It’s playoffs season for USL League One, as four clubs compete in the first round on Saturday October 22nd. We preview and predict the matches below.
#3 Tormenta FC vs. #6 Charlotte Independence
Tormenta Stadium, Statesboro, GA
7:00pm
ESPN+
#4 Chattanooga Red Wolves SC vs. #5 Union Omaha
CHI Memorial Stadium, East Ridge, TN
7:30pm
ESPN+
FC Tucson and USL League One announced the club’s change in ownership and self-relegation to USL League Two (USL League One News)
BenevolentSports transfers ownership of FC Tucson to group led by club founder and current manager Jon Pearlman. The club will self-relegate to USL League Two while continuing to search for a long-term stadium solution.
BenevolentSports and Pima County (owner of the Kino Sports Complex) have been strained over multiple issues (Tucson Sentinel):
On Oct. 5, team staff had to clear water from the field with brooms after Kino staff was unavailable to help and the team was denied access to tools that are used to clean up fields after rains.
The team has faced a variety of restrictions at Kino, most notably having to play several matches in an empty stadium because the county’s rules on weather delays, which go beyond league rules, prevented fans from returning even after referees deemed it was safe to play.
Tucson Sentinel
The club’s new ownership group, led by founder and current head coach Jon Pearlman, are hoping the relegation to League Two will allow the group to maintain the club while searching for a long term home. League Two does not have as many costs or requirements as League One, and will likely be a better fit under the county rules and management of the complex.
Lexington SC names more staff in advance of inaugural season (Our Sports Central)
The next-to-join USL League One club announced the addition of Alan Kirkup as Women’s Technical Director and Warren Goodhind as Men’s Technical Director. Lexington SC joins the league in 2023.
New USL Championship League club announced for Milwaukee (WDJT)
USL Championship League, Kacmarcik Enterprises and Milwaukee officials announced league expansion to Milwaukee in 2025, along with a new 8,000 capacity soccer-specific stadium in the Iron District.