Category: USL

Tampa Bay Sun FC defends signing controversial ex-NWSL draft pick Nasello

The Portland Thorns didn’t sign the forward in 2022 after a firestorm surrounding her social media activity

Tampa Bay Sun FC has signed former Portland Thorns draft pick Sydny Nasello, who did not play in the NWSL after controversy erupted over her social media activity.

Nasello was selected 13th overall in the 2022 NWSL Draft, but fans quickly raised concerns over her sharing several tweets that were alleged to be xenophobic, transphobic, and misogynistic.

In the aftermath of the selection, Thorns supporters group Rose City Riveters posted: “Fascism, racism, homophobia, transphobia- we are against these. We don’t support anyone who represents/espouses these views, full stop.”

Though Nasello apologized, the Thorns eventually opted to not sign the forward. The team’s head coach at the time, Rhian Wilkinson, admitted that the club didn’t do enough due diligence before selecting Nasello.

“As a first year head coach and — yeah, these are these are gonna come across as excuses — but I do need to hold my hand up and be responsible for not doing the work needed on the social media side,” Wilkinson said, per The Athletic.

Nasello wound up signing for Spanish side Tenerife, before playing for Cypriot side Apollon Limassol and most recently Turkish club Fatih Vatan Spor Kulübü.

Sun defends Nasello signing

On Monday, the Sun announced it had landed Nasello ahead of the club’s first season in the brand-new USL Super League.

After announcing the 24-year-old’s signing, Tampa Bay released a statement saying that the ex-U.S. youth international had changed after spending two years abroad.

“Sydny is a talented and experienced athlete, and we look forward to seeing her contributions on the field,” the club said.

“We understand that today’s announcement may generate discussion. However, we believe in Sydny’s growth and the experiences that have contributed to her perspectives today.

“Sydny’s career has taken her worldwide, fostering a deep appreciation for diversity and understanding, values that the Tampa Bay Sun Football Club holds dear.

“We celebrate our city’s rich tapestry and the opportunity for all members of our community to learn, grow and make positive change.”

The USL Super League’s inaugural season will begin in August, as the league — which has been granted Division One sanctioning by U.S. Soccer — gets set to launch with eight clubs across the country.

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USMNT winger Weah becomes investor in Brooklyn FC

The brand new club will field men’s and women’s teams in the USL

Brooklyn FC has announced that Juventus and U.S. men’s national team winger Timothy Weah has joined the club’s ownership group.

Weah was born in Brooklyn, and has now taken a stake in the brand-new USL club that will play at Maimonides Park in Coney Island.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to join Brooklyn Football Club’s ownership team and strengthen our connection to the people of New York, the borough I was born in, and the city I love,” Weah said.

“BKFC is a grassroots-oriented club, focused on providing not only top-level professional football but new pathways and opportunities for women and men off the pitch as well.”

Weah just completed his first season at Juventus, having previously played for PSG, Celtic and Lille. The 24-year-old is expected to play a prominent role for the USMNT at this summer’s Copa América.

Brooklyn FC will operate men’s and women’s teams, with the women’s team set to begin play this August in the USL Super League. The men’s team will begin play in 2025 in the USL Championship.

“Tim is a tremendous ambassador for Brooklyn FC, and we are thrilled to welcome him to the ownership group,” said Mack Mansfield, CEO of Brooklyn FC.

“In addition to achieving excellence on the pitch, Tim is deeply committed to joining us in our mission to give back to Brooklyn communities and further grow the sport that has given us so much. Tim’s journey from Brooklyn to the biggest stages in international and club football inspires all New York footballers and further helps us instill an elite winning culture across all our men’s, women’s, and academy programs.”

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WNBA rookie star Angel Reese becomes co-owner of DC Power FC

The basketball star has already become a soccer owner during her first WNBA season

WNBA rookie star Angel Reese has been confirmed as a co-owner of the brand-new DC Power FC team.

DC Power will begin play in August in the eight-team USL Super League, which has been granted Division One sanctioning by U.S. Soccer — placing it on the same level as the NWSL.

Reese, a Maryland native, starred at LSU in college before being selected by the Chicago Sky in the first round of this year’s WNBA Draft.

“I want to help grow women’s sports and elevate female athletes across the board,” Reese said in a club statement. “We’re taking over, and I’m honored to be able to support Power FC and invest in women’s soccer in the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) community.”

On Monday, DC Power announced its club branding, crest and colors, as well as the appointments of Jordan Stuart as club president and Frédéric Brillant as its first head coach.

