Republic’s Opening USL Matches Announced

We’re now less than two months away from the start of a fresh USL season and fans are still waiting for the league to announce the 2017 regular season schedule. Perhaps the drama in Charlotte has delayed the process. It could also be that the addition of several teams to the league this season has caused a logistical headache. Or maybe it was just some good ol’ fashioned procrastination on the league’s part. Like the long-lost meaning of San Diego, nobody knows. But on Friday, the largest second division professional soccer league in the world gave a sneak preview to fans by releasing the home openers for all 30 teams.

Republic FC’s opening matchups will have fans feeling déjà vu. The Capital City Club will play its first game of the season on Sunday, March 26th, away at Seattle Sounders 2 for the third consecutive year. Despite the senior team winning the MLS Cup last season, Republic swept the younger siblings with a resounding 3-0 record. This year should be business as usual.

The real intrigue comes with Republic’s second match, the home opener on April 1st, where they will face off against the newly rebranded Orange County Soccer Club, formerly known as OC Blues, AKA the reason for Republic’s ignominious first-round exit from the playoffs last season. Besides the tantalizing prospect of revenge, the matchup offers further intrigue because of one Republic’s key off-season signings, Trevin Caesar, could be facing his former club in only his second official game in Old Glory Red. No doubt, the Trinidad & Tobago international’s loyalties will be judged by the onlooking Battalion.

If all that wasn’t enough, tickets for the home opener will go on sale on February 14th, which means Republic fans who like to procrastinate on their Valentine’s Day gift shopping will be given a saving grace.

What do you think about the announcement? Will Republic avenge itself, or will history repeat itself? Let us know in the comments below.