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USL San Antonio FC

USL Awards 31st Franchise to Spurs Sports & Entertainment

January 7, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
San Antonio FC News Release


USL San Antonio Head Coach Darren Powell
USL San Antonio Head Coach Darren Powell
(San Antonio FC)

SAN ANTONIO - The United Soccer League announced today that they have awarded the 31st USL franchise to Spurs Sports & Entertainment, officially welcoming San Antonio to the league. Additionally, SS&E has named Darren Powell head coach for the team that is set to begin play at Toyota Field in March 2016.

"We are thrilled to be part of a terrific league that features an exciting brand of soccer that will elevate the sport in San Antonio," said Rick Pych, Spurs Sports & Entertainment President of Business Operations. "The USL is a perfect fit for a region whose passion for soccer continues to grow and we're excited to have Darren Powell on board as our head coach to lead that development. Darren shares our organization's values and vision to advance soccer in San Antonio and his extensive background in coaching and cultivating talent will be an invaluable asset for a first-year franchise."

Powell, a native of England, comes to San Antonio from Orlando City SC of Major League Soccer where he oversaw the Club's Pro Academy and U.S. Soccer Development Academy programs. In his two seasons with the Development Academy in Orlando, Powell showcased his prowess for helping develop young talent and was a key part in creating success for the program. The club qualified for the 2015 U-16 and U-18 U.S. Soccer playoffs and was also recognized as the Most Improved Academy in the East by U.S. Soccer. Additionally, the U-16 team received Best Style of Play honors in 2015.

"I am excited to take the next step in my career by being a part of Spurs Sports & Entertainment," said Darren Powell, USL San Antonio franchise head coach. "This is a fantastic opportunity with a first class organization in a community with a vibrant soccer culture that is ready to take soccer to the next level. I'm committed to helping build a successful team on and off the field and can't wait to get started."

Prior to joining Orlando City, Powell was the head men's soccer coach at Elon University for nearly a decade. During his tenure with the Phoenix, Powell became the school's all-time winningest coach, posting a 94-68-23 record over his nine seasons and was named Southern Conference Coach of the Year on four occasions.

The USL is a vital part of the growth of soccer in North America, on and off the field. With 24 clubs in the 2015 season, the USL looks to expand strategically with strong ownership groups that share the league's passion and vision, in markets that are positioned for long-term success. The USL has previously announced the addition of clubs in the Rio Grande Valley, Cincinnati, Lehigh Valley, Orlando and Kansas City for the 2016 season, and Reno for the 2017 season. The addition of a San Antonio franchise to a region that includes teams in Oklahoma City, Rio Grande Valley and Tulsa provides a great opportunity to develop exciting rivalries.

"It is with great excitement that the USL welcomes Spurs Sports & Entertainment, one of the most admired organizations in the sports industry to our league," USL CEO Alec Papadakis said. "The USL is confident the experience this prestigious organization brings, in addition to a state-of-the-art soccer specific stadium and a passionate fan base, this new club will make a major statement both on and off the field in our league."

Last month, SS&E announced that it reached an agreement with Bexar County and the City of San Antonio to operate a USL soccer franchise at Toyota Field starting in 2016. The deal is part of a collaborative effort by the city, county and SS&E to pursue bringing Major League Soccer (MLS) to the Alamo City. Five of the last seven new MLS franchises played in the USL. The soccer-specific stadium opened in April of 2013 and has a capacity of 8,500.

Fans can learn more about the franchise at USLSanAntonio.com and can follow the team on Twitter at @USLSanAntonio and on Facebook by liking USL San Antonio. Fans interested in being a part of the inaugural season can place their $50 deposit for 2016 season tickets online at USLSanAntonio.com or by calling 210-444-5MLS.

More club details, including team name, club crest and jersey design, will be announced in the near future.

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USL San Antonio Head Coach Darren Powell
USL San Antonio Head Coach Darren Powell
   



United Soccer League Championship Stories from January 7, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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