The United Soccer League (USL), in partnership with the Riverside Pro Soccer (the official home for pro soccer in Riverside), recently announced their intent to bring professional Men’s and Women’s soccer to Riverside, California (US).
‘USL’ stated that in addition to building a professional soccer club the Riverside Pro Soccer and its partners have plans to construct a soccer-specific venue and explore opportunities for a larger destination that could bring the restaurants, retail, housing, sports, and the community spaces to Riverside, California (US).
Tampa (US)-based the United Soccer League (USL) is an organizer of various professional and amateur soccer leagues in the United States league system.
‘USL’ quoted Justin Papadakis, United Soccer League (USL) Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Real Estate Officer, as stating, “As part of a fast-growing region with a passionate fan base and one of the strongest traditions of youth soccer in the United States Riverside is ready for a professional club to call its own. With a dedicated local champion in Greg Scott and plans for a soccer-specific venue and an accompanying mixed-use development the Riverside Pro Soccer will serve as a true community asset to enhance the quality of life and drive economic growth.”
The Riverside Pro Soccer is led by Greg Scott, a local entrepreneur and an 11-year-old resident of Riverside. Scott has built businesses in logistics, electrical contracting and development creating jobs and opportunities across the Region. A consistent champion for his community Scott currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Greater Riverside Chamber of Commerce. He is also a minority investor of the Orange County Soccer Club, a professional soccer club that competes in the USL Championship League (the second tier of the United States league system).
Stated Scott, “The Riverside Pro Soccer will bring the community together through the world’s game, create a clear pathway for the local players to rise to the professional ranks and deliver a first-rate gameday experience for the soccer fans. We are committed to developing a club that reflects the spirit of Riverside while building a destination for sports and entertainment that generates economic opportunity, attracts the visitors and sparks civic pride.”
Located 50 miles Southeast of Downtown Los Angeles, Riverside is the largest City within the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) (a large Metropolitan Region in Southern California comprising Riverside and the San Bernardino Counties, often referred to as the Inland Empire in the United States). In addition to a thriving youth soccer community the Riverside is home to several public and private universities with the National Collegiate Educational Association (NCAA) Men’s and Women’s soccer teams.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a nonprofit organization that regulates student athletics among about 1,100 schools in the United States and one in Canada. It also organizes the athletic programs of the colleges and helps over 500,000 college student-athletes who compete annually in college sports. The headquarters is located in Indianapolis, Indiana (US).
Put in Patricia Lock Dawson, Mayor of Riverside, “The announcement from the United Soccer League (USL) is welcome news. I look forward to seeing professional soccer played at a location where thousands of young Riversiders learned to play the game.”
Commented Chuck Conder, Riverside Mayor Pro Tem, “Riverside is a family-friendly sports town and would jump on an opportunity to support local professional sports. As the hub of activity in Inland Southern California which is home to more than four million people Riverside is well-suited to host a team.”
The Riverside Pro Soccer is actively recruiting the supporters, the corporate partners, the development partners, and the potential investors. In the months ahead an extensive listening campaign will gather perspectives throughout the community to help inform and define the club’s brand, name and colors.
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