This article needs additional citations for verification .(June 2016) |
2016 season | |
---|---|
Owner | Wayne Estopinal |
Manager | James O'Connor |
Stadium | Louisville Slugger Field |
USL | 2nd, Eastern |
USL playoffs | Conference finals |
U.S. Open Cup | 3rd Round |
Top goalscorer | League: Chandler Hoffman (14) All: Chandler Hoffman (16) |
Highest home attendance | 10,062 (Jun 25 vs. Cincinnati) |
Lowest home attendance | 5,298 (Apr 2 vs. Orlando) |
Average home league attendance | 7,218 |
The 2016 Louisville City FC season was the club's second season playing in Louisville, Kentucky, in the United Soccer League (USL), in the third tier of the United States soccer league system.
The club was formed in 2014 when its United Soccer League license was acquired from Orlando City by minority owner Wayne Estopinal. Louisville City is treated as a unique and new team, with the previous team's history claimed by its Major League Soccer successor, Orlando City SC.
As of October 1, 2016 [1]
No. | Position | Player | Nation |
---|---|---|---|
2 | DF | Ben Newnam | ![]() |
4 | MF | Aodhan Quinn | ![]() |
6 | DF | Tarek Morad | ![]() |
7 | MF | Kadeem Dacres | ![]() |
8 | MF | Guy Abend | ![]() |
9 | FW | Cameron Lancaster | ![]() |
10 | FW | Magnus Rasmussen | ![]() |
11 | MF | Niall McCabe | ![]() |
12 | MF | Mark-Anthony Kaye | ![]() |
13 | GK | Greg Ranjitsingh | ![]() |
14 | FW | Ilija Ilic | ![]() |
15 | DF | Sean Reynolds | ![]() |
17 | FW | Chandler Hoffman | ![]() |
18 | DF | Paco Craig | ![]() |
19 | DF | Jonghyun Son | ![]() |
20 | DF | Enrique Montano | ![]() |
22 | MF | George Davis IV | ![]() |
24 | MF | Kyle Smith | ![]() |
28 | GK | Tim Dobrowolski | ![]() |
31 | FW | Kenny Doublette | ![]() |
36 | MF | Paolo DelPiccolo | ![]() |
77 | DF | Andrew Lubahn | ![]() |
March 5, 2016Preseason | Louisville City | 4–0 | SIUE Cougars | Louisville, Kentucky |
7:45pm EST | Stadium: Louisville Slugger Field |
March 10, 2016Preseason | Louisville Cardinals | 0–1 | Louisville City | Louisville, Kentucky |
7:30pm EST | Dacres ![]() | Report | Stadium: Cardinal Park Attendance: 1,168 |
March 16, 2016Preseason | Kentucky Wildcats | 0–3 | Louisville City | Lexington, Kentucky |
3:00pm EDT | Stadium: Lafayette High School |
March 19, 2016Friendly | Louisville City | 1–0 | Indy Eleven | Louisville, Kentucky |
2:00pm EDT | Lubahn ![]() | Report | Stadium: Louisville Slugger Field Attendance: Closed |
Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
30 | 17 | 9 | 4 | 52 | 27 | +25 | 60 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 24 | 14 | +10 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 28 | 13 | +15 |
Source: Match reports
March 26, 20161 | Charlotte Independence | 0–1 | Louisville City FC | Charlotte, North Carolina |
7:00pm | Metcalf ![]() Herrera ![]() Duckett ![]() Martínez ![]() | Report | Lancaster ![]() Shanosky ![]() Kaye ![]() | Stadium: Ramblewood Soccer Complex Attendance: 1,724 Referee: Marcos Deoliveira |
April 2, 20162 | Louisville City FC | 0–2 | New York Red Bulls II | Louisville, Kentucky |
3:00pm | Davis IV ![]() Del Piccolo ![]() Lancaster ![]() | Report | Powder ![]() Flemmings ![]() Allen ![]() | Stadium: Louisville Slugger Field Attendance: 7,522 Referee: Sorin Stoica |
April 2, 20163 | Louisville City FC | 4–1 | Orlando City B | Louisville, Kentucky |
7:30pm | Hoffman ![]() Reynolds ![]() Lubahn ![]() Quinn ![]() Dacres ![]() ![]() Ilic ![]() | Report | Cox ![]() Mendoza ![]() | Stadium: Louisville Slugger Field Attendance: 5,298 Referee: Joshua Brooks |
April 16, 20164 | FC Cincinnati | 2–3 | Louisville City FC | Cincinnati, Ohio |
7:00pm | Berry ![]() Okoli ![]() Delbridge ![]() McMahon ![]() | Report | Hoffman ![]() Reynolds ![]() ![]() Montano ![]() | Stadium: Nippert Stadium Attendance: 20,497 Referee: Brandon Artis |
April 22, 20165 | Harrisburg City Islanders | 2–3 | Louisville City FC | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania |
7:30pm | Foster ![]() Wilson ![]() Jankouskas ![]() | Report | Hoffman ![]() Abend ![]() Lancaster ![]() Kaye ![]() ![]() | Stadium: FNB Field Attendance: 2,316 Referee: Corson Fidler |
April 27, 20166 | Louisville City FC | 2–2 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds | Louisville, Kentucky |
