USL News Release
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
TAMPA, FL -- United Soccer Leagues announced the details for the 2009 USL Second Division season. USL unveiled the alignment, schedule and playoff details for the 2009 competition.
The USL Second Division season kicks off Friday, April 17 with Crystal Palace Baltimore playing host to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. The following night, opening weekend continues with the Harrisburg City Islanders visiting the Richmond Kickers. The regular season schedule, a 20-game campaign for the nine clubs, wraps up with three matches Saturday, August 15.
The playoffs will feature the top five teams in the regular season standings. The fourth and fifth seeds will square off in a midweek First Round encounter August 19 for a spot in the Semifinals. The winner of the match will square off against the regular season champion while the second and third seeds meet in the other semifinal the weekend of August 21-22. The USL Second Division Championship will be played August 29 and will be broadcast on Fox Soccer Channel. All matches will be hosted by the higher seed, excluding the final, which is determined via bid.
2009 USL-2 Regular Season Schedule (pdf) [+]
“With one fewer playoff berth and seven different champions since 2002, the USL Second Division chase for the championship should continue to be a fascinating race,” said USL Second Division Director of Operations Amanda Duffy. “The anticipation for the upcoming season amongst the teams who have missed the playoffs the past few years should translate into an exciting and extremely competitive season in 2009 for the teams who have established themselves as perennial playoff contenders.”
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Team
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HOME Opener
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SEASON Opener
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vs. Harrisburg
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5/1
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@ Baltimore
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4/24
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vs. Wilmington
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4/25
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--
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vs. Pittsburgh
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4/17
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--
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vs. Western Mass
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4/25
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@ Richmond
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4/18
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vs. Real Maryland
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4/25
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@ Baltimore
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4/17
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|
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vs. Bermuda
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4/25
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--
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vs. Harrisburg
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4/18
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--
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vs. Richmond
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5/2
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@ Harrisburg
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4/25
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vs. Baltimore
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5/2
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@ Charlotte
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4/25
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