Connect with us

Pittsburgh City United FC

Driven by cause-related initiatives Pittsburgh City United FC introduced as newest UPSL club

Last Thursday, in a virtual press conference, Pittsburgh City United FC was introduced as a new soccer club which will participate in the United Premier Soccer League (USPL). The club is set to debut in Fall 2021.

Press Conference Available on the following link  www.pittsburghcityunitedfc.com/pcufctv

Pittsburgh City United’s owner and club president Michael Anton Monsour provided further details about the team’s plans for their upcoming inaugural season as well as announcing a five year partnership with Full90, one of the world leaders in protective headgear. Monsour was also joined by Clayton Jacobs, President of the Pennsylvania chapter for the Alzheimer’s Association, who offered words of support for the new soccer club’s efforts to spread awareness.

The introduction was heavy on details about the club’s involvement and partnership with two noble causes:  raising funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s and raising awareness for developing more safety measures to prevent head traumas in soccer.

The USPL is mostly American professional development soccer league that was founded in Santa Ana in Southern California, with teams in regionalized conferences throughout the United States, and recently Canada and Mexico. The league was founded in 2011 by Santa Ana Winds FC President Leonel López as a regional league for teams in Greater Los Angeles, but expanded to include teams from 32 states as of the 2019 UPSL season.

Two seasons are played each year, with regional play culminating in a playoff system that crowns a single national champion each season. The league features internal promotion and relegation with up to three levels in some regions; only clubs in the top tier Division I are eligible to compete for the national championship.

The league is a United States Adult Soccer Association National League, within the larger United States soccer league system.

“I want to start by thanking Michael Monsour, Pittsburgh City United, and the UPSL for their leader ship in this important effort. It is fitting as well that we are here at the beginning of June which is Alzheimer’s and brain awareness month nation wide,” Monsour said.

“Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating disease that impacts too many family’s with 280,000 people diagnoses in Pennsylvania and half a million family’s providing direct care. Their experiences with the disease are a core driver of our work at the Alzheimer’s Association.”

“But they’re just one aspect of it. As we know with every person diagnosed their community and those around them are impacted as well,” Clayton Jacobs, President Pennsylvania Chapter for the Alzheimer’s Association, said. “That can mean their neighborhood, their workplace, their place of worship, their book club, their sports league, and so much more.”

Pittsburgh City United FC has agreed to donate 50% of all profits from ticket sales and merchandise to the Alzheimer’s Association as well as commit a minimum of four hours per player, coach, and executive staff member each Fall and Spring Season. The Alzheimer’s Association logo will don the front of the team’s jersey.  

In fact, Monsour used the example of Barcelona FC’s partnership with Unicef during the press conference, while also adding that ‘it’s a dream come true’ to be part of this club.  

The team will also require all players to wear protective head gear for their games, which Full90 has agreed to provide in an effort to spread awareness of the need of stronger safety measures when it comes to head trauma in soccer.

Full90 Sports LLC is recognized in the soccer community as the company that brought attention to the issue of concussions; and is the leader in protective headgear for soccer players worldwide.

This is why 50% of all profits from ticket sales and merchandise throughout the Fall and Spring Seasons will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Other details, such as the team’s schedule and the team’s roster are still mostly uncertain.  According to their website, the team is scheduled to play its 10th and final match of the season at Highmark Stadium, on Saturday, October 16, as part of its Alzheimers Awareness night.

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).

Glory on the Grass

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

Subscribe to PGH Soccer Now

Enter your email address to subscribe to PGH Soccer Now and receive notifications of new posts by email.

More in Pittsburgh City United FC