7:30pm | Hoffman ![]() Newnam ![]() Goodwin ![]() Shanosky ![]() | Report | Parkes ![]() Branson ![]() Hertzog ![]() Murrell ![]() | Stadium: Louisville Slugger Field Attendance: 5,751 Referee: Marcos Deoliveira |
May 1, 20167 | Bethlehem Steel FC | 0–0 | Louisville City FC | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania |
3:00pm | Conceição ![]() Jones ![]() Chambers ![]() | Report | Quinn ![]() Smith ![]() Davis IV ![]() | Stadium: Goodman Stadium Attendance: 2,018 Referee: Rosario Candela |
May 4, 20168 | Toronto FC II | 0–2 | Louisville City FC | Vaughan, Ontario |
7:30pm | Edwards ![]() Bloom ![]() | Report | Shanosky ![]() McCabe ![]() Kaye ![]() | Stadium: Ontario Soccer Centre Attendance: 672 Referee: Alexis Vaughan |
May 14, 20169 | Louisville City FC | 2–0 | Saint Louis FC | Louisville, Kentucky |
7:30pm | Davis ![]() Lancaster ![]() | Report | Conner ![]() Pais ![]() | Stadium: Louisville Slugger Field Attendance: 7,859 Referee: Aaron Hernandez |
May 21, 201610 | Richmond Kickers | 0–0 | Louisville City FC | Richmond, Virginia |
7:00pm | Alex Lee ![]() ![]() Asante ![]() | Report | Reynolds ![]() DelPiccolo ![]() | Stadium: City Stadium Attendance: 3,411 Referee: Danielle Chesky |
May 28, 201611 | Charleston Battery | 0–2 | Louisville City FC | Charleston, South Carolina |
7:30pm | Portillo ![]() Williams ![]() | Report | Davis ![]() Smith ![]() Newnam ![]() McCabe ![]() | Stadium: MUSC Health Stadium Referee: Marcos Deoliveira |
June 5, 201612 | Orlando City B | 3–4 | Louisville City FC | Melbourne, Florida |
7:30pm | Heath ![]() Turner ![]() Barry ![]() Laryea ![]() Cox ![]() | Report | Hoffman ![]() Davis ![]() ![]() Newman ![]() Lubahn ![]() Quinn ![]() Smith ![]() | Stadium: Titan Soccer Complex Attendance: 781 Referee: Kevin Terry, Jr |
June 11, 201613 | Louisville City FC | 2–2 | Wilmington Hammerheads FC | Louisville, Kentucky |
7:30pm | Hoffman ![]() | Report | Parker ![]() Lawal ![]() Fairclough ![]() | Stadium: Louisville Slugger Field Attendance: 7,761 Referee: Greg Dopka |
June 18, 201614 | Rochester Rhinos | 0–1 | Louisville City FC | Rochester, New York |
6:00pm | Kamdem ![]() | Report | Lubahn ![]() Del Piccolo ![]() | Stadium: Rochester Rhinos Stadium Referee: Patrick Rosas |
June 21, 201615 | Louisville City FC | 4–1 | Toronto FC II | Louisville, Kentucky |
7:30pm | Abend ![]() McCabe ![]() Morad ![]() | Report | Daniels ![]() Furlano ![]() Hundal ![]() | Stadium: Louisville Slugger Field Attendance: 7,066 Referee: Rosendo Mendoza |
June 25, 201616 | Louisville City FC | 0–0 | FC Cincinnati | Louisville, Kentucky |
7:50pm | Reynolds ![]() | Report | Delbridge ![]() Polak ![]() McMahon ![]() | Stadium: Louisville Slugger Field Attendance: 10,062 Referee: Brandon Artis |
July 4, 201617 | Louisville City FC | 2–0 | FC Montreal | Louisville, Kentucky |
7:30pm | Davis ![]() Hoffman ![]() Quinn ![]() | Report | Gagnon-Laparé ![]() | Stadium: Louisville Slugger Field Attendance: 6,686 Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr. |
July 9, 201618 | Louisville City FC | 1–1 | Charleston Battery | Louisville, Kentucky |
7:30pm | Hoffman ![]() Newnam ![]() | Report | Cordovés ![]() Williams ![]() Prince ![]() Tsonis ![]() | Stadium: Louisville Slugger Field Attendance: 7,526 Referee: Michael Lavergne |
July 17, 201619 | Wilmington Hammerheads FC | 1–4 | Louisville City FC | Wilmington, North Carolina |
6:00pm | Perone ![]() | Report | Abend ![]() Hoffman ![]() Quinn ![]() | Stadium: Legion Stadium Attendance: 2,927 Referee: Caleb Mendez |
July 23, 201620 | FC Cincinnati | 2–0 | Louisville City FC | Cincinnati, Ohio |
4:00pm | Wiedeman ![]() Berry ![]() Okoli ![]() Bone ![]() | Report | Lubahn ![]() Abend ![]() Quinn ![]() | Stadium: Nippert Stadium Attendance: 20,151 Referee: Alex Chilowicz |
July 30, 201621 | Louisville City FC | 1–2 | Orlando City B | Louisville, Kentucky |
7:30pm | Abend ![]() Reynolds ![]() Davis ![]() | Report | Cox ![]() Turner ![]() Smith ![]() ![]() | Stadium: Louisville Slugger Field Attendance: 8,351 Referee: Jon Freemon |
August 5, 201622 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds | 1–2 | Louisville City FC | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
7:00pm | Hertzog ![]() Green ![]() Moloto ![]() | Report | Quinn ![]() Davis IV ![]() ![]() Reynolds ![]() | Stadium: Highmark Stadium Attendance: 1,560 Referee: Henrik Karlsson |
