NPSL offseason equals busy season thus far

The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) hasn’t exactly been twiddling its thumbs this offseason. With nine new clubs announced, even before the calendar rolled over, the league is set to expand upon its already-extensive roster for the 2018 season.

“After managing literally hundreds of expansion inquiries throughout the year, the NPSL has accepted another strong group of new members for the 2018 season,” NPSL managing director Jef Thiffault told Soc Takes. “The league vets all applications to ensure new teams not only meet our operational and financial standards but also share the vision of the NPSL to grow the game within their communities. The NPSL has expanded into some key markets this year, and in some cases, these teams have instantly become the highest level of the sport in their local community.

“Our new members will be strong regional rivals for the existing teams in their conferences. The NPSL’s turnkey and cooperative ownership structure continues to demonstrate how it draws impressive ownership groups to a professionally-organized national league.”

Here’s a look at all the NPSL offseason additions so far:

FC DAVIS

Based out of Davis, Calif., existing club FC Davis will jump to the NPSL to play in the Golden Gate Conference in 2018. FC Davis generally favors a high-press, attack-minded style of football. The team is owned by ex-footballer and youth coach Adam Lewin, and will host its home matches at Aggie Stadium on the campus of UC Davis.

“FC Davis applied to the NPSL due to the alignment in our mission, vision, and core values,” Lewin said in a press release. “From its league operations to the amazing team owners in our conference, it was a perfect match for our club. In addition, the league has a rich history with a growing national footprint. Local professional clubs have to be part of the future of soccer in this country. With the NPSL occupying so many important markets, the league’s future looks brighter now more than ever.”

ACADEMICA SC

Academica SC, another club moving to the NPSL in 2018, will also join the Golden Gate Conference. The team is operated by a board of directors and located near Modesto in Turlock, Calif. Sergio Sousa has been named the team’s coach, while director of public relations Michael Rocha will also help lead the club. Academica SC will play its home matches on the natural-grass pitch at Academica Field.

“Academica Soccer Club has always made it a point to play in a competitive league since its inception,” Rocha intimated in a press release. “The NPSL is one of the fastest growing leagues in the U.S. and no one can doubt its quality. We are excited about the growth of not just the league but of the sport throughout the country. We want to be a part of that. We want to be part of something special.”

EL FAROLITO

Ready to take the pitch at historic Boxer Stadium, El Farolito is another California NPSL offseason addition to the Golden Gate Conference. The club, based in San Francisco, is headed by Santiago and Salvador Lopez. Santiago is the team’s general manager; Salvador founded the club.

“We are focused in not only to provide a professional environment to all players and staff being involved or interested in working with the organization,” explained Santiago Lopez in a press release, “but we want to be another club open to connect with other clubs, players in the region and country to help grow the sport and transmit a positive and working environment. We want to represent the league and sport locally, nationally, and internationally.”

GREENVILLE FC

Joining the Southeast Conference, expansion club Greenville FC is primed to take the pitch in 2018. Located in the South Carolina city bearing its same name, the team’s ownership group consists of president and CEO Marco Carrizales, COO Richard Carrizales II and general counsel Richard Carrizales Sr. The father-son-son trio hopes the club will well represent their community in the northern part of the Palmetto State.

“We are thrilled to see Greenville FC joining the NPSL family,” NPSL chairman Joe Barone said in a press release. “They are a wonderful addition to one of our country’s most competitive conferences. Soccer fans in South Carolina should be very excited about GVL FC.”

LAREDO HEAT SC

Set to play its home matches at Texas A&M International University in Laredo, Texas, Heat SC will participate in the NPSL’s Texas Conference. Founded in 2004, the club spent 12 years playing in the PDL. After experiencing success in the PDL, the team is confident that its success will translate to its new league.

“Expectations will always be high for our club when it comes to play on the pitch,” insisted general manager J.J. Vela in a press release. “We have been out of the soccer scene for two years now with our senior club and can’t wait to get back to competing with the other quality clubs that play in the NPSL to see how we will fare after our hiatus. At the end of the season, we expect to represent our community with dignity and play well enough to bring it a league championship.”

KATY 1895 FC

Also joining the Texas Conference in 2018 is Katy 1895 FC. Based in Katy, Texas, the club is headed by co-owners Michael and Noel Veith, coach James Krueger and technical director Eddie Bloise. Saint John XXIII High School will serve as the team’s home pitch.

“Katy is a strong soccer community within the fastest growing county in Texas,” Michael Veith said in a press release. “The soccer fan base here is vibrant and we believe that Katy 1895 FC games will be a great activity for families in Katy and the surrounding area. We believe that we can grow soccer even more by providing an exciting team of local talent that will connect with the community. We love the fact that the NPSL has such a great reputation and their leadership is fantastic.”

FC BALTIMORE

Hailing from — you guessed it — Baltimore, the Mid-Atlantic Conference has its newest member in FC Baltimore. The Maryland-based club already has an extensive staff in place: head coach Brandon Quaranta, CFO Paul Zlotolow, project manager Joe Shargorodsky, director of soccer operations Alex Lubyansky, director of community relations William Vanzela and director of digital media and branding Gary Pyatigorsky. The team hopes to contend right away.

“We expect to field a highly competitive team while providing a fun game day experience for our fans,” Lubyansky said in a press release. “We bring a tremendous competitive spirit and desire to contribute to the development of high-level soccer in this country.  I know firsthand what it takes to win in the NPSL, and the team will build upon this championship-winning experience to bring the trophy to Baltimore.”

FC MONMOUTH

Joining the Keystone Conference in 2018 will be Monmouth County, N.J.-based FC Monmouth. The team’s ownership group consists of seven members with various business and entrepreneurial backgrounds.

“The NPSL has the right balance between a professionally run organization and a group of entrepreneurs that work together to constantly improve something that is still under development,” FC Monmouth general manager Jacco de Bruijn said in a press release. “We believe this drive and ambition is what will push up the level of U.S. Soccer, and it’s something that was confirmed during our first Annual Owners Meeting where conversations covered both the upcoming season sharing best practices but also what all of this means for the larger ecosystem.”

ATLANTIC CITY FC

Sponsored by nearby Tropicana Casino & Resort, Atlantic City FC invokes plenty of local gaming culture in its branding. The expansion club will grab a seat at the table in the NPSL’s Keystone Conference. Stockton University will host ACFC’s home matches.

“Atlantic City FC will offer a truly unique destination within the Keystone Conference,” said co-founder Andrew Weilgus. “Although Atlantic County has roughly 250,000 full-time residents, our island draws 20 million tourists a year and has worldwide brand recognition. Our partnership with the Tropicana Atlantic City will allow for an amazing destination experience for soccer fans; we enter the NPSL as the only minor league sports organization in Atlantic City. Our primary goal is to give our area something to rally behind and root for while doing our part to properly grow the game domestically for the benefit of our national team. We have a lot of underserved sections of Atlantic County and we hope to assist in providing them support and growth.”

MORE EXPANSION?

A league official confirmed that the league “will have more expansion announcements in January,” so look for the busy NPSL offseason to continue.

Follow Kevin on Twitter: @KJboxing.

Support Soc Takes on Patreon for access to exclusive content and supporter benefits. Click here to become a patron today.