Weston FC
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| Full name | Weston Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1998 | ||
| Stadium | Cypress Bay High School Weston, Florida | ||
| Head Coach | Luis Mendoza | ||
| League | USL League Two | ||
| 2023 | 1st, Southeast Division Playoffs: Conference Quarterfinals | ||
| Website | https://www.westonfc.org/ | ||
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Weston FC is a soccer club in Weston, Florida competing in the USL League Two. They are also one of the largest soccer clubs in the country for youth soccer.[1]
History
[edit]The club was founded in 1998 as a youth soccer club.[2] They have approximately 1,100 players and 70 teams registered in their youth program,[3] developing several players such as Inter Miami CF players Benjamin Cremaschi, Noah Allen, George Acosta,[4] among others across the MLS. In 2020, they were selected as one of the clubs to join the new MLS Next academy program.[5]
In 2015, Weston added a semi-professional team in the National Premier Soccer League.[6][7] They moved their team to the Premier Development League in 2017.[8][9]
Controversy
[edit]In 2019, Weston FC faced a major scandal when a 14-year-old player alleged that he was sexually assaulted by teammates during a trip to Colombia. This sparked outrage, leading to lawsuits, investigations, and player suspensions. The controversy exposed hazing practices, lack of safeguarding measures, and power dynamics within youth sports. It resulted in increased scrutiny, policy changes within Weston FC, and calls for broader reform across youth sports organizations to prevent abuse and protect young athletes.[10][11]
Year-by-year
[edit]| Year | Level | League | Reg. Season | Playoffs | Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 4 | NPSL | 5th, Sunshine | did not qualify | did not enter |
| 2016 | 4 | NPSL | 8th, Sunshine | did not qualify | did not enter |
| 2017 | 4 | PDL | 8th, Southeast | did not qualify | did not qualify |
| 2018 | 4 | PDL | 6th, Southeast | did not qualify | did not enter |
| 2019 | 4 | USL League Two | 8th, Southeast | did not qualify | did not qualify |
| 2020 | 4 | USL League Two | Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic | ||
| 2021 | 4 | USL League Two | 4th, Southeast | did not qualify | did not qualify |
| 2022 | 4 | USL League Two | 6th, Southeast | did not qualify | did not qualify |
| 2023 | 4 | USL League Two | 1st, Southeast | Conference Quarterfinals | did not qualify |
References
[edit]- ^ Hall, Emmett (March 11, 2018). "Weston FC Cup & Showcase draws thousands of youth soccer players". Sun-Sentinel.
- ^ "About Us". Weston FC.
- ^ Alanez, Tonya (October 26, 2019). "100s of young soccer players left with postponed games as Weston club is sidelined". Sun-Sentinel.
- ^ Price, Khobi (June 7, 2020). "George Acosta proud to represent hometown with Inter Miami CF". Sun-Sentinel.
- ^ Price, Khobi (May 13, 2020). "MLS youth academy program adds three South Florida clubs". Sun-Sentinel.
- ^ "Weston FC Joins the NPSL". International Soccer Network. February 27, 2015.
- ^ "Weston FC Joins the NPSL". NPSL. February 27, 2015.
- ^ "Rowdies U23 Joining Premier Development League". Soccer Stadium Digest. February 3, 2017.
- ^ "PDL Welcomes Weston FC as New Franchise". Premier Development League. November 30, 2016.
- ^ "Lawsuit alleges Weston FC soccer player sodomized on team trip". Local 10. June 11, 2019.
- ^ "Alleged sexual assault of a minor at Florida soccer club". Univision.
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