2019 Lansing Ignite FC season

Last updated

Lansing Ignite
2019 season
OwnerTom Dickson
Head coach Nate Miller
Stadium Cooley Law School Stadium
USL League One 2nd
USL1 Playoffs Semifinals
U.S. Open Cup 2nd Round
Top goalscorer Tumi Moshobane (10)
Highest home attendanceLeague/All: 4,818
(June 22 vs. Orlando City B)
Lowest home attendanceLeague: 1,725
(May 11 vs. Greenville Triumph)
All: 100
(May 8 vs. AFC Ann Arbor (USOC))
Average home league attendance2,758
Biggest win5–0
(September 6 at FC Tucson)
Biggest defeat0–3
(June 8 at Toronto FC II)

The 2019 Lansing Ignite FC season was the only season for the club. The Ignite played in USL League One, the third division of American soccer. The team folded after the season ended. [1]

Contents

Background

In September 2018, the Lansing State Journal reported that the owners of the Lansing Lugnuts, a local minor league baseball team, had presented plans to Lansing City Council for a professional soccer team to play at Cooley Law School Stadium, also home to the Lugnuts. [2] On October 8, the city council unanimously approved the plans, which are expected to cost the city $1 million over the course of a five-year contract. This also signaled the end of the Lansing United men's team, as United owner Jeremy Sampson became the new club's general manager; however, Lansing United Women would continue to operate as planned. [3]

On October 25, 2018, USL League One officially announced Lansing Ignite FC as its ninth founding member team, to begin play in 2019. [4]

On November 14, 2018, Lansing Ignite FC announced Nate Miller as the inaugural head coach. [5]

Club

First team roster

As of match played March 30, 2019 [6]
No.NameNationalityPosition(s)Date of birth (age)Signed inPrevious club
Goalkeepers
1 Mike Kirk Flag of the United States.svg GK February 12, 1994 (age 26)2019 Flag of the United States.svg Pittsburgh Riverhounds
13 Kyle Ihn Flag of the United States.svg GK December 10, 1994 (age 26)2019 Flag of the United States.svg Reno 1868
Defenders
2 Rhys Williams Flag of the United States.svg DF August 9, 1995 (age 25)2019 Flag of the United States.svg Real Monarchs
4 Grant Stoneman Flag of the United States.svg DF November 27, 1995 (age 25)2019 Flag of the United States.svg Loyola Ramblers
5 Brandon Fricke Flag of the United States.svg DF March 27, 1992 (age 28)2019 Flag of the United States.svg Des Moines Menace
17 Kevin Coiffic Flag of France.svg DF September 18, 1994 (age 26)2019 Flag of the United States.svg Young Harris Mountain Lions
25 Marshall Hollingsworth Flag of the United States.svg DF August 6, 1993 (age 27)2019 Flag of the United States.svg Columbus Crew
Midfielders
6 Ricardo Perez Flag of Mexico.svg MF May 30, 1995 (age 25)2019 Flag of the United States.svg Colorado Rapids
7 Rafael Mentzingen Flag of Brazil.svg MF May 2, 1996 (age 24)2019 Flag of the United States.svg Valparaiso Crusaders
8 Kyle Carr Flag of the United States.svg MF January 21, 1995 (age 25)2019 Flag of the United States.svg Lansing United
10 Xavier Gomez Flag of the United States.svg MF November 21, 1994 (age 26)2019 Flag of the United States.svg Chicago FC United
12 Christian Silva Flag of the United States.svg MF August 2, 1989 (age 31)2019 Flag of the United States.svg Jacksonville Armada
16 Lewis Jones Flag of the British Virgin Islands.svg MF December 25, 1994 (age 25)2019 Flag of the United States.svg Lansing United
21 Ivo Cerda Flag of Chile.svg MF October 31, 1995 (age 25)2019 Flag of the United States.svg Michigan Wolverines
23Tumi Moshobane Flag of South Africa.svg MF September 7, 1994 (age 26)2019 Flag of the United States.svg Lansing United
24Elma N'For Flag of Cameroon.svg MF 2019 Flag of the United States.svg Asheville City
27 Nathan Lewis Flag of Trinidad and Tobago.svg MF July 20, 1990 (age 30)2019 Flag of the United States.svg Indy Eleven
Omar Castro Flag of the United States.svg MF February 7, 1996 (age 24)2019 Flag of Germany.svg TSC Vahdet
Forwards
9 Ricky Lopez-Espin Flag of the United States.svg FW December 2, 1995 (age 25)2019 Flag of the United States.svg Real Salt Lake
11 Steeve Saint-Duc Flag of Haiti.svg FW January 8, 2000 (age 20)2019 Flag of the United States.svg Los Angeles FC
14 Nick Moon Flag of the United States.svg FW May 31, 1996 (age 24)2019 Flag of the United States.svg Lane United
19Pato Botello Faz Flag of Mexico.svg FW September 8, 1996 (age 24)2019 Flag of the United States.svg St. Mary's Rattlers
20 Alex Bruce Flag of England.svg FW October 28, 1998 (age 22)2019 Flag of the United States.svg San Antonio FC (loan)

