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Blue Devil Pros Return to Play This Week
7/6/2020 4:07:00 PM | Men's Soccer
MLS and USL Are Back in Action
DURHAM, N.C.—For the first time since March 11, men's professional soccer will be back in the United States as Major League Soccer begins its MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando July 8. In addition, the United Soccer League (USL) Championship will begin its return to play July 11.
Blue Devils in the MLS
Donning the captain's armband for New York Red Bulls will be Sean Davis, while Brian White also will suit up for the Red Bulls. Jeremy Ebobisse looks to continue his upward trend with the Portland Timbers and Sebastien Ibeagha will wear the NYC FC kit.
In the front office are former Duke greats and current MLS General Managers Garth Lagerwey of Seattle Sounders and Ali Curtis of Toronto FC. Mike Grella, who retired in 2019, recently signed on to be a part of Cincinnati FC's Scouting and Player Recruitment staff.
The MLS is Back Tournament Format
Four former Blue Devils will be suiting up for MLS teams in the return that comes in the form of a World Cup style competition at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex at Walt Disney World. It will begin with a group stage followed by knockout rounds.
The league's 26 teams were divided into six groups and each team will play three matches. The top two teams in each group will advance to the knockout stages, with the final being played on Aug. 11.
How and When to Watch the Blue Devils in MLS
Eight of the nine group matches featuring Blue Devils will be nationally televised on ESPN, ESPN2, Fox or FS1. Ibeagha and NYCFC kick off the Duke contingent July 9 versus Philadelphia Union on ESPN at 9 a.m.
Davis and White hit the field for the first time July 11 against Atlanta United at 8 p.m., on Fox. Ebobisse rounds out the group July 13 against LA Galaxy at 10:30 p.m., on FS1.
July 9 – NYCFC vs. Philadelphia Union – 9 am – ESPN & TSN
July 11 – New York Red Bulls vs. Atlanta United – 8 p.m. – Fox, TUDN, TSN, Twitter
July 13 – Portland Timbers vs. LA Galaxy – 10:30 p.m. – FS1, TUDN, TSN, Twitter
July 14 – NYCFC vs. Orlando City – 10:30 pm – TUDN, TSN, Twitter
July 16 – New York Red Bulls vs. Columbus Crew SC – 10:30 pm. – FS1, TUDN, TSN, Twitter
July 18 – Portland Timbers vs. Houston Dynamo – 8 p.m. – ESPN2 & TSN
July 19 – NYCFC vs. Chicago Fire – 8 p.m. – FS1 & TUDN & TSN
July 22 – New York Red Bulls vs. FC Cincinnati – 8 p.m. – ESPN & TSN
July 23 – Portland Timbers vs. Los Angeles Football Club – 10:30 p.m. – ESPN2 & TSN
USL Return to Play Plan
The USL has divided its 35 clubs into eight divisions based on region. The format features 263 games over 13 weeks to decide which 16 teams will advance to the 2020 USL Championship Playoffs, which are scheduled to open the second week of October. Each team will play its division opponents three or four times depending on whether the division (A-H) has four or five teams. Eight of the games will be aired on ESPN2.
Blue Devils in USL
Five former Duke standouts are suiting up in the USL this week. Daniele Proch is nearby as a member of North Carolina FC, while Aedan Stanley looks to make his professional debut on the West Coast with Portland Timbers 2 FC. Issa Rayyan is in his second season with Philadelphia Union II and Brandon Williamson is a rookie for Loudoun United FC. Veteran Christian Ibeagha is back for OKC Energy FC.
Jay Heaps represents Duke in the front office as the President and General Manager of Birmingham Legion FC. The Legion open its season July 15 against Memphis 901 FC on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. (ET).
Ibeagha and the OKC Energy's first game back will be televised live on ESPN2 July 13 at 7 p.m. (ET). Fans also will get a chance to watch North Carolina FC on ESPN2 July 17 at 6 p.m. Williamson will look to be in the starting XI when Loudoun makes its television debut July 20 at 7 p.m.
