The United Soccer League today announced that Bethlehem Steel FC will host the Richmond Kickers in the club’s 2018 home opener. Steel FC will kick off the season at Goodman Stadium on the campus of Lehigh University on Sunday, March 18. Kickoff of the club’s third USL season is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Steel FC’s entire 34-game slate which will span 31 weeks is expected to be released next week, with the season concluding the weekend of October 12-14. Bethlehem Steel FC single-game tickets will go on sale in conjunction with the complete 2018 schedule release.

In addition to the club’s home opener against the Kickers, Steel FC will be part of another home opener in March as Steel FC will visit the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The two clubs will square off the following week at Al Lang Stadium on Saturday, March 24. The young series is still in search of its first victory, as the two clubs battled to a pair of draws in September last year.

The announcement marks the second-consecutive season that Steel FC opens its regular season campaign in front of its home crowd. Steel FC is 1-1 all-time in season openers and is still in search of its first home opener victory at Goodman Stadium. Steel FC is unbeaten at home against Richmond, picking up a 2-1 victory in 2016 while the two clubs battled to a 1-1 draw last season.