Asheville City Soccer Club’s inaugural season last year was a success by almost every measure. The club lost the last game of the year, a heartbreaker in Atlanta, but it put thousands of people in the seats at Memorial Stadium and launched one of the strongest NPSL clubs in the nation, transforming the soccer scene in the city overnight.

And now, they want to do it all again… and then make the playoff run that the club deserves.

This Thursday, April 19, from 6:30–9:30 p.m., ACSC kicks off the 2018 season with a launch party, where they’ll unveil the season ticket jersey and distribute them to season ticket holders.

ACSC players and staff will be on hand and, according to the press release, “there will be soccer pool, giveaways, speeches, and special guests” as well.

And it’s at Hi-Wire, so of course there will be plenty of great beer.

After the launch party, fans have just a few short weeks until the first game of the season, a friendly against the PDL’s successful Myrtle Beach Mutiny side. That game, at Memorial on Friday, May 4, should be a good warmup for players, staff, and fans alike, as the 2018 NPSL season starts just four days later on Tuesday, May 8, at 7 p.m. against Georgia Revolution FC.

The complete schedule is below with five games we’re especially psyched out of our minds about in bold.

The 2018 Asheville City SC men’s schedule

(Yes, the club also launched a women’s team this season. So great. Their complete schedule is available here.)

Friday, May 4, 7 p.m. — Myrtle Beach Mutiny (home, friendly)

Tuesday, May 8, 7 p.m. — Georgia Revolution FC (home, NPSL opener)

I mean, it’s the season opener. Very excited.

Saturday, May 12, 7:30 p.m. — at Georgia Revolution FC (away, NPSL)

Saturday, May 19, 7 p.m. — Atlanta Silverbacks (home, NPSL)

The rival that knocked ACSC out of the 2017 playoffs comes to Memorial Stadium. May the Blues find vengeance in their first Saturday home game.

Wednesday, May 23, 7:30 p.m. — at Chattanooga FC (away, NPSL)

Saturday, May 26, 7 p.m. — at Atlanta Silverbacks (away, NPSL)

Tuesday, May 29, 7 p.m. — Savannah Clovers (home, friendly)

Saturday, June 2, 7 p.m. — Chattanooga FC (home, NPSL)

The model NPSL club comes to town in a good chance for ACSC fans to show they’ll have competition for that title for a long time.

Saturday, June 9, 7 p.m. — at Knoxville Force (away, NPSL)

Thursday, June 14, 7 p.m. — Knoxville Force (home, NPSL)

Saturday, June 16, 8 p.m. — at Inter Nashville FC (away, NPSL)

Tuesday, June 19, 7 p.m. — Inter Nashville FC (home, NPSL)

Saturday, June 23, 7 p.m. — Greenville FC (home, NPSL)

The first-ever meeting between our two Carolina NPSL clubs isn’t until late June, but it should be worth the wait.

Friday, June 29, 7 p.m. — New Orleans Jesters (home, NPSL)

Wednesday, July 4, 7 p.m. — at Greenville FC (away, NPSL)

A holiday away trip? Greenville’s Eugene Stone Stadium should be packed for what will likely be a game with playoff implications.

Saturday, July 7, 7 p.m. — at Nola Jesters (away, NPSL finale)

Which games are you most excited about? Will you be at the watch party on Thursday? Let us know on social media… and be sure to follow us there too: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.

I personally missed out on the amazing Asheville City SC season last year, a mistake I won’t make this season: I already have tickets to the 2018 opener. But all of us at Soccer ‘n’ Sweet Tea felt like we got to live 2017 through articles and photos from our Alex Hamilton. His complete season of work is available here, on a dedicated ACSC 2017 page.

If you’d like to join the staff to cover the team in 2018, let us know! We’d love to have the help. Good luck to ACSC this season: Paint the city blue, y’all.