Rebecca Butts

rebbutts@enquirer.com

FC Cincinnati's inaugural season-opener against the Charleston Battery is as a "must-see" event, according to the United Soccer League, which announced its 2016 regular season schedule Tuesday.

The 435-game slate will begin on March 25 in Montreal, Canada, where the Bethlehem Steel FC will battle the home team. Later that day, the Sacramento Republic FC will play against the Seattle Sounders FC 2 in the Starfire Sports Complex in Washington.

FC Cincinnati's first season in the league will begin under the MUSC Health Stadium's lights in Charleston, South Carolina, on March 26 at 7:30 p.m. League officials said the match is "certain to be a must-see contest between the old guard and the new in the Eastern Conference."

Cincinnati will then travel to Philadelphia to play against Bethlehem Steel FC on April 3.

The first home match of Cincinnati's inaugural season will be April 9 at Nippert Stadium at the University of Cincinnati. The team is set to play Charlotte Independence at 7 p.m.

All homes games for FC Cincinnati will be played at Nippert Stadium. Other home games to watch out for include the regional matches against Louisville on April 16, Pittsburgh on May 14, and St. Louis on Sept. 5.

FC Cincinnati announces first home match

Season tickets can be purchased at www.FCCincinnati.com or by calling 513-977-5425.

To view the full USL schedule visit www.uslcoccer.com.

To view FC Cincinnati's full schedule visit www.FCCincinnati.com

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