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USL Oakland Roots

Oakland Roots and Project 51O Launch UPSL Side to Continue Year-Round Development

August 12, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Oakland Roots News Release


Project 51O will join the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) starting Fall 2021 to allow for year-round player development for the First Team. Project 51O will continue to play in USL League Two summer seasons while adding fall season development through the UPSL.

The UPSL team will compete under the name Project 51O and will continue to act as a platform to develop players in the 510 area code for the Oakland Roots First Team. The concept for Project 51O is based on Project 40, a Nike-sponsored program from 1997-2005. Project 40 sought to develop the U.S. national team player pool and helped future stars Tim Howard, Demarcus Beasley, and Carlos Bocanegra grow during the early stages of their soccer careers. Project 51O will continue to mirror parts of that development program, but with a community-based focus.

"Our aim with placing Project 51O in the UPSL is to continue to elevate soccer throughout the East Bay by continuing to provide opportunities for local players to play high level competition," said Roots Technical Director Jordan Ferrell. "We built Project 51O to help develop and identify the best local talent and feel joining the UPSL allows us to continue to play and develop talent year round with the addition of an amateur fall season."

The league's fall campaign will run from the end of August through November. The league maintains strict rules of amateurism, allowing for the opportunity for college and high school players to participate.

"We are extremely pleased to welcome such a fine organization into the UPSL," said UPSL Commissioner Yan Sakara. "With so much talent in the Bay Area, it is truly exciting to see what the club will continue to build in their community. On behalf of everyone at the UPSL, we cannot wait to see them compete in the coming months."

Project 51O's home venue for UPSL will be Merritt College in Oakland, California. Roots Members will receive free access to all Project 51O home games.

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