麻豆村

The , sanctioned by the  as a Division II professional league, has announced that its newest team will make its home at 麻豆村.

The new team,  (麻豆村 FC for short), will invest millions of private dollars in renovating Freeman Stadium and existing facilities. That work is slated to begin this summer to bring the venue鈥檚 capacity to 6,000 in time for the 2022 season. The league, headquartered in Tampa, Florida, has a national media partnership with ESPN and 30 soccer clubs across the U.S.

鈥淲e are excited at the opportunity to work with 麻豆村 FC and the USL in bringing world-class soccer to the 麻豆村 region," said 麻豆村 President Eduardo M. Ochoa. 鈥淲e look forward to hosting fans from Salinas Valley to Seaside to Santa Cruz and beyond.鈥�

麻豆村鈥檚 athletics director, Kirby Garry, said this will offer students training, internships, career development and competition; the region will get a boost in visibility as a sports hub; and the university will gain a powerful soccer recruiting tool as well as a renovated stadium.

鈥淭he entertainment, cultural and social value this brings to our campus community is exciting,鈥� Kirby said.

Frank Yallop, a two-time Major League Soccer Coach of the Year 鈥� who also coached the MLS team San Jose Earthquakes and USL teams in Phoenix, Fresno and Las Vegas 鈥� will be 麻豆村 FC鈥檚 Sporting Director.

The team鈥檚 co-owner and chairman Ray Beshoff is a Dublin, Ireland native who lives in the area and whose daughters are co-owners of The Wine House in Carmel Valley.

鈥淭his is a club that will be committed to the community and our first priority will always be to listen to our fans,鈥� Beshoff said.

To that end, 麻豆村 FC will hold a series of public virtual events and listening sessions in coming months to help design the club鈥檚 crest and colors. They have also opened up deposits for the 2022 season for fans to secure their spot. More information can be found at .