The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), is proud to announce that Charlottesville Alliance FC (Charlottesville, VA), has joined the league as an expansion team. The club will compete in the Northeast Region’s Mid-Atlantic Conference.
“We are very excited to bring the NPSL to Charlottesville,” NPSL Chairman Joe Barone commented. “Virginia has always had a great history within the beautiful game and we’re confident that Charlottesville Alliance FC can add a great deal to that impressive legacy.”
The roots of Charlottesville Alliance FC were formed when the team, then named Aromas Café FC, made a highly-successful run in the 2014/15 U.S. Open Cup. The team was made up of players from over 10 different countries, a reflection of the rich diversity of the Charlottesville community. The team expanded this experience to extensive community outreach – a soccer team with a social conscience. They have purchased soccer goals for in-need communities, mentored youth, played charity games, conducted free clinics, and even played soccer with incarcerated youths inside the local detention center. Community, diversity, and fun are the tenets of the team’s values.
CAFC, which is a 501 (c)(3) organization, is led by Executive Director David Deaton and a core staff that includes local professionals, business owners, and ex-collegiate and professional soccer players.
“Our goal in the first year of launching the organization is to build a community asset, one that is competitive on the field, but equally important, one that uses soccer as a vehicle for unity and camaraderie,” Deaton added. “We plan to assemble a team, fan base, and community partners who believe in this vision. There will be opportunities for fans to meet and engage with coaches and players through community town halls, pre-game celebrations, and fundraising events.”
Home matches will be played at Charlottesville High School, which is located in the heart of the city. The stadium features a professional turf field, seating for 2,000, and ample parking.
“Charlottesville Alliance FC brings a passionate fan-base and high-quality player pool to the conference,” Deaton continued. “The city of Charlottesville has the largest concentration of soccer players per capita in the state, with players competing at some of highest calibers of play across the country. Our team will enhance the quality of soccer for players and fans.”
More information about the club can be found at www.cvillealliancefc.org or by following the club on Instagram (@cvillealliancefc), Facebook (@cvillealliancefc), and Twitter (@Cville_Alliance).
“The NPSL has a strong national reputation and as a member-owned league, the personalities of each club are encouraged,” Deaton concluded. “For us, we are focused on building a community asset and driving social change. The NPSL provided us that platform.”
