As an up-and-coming soccer league begins to make headway, plans for a new team and stadium in Queens are exciting area soccer fans.
The FC New York will be the 13th team added to the United Soccer Leagues (USL), growing the league in order to keep up with their competitors, Major League Soccer (MLS).
The USL, which is the second-tier soccer organization, and its newly added team, have been scouring the borough for the best site to break ground for a 9,000-seat arena.
FC New York has signed on to join the league for the 2010 season and has already committed to playing its first two seasons at Hofstra University in the James M. Shuart Stadium. However, in two years time, team management has decided it wants to make Queens its new stomping grounds.
“Our goal is to build a home in Queens,” said Doug Petersen, president of FC New York. “We think it can happen relatively soon.”
The team has looked at some open areas in Jamaica that can provide an array of public transportation options for the fans. Ongoing talks with the city’s parks department concerning possible sites for a new stadium have been held all summer.
“We are thrilled to welcome FC New York as the newest addition to the USL First Division,” said USL Executive Vice President and COO Tim Holt. “Their ownership group’s impressive and ambitious plans to develop a complete soccer club with a strong international partner and privately-financed future stadium will boost the profile of our league in one of the world’s largest and most diverse markets.”
Keeping a positive outlook about the situation, FC New York is looking to finish filling out the management and coaching staffs, along with a complete roster for everyday play.
“We weeded through about 20 people who were recommended to us and hope to come to a decision soon," said Petersen.
