The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) is proud to announce that Hartford City FC (Hartford, CT) has joined the league as an expansion team. The club will compete in the Northeast Region’s Atlantic Conference. “Hartford is an important step in the Northeast,” NPSL Chairman Joe Barone commented. “It’s a huge soccer community surrounded by a wealth of elite collegiate soccer. It’s a tremendous bridge between Boston and New York City.”
Hartford City FC is led by Aaron Sarwar and Hami Kara. Sarwar, who will serve as the club’s owner, is a Hartford native with a deep passion and love for his hometown. He is an officer in the Connecticut Air National Guard. His family owns the Shish Kebab House of Afghanistan, a Hartford restaurant which is now in its 28th year. Aaron’s father, Naseer Sarwar, is a partner and investor in the team.
Kara, who will serve as the team’s captain, is a goalkeeper with considerable experience. It all started with a plethora of awards at Wethersfield High School, including All-Conference, Conference Player of the Year, All-State, and NSCAA All-New England honors. He would go on to become an NSCAA All-American in junior college before a prolific career at the University of Pittsburgh. During his time at Pitt, he would earn Big East Goalkeeper of the Week honors three times and finish in the top 10 in shutouts in school history. As a professional he would spend six months in Turkey with several prestigious clubs in addition to playing for the Columbus Crew during the 2013 MLS preseason.
“Our goal is to get on the field and bring soccer to Hartford,” Sarwar added. “We believe that we have the biggest untapped soccer fan base in the country.”
More information about the club can be found at www.hartfordcity.com or by following the club on Facebook (@HartfordCityFCSoccer).
“We joined the NPSL because it is a respected league with a proven track record,” Sarwar concluded. “They have had great success in markets such as Hartford.”
