Collin Parsons – In Motion Special
Kicking off its inaugural season, the Daytona Soccer Club spent the heat of the summer competing in the Southeast Division of the United Soccer League Two, offering an opportunity for aspiring professional soccer players from all over the country to have a platform to play.
Home matches were played at the Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium on LPGA Boulevard, which in 2018 renovated its press box and seating, as well as an updated Jumbotron scoreboard, locker rooms and more. The club also partnered with local sports academy, DME, to help utilize their facilities that they already have in place.
According to Director of Operations for Daytona Soccer Club, Kioki Hutchings, the team is hoping to give the community and youth soccer players an experience of what high level soccer is like.
“Daytona has been put on the map with the likes of its beaches and NASCAR, now us here at Daytona SC hope to put it on the map as a prime location for high level soccer,” Hutchings said.
Daytona SC’s involvement in USL League Two also means that college and youth aspiring to make it to the professional game will be able to compete for summers to come. Daytona SC also seeks to benefit the community through local youth camps and clinics that will be hosted by surrounding clubs.
Some players from the Daytona State College Men’s soccer program, who finished their third season last fall, look forward for the experience of playing for Daytona SC.
“This opportunity of playing this summer with Daytona SC will make me a better player and leader,” DSC freshman midfielder Shandel Senior said. “This summer I am furthering my career by developing my skill and knowledge of the game, which will help me in my upcoming season at Daytona State.”
Players from neighboring colleges who don’t have anywhere local to play at a high level during the off-season are also excited about Daytona SC. One of them is a standout junior from Flagler College named Sam Coombes.
“Playing at this level, against some of the best college players in the country will be very beneficial towards my goals to play professionally,” Coombes said. “I’m hoping to have success, fitness, good individual performances and to get my name out there with hopefully some head-turning performances.”
College coaches in the area are also happy with the addition of a USL League Two franchise in Daytona Beach. Daytona State Men’s Soccer Assistant Coach Travis Rovillo believes that Daytona SC will benefit Daytona State Men’s Soccer, as well as the areas surrounding Daytona.
“Having played in the PDL (the predecessor to USL League Two) myself really opened up my eyes to the talent level within the league,” Coach Rovillo said. “This sport is growing, and the start of this club will help give youth in the area something to work towards. For our players here at Daytona State, they will have somewhere to play during the summer and it will be a great recruiting tool for the college to tell them that we have a semiprofessional team right down the road.”
The introduction of a USL League Two franchise in Daytona Beach is bringing a new sports environment to the community. Youth soccer players now have a higher level of play to strive for and families who enjoy the game of soccer in Daytona Beach have a home town club to support. The future goal of the club is to progress Daytona SC from amateur to a professional club, either in the the United Soccer League One or USL Championship.
Daytona SC’s USL League Two’s regular season runs from early May to late July. Throughout the month of August, Daytona SC will begin its run-in post season for a hope to make it to the USL League Two national final. For further information on Daytona SC game schedule and future open tryouts for the club visit the website at https://daytonasoccerclub.com/.
USL League Two is a pre-professional league designed to give a platform for domestic and international aspiring professional athletes. Throughout the United States and Canada, League Two franchises continue to provide elite amateur player’s the opportunity to train and compete at the highest level while maintaining their collegiate eligibility. League Two is a proven U23 league with many players playing in Major League Soccer or abroad being alumni of the league.