Cal United Strikers Join NISA, the New Pro Soccer League in America
#HomeOfTheDream – Celebrating this rise of the beautiful game in America, a new level of professional soccer will kick off this season and give the chance for more players to play in the pro circuit. One Southern California team, in particular, wants this to benefit local talent.
All across the country, American soccer is more popular than ever before with fans flocking to games in record-breaking numbers. In Southern California, a hotbed of talent with a thriving youth soccer culture, fans will have a new reason to cheer.
Championing the American player, California United Strikers FC has joined the newly founded National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) and will be kicking off their inaugural professional soccer season starting on August 31, 2019
Playing its home games in Orange County Great Park Championship Stadium, in Irvine, CA, the California United Strikers FC want to be known as the community’s team.
Focused on celebrating local soccer talent, the California United Strikers FC want to support the Southern California community and promote a pathway to the professional game.
Mark your Calendars: Cal United Strikers FC is ready to kick off with their first home game Sunday, September 22nd against the Los Angeles based team LA Force @ 4:00 PM.
“Our main focus is being a community team,” said Michael Collins, President and General Manager of California United Strikers FC. “California United Strikers FC’s team will be a 23-man roster with 14 of our players from Southern California — the Oceanside to Los Angeles area. A total of 16 players are from California.”
Collins is a former professional player with a seventeen-year career that included earning two caps with the U.S. National team in 1988. Also a former coach and technical director, Collins knows the challenges of reaching the professional level of American soccer and strongly believes Southern California is rich in talent.
“I have been in California since 1997 and know that there is immense talent in our area,” said Collins. “Want to be like AJAX, the Dutch professional football club based in Amsterdam. They are known worldwide for developing talent. California is so talent-rich, we could have our own National Team with just players from the San Diego, Inland Empire, LA and Orange County areas.”
“We are looking for localized talent, from experienced professionals who have played in the MLS and USL to those players who feel they may have fallen through the cracks,”
Michael Collins, President and General Manager of California United Strikers FC
Collins encourages players seeking to tryout out for the new professional soccer club to sign up online at California United Strikers FC.
“This will be a real community team and fans will know who the players are and what youth clubs they played for,” said Collins.
Cal United Strikers FC recently partnered with one of Southern California’s most preeminent youth soccer organization, the Strikers FC. Don Ebert, longtime director of the youth club, will be the Head Coach of the new professional Cal United Strikers.
“We want to embrace the local youth
“We are looking for players who want to achieve their goals of becoming pros,” said Sheperd who has more than thirty years of experience in soccer. Well known for his commitment to identifying and developing youth talent, Shepard has helped many professional soccer organizations expand their reach, including MLS’ LA Galaxy.
“Cal United FC is very proud to have the majority of our roster filled by local players,”
Blane Shepard, Vice President of California United Strikers FC
Why Join NISA?
California United Strikers FC is proud to join the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA), the new American professional soccer league representing the third tier of professional soccer in the USA. With its inaugural season kicking off September 2019, NISA is ready to provide new opportunities for teams, players and fans to enjoy American soccer.
When your site matches your skills #smooth @CalUtdStrikers site is 👌🏼 #CheckItOut #homeofthedream #NISAnation pic.twitter.com/IoFkbjee3X
— NISA Official (@NISALeague) August 16, 2019
“On behalf of our Board of Governors, it’s an absolute pleasure to welcome Pete and Bronwyn Capriotti from Orange County, California to NISA,” said league Commissioner, John
“We selected to play in NISA because we love that the team owns their players and their brand,”
Michael Collins, President and General Manager of California United Strikers FC
“You are in charge of your own destiny, which is very appealing, especially for a team that has deep roots in the community,” said Collins who is originally from New York and has been immersed in soccer his entire life.
Cal United Strikers FC originally played in the United Premier Soccer League UPSL and joins NISA after the NASL before it closed its doors.
“As a league that truly backs Promotion Relegation, Cal United represents a club that has earned the promotion to the next level, becoming a professional club playing in NISA. Our role as a league is as an incubator for many clubs and Cal United has executed the next step and we couldn’t be happier for their achievements,” said Yan Skwara, UPSL Commissioner. “We wish them well on their professional journey.”
Who Owns the California United Strikers?
The Capriotti’s are the owners of Cotti Foods, which operates 193 Taco Bell, Wendy’s, and Pieology restaurants nationwide.
“We love the idea of a local professional soccer club for Orange County,” Bronwyn Capriotti said. “Our aim is to find and develop local talented players and help them make their dreams come true. We want to build a championship team that our fans can be passionate about. And we want people to come out and have a great time. That’s why we’re doing this.”
Cal United Strikers FC will play the Oakland Roots at Laney Field in Oakland California for the 2019 NISA season opener on August 31. Team schedules, player rosters
Enter this promo code: #HomeoftheDream and get 2 tickets for the price of 1 or call 949.216.9782 for more information.
Photo Credit: California United Strikers FC
Editorial Correction: Originally we reported a total of 16 players were from the Southern CA area and have corrected that number on the California United Strikers roster to 14 with a total of 16 players from the state of California – 9.12.19