The club will play at Audi Field, also the home to the NWSL’s Washington Spirit, D.C. United of MLS and the DC Defenders, an American football team that plays in the United Football League.

“Angel’s decision to be a founding investor alongside us in Power FC is groundbreaking,” said D.C. United CEO Jason Levien.

“As a Maryland native, Angel is so passionate about being a catalyst for positive change in women’s sports in the DMV as well as globally while inspiring the next generation of female athletes. We’re looking forward to her partnership in the boardroom as an equity partner.”

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Indianapolis mayor pursues MLS expansion, leaving Indy Eleven with uncertain future

Mayor Jim Hogsett is courting MLS, and Indy Eleven of the USL may end up as collateral damage

Thursday marked 11 years to the day that USL Championship club Indy Eleven unveiled its badge in a ceremony in downtown Indianapolis.

It may also go down as one of the darkest days in club history.

The Eleven got a double dose of bad news. First, the Keystone Group — a real estate development firm owned by Indy Eleven owner Ersal Ozdemir — went public with an accusation that Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration was going to “walk away” from a $1.5 billion mixed-use project known as Eleven Park.

Just hours later, Hogsett announced that he took a trip to New York City to meet with MLS commissioner Don Garber “to discuss the prospects of Indianapolis pursuing a Major League Soccer club.”

Hogsett then declared that he would be “leading an effort to file an [MLS expansion] application,” adding that he had already taken steps towards passing the municipal hurdles involved in bringing another professional team to the city.

In other words, the Eleven and USL were left hanging, all for the mere possibility of an MLS club coming to town.

Hogsett didn’t take any questions on Thursday, but in quotes published by local radio station WIBC, he made clear that the city intends to only build one soccer stadium, and its eyes are entirely on MLS.

“We are not building two soccer stadiums. We are just going to build one,” Hogsett said. “Where that goes is largely dependent on what MLS is going to expect.”

Ground was broken on the 20-acre Eleven Park project in May 2023, with Hogsett among the Indianapolis dignitaries to thrust a ceremonial shovel into soil on the site. The entire development was set to be anchored by a 20,000-seat stadium for the Eleven.

Now, however, the mayor’s administration maintains there was no actual deal in place, despite Hogsett referring to that groundbreaking as “a pivotal moment” for the city in remarks made at the event.

Pro Soccer Wire reached out to the USL for a statement on the matter, but at the time of publication had not received a reply.

While the city of Indianapolis appears to be pushing all of its chips in on the bet of an MLS expansion bid, the league’s interest in the Indiana capital seems far more mild.

ESPN obtained a statement that read, in its entirety, “It was exciting to hear Mayor Hogsett’s vision for a new soccer-specific stadium in Indianapolis.”

“I don’t think sitting here today that we have any plan in the near future to go beyond 30 teams,” Garber told ESPN shortly after confirming a 30th MLS side for San Diego last year. Las Vegas and Phoenix have also been mooted as expansion candidates, though MLS has no stated window for when decisions on that front could be made.

MLS, USL co-existence difficult

The situation in Indianapolis calls to mind what transpired in San Diego last May, when MLS announced plans to launch a 30th team in the city despite the presence of USL Championship side San Diego Loyal.

The Loyal were defiant at first, but by August announced that it would fold over a lack of a stadium solution. San Diego FC has not begun play in MLS, but the USL Championship’s 2024 season still kicked off without the Loyal.

MLS and USL have had a difficult time existing in the same market. The only current USL Championship side playing in a city with an MLS team is Miami FC, while Loudoun United and Orange County SC play well out in the suburbs of markets that house MLS sides.

The closest thing to coexistence is in Charlotte, N.C., home to MLS’s Charlotte FC and the Charlotte Independence of USL League One. Notably, the Independence chose to self-relegate after the 2021 season, just as MLS came to Charlotte.

Indy Eleven’s situation isn’t exactly the same; San Diego was a tenant at aging, undersized Torero Stadium, while work on the Eleven Park project is underway. However, without city support, the end result could well be the same.

The USL Championship version of the Eleven wouldn’t be the only potential casualty. The club has announced plans to move its USL W League side — one that won a championship in 2023 — to the USL Super League, but only upon the completion of Eleven Park.

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Oakland Roots sign former MLS and USMNT striker Dom Dwyer

The longtime MLS striker has moved to the USL Championship

Oakland Roots has announced the signing of longtime MLS forward Dom Dwyer on a deal through the end of the 2024 season.

