USL First Division headed to Cary in 2007
January 26, 2006 - USL First Division (USL-1) News Release
CARY, NC - United Soccer Leagues, the Town of Cary and Triangle Professional Soccer announced today that Cary, North Carolina will be home to a USL First Division expansion franchise that will kick off its first season in the spring of 2007 at SAS Soccer Park.
In a news conference today at SAS Soccer Park in Cary, Cary Mayor Ernie McAlister joined Rochester Rhinos Co-Owner Chris Economides and USL Vice President Tim Holt in announcing a deal that will bring the first men's USL First Division expansion team to the Town of Cary. The formal agreement is expected to be signed and finalized tonight immediately following the Cary Town Council's vote.
"We are excited about our adding Cary and SAS Soccer Park to the USL First Division," said Holt. "All of the elements necessary for a successful professional soccer franchise are in place, including a first-class venue, the full support of the Town of Cary, proven sports ownership and management, and a community passionate for soccer."
Negotiations for the agreement moved ahead after the July 2005 exhibition game between the Rochester Raging Rhinos and DC United at SAS Soccer Park. Following that successful event, the Rhinos owners Chris Economides, Steve Donner, and Frank DuRoss incorporated in North Carolina in October 2005 as Triangle Professional Soccer, LLC, with the intention of launching a new team.
"I am sure that Cary citizens and soccer fans throughout the nation share our excitement and enthusiasm about this new chapter in sports history," said Mayor McAlister.
"We are extremely excited about the partnership with the Town of Cary," said Economides. "The negotiations have been pleasurable and it has been a very good experience working with everyone from the Town of Cary, as well as the business and soccer community, to bring professional soccer back to the Triangle area. We look forward to a long relationship with the great fans in the Triangle that we have heard so many wonderful things about."
As part of the six-year agreement with the Town of Cary, Triangle Professional Soccer will spend the 2006 season developing the team, including hosting 6-10 exhibition matches. After the first year, the team will play 16-20 home games annually. The agreement also calls for revenue sharing in areas such as concessions and sponsorships.
SAS Soccer Park (originally called State Capital Soccer Park) is on 150 acres and was built by Wake County. The stadium includes a 7,000-seat stadium, seven fields, locker rooms, concessions, and a nationally recognized competitive cross-country course. The facility opened in May 2002 and was home to the Carolina Courage of the Women's United Soccer Association until the league suspended operations in September 2003. The stadium is also home to the USL Premier Development League's Raleigh Elite.
The US Men's National Soccer Team will hold their final training camp at the Park in May 2006 before heading to the FIFA World Cup in Germany in June and July.
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