Puerto Rico FC, the fledgling club owned by New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony, will make their North American Soccer League 2016 debut on July 2 when they host Indy Eleven at Bayamon's Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium.
The NASL set its 2016 schedule last week using last year's format but with three new teams (Miami FC, Rayo Oklahoma City and Puerto Rico FC) set to make their debuts in 2016. Meanwhile, the San Antonio Scorpions have left the league while the Atlanta Silverbacks have halted operations.
The spring season, a single round robin, is played between April 2 and June 11. The fall season, a double round robin, will begin on July 2 with the final matches of the regular season being played on Oct. 29.
NASL opening weekend features five matches, including the defending champion New York Cosmos hosting the Ottawa Fury FC on April 3, at Shuart Stadium, where the club beat the Canadian side two months ago to win their second Soccer Bowl trophy in three years.
The home city for Puerto Rico FC is also the site of a new football academy, being run by David Villa, who is now playing for NYCFC in Major League Soccer.