COURTESY CHARLOTTE EAGLES

The Charlotte Eagles will open the USL League Two schedule against intra-city rival Charlotte Independence 2 May 14 at Manchester Meadows.

The USL League Two season kicks off on May 14 in Charlotte.

The league unveiled the 2021 schedule which will run from May-July. The Charlotte Eagles and Charlotte Independence 2 open at Manchester Meadows at 7 p.m., which Independence 2 will call home for their inaugural season. Independence 2 shares the same name as the USL Championship side but operates under the youth club banner. The USL Championship side will play at Memorial Stadium.

Both the Eagles and Independence 2 will play in the Deep South Division. Dave Carton will lead the Independence through their first USL League Two campaign. All four of the Independence’s May games will be played at home. They host South Georgia Tormenta FC 2 (May 19), Dalton Red Wolves SC (May 22) and SC United Bantams on May 25. A pair of Independence 2’s June games will take place at home, with five on the road: at Asheville City SC on June 1, at Charlotte Eagles on June 12, at East Atlanta FC on June 19, at Southern Soccer Academy Kings and at South Georgia Tormenta FC 2 on June 29. They host Southern Soccer Academy Kings on June 5 and Peachtree City MOBA on June 22 and conclude July with a trip to SC United Bantams on July 6, followed by a home game against Asheville City SC on July 11.

“We are all very excited to make up for lost time and to get out on the field with our USL 2 players,” Carton said in a statement. “There are some very intriguing match-ups on the schedule, and I am glad that all soccer lovers in our community will get the opportunity to see some excellent games over the summer months. Thanks to everyone at the USL for their hard work and we look forward to representing the Charlotte Independence community this year.”

The Eagles, led by coach Michael Kovach, open at home on May 18 at 7 p.m. against Southern Soccer Academy Kings at the Sportsplex at Matthews. The Eagles finish May at East Atlanta FC on May 30. June begins at SC United Bantams on (June 2), followed by road games June 5 at Dalton Red Wolves SC and Peachtree City MOBA on June 9.

They host the Eagles on June 12, Asheville City SC on June 17 and South Georgia Tormenta FC 2 on June 23. Their final June road game is at Southern Soccer Academy Kings on June 25. They host Dalton Red Wolves SC on June 29. July includes two home games and a road trip to end the regular season: July 1 versus SC United Bantams, July 7 against East Atlanta FC and at Asheville on July 10.

The season will run through late July. A record-high 82 clubs will play in the 2021 season, competing in 12 divisions.

“The clubs of League Two have continued to put the health and safety of their players and staff above all else,” USL League Two Vice President of Joel Nash said in a statement. “We’re delighted to see League Two kick off in May and for our teams to compete while also making sure we do so in a safe manner.” 

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