The final lineups for 2024 USL Championship and USL League One play have been released with schedules, as both circuits will launch March 9 and finish the season on October 26.
The 2024 USL Championship lineup remains at 24 teams, with two 2023 squads dropping out and replaced by new and repeat entrants. Expansion side Rhode Island FC embarks on its inaugural season as a club, while North Carolina FC returns to USL Championship after exercising its option to move up from USL League One, where the club played three seasons.
The two 2023 squads dropping out: San Diego Loyal — a move announced in August — and Rio Grande Valley FC, as owner Golden Grape Entertainment announced the decision to cease all soccer and business operations effective immediately. The team launched in 2016.
“A conclusive decision was reached to cease all operations after eight seasons of professional soccer competition in the United Soccer League. Naturally, decisions of this caliber are carefully considered and are extremely difficult to make as they affect multiple individuals, both internally and externally,” said Golden Grape Entertainment President Hondo Candelaria via press release. The Toros launched as a development team for MLS club Houston Dynamo FC.
It’s been reported that the city of Edinburg is buying RGV’s home stadium, H-E-B Park, and then flipping it to the University of Texas System and transitioning the 9,700-seat stadium as the future home for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley football team.
Each team will play 34 matches in the quest for spots in the 2024 payoffs. The full 408-game regular season unfolds over 34 weeks and concludes on Oct. 26. To maintain two 12-team conferences, Memphis 901 FC and FC Tulsa will move to the Western Conference for 2024.
On the USL League One side, fans will enjoy the first balanced regular season schedule in its history. The league’s sixth campaign will also feature an in-season cup competition and an expanded postseason. Including regular season, cup competition and postseason matches, the 2024 campaign will feature 190 total matches spanning 36 weeks.
There will be 12 teams in the USL League One lineup, with Spokane Velocity FC replacing North Carolina FC.
Graphic courtesy USL Championship.