Coaching staff

PositionName
Head coach Flag of the United States.svg Nate Miller
Assistant coach Flag of the United States.svg Tim Daniels
Assistant coach Flag of the United States.svg Joel DeLass
Goalkeeping coach Flag of Egypt.svg Wael Zenga

Non-competitive

Preseason friendlies

February 27 Indy Eleven 1–2 Lansing Ignite Westfield, Indiana
2:00 PM EST
Report
Stadium: Grand Park Indoor Arena
Attendance: 300
March 3 Pittsburgh Riverhounds 2–0 Lansing Ignite Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
12:00 PM EST
Report Stadium: Highmark Stadium
Attendance: Closed door
March 8 Lansing Ignite 7–0 Davenport Panthers Brighton, Michigan
1:00 PM EST
Report Stadium: Legacy Center
Attendance: 200
March 15 Lansing Ignite 3–0 Western Michigan Broncos Brighton, Michigan
1:00 PM EST
Report Stadium: Legacy Center
Attendance: 418

Midseason friendlies

April 16Capital Cup Lansing Ignite 4–0 Michigan State Spartans Lansing, Michigan
7:00 PM EST Botello Faz Soccerball shade.svg 28'
Saint-Duc Soccerball shade.svg 50'
N'For Soccerball shade.svg 62'
Bruce Soccerball shade.svg 88'
Report Stanley Yellow card.svg 54'
Pimlott Yellow card.svg 66'
Stadium: Cooley Law School Stadium
Attendance: 3,338
September 24 Lansing Ignite v Chicago Fire SC Reserves Lansing, Michigan
7:00 PM EDT Stadium: Cooley Law School Stadium
September 28 Lansing Ignite v Livonia City FC Lansing, Michigan
7:00 PM EDT Stadium: Cooley Law School Stadium
Note: Originally scheduled to play Grand Rapids FC. Change announced on September 4. [7]

Competitive

USL League One

Standings

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 North Texas SC (X, C)2817565331+2256 Playoffs
2 Lansing Ignite FC 28121064937+1246
3 Greenville Triumph SC 2812793222+1043
4 Forward Madison FC 2812793326+743
5 Chattanooga Red Wolves SC 28101083537240
Source: 2019 USL League One standings
Rules for classification: 1) total wins; 2) total goal differential; 3) total goals scored; 4) points earned against top four Conference finishers; 5) disciplinary points; 6) coin toss or drawing of lots
(C) Champion; (X) Regular Season League Champion.

Results summary

OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
28121064937 +12468422816 +124642121 0

Source: USL

Results by round

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728
StadiumAAHHAAHHAAAAHHAAHHAAHHAHAHHH
ResultWLWLLDDDDWLDWWLDWDDDWWWWWWDL
Position4544989784775466456653222222
Source: USL
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Results

