Flower City Union

The Flower City Union is an American professional soccer team based in Rochester, New York, United States, that plays in the National Independent Soccer Association, a third tier league of the United States soccer league system. Its home stadium is Marina Auto Stadium.

Flower City Union
Founded2021 (2021)
StadiumMarina Auto Stadium
OwnerJimmy Paola
LeagueNational Independent Soccer Association
WebsiteClub website

History

In 2017, the long time professional soccer team in Rochester, the USL's Rochester Rhinos, announced that they were going on hiatus as of the 2018 season. The departure of the Rhinos left Rochester without a professional soccer team for the first time since 1995 and left the team's stadium, Marina Auto Stadium, without a tenant. In 2020, a ownership group headed by David Weaver, the CEO and founder of Rochester-based Aphex BioCleanse Systems Inc. and a former Kodak optical engineer, submitted a application for a NISL team in Rochester.[1][2] Mark Washo, a former Chief Business Officer with the Rhinos was appointed as Managing Director and Chief Commercial Officer and the group later announced a partnership with St. John Fisher College’s Sport Management Department.[3] In December 2020, NISA approved the group's expansion application, and soon after the team was unveiled as Flower City Union, a nod to Rochester's nickname as the Flower City[4][5] On April 14, 2021, the team logo and colors were introduced, the primary color being Lilac purple in honor of Rochester's signature flower.[6]

On 24 June 2021, it was announced that Flower City Union would incorporate the Rochester Lancers of the National Premier Soccer League and the Rochester Lady Lancers of United Women's Soccer within its organization upon completion of their summer 2021 seasons. The NPSL team would act as a developmental squad between Flower City Union’s first team and the organization's Homegrown Partner Program. The UWS team would continue as the top of the pyramid squad in Rochester, supported by the same Homegrown Partner Program.[7]

In 2022, the club began play.[8]

Players

Current roster

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
3 MF  USA Alex Ainscough
4 DF  USA Andriy Demydiv
5 DF  USA Nikkye Kidd De Point
6 DF  ITA Andrea Pregoni
7 MF  USA Jay Lee
8 FW  PUR Jordan Saling
9 FW  USA Arion Sobers-Assue
10 MF  USA Giancarlo Canas-Jarquin
11 MF  USA Jose Sierra
12 DF  USA Colin Muller
13 GK  COL Steven Ortiz
No. Pos. Nation Player
14 MF  BAH Quinton Carey
17 MF  USA Hunter Kassel
18 GK  NCA Maykell Ortega
19 MF  USA Suniel Veerakone
22 DF  USA Mitchell Brickman
23 MF  USA Lukas Fernandes
24 DF  USA Marcus Micheletti
30 MF  ENG Jordan Sullivan
42 FW  USA Dre Deas
82 MF  USA Ryan Curtis
88 MF  USA Auston Kranick

References
  1. Lewis, Michael (November 11, 2020). "MORE NISA EXPANSION?: Sources: Rochester group submits application to join league". www.frontrowsoccer.com. Retrieved 2021-04-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. "#118 - From Kodak Layoff - To Creating 50 New Millionaires - David Weaver". www.audacy.com. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
  3. "Rochester group bringing pro soccer back to the Flower City". Rochester First. 2020-11-25. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
  4. www.frontrowsoccer.com https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2020/12/17/theyre-in-nisa-approves-rochesters-application/. Retrieved 2021-04-16. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. www.frontrowsoccer.com https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2020/12/18/some-flower-power-rochesters-nisa-team-gets-a-name/. Retrieved 2021-04-16. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. "New logo revealed for Rochester's next pro soccer team". NEWS10 ABC. 2021-04-15. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
  7. "PASSING OF THE TORCH: It's official: Flower City Union will take over Lancers' men's women's teams next year". Front Row Soccer. 2021-04-15. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
  8. Hanley, Liam (March 22, 2022). "American Expansion: 8 New Pro Soccer Teams To Get Out And Watch This Summer". the18.com. Retrieved April 29, 2022.


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