The 2025 USL League One season is set to be a transformative campaign for the league as five new clubs make their debut across the country while the league's longer-standing members aim to make their mark and renew rivalries throughout the home-and-home regular season schedule.

Following Thursday's announcement of the complete 2025 schedule, here are 10 games and storylines we think you should have circled now which could prove landmark or decisive moments in the campaign.

Professional soccer makes Paradise Coast debut

FC Naples vs. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC (March 8)

This first of the five expansion clubs to host its home opener, FC Naples is bringing USL League One soccer back to the Sunshine State for the first time since 2021, simultaneously becoming the first independent League One club to compete in the state.

Naples has hit the ground running, adding former Young Player of the Year finalist Jayden Onen, Irish league champion Kevin O'Connor and former League One title winner Jake Dengler. The Red Wolves have not made much noise yet this offseason but will be without the services of its top two goalscorers from a season ago, as Ropapa Mensah and Mayele Malango have departed for Greenville Triumph SC and Monterey Bay F.C., respectively.

Clash of the Titans in the Upstate

Greenville Triumph SC vs. Union Omaha (March 12)

While Greenville has recorded the most wins (71) and points (254) in league history, Omaha cemented itself as the most decorated club in League One history last season as it became the first two-time league champion. The Owls are now perched atop the League One record books, holding all-time leads in points per match (1.84) and winning percentage (51.56%).

Greenville and Omaha last met in the Semifinals of the 2024 USL League One Playoffs, and the Owls rallied for a 2-1 victory to advance to the USL League One Final. Despite Greenville's consistent dominance in League One, Triumph SC has not defeated the Owls since 2022 and has never downed the Owls in Greenville. We'll see if that changes in March.

A new chapter in the league's oldest rivalry

Charlotte Independence vs. Richmond Kickers (March 15)

In an increasingly youthful league, the Jacks and Roos – the two oldest clubs in the league – will renew their rivalry for the 23rd time. Aside from a three-season hiatus between the pair's overlapping time in the USL Championship (2015-18) and USL League One (2022-Present), Charlotte and Richmond have faced off every year since 2015.

Building on a late-season surge in 2024, Richmond returns Dakota Barnathan, Emiliano Terzaghi, Adrian Billhardt, and Chandler O’Dwyer, among others. On the other side of the pitch, Charlotte will have some notable gaps to fill ahead of its 11th campaign; the Jacks recently declined the contract options of 2023 Goalkeeper of the Year Austin Pack, former United States international Miguel Ibarra and constant contributor Tresor Mbuyu. The clear constant for both teams, though, is in the technical area, as Charlotte's Mike Jeffries and Richmond's Darren Sawatzky return for their 11th and sixth season at the helm, respectively.

Texoma set for Texas-style homecoming

Texoma FC vs. One Knoxville SC (March 22)

Like Naples bringing USL League One soccer back to Florida, Texoma will usher in the return of League One to Texas for the first time since 2021, becoming the first independent League One side to call the Lone Star State home. Led by former Luton Town FC assistant Adrian Forbes, Texoma is the lone expansion side yet to announce a player acquisition. Alternatively, Knoxville has enjoyed a steady stream of returning player announcements in recent weeks, notably announcing the return of back-to-back Defender of the Year finalist Jordan Skelton and longtime defenders Dani Fernández and James Thomas, among others. As the anticipation of Texoma's home opener continues to build, expect a raucous atmosphere as the expansion side delivers professional soccer to a pocket of the country more than eager to consume it.

Veterans Ibarra, Lawrence headline cross-country clash

AV ALTA FC vs. Westchester SC (April 5)

Two expansion sides on either side of the country will face off for the first time on April 5 as professional soccer makes its much-anticipated debut in the Antelope Valley. The pair of newcomers will be led by marquee signings Miguel Ibarra and Kemar Lawrence, who were recently anointed as AV and Westchester's inaugural signings, respectively. As each side continues to build out its roster in a manner reflective of the communities they represent, April's cross-country clash should feature a unique blend of local talent in what should be a lively atmosphere at the recently renovated Lancaster Municipal Stadium.