March 301 Richmond Kickers 2–3 Lansing Ignite Richmond, Virginia
5:00 PM EDT
Report
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 5,936
Referee: Danielle Chesky
April 62 Greenville Triumph SC 2–1 Lansing Ignite FC Greenville, South Carolina
7:00 PM EDT
Report
Stadium: Legacy Early College
Attendance: 4,014
Referee: Jasmine Peralta
April 133 Lansing Ignite 3–1 Richmond Kickers Lansing, Michigan
5:00 PM EDT Report Stadium: Cooley Law School Stadium
Attendance: 3,369
Referee: Danielle Chesky
April 264 Lansing Ignite 0–2 Toronto FC II Lansing, Michigan
7:00 PM EDT Stoneman Yellow card.svg 45+1'
Moshobane Yellow card.svg 80'
Report Petrasso Soccerball shade.svg 11'
Mohammed Yellow card.svg 24'
Campbell Yellow card.svg 39'
Okello Yellow card.svg 53'
Ovalle Soccerball shade.svg 85' (pen.)
Stadium: Cooley Law School Stadium
Attendance: 1,895
Referee: Nickrod Fateh
April 305 FC Tucson 2–0 Lansing Ignite Tucson, Arizona
9:00 PM Jambga Soccerball shade.svg 27'
Somersall Yellow card.svg 38'
Spencer Yellow card.svg 49'
Vega Yellow card.svg 57'Soccerball shade.svg 62'
Report Fricke Yellow card.svg 49'Stadium: Kino North Stadium
Attendance: 702
Referee: Karen Abt
May 46 Richmond Kickers 2–2 Lansing Ignite Richmond, Virginia
7:00 PM EDT Chin Soccerball shade.svg 32'
Shanosky Yellow card.svg 75'
Jackson Soccerball shade.svg 90'
Report Cerda Yellow card.svg 24'
Stoneman Yellow card.svg 27'
Lopez-Espin Soccerball shade.svg 58'
Fricke Soccerball shade.svg 70'
Stadium: City Stadium
Attendance: 2,947
Referee: Matt Franz
May 117 Lansing Ignite 1–1 Greenville Triumph SC Lansing, Michigan
7:00 PM EDT Lopez-Espin Soccerball shade.svg 76' Report Boland Yellow card.svg 36'
Polak Yellow card.svg 58'
Ward Soccerball shade.svg 68'
Stadium: Cooley Law School Stadium
Attendance: 1,725
Referee: Adam Kilpatrick
May 188 Lansing Ignite 2–2 North Texas SC Lansing, Michigan
7:00 PM EDT Mentzigen Soccerball shade.svg 54', Yellow card.svg 56'
Bruce Soccerball shade.svg 65', Red card.svg 90+5'
Saint-Duc Yellow card.svg 72'
Stoneman Yellow card.svg 89'
Report Tessmann Yellow card.svg 35'
Jatta Yellow card.svg 51'
Pepi Soccerball shade.svg 83'
A. Rodríguez Soccerball shade.svg 87', Yellow card.svg 90+2'
Almaguer Yellow card.svg 89'
Stadium: Cooley Law School Stadium
Attendance: 2,149
Referee: Calin Radosav
May 259 Tormenta FC 0–0 Lansing Ignite Statesboro, Georgia
7:00 PM EDT Miccaletto Yellow card.svg 42'
Knutson Yellow card.svg 59'
Report Cleveland Yellow card.svg 73'Stadium: Eagle Field
Attendance: 1,697
Referee: Joshua Encarnacion
June 110 Forward Madison FC 0–1 Lansing Ignite Madison, Wisconsin
8:00 PM EDT Banks Yellow card.svg 39'
Núñez Red card.svg 90+7'
Report Moon Soccerball shade.svg 47'
Stoneman Yellow card.svg 51'
Cerda Yellow card.svg 80'
Stadium: Breese Stevens Field
Attendance: 4,271
Referee: Brad Jensen
June 811 Toronto FC II 3–0 Lansing Ignite Toronto, Ontario
4:00 PM EDT Hundal Soccerball shade.svg 29'
Ovalle Yellow card.svg 48'
Dorsey Yellow card.svg 66'
Bunk-Andersen Soccerball shade.svg 80'
Perruzza Soccerball shade.svg 90+1'
Report Stadium: BMO Training Ground
