Napa Valley will soon be getting its own amateur men’s soccer team. Plans have been made to bring a National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) team to the area as soon as January with the first games being played in March. Napa will be playing in the NPSL’s Golden Gate Conference, which includes teams in Sonoma County, Oakland, East Bay, and Sacramento. This new team will be joining the Sonoma County Sol as the highest-level sports organizations from the Golden Gate Bridge to Portland, Oregon. The NPSL is considered the fourth division of the U.S. Soccer pyramid and places many teams in the U.S. Open Cup playing against all divisions of U.S. Soccer in the oldest sports tournament in the U.S. The NPSL is the largest national men’s league in the U.S. and has placed players into all levels of professional soccer domestically and abroad. “We want this organization to be deeply connected to all aspects of our community and make a significant connection to our Napa Valley heritage,” club co-owner Arik Housley explained. The Napa Valley team will play its home games at Memorial Stadium, which hosts Napa’s two largest high school teams, Napa High and Vintage High. “The capacity of Memorial Stadium is 6,400. It’s a phenomenal venue, worthy of a high-level soccer game,” Housley continued. Napa Valley’s team will be closely affiliated with local youth soccer organization Napa United. “We want our boys and girls to get a taste of what the next level of soccer is like and give them something to dream for,” Housley added. “Napa United will be very involved from a volunteering standpoint to get people to the games. It will be an exciting soccer environment.” General Manager Greg Volker brings four years of NPSL experience to the organization, including two trips to the NPSL National Championship with Sonoma County Sol FC. “I expect that with the announcement of the team forming in Napa that players will come out of the woodwork for a chance to play in the NPSL which is quickly gaining a significant presence in the U.S. Soccer landscape,” Volker commented. Tryouts for the team will begin in January. The club has also identified its pre-match and post-match fan headquarters, which is just a block away from the stadium. “All these details will be coming soon, and we know this community will be very excited. We are going to create something unforgettable for everyone who is part of this experience,” Volker concluded. The team will be announcing their website and social media accounts in the coming weeks.
These premature announcements by NPSL about expansion teams is weird, right? The Napa Valley team and the City of Angels team were both announced by the league before they had everything actually figured out. Is it worth it? Does the value of staying in the news outweigh the amateurishness of announcing teams with details TBA?
FWIW, Richmond Strikers have confirmed their non-participation in the NPSL for 2017 via Twitter. I have asked the others just to try and be sure.
seems that you are 100% correct...though I'm not actually getting a link to any news item: UPSL @UPSLsoccer 6h #UPSL add Real San Jose for 2017 upslsoccer.com/news/united-pr…pic.twitter.com/26AdcByHVH
I wonder if FC Hasental will move as well. Also, the Rowdies say Rowdies 2 will be back, so I'm guessing they'll be in the PDL and it just has not been announced yet.
http://goalnation.com/med-city-fcs-frank-spaeth-on-npsl-soccer/ NPSL latest expansion team is Med City FC joining the Midwest Region’s North Conference. Frank Spaeth is the club’s general manager. Spaeth has worked in the front office of the Rochester Thunder, a soccer team that played two seasons in the PDL in 2009 and 2010, as well as serving as the assistant general manager for Minnesota Chill, a professional volleyball team based in Rochester, Minnesota in 2001 and 2002. In addition, Spaeth is a soccer player and a coach who has worked and played at various levels of the beautiful game. GoalNation spoke withSpaethon the club’s inaugural season in the NPSL and the decision to join the growing league.
http://goalnation.com/tsf-fcs-lee-bakewell-on-npsl-soccer/ NPSL growing across all America, GoalNation interviews the men behind one of the latest NPSL expansion clubs joining the league for the upcoming 2017 campaign. TSF FC is led by Director of Coaching and Head Coach Luis Mendoza and Academy Director Lee Bakewell. Established in September 2005, TSF Academy is a currently a member of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, the Eastern Development Program, and US Club Soccer. TSF Academy teams have enjoyed national and state success with five national titles and ten NJ state championships.
FWIW, the Chicago Mustangs responded to an inquiry via Twitter by saying they would be fielding a team in 2017. Which would seem to be news to the NPSL.