Dwyer, 33, joins the USL Championship side after spending 11 seasons in MLS with Sporting KC, Orlando City, Toronto FC, and most recently Atlanta United.

The England-born striker amassed 85 goals and 19 assists in 231 regular season appearances in MLS, including a career-best 22-goal campaign with Sporting KC in 2014.

“Adding a player to the mix with the pedigree of Dom is going to be a huge boost to the team and the locker room,” said Oakland Roots head coach Noah Delgado. “He comes to Oakland with experience at some of the highest levels of the game and gives us another dangerous goal scoring threat.”

After gaining his citizenship, Dwyer earned four caps with the U.S. men’s national team in 2017. The forward scored two goals in the 2017 Gold Cup as the USMNT won the tournament.

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Kimbrough, 13, makes historic debut for Sacramento Republic

At 13 years, 7 months, and 13 days, Kimbrough entered Sunday’s game against Las Vegas

Da’vian Kimbrough made a historic pro debut for the Sacramento Republic on Sunday, becoming the youngest professional soccer player to play in a competitive match in the United States.

At age 13 years, 7 months, and 13 days, Kimbrough came on as an 87th-minute substitution in the Republic’s 2-0 win over the Las Vegas Lights in a USL Championship match.

In case you didn’t want to do the math, that means Kimbrough was born in 2010.

Kimbrough broke the record previously held by Máximo Carizzo, who debuted for New York City FC 2 in MLS NEXT Pro last year at age 14 years, 4 months, and 26 days.

In August, Kimbrough signed for the Republic out of the club’s academy, making him the youngest professional athlete in American team sports history.

Republic coach Mark Briggs said after the game that even in his brief cameo, Kimbrough showed some glimpses of why he is so highly rated.

“We’ve got to continue to drive our local talent, continue to develop our local talent, and Da’vian is obviously a special one that we’re fortunate to have for a long time,” Briggs said. “And I think you saw in glimpses today the ability the kid has. He’s a special talent and we look forward to developing him.”

Kimbrough admitted that he was feeling some nerves before his history-making appearance, but as soon as he was on the field he felt much more at ease.

“I was a bit nervous at first before I got subbed on,” he said. “But once I got on the field, at the end of the day it’s just soccer. So I was just doing what I love.”

He added: “My main goal when I got in was to touch the ball a little bit, pass, move. Hopefully next time I can score.”

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U.S. youth star Osundina joins Feyenoord from Orange County SC

The 19-year-old joins the Dutch powerhouse from the USL Championship side

U.S. youth international forward Korede Osundina has completed a transfer to Dutch champion Feyenoord from Orange County SC.

ESPN reported that Feyenoord paid $215,000 for Osundina, with that fee potentially rising to more than $1 million if incentives are met. The 19-year-old will be loaned to Dutch second-tier side Dordrecht for the 2023-24 season.

“I’m beyond thrilled to move to Feyenoord and continue my career in the Netherlands,” Osundina said in a club release. “OCSC gave me the opportunity to play professional soccer and develop me, with a clear path to playing in Europe that I couldn’t have found elsewhere. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every moment of my time in Irvine, and want to thank everyone at the club for their incredible support.”

Over two seasons with the USL Championship club, Osundina made 37 appearances. He’s scored four goals in the current campaign.

Osundina’s transfer is the first between OCSC and Feyenoord, after the two clubs announced a strategic partnership in February of this year.

“Since our partnership with OCSC began, it became clear to me that the club offers a clear pathway to Europe for emerging talents in the USA,” said Mark Rijul, head of global football at Feyenoord.

“OCSC has a very good technical infrastructure, highly competitive environment and a long-term vision that develops players like Korede for the next level. With this move, we believe Korede can take the next steps in his career, and we are thrilled to help him with that at Feyenoord.”

Osundina, an Illinois native, has been capped by the U.S. at the U-17 and U-19 levels.

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David Ochoa, 22, hired as Ventura County Fusion youth goalkeeper coach

The former U.S. and Mexico youth international has been without a club since May

Former U.S. and Mexico youth international goalkeeper David Ochoa has been hired as a youth goalkeeper coach for USL League Two side Ventura County Fusion.

The 22-year-old has been without a club since May, when he was released by Liga MX side Atlético San Luis amid reports of indiscipline. It wasn’t the first time Ochoa had left a club in acrimonious fashion.