Referee: Myriam Marcotte
June 1512 Greenville Triumph SC 1–1 Lansing Ignite Greenville, South Carolina
7:00 PM EDT Seiler Soccerball shade.svg 66' Report Moon Soccerball shade.svg 30'
Saint-Duc Yellow card.svg 90+3'
Stadium: Legacy Early College Field
Attendance: 2,715
Referee: Matthew Corrigan
June 1913 Lansing Ignite 1–0 Toronto FC II Lansing, Michigan
7:00 PM EDT Saint-Duc Yellow card.svg 28', Soccerball shade.svg 61'
Bruce Yellow card.svg 87'
Report Mingo Yellow card.svg 27'
Srbely Yellow card.svg 89'
Stadium: Cooley Law School Stadium
Attendance: 2,287
Referee: Becky Pagan
June 2214 Lansing Ignite 2–0 Orlando City B Lansing, Michigan
7:00 PM EDT Moshobane Yellow card.svg 28'
Moon Soccerball shade.svg 51'
Bruce Yellow card.svg 59'
Coiffic Soccerball shade.svg 68'
Report Bagrou Yellow card.svg 30'Stadium: Cooley Law School Stadium
Attendance: 4,818
Referee: Chris Ruska
June 2915 North Texas SC 3–1 Lansing Ignite Frisco, Texas
7:00 PM EDT Tessmann Yellow card.svg 43'
Montgomery Soccerball shade.svg 57'
Damus Yellow card.svg 59', Soccerball shade.svg 73'
Rodriguez Soccerball shade.svg 71'
Report Moon Yellow card.svg 59'
Cleveland Yellow card.svg 74'
Faz Soccerball shade.svg 83'
Stadium: Toyota Stadium
Attendance: 632
Referee: Marco Vega
July 616 Chattanooga Red Wolves 1–1 Lansing Ignite Chattanooga, Tennessee
7:00 PM EDT Cisse Red card.svg 12'
Walls Soccerball shade.svg 55'
Report N'For Soccerball shade.svg 25'
Fricke Yellow card.svg 30'
Coiffic Red card.svg 45'
Moon Yellow card.svg 57'
Stadium: David Stanton Field
Attendance: 1,766
Referee: Michael Smith
July 917 Lansing Ignite 3–2 Forward Madison FC Lansing, Michigan
7:00 PM EDT N'For Soccerball shade.svg 17'
Mentzigen Soccerball shade.svg 90+2', Yellow card.svg 90+3'
Bruce Soccerball shade.svg 90+5'
Report Smart Soccerball shade.svg 32', Yellow card.svg 50'
Bennett Yellow card.svg 63'
Banks Soccerball shade.svg 90+4'
Stadium: Cooley Law School Stadium
Attendance: 1,871
Referee: Kevin Fikar
July 1318 Lansing Ignite 2–2 FC Tucson Lansing, Michigan
7:00 PM EDT Moshobane Soccerball shade.svg 26' (pen.), Soccerball shade.svg 49'
Williams Yellow card.svg 50'
Report Howell Soccerball shade.svg 34'
Jones Soccerball shade.svg 52' (pen.)
Hauswirth Yellow card.svg 73'
Stadium: Cooley Law School Stadium
Attendance: 4,348
Referee: Gabriele Giusti
July 1919 Toronto FC II 3–3 Lansing Ignite Toronto, Ontario
4:00 PM EDT Perruzza Soccerball shade.svg 35'
Dorsey Yellow card.svg 38'
Bunk-Andersen Soccerball shade.svg 78'
Romeo Soccerball shade.svg 81', Yellow card.svg 84'
Report Faz Soccerball shade.svg 41' (pen.)
Fricke Soccerball shade.svg 51'
Gomez Soccerball shade.svg 54'
Stadium: BMO Training Ground
Referee: Giancarlo Pavone
July 2720 Tormenta FC 1–1 Lansing Ignite Statesboro, Georgia
8:00 PM EDT Knutson Yellow card.svg 16'
Saint-Vil Yellow card.svg 21'
Kadono Soccerball shade.svg 88'
Micaletto Yellow card.svg 90'
Morrell Yellow card.svg 90+3'
Report Mentzingen Soccerball shade.svg 12', Yellow card.svg 45+3'
Coiffic Yellow card.svg 35'
Stoneman Yellow card.svg 60'
Carr Yellow card.svg 90+3'
Stadium: Eagle Field