NPSL is proud to announce that the Elm City Express (New Haven, CT) has joined the league as an expansion team. The club will compete in the Northeast Region’s Atlantic Conference. “We’re very excited about adding another team in Connecticut,” NPSL Chairman Joe Barone commented. “We are also enthused by this ownership group, one that has international connections and massive experience. Our fans and supporters will be treated to an incredible rivalry between Elm City Express and Hartford City FC. There is no question that it’s an exciting time for NPSL soccer in Connecticut.” The Elm City Express is led by President Zack Henry, Vice President Luiz Henrique Martins Ribeiro, General Manager Brian Neumeyer, and Head Coach Teddy Haley. “One of the interesting and differentiating characteristics of the Elm City Express ownership organization is that for roughly two years we have owned and managed a professional soccer club in Brazil: Clube Atlético Tubarão,” Henry noted. “Through that experience, we have learned a lot: including the importance of being as engaged as possible with our local fan base and community. We expect that in the months and years ahead, we will have ample opportunity to exchange ideas and best practices between the U.S. and Brazil, ranging from training techniques to matchday planning.” In 2015, Henry and his partners founded K2 Soccer USA, a sister company of Brazil-based K2 Soccer SA. On a personal note, Henry has worked or studied in Spain, Puerto Rico, Mexico, France, Brazil and Saudi Arabia, and has done business in more than 35 countries. Through that journey, he has gained related experience managing multicultural teams, building consensus around innovative ideas, bridging cultural gaps, and finding creative solutions. Henry grew up playing youth soccer in the tri-state area and played soccer at Amherst College, where he earned Adidas Scholar-Athlete All-America and New England Intercollegiate Soccer League All-Star honors. Elm City Express Vice President Luiz Henrique Martins Ribeiro is also Partner and Vice President of Brazil-based K2 Soccer SA, and is the President of Clube Atlético Tubarão, which competes in the First Division of the State of Santa Catarina in Brazil. “Our Brazilian club has become known as the first start-up soccer club in Brazil,” Martins Ribeiro said. “In that regard, one of our main objectives is to innovate in sport on as many fronts as possible. We’re excited about the potential avenues for cooperation and opportunities for innovation that will surely come from the Elm City Express.” Elm City Express General Manager Brian Neumeyer recently completed his 19th year as the head coach for the boys’ varsity soccer team at Newtown High School. The soccer program, under Neumeyer’s direction, was named one of the top ten sports programs of the decade by TheNews-Times of Danbury, CT. NHS finished the season ranked nationally after their 2004 LL State Championship. He was a member of the 1990 national championship team at Southern Connecticut State University, is the former coaching director of Newtown Soccer Club, and a former ODP staff coach. Neumeyer is now working closely with local youth clubs in a coaching advisory role. Elm City Express Head Coach Teddy Haley is a three-time Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Coach of the Year, and is entering his 12th season as head coach of the Post University men's soccer. He was named NSCAA East Region Coach of the Year in 2013. In both 2014 and 2015, Haley helped lead the Eagles to ECAC Championships. Since Haley joined Post University in 2005, he has mentored 18 All-CACC and 17 CACC All-Tournament selections. Elm City Express home matches will be played at Yale University’s Reese Stadium, formerly known as the university’s Soccer-Lacrosse Stadium. It features permanent stadium seating for roughly 1,250 as well as bleacher seating at field level. Reese Stadium also features a press box and covered viewing areas at the top of the stadium. “We chose the NPSL in large part because of the business-friendly nature and collaborative spirit of the NPSL and its club owners,” Henry concluded. “One case in point is the freedom the league imparts upon club owners to run their organizations as they think best. We appreciate how the league leadership encourages an open dialogue and sharing of ideas with owners.” More information about the club can be found at www.elmcityexpress.com or by following them on Twitter (@elmcityexpress), Facebook (@elmcityexpress), and Instagram (@elmcityexpress).