How to Follow the USL
Updated schedules for the USL Championship teams are available on their respective website. Fans can visit www.uslchampionship.com to get a complete breakdown of the return to play plan and schedule. Group play runs into the first week of October and will leading into the playoffs.
#GoDuke
Blue Devils in the MLS
Donning the captain's armband for New York Red Bulls will be Sean Davis, while Brian White also will suit up for the Red Bulls. Jeremy Ebobisse looks to continue his upward trend with the Portland Timbers and Sebastien Ibeagha will wear the NYC FC kit.
In the front office are former Duke greats and current MLS General Managers Garth Lagerwey of Seattle Sounders and Ali Curtis of Toronto FC. Mike Grella, who retired in 2019, recently signed on to be a part of Cincinnati FC's Scouting and Player Recruitment staff.
The MLS is Back Tournament Format
Four former Blue Devils will be suiting up for MLS teams in the return that comes in the form of a World Cup style competition at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex at Walt Disney World. It will begin with a group stage followed by knockout rounds.
The league's 26 teams were divided into six groups and each team will play three matches. The top two teams in each group will advance to the knockout stages, with the final being played on Aug. 11.
How and When to Watch the Blue Devils in MLS
Eight of the nine group matches featuring Blue Devils will be nationally televised on ESPN, ESPN2, Fox or FS1. Ibeagha and NYCFC kick off the Duke contingent July 9 versus Philadelphia Union on ESPN at 9 a.m.
Davis and White hit the field for the first time July 11 against Atlanta United at 8 p.m., on Fox. Ebobisse rounds out the group July 13 against LA Galaxy at 10:30 p.m., on FS1.
July 9 – NYCFC vs. Philadelphia Union – 9 am – ESPN & TSN
July 11 – New York Red Bulls vs. Atlanta United – 8 p.m. – Fox, TUDN, TSN, Twitter
July 13 – Portland Timbers vs. LA Galaxy – 10:30 p.m. – FS1, TUDN, TSN, Twitter
July 14 – NYCFC vs. Orlando City – 10:30 pm – TUDN, TSN, Twitter
July 16 – New York Red Bulls vs. Columbus Crew SC – 10:30 pm. – FS1, TUDN, TSN, Twitter
July 18 – Portland Timbers vs. Houston Dynamo – 8 p.m. – ESPN2 & TSN
July 19 – NYCFC vs. Chicago Fire – 8 p.m. – FS1 & TUDN & TSN
July 22 – New York Red Bulls vs. FC Cincinnati – 8 p.m. – ESPN & TSN
July 23 – Portland Timbers vs. Los Angeles Football Club – 10:30 p.m. – ESPN2 & TSN
USL Return to Play Plan
The USL has divided its 35 clubs into eight divisions based on region. The format features 263 games over 13 weeks to decide which 16 teams will advance to the 2020 USL Championship Playoffs, which are scheduled to open the second week of October. Each team will play its division opponents three or four times depending on whether the division (A-H) has four or five teams. Eight of the games will be aired on ESPN2.
Blue Devils in USL
Five former Duke standouts are suiting up in the USL this week. Daniele Proch is nearby as a member of North Carolina FC, while Aedan Stanley looks to make his professional debut on the West Coast with Portland Timbers 2 FC. Issa Rayyan is in his second season with Philadelphia Union II and Brandon Williamson is a rookie for Loudoun United FC. Veteran Christian Ibeagha is back for OKC Energy FC.
Jay Heaps represents Duke in the front office as the President and General Manager of Birmingham Legion FC. The Legion open its season July 15 against Memphis 901 FC on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. (ET).
Ibeagha and the OKC Energy's first game back will be televised live on ESPN2 July 13 at 7 p.m. (ET). Fans also will get a chance to watch North Carolina FC on ESPN2 July 17 at 6 p.m. Williamson will look to be in the starting XI when Loudoun makes its television debut July 20 at 7 p.m.
How to Follow the USL
Updated schedules for the USL Championship teams are available on their respective website. Fans can visit www.uslchampionship.com to get a complete breakdown of the return to play plan and schedule. Group play runs into the first week of October and will leading into the playoffs.
#GoDuke
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