Lancaster, California, the United Soccer League (USL), and Antelope Valley Soccer, Inc. (USL Antelope Valley) announced on October 4th, 2023, the introduction of men's professional and women's pre-professional soccer teams to the Antelope Valley, according to the City of Lancaster News and Updates. These teams play at the Lancaster Municipal Stadium, which undergoes substantial conversion to become a soccer-specific stadium. This initiative makes Antelope Valley the fourth location in Southern California with a professional soccer-specific stadium.
Sports industry veteran, John Smelzer, serves as President and Founder of USL Antelope Valley. Smelzer, former employee of World Cup USA 1994, NFL, NBC Olympics, and FOX Sports, fosters partnerships with local stakeholders for the project.
The Antelope Valley region, home to over 500,000 residents, serves as an untapped pool for soccer players and fans. The burgeoning aerospace industry, coupled soon with the Mojave Inland Port and the launching of high-speed rail lines, connects the region with Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
The popularity of the United Soccer League greatly expands with the burgeoning of 12 teams in USL League One; a verified third-division professional league. Further, the USL W League emerges as the leading pre-professional league for women, as per City of Lancaster News and Updates. Its emphasis on soccer-specific stadiums, youth academies, and talent-development sculpts the future of soccer in the States.
The renovated Lancaster Municipal Stadium plans to complete by 2025, will also provide affordable tickets, club seats, existing suites and, a standing-only section for ardent fans, known as "The 661". The goal - to deliver a top-tier professional soccer experience to the Antelope Valley.
USL Antelope Valley spearheads public sessions for gathering insights on club values, branding and, other crucial aspects. Following this, the club intends to publicly reveal their official name, colors, and crest in March 2024, with the official launch scheduled for 2025, according to the City of Lancaster News and Updates.
Responding to this major development, USL Antelope Valley Founder, John Smelzer emphasized community unity as a significant factor behind the project. He shared with the City of Lancaster News, "We are brought together by our shared love of soccer and our commitment to creating opportunities for our youth and fuelling community pride."
USL Deputy CEO Justin Papadakis expressed his support for the project, stating, "This community that rivals well-known metros deserves this initiative. Thousands of young individuals play soccer here, and many more support the game passionately at different levels", as mentioned on the City of Lancaster News and Updates.
Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris perceives the renovated Lancaster Municipal Stadium as a platform that bridges young talents' dreams to reality. He expresses to the City of Lancaster News, "The stadium is where the dreams of our young talents meet reality, notably with USL Antelope Valley fostering their ambitions."
