The soccer season just got better! Sure, the top two professional USL men’s leagues have been underway for a few months, the US Open Cup has just wrapped up the Round of 16 and the quarterfinals start in just a couple weeks, but its really the launch of the amateur leagues which signal that the summer of soccer is upon us.

San Francisco City FC vs San Juan

Sat, 05/09 - 4:30p PT / 6:30p CT at Doskocil Stadium in Ft Worth, TX

The longest running, fully supporter-owned club in the United States hosted San Juan SC to kick off the 2026 USL League Two season. San Juan SC finished 2nd in the NorCal Division last season, 6 points better than City, and advanced to the playoffs where they lost to Ventura County Fusion in the first round. City didn’t qualify. As a matter of fact, despite being one of the most well-run clubs in the league, and having a very competitive second team in the SFSFL, SF City have not qualified for a playoff position in the USL system ever.

The road to redemption started last week with a resounding 3-0 win over San Juan SC and a remarkable display from Dane Pendleton. They’ll split home games up amongst multiple venues after having their home field stolen from them by MLS cronies and a dubious agreement with city officials. However, they look to keep up momentum this Saturday with an away game at Almaden FC - who are always a tough opponent.

Joshua Duder - Protagonist Soccer / League 2, The 2how

Fort Worth Vaqueros vs Denton Diablos

Sat, 05/09 - 4:30p PT / 6:30p CT at Doskocil Stadium in Ft Worth, TX

These clubs are sister clubs in every way, though Ft. Worth has been around longer. Denton is a key part of the Hitchcock expansion plan, winning a national title in the NPSL before making the jump to USL League Two. Vaqueros haven’t had that same level of success, but this is a fun rivalry that extends from the ownership across two leagues.

Dan Vaughn - Editor, Protagonist Soccer

Appalachian FC vs Asheville City SC

Wed, 05/13 - 4p PT / 7p ET at Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex in Boone, NC

Asheville City is one of the best amateur soccer CLUBS in the country. Solid on both the men’s and women’s sides and chock full-stands to support the Blues. But their opponent is no slouch at delivering large crowds and great rosters on the field. This is a match up that will set the tone for both of these teams heading into the season.

Dan Vaughn - Editor, Protagonist Soccer

San Antonio FC 2 vs Laredo Heat

Fri, 05/15 - 5:30p PT / 7:30p CT at STAR Soccer Complex in San Antonio, TX

The first match of the season is a true welcome to the league for SAFC’s new USL2 team. Laredo Heat handily won their division last year. This is a battle to see who is the top dog in Texas, and it will also see two different styles of play battling against each other.

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

Seacoast United Phantoms vs Vermont Green

Sat, 05/16, 4pm PT / 7pm ET at Seacoast United Outdoor Complex in Epping, NH

The 2024 USL League Champions kick off their season with four straight home matches - in game two, the host the 2025 League Champions, Vermont Green and in game three, the Phantoms host back-to-back Northeast Division runners-up, Western Mass Pioneers. If they can start off hot, and win those two games at home, the once and future champions could put themselves in pole position within the division. However, if Vermont could pip the points on the road then beat Western Mass in the final game of the season (with a ton of hard work in between) the team who went undefeated last year, could do it all over again.

Joshua Duder - Protagonist Soccer / League 2, The 2how

Weston FC vs. Fort Lauderdale United

Sat, 05/16, 4pm PT / 7pm ET at Cypress Bay HS in Weston, FL

Fort Lauderdale United established their professional women’s team first, taking some time to move onto the men’s side of the game. They have started life now in the USL League 2, taking on several local sides, including Weston. The latter will be looking to turn things around and qualify for the playoffs again after missing out in 2025. It should make for a great competition in south Florida!

James Knowles - RBLR Sports

Salem City FC vs Hickory FC

Wed, 06/03 - 4p PT / 7p ET at RJ Reynolds HS in Winston-Salem, NC

Greensboro Dynamo, founded way back in 1996, rebrand as North Carolina Fusion U23 in 2018 then it was purchased by a private group in 2023 and rebranded again as Salem City FC - one of the longest members of the USL system hosts one of the newest. Hickory FC were founded in 2023, began play in the NPSL in 2024, won their league last year, then joined USL League 2 this season. The 15-time South Atlantic Division Champions host the former NPSL Champions in what promises to be a very very good game of soccer.