Attendance: 1,785
Referee: Nickrod Fateh
July 3121 Lansing Ignite 2–0 Chattanooga Red Wolves Lansing, Michigan
7:00 PM EDT Moshobane Soccerball shade.svg 32'
Mentzigen Yellow card.svg 50'
Faz Soccerball shade.svg 84'
Report Kendall-Moullin Yellow card.svg 10'
Pineda Yellow card.svg 45+1'
Stadium: Cooley Law School Stadium
Attendance: 2,215
Referee: José Lara
August 322 Lansing Ignite 3–0 Orlando City B Lansing, Michigan
7:00 PM EDT Moshobane Soccerball shade.svg 8'
N'For Soccerball shade.svg 14'
Mentzingen Soccerball shade.svg 84'
Report Tablante Yellow card.svg 37'
Thiago Yellow card.svg 50'
Amer Yellow card.svg 87'
Stadium: Cooley Law School Stadium
Attendance: 3,285
Referee: Carter Brochu
August 1623 Orlando City B 1–2 Lansing Ignite Montverde, Florida
7:30 PM EDT Forbes Yellow card.svg 13'
Tablante Yellow card.svg 42'
Bagrou Soccerball shade.svg 71'
Report Gomez Soccerball shade.svg 22', Yellow card.svg 82'
Coiffic Yellow card.svg 28'
Mentzingen Soccerball shade.svg 54'
Stadium: Montverde Academy
Referee: Joshua Encarnación
August 2224 Lansing Ignite 4–1 North Texas SC Lansing, Michigan
7:00 PM EDT Faz Soccerball shade.svg 8', Soccerball shade.svg 69'
Moon Yellow card.svg 31'
N'For Soccerball shade.svg 50'
Moshobane Soccerball shade.svg 71'
Report Rayo Yellow card.svg 65'
Rodriguez Yellow card.svg 76'
Romero Soccerball shade.svg 86' (pen.)
Stadium: Cooley Law School Stadium
Attendance: 2,757
Referee: Luis Arroyo
September 625 FC Tucson 0–5 Lansing Ignite Tucson, Arizona
10:30 PM EDT Wheeler-Omiunu Yellow card.svg 28'
Venter Yellow card.svg 62'
Batista Yellow card.svg 76'
Report Moon Yellow card.svg 12'
Faz Soccerball shade.svg 16', Soccerball shade.svg 26'
Moshobane Soccerball shade.svg 33', Soccerball shade.svg 90+3'
Williams Soccerball shade.svg 60'
Stadium: Kino North Stadium
Attendance: 708
Referee: Omeed Azadpour
September 1426 Lansing Ignite 4–3 Chattanooga Red Wolves Lansing, Michigan
7:00 PM EDT Mentzingen Soccerball shade.svg 8'
Moshobane Soccerball shade.svg 18', Soccerball shade.svg 90'
Moon Soccerball shade.svg 30', Yellow card.svg 79'
Gomez Yellow card.svg 60'
Carr Yellow card.svg 77'
Report Zguro Soccerball shade.svg 3', Red card.svg 60'
Hurst Soccerball shade.svg 17', Soccerball shade.svg 54'
Amponsah Yellow card.svg 35'
Beattie Yellow card.svg 43'
Stadium: Cooley Law School Stadium
Attendance: 2,994
Referee: Calin Radosav
September 2127 Lansing Ignite 1–1 Tormenta FC Lansing, Michigan
7:00 PM EDT Moon Soccerball shade.svg 45+1' Report Dennis Yellow card.svg 19'
Arslan Yellow card.svg 34'
Rowe Soccerball shade.svg 67'
Stadium: Cooley Law School Stadium
Attendance: 2,489
Referee: Joshua Encarnación
October 528 Lansing Ignite 0–1 Forward Madison FC Lansing, Michigan
7:00 PM EDT N'For Yellow card.svg 20'
Fricke Yellow card.svg 59'
Moshobane Yellow card.svg 73'
Williams Yellow card.svg 87'
Report Omsberg Yellow card.svg 31'
Banks Soccerball shade.svg 43'
Núñez Yellow card.svg 66'
Paulo Jr. Yellow card.svg 68'
Díaz Yellow card.svg 81'
Leonard Yellow card.svg 90+4'
Stadium: Cooley Law School Stadium
Attendance: 2,412
Referee: José Lara

