In a move likely intended to force CONCACAF’s hand when it comes to the Ottawa Fury, the United Soccer League Championship (the re-branded name for the highest USL level but second tier of the US Soccer pyramid) released their 2019 schedule this week. It had been rumored Ottawa were going to be forced to leave USL and head to the newly formed Canadian Premier League but instead the Fury have been granted the ability to remain in USL for another season.
Because of this battle the USL Championship schedule dropped early and along with it the news that the playoffs would be expanding.