Kickin’ it! Huntsville City FC takes the pitch for home opener

HUNTSVILLE – The Boys (in Blue) are back in town.

That’s right, soccer fans, Huntsville City Football Club kicks off its home schedule tonight at Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium.

“We’ve been looking forward to it, going on several months now,” said Head Coach Chris O’Neal. “Our players are amped; we’re ready to go. We’re excited.”

Huntsville City Football Club will welcome fans back today at 7 p.m. when the Boys in Blue tackle Philadelphia Union II. The club’s home opener presented by the Wicks Family Foundation is the first of 14 home games this season.

First-year forward Gunnar Studenthofft said he’s excited to make his debut in front of the home crowd.

“It’s a great experience to play in front of all those people and I’m hoping to give them the win they deserve and show them the love that they show us,” he said.

Huntsville City FC won its only previous matchup with Philadelphia at Wicks Family Field 5-2 on Aug. 19, 2023. Forward Azaad Liadi made club history in the win by recording HCFC’s first hat trick.

“They’re going to be a dangerous team,” O’Neal said of Union II. “They can be very explosive in transition.

“It’s going to be key for us in managing their transition.”

Tickets to the match can be purchased here

Five things to know about tonight’s match

1. The Boys in Blue will look to remain unbeaten in home opening matches at Wicks Family Field. Huntsville City FC is 1W-0L-1D in home openers, including a 2-1 win over Crown Legacy FC in the inaugural match May 19, 2023
2. For fans who can’t make it to The Joe, the match is being streamed on MLS Season Pass on AppleTV.
3. This will mark the debut of the “Rocket City Roots Kit” on the pitch. The kit is a tribute to Huntsville’s innovation and community. Fans can buy the kit at the team store inside Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium or online here.
4. There’s a lot going on off the pitch, including a supporters’ march, a pre-match entertainment show led by Marshall the Cosmic GOAT, a Beer Garden Halftime Performance, and professional soccer’s only cigar box guitar riff to kick off the second half. More information about the new experiences can be found here.
5. Back on the pitch after the match, there’s a party going on … literally. After the final whistle, fans are welcome ed to the season’s first Party on the Pitch. There will be music, dancing, glow sticks, giant soccer balls, and more to celebrate the beginning of the 2025 season.