The battle for the Kings’ Cup kicks off on the opening day of the season in 2017 as Saint Louis FC’s return to the Eastern Conference is marked by a clash with its biggest rival. Louisville held the upper hand when the two teams met last season with a sweep of the season series on the way to the Eastern Conference Final in the USL Cup Playoffs for a second consecutive year, and Head Coach James O’Connor’s side will be eager to get off to another strong start.

Standing in its way, however, will be a greatly reshaped STLFC roster in its first competitive game under new Head Coach Preki. The 2014 USL Coach of the Year has recruited what looks like a strong squad on paper, and with a large traveling contingent of fans likely to make the trip to Louisville, the atmosphere should be one to savor for everyone at Slugger Field.

A rematch from the 2016 USL Cup Playoffs – and the opening weekend of the season a year ago – arrives at MUSC Health Stadium with FC Cincinnati looking to earn some revenge on a Battery side that handed it a defeat in front of more than 30,000 fans at Nippert Stadium to bring FCC’s inaugural season to a close.

FC Cincinnati has seen 2016 USL Most Valuable Player Sean Okoli move on, but has restocked its squad with a number of top USL talents as it enters its second season. The Battery, however, always have a plan for these types of games, and Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser will be looking to replicate the 1-0 victory Charleston took when the teams met in the same venue almost a year to the day after their first meeting.

The Tampa Bay Rowdies make their USL debut against their Sunshine State rivals Orlando City B on the opening Saturday of the season with high hopes for a thrilling inaugural season in the league. The club’s squad certainly reflects that ambition, with veterans like former England international Joe Cole and goalkeeper Matt Pickens being joined by exciting youngsters such as Darwin Jones and Damion Lowe both arriving from Seattle Sounders FC this offseason.

Orlando might not have quite the same level of experience, but it did reach the postseason a year ago and with the young talent of players like U.S. youth internationals Pierre Da Silva, Joe Gallardo and Mason Stadujar being joined by 2016 USL Cup winner Zach Carroll, Ben Polk and Jordan Schweitzer, Head Coach Anthony Pulis will have an upset-minded squad entering Al Lang Stadium.

Having set USL single-game and single-season attendance records at Nippert Stadium in its inaugural season, FC Cincinnati’s home opener for 2017 promises to be a major day for the club’s fans as it welcomes Saint Louis FC for a high-profile early season contest. Newcomers such as Kadeem Dacres, Andy Craven and Aodhan Quinn could take their first bow in front of The Bailey alongside returning standouts Mitch Hildebrandt and Harrison Delbridge.

For Saint Louis, however, the contest will be a chance to crash the party. With a likely strong traveling contingent making the trip to support the side, the likes of returning leading scorer Irvin Herrera and defender A.J. Cochran and new additions in 2016 All-League goalkeeper Devala Gorrick, Ivan Mirkovic, and 2013 USL Most Valuable Player Jose Angulo will make STLFC a dangerous visitor.

Ottawa Fury FC’s 2017 debut at TD Place sees the side host its in-province rival Toronto FC II in what could be a continuation of the rivalry that has developed between Canada’s capital and its biggest city. Ottawa’s squad certainly appears equipped for a strong first season in the USL, with Canadian internationals Carl Haworth, Jamar Dixon and Callum Irving being joined by the likes of returning standout Eddie Edward and newcomer Steevan Dos Santos.

Toronto’s continued progression rests largely on the shoulders of its young standouts, with players like Canadian U20 internationals Shaan Hundal and Malik Johnson – both named to the USL 20 Under 20 in 2016 – and Luca Uccello leading the way. With a big crowd set to provide a top-class atmosphere for Fury FC’s USL home debut, the pressure will be on the visitor in more ways than one.

Defending Western Conference champions the Swope Park Rangers open their defense against an OKC Energy FC side that has rebuilt its roster for the new season, and looks on paper to be a strong contender for the Rangers’ crown. SPR has a strong group returning for the new season, now led by Head Coach Nikola Popovic, with players like Amer Didic, Oumar Ballo and Christian Duke set to return for a second consecutive season.

Energy FC, meanwhile, has a number of new faces after the side had an underwhelming regular season a year ago. Some familiar faces return like goalkeeper Cody Laurendi and forward Danni Konig, but it will be interesting to see how the additions of Miguel Gonzalez from Colorado Springs and Jose Barril from Harrisburg will change the side as it looks for greater offensive punch than a season ago.

Reno 1868 FC hosts its inaugural home opener at Greater Nevada Field with a wave of confidence sweeping through the club as it builds toward its first season. The club’s experienced front office led by GM Andy Smith has pulled in some strong talent for Head Coach Ian Russell to work with, led by the first signing in club history Dane Kelly, the USL’s all-time leading scorer.

Orange County has its own new beginning in 2017, with a new name and look, a new major partnership with Major League Soccer 2018 expansion side Los Angeles FC, and an owner in James Keston who has major plans for the club to build its presence in Orange County. Both sides will be eager to get off to a strong start to the season, and with the Battle Born Brigade behind their side, it should be a memorable night in the Biggest Little City in the World.

The first weekend of the season also brings the first edition of the USL’s Texas Derby, and could see the first competitive game played at H-E-B Park as the Toros near completion of their new soccer-specific stadium. After an outstanding first year, the Toros will look to continue the success that brought thrills to The Stampede a season ago, and will be eager to start the season on the right foot against their biggest rival.

San Antonio won’t make that easy, however, with a restocked lineup that has seen some major additions at Head Coach Darren Powell’s disposal this offseason. Leading the way is Texas native Kris Trypak, while the return of players like Rafael Castillo and Stephen McCarthy and additions of Billy Forbes and Cyprian Hedrick should give SAFC a strong frame to build around in its second season.

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and OKC Energy FC has developed into quite a rivalry over the past two seasons, making it a great home opener for the Switchbacks as they begin their quest for a third consecutive berth in the USL Cup Playoffs. Colorado Springs’ squad has undergone some offseason changes, but with the likes of Luke Vercollone, Josh Phillips and Aaron King back in the fold the side will aim to maintain its high standard on the field.

A key departure, however, returns to Switchbacks Stadium with Energy FC for this home opener after Miguel Gonzalez’s move to Oklahoma City this offseason. Reunited with his brother Daniel, and teamed up with what looks like on paper to be a strong attacking group, it will be interesting to see first what sort of reception Miguel gets at his former stomping grounds, and what kind of impact he might have against his former club.

San Antonio FC’s home opener also marks the culmination of the second edition of the USL Experience, which provides players from the USL’s Super Y League a unique opportunity to experience the life of a professional USL player during their residency with a USL club. With Toyota Field providing the backdrop, SAFC will welcome 80 top young players as they learn about what it takes to reach the professional ranks.

On the field, the game itself should prove intriguing, with a reinforced San Antonio squad aiming to impress its passionate home support led by Mission City 118. Los Dos have been a playoff side in each of their first three seasons in the USL, however, and with the club’s young talent should provide a strong early test for SAFC’s postseason aspirations.