Loudoun United FC, a Loudoun County, VA-based subsidiary of D.C. United, will begin play in the Division II USL starting in 2019.
This marks the seventh and final, according to the USL, addition to the league’s lineup for 2019. Hartford, New Mexico (to play at Albuquerque’s Isotopes Park in 2019), Birmingham, Austin, El Paso, and Memphis all previously announced 2019 expansion teams, though it is not certain whether Austin will indeed be fielding a USL team given the city’s ongoing pursuit of Columbus Crew SC (MLS). Loudoun United FC’s addition puts the 2019 USL slate at 38 teams; there are 33 this season, but FC Cincinnati was awarded a 2019 MLS team and Toronto FC II will drop down to the new USL Division III circuit.
The club will play at a brand new 5,000-person stadium is planned to be built adjacent to Bolen and Loudoun Soccer Parks. Additional stadium updates will be provided in the coming months.
“Loudoun County is one of the most impressive counties in the country – between the robust community and youth soccer presence, the creation of a professional soccer team is the perfect way to activate the two,” said Loudoun United COO, Adam Behnke. “With a team to call our own, a local professional sports entertainment option and youth soccer players having role models in their backyard to follow to one day play at the professional level, we can truly create something special in our community.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Loudoun United to the USL family, along with the D.C. United organization,” said USL CEO Alec Papadakis. “This storied organization has strong ownership, and we welcome their contributions to our league. Having another competitive team in the Eastern Conference strengthens our presence in the region, and Loudoun County is a thriving community, with a growing soccer fan base and all the elements in place for long-term success. We look forward to Loudoun United kicking off alongside the six additional newcomers next season: New Mexico, Austin, El Paso, Memphis, Birmingham and Hartford.”
“We are very excited to welcome Loudoun United and the D.C. United organization to Loudoun County,” said Phyllis Randall, Chair of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors. “The youth, collegiate and professional soccer matches that will be played at Bolen Park will bring thousands of players, families and fans to Loudoun, one of the most dynamic counties in America. This will provide new opportunities for our businesses and residents and facilitate healthy activities, and the new stadium will be utilized by the community for many purposes.”
“Combined with already thriving youth soccer programs and existing facilities nearby, the addition of the new stadium and training center will make Loudoun County a premier soccer hub on the East Coast,” said Ralph Buona, Vice Chairman the Board of Supervisors and Ashburn District Supervisor. “These new facilities will help grow soccer and provide resources for our youth, so they can elevate their games to the next level. We look forward to the exciting new opportunities that this investment will bring.”
“I’m excited to welcome another high-caliber corporate partner in D.C. United to Loudoun County, especially at such an exciting time for the organization, one of the nation’s leaders in job growth over the past several years,” said Matt Letourneau, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Finance, Economic Development and Government Operations Committee and Dulles District Supervisor. “From the beginning of my discussions with the organization, I believed that Loudoun would be a perfect place for the team to train and for our own USL franchise. The final agreement, which has now been completed, is a win for the county and our residents and the team. I look forward to the new opportunities that our residents will have to enjoy soccer and for our youth to receive high level training from world-class professionals.”
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