The Riverside Press-Enterprise
SOCCER TEAM WILL MAKE MAY DEBUT
Redlands FC will join USL League 2, which features college-eligible players
Startup businesses at all levels face immense challenges: Financial management, unrealistic expectations and winning customer trust are just some of the threats to creating a profitable project.
Soccer team Redlands FC, a new expansion member of USL League 2, is working to create and build community connections to ensure longterm stability.
“I feel like we're a community-based team, and so we have people to work with to help us be successful, and we have the resources to be successful,” co-owner Ryan Whiley said.
Announced mid-january as a USL League 2 expansion club, Redlands FC will begin play this summer in the league's Southwest Division and host its home matches at Dodge Stadium in Redlands. The club will play FC Tucson in the season opener at 7 p.m. May 13.
“This is something I've wanted to do for a long time, and just in speaking with the USL, it seemed like they really knew what they were doing, and they were ready for us,” Whiley said.
USL League 2 is one of four men's high-level national amateur soccer leagues in the United States, but it caters specifically to college-eligible players with its spring/summer season that does not conflict with NCAA competition guidelines.
Redlands FC has announced University of Redlands men's soccer assistant coach Cody Carlson as the club's first head coach, cementing the connection with the NCAA Division III program.
“The Redlands community is very special to me, and it holds a special place in my heart,” said Carlson, a former player at U of R. “There is a lot of talent in this area, and I know we can build a successful team.”
The club also has partnered with La Volata Pizzeria, an Italian bistro and bar in Redlands, which provided early financial investment and is communicating with several local youth soccer organizations for promotional support and potential volunteers.
“As a longtime resident of Redlands and someone
“I feel like we're a community-based team, and so we have people to work with to help us be successful, and we have the resources to be successful.”
— Ryan Whiley, Redlands FC co-founder