Joshua Duder - Protagonist Soccer / League 2, The 2how

Morris Elite SC vs FC Motown STA

Wed, 06/03 4:30p PT / 7:30p ET at Frederick Douglass Field (Rutgers Newark) in Newark, NJ

The rivalry between Morristown, New Jersey clubs continues after a fiery couple of clashes last season. Morris Elite is a bigger fish now, having become an amateur affiliate to the Cosmos in USL League One and helping run Cosmos B in the United Premier Soccer League. Motown STA is coming off an undefeated regular season last year where they won the Metropolitan Division for the first time, and competed in the Open Cup earlier in the year. A lot of moving parts could mean an exciting match.

Michael Battista - North American Soccer Writers

Long Island Rough Riders vs Hudson Valley Hammers

Wed, 06/03 - 4:30p PT / 7:30p ET at Mitchel Athletic Complex in Garden City, NY

The Long Island Rough Riders have been there / done that - founded in 1994, they have been division winners in the USISL, USISL Pro, USL A League, USL D3-Pro, USL PDL and three time winners of the Metropolitan Division of USL League Two. This includes their two league winning seasons in 1995 and 2002.

But the Rough Riders did NOT win their division last year and neither did the Hudson Valley Hammers, who finished 3rd, just below Long Island. Both did well enough to qualify for the playoffs in 2025, but both will want more than that - to win the division, they must win this game then go on to unseat FC Motown.

Joshua Duder - Protagonist Soccer / League 2, The 2how

FC Ambush vs Santafe Wanderers

Sat, 06/06 - 4pm PT / 7pm ET at Spartan Field in Creve Coeur, MO

A spiritual successor to a legendary indoor soccer team in St. Louis, FC Ambush did not get the kindest of welcomes to USL2 play in 2025, finishing last in the Great Plains Division with 3 wins and 10 points. FC Ambush hopes to rebound in 2026, bolstering a veteran squad already featuring St. Louis soccer veterans like Will Eskay, Mario Falsone, and John Gates with young standouts like Luca Bartoni (who helped spearhead Ehtar Belleville FC's attack to a MWPL Gateway East title last year) and former St. Louis CITY Academy players Anthony Faupel and Anden Ellis, the latter of which previously earned a USYNT camp callup.

An ambitious organization that is fielding a TST 7v7 quad in a joint effort with St. Louis Stars, FC Ambush hopes to tap into a rich St. Louis soccer ecosystem and challenge division powerhouses Des Moines Menace and Peoria City FC in 2026.

Tom Franklin - Soccer Zombie

Lionsbridge FC vs NoVa FC

Sat, 06/13, 7pm PT / 10pm ET at TowneBank Stadium in Newport News, VA

The winners of the Chesapeake Division head to the runners-up midway through the season and while both teams will have plenty of work before they clash, the game could prove to be an inflection point for either or both teams heading into the second half of the schedule. The last time they met, Lionsbridge knocked Northern Virginia FC out of the Conference Semifinals.

Joshua Duder - Protagonist Soccer / League 2, The 2how

Portland Bangers vs Ballard FC

Sun, 06/14 - 7p PT / 10p ET at Lents Field in Portland, OR

Ballard FC’s baseline is success - three-time Northwest Division Champion; qualified for playoffs four years running; league winners in 2023; league runners-up last year. Bangers FC finished a few wins outside the playoff picture last year, but have a loud social media presence which leads you to believe they are serious about funding the team through merch sales and getting butts in seats. Bangers are also the only League Two side left in Oregon, with teams like Capital FC, PDX FC, and United PDX unwilling or unable to continue operations at this level. In order to be the best, you have to beat the best and this is a perfect opportunity for the team with the “Wurst fans in he world” to make a statement.

Joshua Duder - Protagonist Soccer / League 2, The 2how

West Chester United vs Ocean City Nor’Easters

Tues, 06/23 - 5:30p PT / 8:30p ET at YSC Sports in Wayne, PA

Two very serious soccer teams who finished 1st and 2nd, respectively, in the Mid Atlantic Division last year. West Chester had one more draw than did Ocean City and they won the division by a point. Nor’Easters won the division three years in a row before that, with West Chester right behind them - this matchup may very well determine who comes out on top in 2026.

Joshua Duder - Protagonist Soccer / League 2, The 2how

AFC Ann Arbor vs Flint City

Wed, 06/24 - 4p PT / 7p ET at Hollway Field at Pioneer HS in Ann Arbor, MI

The Great Lakes division is always difficult. Expect there to be a lot on the line when Ann Arbor hosts one of League Two’s perennial clubs - Flint City. This match will essentially determine who is going to be in the running come the end of the season. A win for either side would keep their chances alive and well - if all things go as predicted.