Avian Adversaries battle at Breese

Forward Madison FC vs. Union Omaha (May 3)

Only a pair of results away from meeting in both the USL Jägermeister Cup Final and the USL League One Final a season ago, Madison and Omaha will go head-to-head for the 16th time on May 3. The pair of avian adversaries last met in a consequential Round 8 USL Jägermeister Cup clash in which a 3-3 draw through regulation ultimately ended in a 5-4 penalty shootout victory for the 'Mingos and a Central Group crown. While Omaha's trophy cabinet continues to grow, expect Madison to capitalize on what's been a significant home-field advantage at Breese Stevens Field to further extend its all-time series lead over its Midwest rival.

A memorable moment for All of Maine

Portland Hearts of Pine vs. One Knoxville SC (May 4)

In what might be one of the cleanest crest matchups in American soccer history, Hearts will introduce the Pine Tree State to professional soccer for the first time as they host One Knox at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland.

As each side continues to craft its roster ahead of the 2025 campaign, the ties between first-year head coaches Bobby Murphy (POR) and Ian Fuller (KNX) run deep. Both Murphy and Fuller worked at Orlando City SC as assistant coaches, and the pair faced off as assistants in the 2022 U.S. Open Cup when Murphy's Union Omaha defeated Fuller's Minnesota United FC in the Round of 16. Still, the main theme is professional soccer making its Maine debut. I would not be shocked if Hearts' home-field advantage rivals that of Madison or Richmond.

Westchester introduces the Big Apple to USL League One

Westchester SC vs. Charlotte Independence (May 10)

While Westchester's first home match will come in April against USL Championship side Rhode Island FC in the pair's USL Jägermeister Cup opener, the expansion side will host Charlotte in its first League One match at Memorial Field. Just as significant as League One's expansion into the New York City metro will be, this contest will also see Westchester Head Coach Dave Carton go head-to-head against his former club after spending several years with the Jacks in various roles within Mike Jeffries' technical staff. As Westchester and Charlotte continue to add to their rosters, I'd anticipate the pair to construct some of the more diverse rosters in the league.

Spokane seek redemption in first League One Final Rematch

Spokane Velocity FC vs. Union Omaha (August 2)

The first of three regular season meetings between last season's finalists, Omaha will seek its first victory in Spokane in its lone trip to ONE Spokane Stadium in 2025. At this point of the season, we'll certainly have a good understanding of each side's identity. Will Spokane suffer a sophomore slump? Can Omaha maintain its recent League One dominance? Regardless, what we do know is that Spokane is set to retain the majority of its squad that made history last year, while Omaha, on the other hand, will likely look rather different heading into its sixth season.

League One Originals battle in 23rd Peach States Derby

South Georgia Tormenta FC vs. Greenville Triumph SC (August 2)

Barring any USL Jägermeister Cup or U.S. Open Cup matchups prior to August, Peach States Derby rivals and League One originals South Georgia and Greenville will face off for the 23rd time across all competitions in August.

Aside from the departure of Player of the Year Lyam MacKinnon, Greenville's 2025 roster should look fairly similar to a season ago as it seeks its seventh consecutive postseason appearance; Triumph SC will bring back Evan Lee, Nate Shultz, Chapa Herrera and Leo Castro, among others, and recently made a splash with the acquisition of Ghanaian goalscorer Ropapa Mensah.

Tormenta FC has yet to announce any players returning to Statesboro, but we do know that former Young Player of the Year Jackson Khoury is off to Seattle and longtime Ibis Jake Dengler is heading to Naples. Regardless of how the rosters shake out, Tormenta FC will be eager to even up the all-time series and snap its five-match losing streak against Triumph SC.