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2021 PREVIEW – Eastern Conference, Central Division

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 04/20/21, 5:00PM EDT

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Regional rivalries will come to fore as Louisville looks to rule the roost

If it’s rivalries you’re looking for, the Central Division lineup for the 2021 USL Championship season certainly delivers. From the Louisville Indianapolis Proximity Association Football Contest (LIPAFC) between Louisville City FC and Indy Eleven, to the Black Gold Derby between OKC Energy FC and FC Tulsa, and the longstanding rivalry between Birmingham Legion FC and Memphis 901 FC that goes back to the days when the cities squared off in the amateur ranks, there are set to be plenty of big games over the coming year.

If there’s a team to beat, it has to be Louisville City FC. While denied a fourth consecutive Eastern Conference Title last fall, the fact remains that LouCity has reached the Eastern Conference Final in six consecutive years and has a squad that remains among the best in the league.

So, who is going to challenge them? Well, Indy certainly would like to after last season’s decline to miss the postseason, and so would FC Tulsa, which will look to continue its upward ascent toward the Championship’s elite. Keep an eye on Birmingham Legion FC, too, with its bolstered attacking lineup.

For details on where each club stands, click through to find out more.


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