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

Des Moines Menace vs Peoria City

Sat, 06/27 - 5p PT / 8p ET at Mediacom Stadium in Des Moines, IA

Des Moines Menace began play in 1994 and have been division winners 11 times; won the USL PDL in 2005 and won USL League Two in 2021. Peoria City were found just four seasons ago, but have been a very competitive team, finishing 2nd in their division three of the last four years - they’ve also been a particular thorn in Des Moines’ side. Last year they finished 1st and 2nd, respectively; both qualified for the playoffs and both were knocked out in the first division. One could imagine they both feel like there is unfinished playoff business to attend to, but first, they have to battle it out to see who wins the division in 2026.

Joshua Duder - Protagonist Soccer / League 2, The 2how

Annapolis Blues vs Christos FC

Sat, 06/27 - 4:30p PT / 7:30p ET at Navy-Marine Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, MD

Annapolis Blues have been a breath of fresh air, drawing great crowds and playing some great soccer. Christos FC, founded in 1997, have been around awhile and are a great example of a grassroots club rising up through sheer will power. But neither had a great season in 2025 - both finishing outside of the playoff picture. The Chesapeake Division might be the group of death in USL League Two, with amazing programs like NoVa FC, Lionsbridge FC, and Virginia Beach United making it difficult to earn a playoff spot - but if both of these proud clubs can get to the end of June unscathed, this game could be an important decider of a playoff position.

Joshua Duder - Protagonist Soccer / League 2, The 2how

SF Glens vs SF City FC

Sun, 06/28 - 2p PT / 5p ET at Treasure Island Stadium in San Francisco, CA

In a league filled with a hundred storylines and handful of rivalries, the biggest derby at this level might go overlooked - fan-owned San Francisco City FC, who play in the heart of The City, does not like San Francisco Glens and they aren’t shy about letting you know. SF Glens, founded by Michael McFadden in 1961 as an Irish Immigrant team, have participated in the SFSFL ever since and first came up against SF City FC in that city league system. In 2018, former MLS and National Team player Jimmy Conrad became their Technical Director and in a few years later the Glens moved to Treasure Island, technically still listed as San Francisco, but a point of contention for SF City supporters.

Last season they finished 3rd and 4th, both outside of the playoffs - maybe by the end of June one or the other… or both, will be fighting for their playoff life and that will add a little extra spice to this contest, but somehow I imagine it will be quite spicy on its own.

Joshua Duder - Protagonist Soccer / League 2, The 2how

Ventura County Fusion vs FC Tucson

Tues, 06/30 - 7p PT / 10p ET at Ventura College in Ventura, CA

Founded in 2007, Ventura County Fusion have won their division 5 times, won a USL PDL title as well as a USL League Two championship in 2022. FC Tucson, founded in 2012, have won 4 PDL divisional titles, spent 4 seasons in the professional ranks, and finished 2nd in the Southwest Division last year… just behind the Fusion. Both earned their way to the playoffs and advanced to the Conference Semis, where the Fusion blanked Tucson 2-0 to move on. FC Tucson may want a little revenge and in the waning weeks of the regular season, this game will see both teams’ playoff hopes in the balance.

Joshua Duder - Protagonist Soccer / League 2, The 2how

Little Rock Rangers vs LA Krewe

Sun, 07/05 - 3pm PT / 6pm ET at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, AR

Little Rock Rangers won the Mid South Division by 1 point last year and LA Krewe came in second. Unfortunately both were knocked out of the playoffs by the same team, Dothan United Dragons. Rangers and Krewe finished 1st & 2nd the year before that and 2nd & 3rd the year before that. They seem to run neck-and-neck which means, one might suppose, the division title and a playoff spot may well be on the line when they match up in July. How sick of finishing just below Rangers will LA Krewe be and can they change that this year?

Joshua Duder - Protagonist Soccer / League 2, The 2how

Western Mass Pioneers vs Vermont Green

Fri, 07/10 - 4p PT / 7p ET at Lusitano Stadium in Ludlow, MA

The Northeast Division is another one of those Groups of Death with AC Connecticut, Black Rock FC, Seacoast United Phantoms, and of course these two sides beating eachother down all season. Vermont Green, eventual USL League Two Champions, finished the year with zero losses and Western Mass Pioneers had one regular season loss… to Vermont Green. In turn, however, they gave Vermont one of their 3 draws in 2025. While Vermont may be looking to replicate an unbeaten season, Western Mass Pioneers will be looking to make sure that doesn’t happen.

Joshua Duder - Protagonist Soccer / League 2, The 2how

Edited by Joshua Duder
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