Corinthians of San Antonio are out. Sad to hear this morning that @CorinthiansFCSA will not be competing in the @NPSLSoccer this 2017 season.— Crocketteers (@Crocketteers) January 12, 2017
NPSL is proud to announce that West Chester United Soccer Club (West Chester, PA) has joined the league as an expansion team. The club will compete in the Northeast Region’s Keystone Conference. “We are thrilled to add a team like West Chester Untied to our Keystone Conference,” NPSL Chairman Joe Barone commented. “They have demonstrated a tradition of excellence and success over the years and we are happy to have them as part of the NPSL family.” WCUSC is led by a nine-member board of directors and a talented front office and coaching staff that includes General Manager Mark Thomas, NPSL & Men's Elite Program Head Coach/Director Blaise Santangelo, Finance Manager/Assistant Coach Andrew Elkin, Director of Player Personnel/Manager Vince D'Ambrosio, Business Manager/Assistant Coach Salvatore Saladino, and Director of Advertising/Goalkeeping Coach Marco Giancroce. Thomas is the current Penn Fusion Boys Director of Coaching and WCUSC Boys Director of Coaching. He has an illustrious playing career that included time with Peterborough United FC, Blackburn Rovers FC, Liverpool FC, Oakland University, and Tiffin University. He also spent time playing with the FAW youth national teams at the U-14 through U-18 levels. Santangelo was the 2015 USASA Region I Coach of the Year and the 2015 and 2016 PSP Coach of the Year. “We hope to compete and finish in the top third of our conference,” Santangelo noted. “We want to compete with our men's program and allow players to progress to the highest level.” West Chester United Soccer Club is a full service youth club, serving players from ages 5-18 in recreation (1,600 players) and travel leagues (1,000 players). An additional 250 players compete in adult leagues. The professionally-run soccer club offers excellent management and facilities and a number of supplementary player development programs. Over 250 WCUSC players progressed to play collegiate soccer from 1976 to 2009. Home matches would be played at Ciccarone Turf Field, a facility that offers Musco lighting and an artificial surface with playing field measurements of 74 yards x 115 yards. Bleacher seating is currently at 820, but can be expanded to over 2,000. The complex features an additional lighted turf field, three softball fields, and full concessions. More information about the club can be found at www.wcusc.org or by following the club on Facebook (@WestChesterUnitedSoccerClub) and Twitter (@WCUSC).
So they split the South Central Conference into two separate six-team conferences? Meaning they'll probably play home-and-home with everybody for 10 games?
I think that's right. Crazy that I was at Arnie's Bar in downtown Tulsa a few weeks ago and Sonny walks in, sits in the barstool next to me, and tells me there will be a north/south split. Evidently, Liverpool (Dallas) wanted to be in the north playing us instead of in the same conference as all the other Texas teams. I'd guess Shreveport tries to sprinkle in some extra games against non-Texas sides (New Orleans/Little Rock/Memphis) during the season. Big announcement tomorrow for the Athletics evidently. I'm hoping it's good news about beer sales & consumption at LaFortune Stadium. Otherwise, it may involve a bit of rebranding since a certain major league baseball team gets a bit prissy about an amateur team sharing the same name... maybe we'll rebrand as "Tulsa United" lol... Also considered theft apparently... 😂😂😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/oGB38S4Pha— Sonny Dalesandro (@SonnyDalesandro) September 9, 2016 Wonder what the chances are that USL San Antonio announces a U23 team in PDL for this season?
Not sure I get it. I think they just didn't want to lawyer up to fight it. Is it theft for the Little Rock Rangers to use the same name as the Texas Rangers? There numerous other examples.
Letter to the Editor: A Brief History of the Real “Athletics” by Midfield Press Editorial Staff - January 22, 2017 -- They claimed it was creating “confusion in the marketplace.” But brand confusion is a serious issue. That’s why you see all those confused Detroit Tigers fans wandering the streets of Hull, in search of Comerica Park. And all those drunk angry Glaswegians descending upon Arlington, Texas, demanding entrance into Globe Life Park to support their beloved Rangers. NPSL teams Rhode Island Reds and Seacoast Mariners should also heed this warning, as droves of baffled Cincinnatians and road weary Seattleites will almost certainly be cramming through the turnstiles to watch their boys of summer chase after another pennant. An attorney friend of mine looked at the case and commented how ridiculous it all is. How one doesn’t own Old English Text. Or the letter “A”. But she also told me that I was bound to lose. Which I knew from the very beginning. With all their money and lawyers, the Oakland A’s can draw this out forever. So we concede. The Tulsa Athletics are built on love for the sport and love for our town and we don’t have time for this bullshit.