USL League One Playoffs

October 12Semifinals Lansing Ignite FC 0–1 Greenville Triumph SC Lansing, Michigan
7:00pm (EDT) Coiffic Yellow card.svg 70'
Cerda Yellow card.svg 74'
Cleveland Yellow card.svg 87'
Report Clowes Yellow card.svg 37'
Mohamed Yellow card.svg 45+2'
Polak Yellow card.svg 46'
Bermudez Soccerball shade.svg 59'
Gómez Yellow card.svg 79'
Stadium: Cooley Law School Stadium
Attendance: 2,340
Referee: Matthew Thompson

U.S. Open Cup

May 8 1st Round Lansing Ignite FC Flag of Michigan.svg 2–1 Flag of Michigan.svg AFC Ann Arbor Lansing, Michigan
7:00 pm EDT N'For Soccerball shade.svg 29', Soccerball shade.svg 72' Report Alexis Yellow card.svg 40', Soccerball shade.svg 66'Stadium: Lansing Catholic High School
Attendance: 100
Referee: Nicole Green
Note: Kickoff time and venue changed from 7:00pm at Cooley Law School Stadium due to inclement field conditions.
May 15 2nd Round Indy Eleven Flag of Indiana.svg 1–0 Flag of Michigan.svg Lansing Ignite FC Indianapolis, Indiana
7:00 PM EDT Newton Red card.svg 21'
Enevoldsen Yellow card.svg 51', Soccerball shade.svg 57'
Watson Yellow card.svg 62'
Walker Yellow card.svg 88'
Kelly Yellow card.svg 90+2'
Report Stoneman Yellow card.svg 62'Stadium: Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl
Attendance: 853
Referee: Adam Behrens

Transfers

Statistics

Related Research Articles

USL League One American professional soccer league

USL League One (USL1) is a professional men's soccer league in the United States and Canada that began its inaugural season in 2019. United Soccer League announced the formation of the league on April 2, 2017, with the temporary name USL Division III. The league is targeting cities with a population of 150,000 to one million, mostly in cities currently without a professional team.

Lansing Ignite FC

Lansing Ignite FC was a professional soccer team based in Lansing, Michigan, United States. The club began play in the newly-formed USL League One in 2019 and ceased operations following their inaugural season.

The 2019 Orlando City B season is the club's third year of existence and their first returning from hiatus during the 2018 season. It is their first season as a founding member of USL League One, the third tier of the United States soccer pyramid, after moving from the second tier now rebranded as USL Championship in the restructuring. The team also moved from Orlando City Stadium where they spent the 2017 season, to Montverde Academy which already housed Orlando City's Development Academy.

The 2019 Forward Madison FC season was the inaugural season in the soccer team's history, where they competed in the third division of American soccer, USL League One, the first season of the competition. Forward Madison FC also participated in the 2019 U.S. Open Cup. Forward Madison FC played their home games at Breese Stevens Field, located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States.

The 2019 Richmond Kickers season was the club's 28th season of existence, their 15th season in the third tier of American soccer, and their first season in the newly-created USL League One. It was the Kickers' first season playing in the third tier of American soccer since 2016, when they were in the United Soccer League. The season covers the period from October 14, 2018 to the beginning of the 2020 USL League One season.

The 2019 FC Tucson season was the club's eighth season of existence and their first full professional season in USL League One. They previously played in the Premier Development League and won four divisional titles.

The 2019 North Texas SC season is the first season for North Texas SC's existence, and their first in USL League One, the third tier of professional soccer in the United States and Canada.

The 2019 season was Greenville Triumph SC's first of existence. They played in USL League One.

The 2019 season was Chattanooga Red Wolves SC's first of existence. They played in USL League One.

The 2019 Tormenta FC season is the club's fourth season of existence, and their first season as a professional club. It is their first season playing in the third tier of American soccer and their first season playing in USL League One.

The 2019 Toronto FC II season was the fifth season in the club's history. Having previously competed in the United Soccer League, this was the club's first season in USL League One, the third tier of professional soccer in the United States.

