The Kickers prepare to kick off their record-continuing 32nd consecutive season
TAMPA, Fla. and RICHMOND, Va. – USL League One and the Richmond Kickers announced, Thursday, the full 2024 match schedule. The 2024 season marks the 32nd consecutive season of operation for the Kickers, extending their record as the longest, continuously operating professional outdoor soccer club in the United States.
The league prepares to kick off its sixth season of operation following its founding in 2019. Notable newcomers adding to the prestige of the league is former-USMNT legend Jermaine Jones who will begin his first season as coach of Central Valley Fuego FC as well as the addition of a new West Coast team in expansion side Spokane Velocity in Spokane, Wash.
The 2024 USL League One Playoffs will be expanded to include the top eight regular season finishers – the largest postseason field in league history. The postseason will begin with the four quarterfinal matches on the weekend of Nov. 2 with the top four seeds hosting the four remaining lower seeds; No. 1 hosting No. 8, No. 2 hosting No. 7, No. 3 hosting No. 6 and No. 4 hosting No. 5.
The pair of semifinal matches will be hosted by the highest remaining seeds on the weekend of Nov. 9. The 2024 USL League One Final will be held on the weekend of Nov. 16 at the home venue of the highest remaining seed as the league concludes its sixth campaign. The seven total postseason matches will be the most in league history.
The schedule will feature 30 matches, 10 of which will be part of the new in-season cup competition hosted across USL League One. The 2024 season will feature an evenly distributed schedule with each team playing each other once at home and once away including some can’t-miss matchups against new and old rivals.
The New Kids On The Block – Spokane Velocity
The Kickers will start on the road this season and serve as the home-opener opponent for Spokane Velocity on March 16, 2024, when the Velocity kicks off their inaugural season at home.
The Velocity will make their first appearance at City Stadium on April 20. This will be their seventh match ever and Richmond’s third home match of the season.
Home Opener – South Georgia Tormenta FC
The Kickers will host South Georgia Tormenta FC during the club’s USL League One home opener on March 23, 2024, at 6 p.m. at City Stadium.
Last season against Tormenta, the Kickers split the season series, winning the first match at Tormenta 3-1 in April 2023 and drawing 1-1 at Tormenta in May 2023 before Tormenta scratched together a 1-0 win at City Stadium in Sept. 2023.
Henny Derby – Forward Madison
The Henny Derby starts in Madison again this year. A likely cold April 13 match will open competition between Forward Madison and the Richmond Kickers in 2024.
Last year, the face off had three legs with Forward Madison grabbing the win. This year, the competition will be a little different. With the new schedule structure, the Kickers will see Madison only twice creating an all-or-nothing air around the Derby outcomes.
The Kickers will host the deciding game as Madison comes to City Stadium on July 3.
Regular Season Finale – Charlotte Independence
The Kickers will host 2023 USL League One Finalists, Charlotte Independence, on Saturday, Oct. 26 in the 2024 regular-season finale.
Last season, the Kickers only saw Charlotte Independence in the front half of the season. Richmond held Charlotte to a tie in their first meeting but fell in the teams’ first confrontation at City Stadium in 2023. In July, the Kickers held the Independence to another draw and will look to win the series this year, hosting the second of two non-cup matches.
To find the complete schedule, visit https://www.richmondkickers.com/schedule/
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