USL Antelope Valley (the Club) is a prospective USL expansion franchise with plans to field both a USL League One men’s team and a USL W-League women’s team in Los Angeles County’s Antelope Valley. 

Sometimes referred to as Aerospace Valley, the Antelope Valley (the AV) is a large and growing metro of over 500,000 people located in the high desert of north Los Angeles County, about one hour north of West Los Angeles.  Anchored by the Cities of Lancaster and Palmdale, the AV has established growing aerospace, green tech, transportation and distribution industries and is the future home of the Mojave Inland Port, high-speed rail lines to Los Angeles and Las Vegas and distribution centers for Amazon, Trader Joe’s and more. With a relatively young, 50% Latino population, the AV is a soccer hotbed with thousands playing youth, club and high school soccer, and tens of thousands supporting the game at every level.  There are currently no professional or major collegiate soccer teams in the AV.   

The Club was founded by sports industry veteran John Smelzer with the support of the Principal Owner J. David Harden and other visionary investors. The cities of Lancaster and Palmdale and the entire AV community have quickly embraced and supported the Club.  This combination of professional experience, capital. municipal support and community passion will give USL AV a uniquely strong foundation on which to build for the future.   

Yes, and they will be the heart and soul of the Club.  Lead by veteran soccer supporters William Ortiz and Lord Commander, “The 661” will be our first independent supporters group.  They will reside in our purpose-built supporter section behind the north goal, providing relentless support for the Club and Community.  For more information, please email William at wortiz2@csub.edu.    

We plan to make our tickets affordable for fans and families alike, and to offer great value in return.  We’ll begin accepting season ticket deposits on May 18, 2024 and we will be announcing pricing thereafter. Please join our mailing list for access to the pre-sale window and all the latest Club news.    

On Friday, May 17th and a free block party on Lancaster Blvd., we will reveal our official name, colors and crest. The goal is for the Club’s identity to capture the history, spirit and essence of the entire AV, thereby unifying its diverse communities.      

No.  We intend to field a men’s professional team and a women’s pre-professional teams, as well as boys’ and girls’ academy teams, all under a single, unifying crest.     

Our men’s team will begin play in March 2025. Our women’s team will kick off in May 2025.    

In August 2023, the Club and the City entered into a long-term operating agreement under which the Club will play our matches at Lancaster Municipal Stadium, commonly referred to as The Hanger. The stadium will be converted from a minor league baseball configuration to a 5,300 seat, soccer-specific stadium, only the fourth professional soccer-specific stadium in Southern California. Among other features, the stadium plan calls for a state-of-the-art synthetic field and a purpose-built supporters’ section behind the north goal.  With a capacity of 500 fans, this steep grandstand will be standing-only, with handrails for safety and a canopy to project noise and to hoist “tifos” created by the Club’s independent supporters’ group, “The 661”.

Both the Club and the City intend for the Stadium to host as many events as possible. These could include soccer “friendlies” as well as collegiate, high school, club and rec league soccer games. The City will continue to host its “Haunt at the Hanger” Halloween event and it’s “Field of Drafts” craft beer festival at the Stadium. Along with the City, we intend to accommodate as many community events as possible, as well concerts and other attractions. 

The United Soccer League (USL) is the largest and fastest-growing professional soccer organization in North America, possessing more than a decade of experience in bringing the world’s game to communities across the United States and Canada. Overseeing three men’s leagues (USL Championship, USL League One, USL League Two), two women’s leagues (USL Super League, USL W League), one elite player development platform (USL Academy), and a national youth platform (USL Super Y League), the USL is built on a proven and recognized model in international football and counts more than 200 clubs in its membership. 

Based in Tampa, Fla., the USL has grown during the past decade into a model organization with strong corporate partnerships and stable organizational leadership. It features a dedicated staff of more than 90 professionals across 18 departments ranging from operations, digital, communications and club services, each of which provides unparalleled support to member clubs and outside partners. Sanctioned by the U.S. Soccer Federation, the USL is #UnitedForSoccer, moving the game forward in North America. 

Shaping the future of the game in the United States, the United Soccer League (USL) – one of the most successful professional soccer organizations in the world – announced in 2017 it would launch a new third division, USL League One, in Spring 2019, uniting passionate fans in new markets with the thrill of a proven professional soccer experience. With 12 clubs currently competing in its fifth season, League One is expected to more than double in size in the next five years to create a broad, regional footprint. 

The USL has targeted U.S. communities ranging in population from 150,000 to one million – markets that represent more than 75 million people without access to a local professional soccer club. League One has focused on launching new clubs in markets that possess strong local ownership groups, populations with broad-based diversity, a vibrant millennial and strong family base, established corporate support, and stadiums to properly showcase the sport for fans, partners and the public.

The USL W League is the nation’s premier pre-professional league, developing the next generation of women’s talent both on and off the field, and enhancing the women’s soccer pipeline between college and professional soccer. With over 65 teams and a national footprint, the USL W League brings elite women’s soccer to communities across the U.S., creating more opportunities to play, watch, and work in the women’s game.

We intend for the Club to be a community-based club in every sense of the word.  We are not a farm club for a larger club in another market.  We will play to win for the pride of our community.  We believe the AV is a hotbed of soccer talent that is largely overlooked.  The AV has produced many outstanding professional soccer players, some of whom currently play in MLS and the USL, despite the absence of a pro-pathway at home.  Our goal is to identify and develop as many local players as possible, giving them the opportunity to move on to bigger clubs and their national teams.  We believe that veteran players from the AV will be willing to come home and finish their career with us, providing leadership and guidance for our younger players. To remain competitive, we will look at players locally, nationally, and internationally who can make an immediate impact. 

We aim to hold open tryouts in late 2024. Be sure to join our mailing list to always receive the latest updates. 

Along with ticket sales, local sponsor support will be the lifeblood of the Club.  With strong local support, the Club will become a cornerstone of the community for generations to come.  We hope to build long-term brand affinity with our sponsors, and we will ask them to take the long view with us.  For more information, please email info@uslantelopevalley.com.   

Yes. We are hiring front office and technical staff. Click on the careers tab to see the current openings.  

You can follow us on all social media channels and join our mailing list for the lates updates.  We are on Instagram (@USLAntelopeValley ), X (formerly Twitter) (@USL4AV) and TikTok (@USLAntelopeValley).  And be sure to join our mailing list for all the latest updates.