, the teams are sure to show out with a trophy on the line. Both teams have started the season strongly (undefeated) and are ready to reclaim their position at the top of the table. The stadium will be rocking with fans from both teams.

Danielle Gawronski - Protagonist Soccer / The Super Show / W League Show

Indy Eleven vs Louisville City

Sat, 08/22, 4:00 pm PT / 7:00 pm ET at Michael A Carroll Stadium in Indianapolis, IN

Louisville-Indianapolis-Proximity-Area-Football-Contest at home. Need I say more?

Brett Mullenix - Protagonist Soccer / Kit SZN / The USL Show

Detroit City FC vs Pittsburgh Riverhounds

Sat, 09/19, 4pm PT / 7pm ET at Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck, MI

What’s not to love about these two clubs? Both are making plans for massive expansion projects for their home stadium situations. Both have been consistently competitive in the league. Both come from rust belt cities with soccer history. I love this matchup.

Dan Vaughn - ed Protagonist Soccer

New Mexico United vs Phoenix Rising FC

Sat, 10/03, 6:00 pm PT / 7:00 pm MT at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park

I love rivalry matches and nothing is hotter than two desert teams hunting down playoff positions. For two years running, New Mexico has won away at Phoenix and conversely, Rising FC have won away at United. While they will face off twice before they clash in October, it very well may be this tilt which decides who lives and dies heading into the playoffs come fall.

Josh Duder - Protagonist Soccer / The C / One League Under the C

Lexington SC vs FC Tulsa

Fri, 10/09, 4:30 pm PT / 7:30 pm ET at Lexington SC Stadium in Lexington, KY

Lexington SC have spent a lot of money over the last few years and spent even more this offseason to bring in the likes of Aaron Molloy and Phillip Goodrum - early on, it looks like it might all click. By the end of the season, we’ll know for sure. By the end of the season, we’ll also find out if last year’s Western Conference winners were a one hit wonder or if Stefan Lukic, Jamie Webber, and Kalil El Medkhar can keep the winning atmosphere despite the loss of Taylor Calheira to MLS.

Josh Duder - Protagonist Soccer / The C / One League Under the C

Edited by Joshua Duder
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