Give Los Angeles businessman Harry Tachian just five minutes of your time and you’ll quickly learn of his love for the sport of soccer. Tachian’s love for the game began during his time at the British International School of Jeddah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Many of his physical education teachers were coaches, former coaches, or people that loved soccer.
Because of his connections in Jeddah, Tachian was discovered as a youth prospect at the age of seven. “(My coaches) made a few calls back to London and said ‘you guys got to take a look at this kid,’” he recalled. “I got pretty lucky.”
Tachian continued to play overseas until the age of 14, until 1990 when he relocated to the United States due to the Persian Gulf War. As a young man, he continued to play the game he loved until the age of 18. However, a heart condition forced Tachian into an early retirement.
Despite being prohibited from playing the game he loved, the then 18-year-old always found a way to stay connected. He dreamed of one day owning his own team and finding a way to give back to the game he loved.
Fast forward to March of 2018, and that opportunity would present itself. While conversing with a colleague, Tachian learned of an opportunity that existed for expansion in the NPSL.
“(My colleague) told me they were looking for an LA team and I said ‘okay.’ I researched it further, and I was introduced to a gentleman by the name of Brandon Jantz, and I was sold. What an amazing guy to talk to and what an amazing league. To speak to a gentleman who was so passionate about the league and to hear what they (NPSL) stand for and how they work together was incredible. I said, ‘I definitely want to be part of something like this.”
With that, Los Angeles United FC was born. The club utilizes the tagline, “We are LA United” to shine light on how diverse the market is in Southern California.
“LA is a very diverse market. If not the most diverse in the whole United States,” said the new NPSL owner.
Despite having to hit the ground running and begin operations as soon as possible, Tachian is taking it all in stride and not losing focus of what matters, having fun. He has just one message for fans when LAUFC kickoff its inaugural season in 2019.
“Let’s have fun. Let’s let people know how beautiful the sport of soccer is and how sports are beautiful in general.”
Read the full press release here.