The 2020 USL League One season was the second season of USL League One. The regular season was scheduled to begin on March 27 and end on October 3. On March 13, it was announced the regular season start would be delayed to April 11 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This delay was extended to May 10. The delay was extended for a third time with the USL awaiting guidance and clarity from various authorities before announcing a new date. On June 5, the league announced a provisional return date of July 18. On July 2, the league announced a modified 20-game schedule with a modified playoffs. Now, only the top two teams will go straight to the League Finals, on the weekend of October 31. On July 8, Toronto FC II announced they would not play in 2020 because of COVID-19 restrictions. They remain a member club of the league, and plan to return for the 2021 season. Nine teams return from the inaugural season, while three new teams enter for the first time; MLS reserve teams Fort Lauderdale CF and New England Revolution II, and expansion club Union Omaha.

The 2020 Tormenta FC season is the club's fifth season of existence, and their second season as a professional club. It is their second season playing in the third tier of American soccer and their second season playing in USL League One (USL1). This article covers the period from October 20, 2019, the day after the 2019 USL1 Playoff Final, to the conclusion of the 2020 USL1 Playoff Final, scheduled for October 22–25, 2020.

The 2020 Greenville Triumph SC season is the second season in the soccer team's history, where they compete in the third division of American soccer, USL League One, the second season of that competition. Greenville Triumph SC will also participate in the 2020 U.S. Open Cup. Greenville Triumph SC play their home games at Legacy Early College Field, located in Greenville, South Carolina, United States.

The 2020 Orlando City B season was the club's fourth season of existence and their second since returning from hiatus during the 2018 season. It was their second season as a founding member of USL League One, the third tier of the United States soccer pyramid, after moving from the second tier in the restructuring. The team also moved from Montverde Academy where they spent the 2019 season, to the newly refurbished Osceola County Stadium at Orlando City's new training complex in Kissimmee, Florida.

The 2020 Chattanooga Red Wolves SC season is the second season in the soccer team's history, where they compete in the third division of American soccer, USL League One, the second season of that competition. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC will also participate in the 2020 U.S. Open Cup. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC will play their home games at CHI Memorial Stadium in East Ridge, Tennessee, United States, moving from their previous stadium, David Stanton Field.

The 2020 FC Tucson season is the ninth season in the soccer team's history and their second in USL League One, a league in the third division of American soccer. FC Tucson, as a child club of Phoenix Rising FC of USL Championship, are barred from participating in the 2020 U.S. Open Cup. FC Tucson play their home games at Kino North Stadium, located in Tucson, Arizona, United States.

The 2020 Richmond Kickers season was the club's 29th season of existence, their 16th season in the third tier of American soccer, and their second season in the newly created USL League One. It is the Kickers' second season playing in the third tier of American soccer since 2016, when they were in the United Soccer League. Initially, the preseason began on February 8, 2020 and was scheduled to conclude on March 24, 2020. The regular season was originally scheduled to begin on March 28, 2020 and conclude on September 24, 2020.

The 2020 Union Omaha season is the first season in the soccer team's history, where they compete in the third division of American soccer, USL League One, the second season of that competition. Union Omaha will also participate in the 2020 U.S. Open Cup. Union Omaha play their home games at Werner Park, located in Papillion, Nebraska, United States.

The 2020 Fort Lauderdale CF season is the inaugural season in the soccer team's history, where they compete in the third division of American soccer, USL League One. Fort Lauderdale CF, as a child club of Inter Miami CF of Major League Soccer, are barred from participating in the 2020 U.S. Open Cup. Fort Lauderdale CF play their home games at Inter Miami CF Stadium, located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States.

References

  1. "Lansing Ignite FC Ceases Operations". USLLeagueOne.com. October 21, 2019. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  2. Couch, Graham (September 24, 2018). "Lansing Ignite USL pro soccer team likely to begin in downtown Lansing". Lansing State Journal. Gannett Company. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  3. Couch, Graham (October 8, 2018). "Lansing Ignite, new USL soccer club, gets go-ahead to play downtown". Lansing State Journal. Gannett Company. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  4. "Lansing Ignite FC Unveiled as USL League One Founding Member". USLLeagueOne.com. USL League One. October 25, 2018. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  5. Friend, Phil (November 14, 2018) Lansing Ignite Soccer's First Coach, Nate Miller, Ready to Bring Championships to the City. Lansing State Journal. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  6. "Richmond Kickers roster". RichmondKickers.com. Richmond Kickers. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
  7. "LIFC to Host Livonia City FC in Final 2019 Exhibition Match". LansingIgnite.com. Retrieved 4 September 2019.