FC Olympia’s outdoor soccer 2024 season schedule set after USL announcement

The United Soccer League (USL) has announced the competition schedule for the 2024 season for the USL League Two (USL2) and the USL W League (USL W), where FC Olympia (formerly Oly Town Artesians FC) will return to compete with the best semi-professional clubs in the Northwest Division.

The announcement was confirmed via their official website on Tuesday.

USL W: Artesians’ NW crown defense starts at home against new team

After their undefeated run in the NorthWest division in their debut season last year, FC Olympia will have the chance to become the division’s best women’s team again for the 2024 USL W League, opening their defense at home at the South Sound Stadium on May 18 against league newcomers Tacoma Galaxy.

The upcoming debutant, Tacoma Galaxy, is an affiliate team of the Tacoma Stars FC, which also debuts in the USL2 this season and is one of this year’s expansion teams.

Apart from the Tacoma-based newcomers, FC Olympia is expected to face the returning teams from Portland and Oregon as they try to replicate their impressive maiden season last year.

FC Olympia heads to this season coming from a memorable 2023, with a 6-2-0 win-draw-loss record and a debut to the national playoffs before losing to California Storm SC.

And with the preparations made by FC Olympia in this off-season, which includes the elevation of Coach Chris Wells as USL sporting director, the hiring of Reign Academy coach Ben Willis as head coach, a club rebrand, intensified scouting for player and partnerships with USL Spokane, the Artesians are expected to qualify again to the playoffs despite losing some important pieces of their successful run last year to the professional ranks.

“My goal is to make our training atmosphere as close to the pro level as possible,” said Willis. “Player development is a top priority of mine and with development comes creating a team that is successful on the field. We will win games this summer and players will improve along the way.”

USL2: Artesians face three new teams after expansion

For the 2024 USL League Two in the Northwest Division, FC Olympia will open their season away from home against expansion team Tacoma Stars FC at the Bellarmine Memorial Field on May 24 at 7:30 PM kickoff.

The Stars are one of the three debutant teams to join the 2024 USL2 season as expansion teams in the Northwest, along with Midlakes United FC and West Seattle Junction FC.

Although new to outdoor soccer, the Tacoma Stars have established their name on the indoor soccer scene, winning multiple championships in the Premier Arena Soccer League and the Western Indoor Soccer League since their establishment in 2003. Meanwhile, the West Seattle Junction FC and the Bellevue-based Midlakes United are newly minted clubs that have just been established this year.

FC Olympia returns to the USL2 with familiar rivals in the NorthWest Division, including the return of the reigning USL2 champs Ballard FC, who are determined to defend their trophy, along with the mentioned league debutants.

Last year, the Artesians finished second in the division, with 20 points from a 6-2-4 win-draw-loss record, just enough to qualify in their first-ever national playoff run in their second USL2 season, in which they battered Park City Red Wolves SC of the Mountain Division, before bowing down to then Northwest top seed and eventual champs Ballard FC.

And with the moves made by FC Olympia in this off-season, which includes the hiring of Olympia-native and former USMNT player Jason Dunn as USL2 head coach, along with a club rebrand, intensified scouting for players, and partnership with USL Spokane, the Artesians are expected to outdo their already impressive run last year.

After opening their season in Tacoma, FC Olympia will debut at home at the South Sound Stadium on May 26 for their home opener against Lane United FC at 4:00 PM kickoff.