In what is expected to be a sensational event for football fans and sports lovers on the Gold Coast, the second round sees United square up to fellow expansion club  Fury, complete with former Liverpool and England striker Robbie Fowler, at Skilled Park on Saturday 15 August (5.30pm kick off).

But awaiting Miron Bleiberg's men on the opening day of the season is an away trip to Suncorp Stadium to face Brisbane franchise Queensland Roar on Saturday 8 August. Official release today of this year's fixtures by Football Federation Australia (FFA), confirmed United will be challenged by a Queensland derby double in the first fortnight of the campaign.

Rather than dwell on the disappointment of missing out on a home fixture for the club's first ever competitive match, United CEO, Clive Mensink, said the prospect of confronting North Queensland Fury for United's Skilled Park baptism in round two still gives local fans plenty to look forward to.

Mensink said: "When our captain, Socceroo Jason Culina, leads our players onto the Skilled Park turf for the first time his opposing number is going to English legend Robbie Fowler - how good is that for football fans here on the Coast?

"We believe we have assembled a quality squad and the Fury have also been recruiting very well so it has all the ingredients of a terrific occasion and a fantastic match.

"It'll be a football feast that should, in small part, make up us missing out on a home game in round one.

"With all that attacking talent on the field, I'm sure Gold Coast football supporters, and those who are new to the game, will get to witness a very entertaining match with plenty of goalmouth action; we can't wait.

"It'll be our second Queensland derby in two weeks after taking on Roar in round one, so it'll stoke the intra-state rivalry nicely."

Gold Coast United Head Coach, Miron Bleiberg, said the club's first home game against the Fury would be a "mouth-watering prospect" for United fans, saying he expects it to be a more open encounter than his side's trip to Suncorp Stadium.

"There is no doubt in my mind that the game against Fury will produce more goals and will be more entertaining than had we played against the Roar in our first home game," he said.