August 10, 201623 | Louisville City FC | 1–1 | Harrisburg City Islanders | Louisville, Kentucky |
7:30pm | Smith ![]() Del Piccolo ![]() | Report | Barril ![]() Thomas ![]() Dabo ![]() Broome ![]() | Stadium: Louisville Slugger Field Attendance: 5,563 Referee: Georgios Zervos |
August 13, 201624 | Louisville City FC | 1–1 | Rochester Rhinos | Louisville, Kentucky |
7:30pm | Newman ![]() Craig ![]() | Report | Volesky ![]() Fall ![]() Apostolopoulos ![]() Farrell ![]() | Stadium: Louisville Slugger Field Attendance: 6,373 Referee: Artur Sibiga |
August 19, 201625 | New York Red Bulls II | 1–0 | Louisville City FC | Harrison, New Jersey |
7:00pm | Powder ![]() Allen ![]() | Report | Powder ![]() Quinn ![]() | Stadium: Red Bull Arena Referee: Hilario Grajeda |
August 27, 201626 | Louisville City FC | 1–0 | Bethlehem Steel FC | Louisville, Kentucky |
7:30pm | Abend ![]() Lancaster ![]() Smith ![]() DelPiccolo ![]() | Report | Conceição ![]() Burke ![]() Richter ![]() | Stadium: Louisville Slugger Field Attendance: 6,788 Referee: Tony Crush |
September 3, 201627 | FC Montreal | 0–1 | Louisville City FC | Montreal, Quebec |
3:00pm | Temguia ![]() Riggi ![]() | Report | Quinn ![]() Dacres ![]() Lancaster ![]() Lubahn ![]() | Stadium: Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard |
September 10, 201628 | Louisville City FC | 2–0 | Richmond Kickers | Louisville, Kentucky |
7:30pm | Lancaster ![]() ![]() Craig ![]() Rasmussen ![]() Smith ![]() | Report | Asante ![]() | Stadium: Louisville Slugger Field Attendance: 7,362 Referee: Brandon Artis |
September 17, 201629 | Saint Louis FC | 1–5 | Louisville City FC | Fenton, Missouri |
8:30pm | Roberts ![]() Dixon ![]() Musa ![]() Ambersley ![]() David ![]() | Report | Dacres ![]() Lancaster ![]() Rasmussen ![]() Ilic ![]() | Stadium: Marshall Wireless Stadium Referee: Andrew Musashe |
September 24, 201630 | Louisville City FC | 1–1 | Charlotte Independence | Louisville, Kentucky |
7:30pm | Quinn ![]() Kalungi ![]() | Report | Davidson ![]() Brown ![]() Martínez ![]() | Stadium: Louisville Slugger Field Attendance: 8,301 Referee: Danielle Chesky |
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | New York Red Bulls II (C, X) | 30 | 21 | 6 | 3 | 61 | 21 | +40 | 69 | Conference Playoffs |
2 | Louisville City FC | 30 | 17 | 9 | 4 | 52 | 27 | +25 | 60 | |
3 | FC Cincinnati | 30 | 16 | 8 | 6 | 41 | 27 | +14 | 56 | |
4 | Rochester Rhinos | 30 | 13 | 12 | 5 | 38 | 25 | +13 | 51 | |
5 | Charlotte Independence | 30 | 14 | 8 | 8 | 48 | 29 | +19 | 50 |
Oct 2, 2016 First round | Louisville City | 2 - 0 (a.e.t.) | Richmond Kickers | Louisville, Kentucky |
7:00pm EDT | Davis IV ![]() Hoffman ![]() | Report | Asante ![]() Lee ![]() Yeisley ![]() Yomby ![]() Troyer ![]() | Stadium: Louisville Slugger Field Attendance: 5,467 Referee: Andrew Musashe |
October 8, 2016 Conference semi-finals | Louisville City | 1–0 | Charleston Battery | Louisville, Kentucky |
7:30 pm | Smith ![]() Dacres ![]() Reynolds ![]() | Report | Tsonis ![]() Marini ![]() Adjetey ![]() Woodbine ![]() | Stadium: Louisville Slugger Field Attendance: 6,581 Referee: Mark Kadlecik |
October 16, 2016 Conference finals | New York Red Bulls II | 1–1 (a.e.t.) (4–3 p) | Louisville City | Harrison, New Jersey |
6:00 PM | Valot ![]() Williams ![]() | USL Report | Craig ![]() ![]() ![]() Reynolds ![]() | Stadium: Red Bull Arena Attendance: 2,709 Referee: Robert Sibiga |
Penalties | ||||
Etienne ![]() Long ![]() Allen ![]() Bezecourt ![]() | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Louisville City entered the 2016 U.S. Open Cup with the rest of the United Soccer League in the second round.
May 18, 2016 2R | Louisville City ![]() | 1–1 (a.e.t.) (3–1 p) | ![]() | Louisville, Kentucky |
7:00pm EDT | Ilić ![]() ![]() | Report | Harris ![]() | Stadium: Owsley B. Frazier Stadium |
June 1, 2016 3R | Indy Eleven ![]() | 2–1 | ![]() | Indianapolis, Indiana |
7:30pm EDT | Gordon ![]() Zayed ![]() ![]() Keller ![]() | Hoffman ![]() Lancaster ![]() | Stadium: Carroll Stadium Attendance: 2,145 Referee: Brandon Artis |
Place | Position | Number | Name | USL | U.S. Open Cup | USL Cup | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | FW | 17 | ![]() | 14 | 1 | 1 | 16 |
2 | MF | 22 | ![]() | 5 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