Ochoa rose to prominence in 2021 with Real Salt Lake before a very public falling out with the club the following year.

“[Ochoa] was tardy a couple times, and just training habits weren’t up to par,” RSL head coach Pablo Mastroeni told ESPN last year.

“At that point, we had quite a few conversations about being a professional footballer. It’s not always about starting. It’s about understanding how to conduct yourself within a club. We have club rules, we have team rules, locker rules, and you have to abide by those, regardless of who you are, or what you did last year.”

Though Ochoa appears to be taking a detour from his playing career, Ventura County’s academy director Keith Costigan hinted that the goalkeeper wasn’t quite ready to hang up his gloves just yet.

“So happy our staff made this happen,” Costigan said on X (formerly Twitter). “David is a top young keeper who will have many great years ahead. Excited to have him mentor our next generation of talent.”

Ochoa has represented both the U.S. and Mexico at youth international levels, and has been called up at the senior level by both countries. He committed his international future to Mexico in 2021.

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USL Championship side San Diego Loyal will fold after 2023 season

The USL franchise was under threat after MLS awarded San Diego an expansion team for the 2025 season

The San Diego Loyal will cease operations after the 2023 USL Championship season, the club has announced.

In a statement, USL said that the decision was made because a “viable near- and long-term stadium solution in the market did not materialize.” The club has been playing at Torero Stadium on the campus of the University of San Diego.

“I’ve come to the conclusion that this will be the last season for San Diego Loyal,” the club’s owner Andrew Vassiliadis said in a video posted on X (formerly Twitter).

“For those of you who got to know me, spent some time talking to me, you know how much this hurts for me to say. I love our city, I was born and raised here, and I will always be loyal to San Diego.

“I don’t see myself taking this project anywhere else, and I refuse to put an inferior product in front of you.”

The long-term viability of the Loyal was put into doubt this May, when MLS awarded San Diego an expansion franchise that will begin play in 2025.

At the time, Vassiliadis issued a statement declaring his intent to continue on, concluding: “Our plan is simple. We aren’t going anywhere.”

Vassiliadis started the franchise in 2020 alongside co-owner and U.S. soccer legend Landon Donovan, who served as the team’s head coach for three seasons. After the 2022 season, Donovan stepped down as coach and took a role as executive VP of soccer operations.

The USL said the Loyal’s franchise rights will be transfered to a new ownership group.

“Having a modern, commercially viable stadium solution is vital to our clubs’ long-term success and is a pillar of the USL’s growth strategy,” said USL Deputy CEO Justin Papadakis. “Despite collectively pursuing multiple potential options with SD Loyal’s leadership in the San Diego area, an appropriate stadium solution has not materialized.”

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Kimbrough, 13, makes American soccer history after signing with Sacramento

Da’vian Kimbrough is a name to remember

The youth movement in U.S. soccer is not slowing down.

Da’vian Kimbrough, aged 13 years, 5 months and 13 days, signed with Sacramento Republic of the USL Championship on Tuesday, making him the youngest person to agree to a professional contract in this country’s soccer history.

The previous record holder is believed to be Maximo Carrizo, who signed a professional deal with NYCFC on his 14th birthday in 2022. It is believed that Kimbrough is the youngest player to sign a contract in any major U.S. team sport.

“Da’vian’s journey with Republic FC is just beginning. He is a remarkable talent who has committed to his dream of becoming an elite player, from competing with players in older age groups and thriving at top competitions, to stepping on to the first team training grounds,” Sacramento general manager Todd Dunivant said in a press release. “We are honored that the Kimbrough family and Da’vian have chosen Republic FC to support his professional pathway, and we look forward to taking the next steps together.”

According to the club, Kimbrough has trained with the first team in the past, and will be placed on a “mixed training regimen” that will see him work with both the Republic senior squad as well as academy teams. Sacramento has also crafted a plan with an education partner to allow Kimbrough to continue with school while he takes these first steps as a professional player.

Kimbrough has yet to appear for a U.S. youth national team, though he did participate in a U.S. Soccer youth national team identification camp in October 2022. The clock may be ticking already, as Kimbrough is eligible for both the U.S. and Mexico.

Per Sacramento, Kimbrough boosted his profile at the Bassevelde U13 Cup, a notable Belgian youth event featuring Under-13 sides from traditional European powers like Benfica and Juventus. Kimbrough, playing as a guest for the New York Red Bulls, ended up as the tournament’s MVP after scoring six goals.

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