

Posted by

Kamal Hylton ,

February 4, 2015 Email

Kamal Hylton

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@KamalHylton

With only a few weeks to go before the 2015 USL PRO season is set to kick-off and the three Canadian sides begin their inaugural seasons, RedNation Online brings you some of the key games to circle on your calendars.



March 21st - TFC II @ Charleston Battery



The 2015 USL PRO season kicks off with head coach Jason Bent and his players beginning their maiden voyage with a tough trip to South Carolina to face the Charleston Battery. This is an opponent that TFC fans should be familiar with as a frequent visitor to the Carolina Challenge Cup preseason tournament from 2007-2011. The Reds posted a record of 2W-2L-1D record during that time, but this version of the Reds will be in tough against a side that finished 5th last season. The Battery made it to the playoffs before losing to the Richmond Kickers 2-1 in the Quarterfinals in an eventful game, one that went to extra time and saw three players sent off.



March 28th - FC Montreal vs. TFC II



This is one match everyone will be eager to see, as the “401 Derby” makes its USL PRO debut. Coached by an ever-present in Philippe Eullaffroy that heads a FC Montreal group that he’ll surely be familiar with from having managed the U23'sin the Premier Development League (PDL). What makes this game a big draw is the amount of Canadian talent that is sure to be on display, including those that are currently breaking into the Canadian Men’s national team.



An interesting aspect about this game will be atmosphere, as the Montreal Impact host Orlando City FC in an MLS game. This could help bring out a sizeable home crowd for this all-Canadian affair, including some of the supporters groups and Canadian national team followers.



March 29th - Whitecaps FC 2 @ Seattle Sounders II



The first edition of USL PRO’s “Cascadia Rivalry” shapes up to be exciting, as not only will it be the newly formed WFC2's first USL PRO game but it will set the stage for a three-way rivalry (including Portland Timbers II) that could be just as fierce as the MLS edition. Knowing how much these games help shape MLS, if the USL PRO games bring half as much attention and energy to the league as the MLS edition does then we're all in for something special.



April 18th - FC Montreal @ Harrisburg City Islanders



Montreal’s first road test is against a team that will have a point to prove, as FC Montreal travel to Pennsylvania to take on the Harrisburg City Islanders. This is a club that finished in 8th in the standings before going on a run in the playoffs, beating Orlando City SC 1-0 and Richmond Kickers 3-2 on their way to the final. They made it to the big game, but ultimately lost 2-0 to Sacramento Republic. Affiliated with MLS’s Philadelphia Union, you can expect their squad to include some quality talent.



April 19th - Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 vs. TFC II



The Reds take on their other Canadian rivals for the first time, traveling out west for a showcase game against Vancouver Whitecaps FC II in their home opener. WFC2 kept their coaching hire within the family, appointing Alan Koch as head coach. A long-time coach with Simon Fraser University soccer and a recent Whitecaps college scout, Koch is sure to have a team full of local Canadian prospects going up against TFC II in what could be called an early “statement game” for both teams. This is another game for Canadian national team supporters to tune in for, pitting what is arguably two of the best MLS academies against each other.



May 23rd - TFC II vs. Rochester Rhinos



TFC II opens its USL PRO home season after nine games on the road against the Rochester Rhinos, a team that finished 5th last season and qualified for the playoffs before losing 2-1 in the Quarterfinals to the newly formed LA Galaxy 2. The Reds will have a challenge on their hands against a side that boasts the defending USL PRO Rookie of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year in John McCarthy, as well as USL PRO Defender of the Year Tony Walls.



July 4th - TFC II vs. FC Montreal



The second match between TFC II and FC Montreal should be special in more ways than one, not only will one team likely be looking for revenge but it will be the first game the Reds play in the new Ontario Soccer Centre stadium. The atmosphere will be something to watch. Depending on where they are in the standings, or what went on during the previous meeting, nobody would be surprised if this game got a little chippy as history has dictated that when these two teams meet on any level.



There are many other exciting games that these three Canadian teams will play, including meetings against fellow MLS academies in Los Angeles with LA Galaxy 2, Portland with Portland Timbers 2, New York with New York Red Bulls and Real Salt Lake with Real Monarchs SLC as well as games against the defending USL PRO champion Sacramento Republic FC.



Look for more USL PRO content on RedNation Online, including first looks at each squad when the rosters for all three Canadian clubs are finalized.