3 | MF | 8 | ![]() | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
4 | FW | 9 | ![]() | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
5 | FW | 14 | ![]() | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
5 | MF | 4 | ![]() | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
5 | MF | 13 | ![]() | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
5 | MF | 10 | ![]() | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
5 | DF | 77 | ![]() | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
10 | MF | 11 | ![]() | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
10 | DF | 5 | ![]() | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
10 | MF | 12 | ![]() | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
13 | MF | 36 | ![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
13 | MF | 24 | ![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
13 | DF | 2 | ![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
13 | DF | 6 | ![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
13 | DF | 5 | ![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Total | 51 | 2 | 4 | 57 |
Place | Position | Number | Name | USL | U.S. Open Cup | USL Cup | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | MF | 24 | ![]() | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
1 | MF | 36 | ![]() | 5 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
3 | MF | 4 | ![]() | 3 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
4 | MF | 11 | ![]() | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
5 | MF | 22 | ![]() | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
5 | FW | 9 | ![]() | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
5 | MF | 13 | ![]() | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
5 | DF | 2 | ![]() | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
9 | MF | 12 | ![]() | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
9 | DF | 6 | ![]() | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
10 | DF | 5 | ![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
10 | MF | 8 | ![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
10 | DF | 77 | ![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
10 | DF | 15 | ![]() | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Total | 35 | 2 | 4 | 41 |
Place | Position | Number | Name | USL | U.S. Open Cup | USL Cup | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | GK | 13 | ![]() | 10 | 0 | 3 | 13 |
2 | GK | 1 | ![]() | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
2 | GK | 28 | ![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Total | 13 | 0 | 3 | 16 |
No. | Pos. | Name | USL | U.S. Open Cup | USL Cup | Total | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |||
15 | DF | ![]() | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 1 |
24 | MF | ![]() | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
2 | DF | ![]() | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
4 | MF | ![]() | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
8 | MF | ![]() | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
36 | MF | ![]() | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
5 | DF | ![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
13 | MF | ![]() | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
9 | FW | ![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
12 | MF | ![]() | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
77 | DF | ![]() | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
11 | MF | ![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
6 | DF | ![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
1 | GK | ![]() | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
20 | DF | ![]() | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
22 | MF | ![]() | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
5 | DF | ![]() | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Total | 45 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 48 | 4 |
As with the rest of the USL, all of Louisville City FC's USL matches will appear on YouTube. There is also a weekly Radio show on 790 WKRD. [2]
The 2014 Charleston Battery season was the club's 22nd season of existence. It is the Battery's fifth consecutive year in the third tier of American soccer, playing in the USL Professional Division for their fourth season.
The 2015 Wilmington Hammerheads season was the club's nineteenth season of competitive soccer, and their fifth consecutive season since their one-year hiatus in 2010.
The 2015 Richmond Kickers season was the club's twenty-third season of existence. It is also the Kickers' eighth-consecutive year in the third-tier of American soccer, playing in the United Soccer League for their fourth season.
The 2015 Louisville City FC season was the club's first season playing in Louisville, Kentucky in the United Soccer League (USL), in the third tier of the United States soccer league system.
The 2015 New York Red Bulls II season was the club's first season of existence, and their first in United Soccer League, the third-tier of the American soccer pyramid. The Red Bulls II played in the Eastern Division of USL.
The 2016 Toronto FC II season was the second season in the club's history. In 2015 the team finished 11th in the Eastern Conference, therefore, missing the playoffs.
The Eastern Conference is one of two conferences in USL Championship soccer.
The 2016 Pittsburgh Riverhounds season was the club's seventeenth season of existence. It is the Riverhounds' six season playing in the United Soccer League, and the club's fourth season hosting matches at soccer-specific Highmark Stadium.
The 2016 Richmond Kickers season was the club's twenty-fourth season of existence. It is also the Kickers' ninth-consecutive year in the third-tier of American soccer, playing in the United Soccer League for their fifth season.
The 2016 season was Bethlehem Steel FC's inaugural season of competitive soccer – its first season in the third division of American soccer and its first season in the United Soccer League. Steel FC compete in the league's Eastern Conference.
The 2016 New York Red Bulls II season was the club's second season of existence, and their second in the United Soccer League, the third-tier of the American soccer pyramid. The Red Bulls II played in the Eastern Division of USL.
The 2016 FC Cincinnati season was the club's first season of existence, and their first in the United Soccer League, the third-tier of the American soccer pyramid. FC Cincinnati play in the Eastern Division of USL. On April 16, the club set the USL's regular season attendance record, with 20,497. They broke this record twice more later in their season, first on May 14 with 23,375 attendees, then again on September 17 with an attendance of 24,376. On July 20, with five games left, the club broke the USL's single season attendance record.
The 2016 Orlando City B season was the club's inaugural year of existence, and their first season in the Eastern Conference of the United Soccer League, the third tier of the United States soccer pyramid.
The 2016 Charleston Battery season was the club's 24th year of existence, and their seventh season in the third tier of the United States Soccer Pyramid. It is their sixth season in the United Soccer League as part of the Eastern Conference.
The 2016 Charlotte Independence season was the club's second year of existence, and their second season in the third tier of the United States Soccer Pyramid. It is their second season in the United Soccer League as part of the Eastern Conference.
The 2016 Rochester Rhinos season was the club's 21st year of existence, and their sixth season in the third tier of the United States soccer pyramid, playing in the United Soccer League Eastern Conference. They entered the season as defending USL champions and made it back to the playoffs, but were eliminated in the conference semi-finals by the New York Red Bulls II.
The 2016 Wilmington Hammerheads FC season was the club's 20th year of existence. They were members of the United Soccer League Eastern Conference.
The 2017 Charleston Battery season was the club's 25th year of existence, their 14th season in the second tier of the United States Soccer Pyramid, and their first in the second tier since 2009. It was their seventh season in the United Soccer League as part of the Eastern Conference.
The 2017 Charlotte Independence season was the club's third season of existence, and their third in the United Soccer League, the second tier of American soccer.
The 2017 Rochester Rhinos season was the club's 22nd overall and seventh with the United Soccer League, now known as the USL Championship. The Rhinos returned to playing in Division II of men's professional soccer, as the USL and all its teams were promoted from Division III after the 2016 season. They looked to return to the USL playoffs after losing to the New York Red Bulls II in the conference semifinals the previous year.