AC Connecticut is an American amateur
soccer team based in
Newtown, Connecticut, playing in
USL League Two
USL League Two (USL2), formerly the Premier Development League (PDL), is a semi-professional developmental soccer league sponsored by United Soccer Leagues in the United States and Canada, forming part of the United States soccer league syst ...
, the fourth tier of the
American soccer pyramid. The team colors are blue, black and white.
History
CFC Azul was founded as a
USL PDL
USL League Two (USL2), formerly the Premier Development League (PDL), is a semi-professional developmental soccer league sponsored by United Soccer Leagues in the United States and Canada, forming part of the United States soccer league syste ...
team on December 21, 2011, and launched its inaugural season in 2012. The club is the pinnacle for a 70-plus youth team organization and is Connecticut's only professional organized soccer franchise. In its first season of play, CFC Azul finished mid-table tied for 4th place with fellow expansion team
Worcester Hydra.
In 2013, CFC finished in 6th place with a record of 2 wins, 6 losses and 6 draws. In time for the start of the 2014 season, Peter D'Amico became the primary owner and managing partner of the Azul. Additionally, CFC teamed up with
WXCI 91.7 FM to broadcast play-by-play of Azul's home games.
The team split off from its Connecticut Football Club (CFC) parent and was renamed AC Connecticut on September 5, 2014.
In 2021, AC Connecticut announced a partnership with
Hartford Athletic
Hartford Athletic is an American professional soccer team based in Hartford, Connecticut. The club was founded in 2018 and started play in the USL Championship in 2019. It is the only pro soccer team in Connecticut.
History
On June 8, 2021, Ha ...
to identify potential players and create a pathway to pro soccer.
Stadium
The team was originally scheduled to play their home games at
Reese Stadium
Reese Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located on the campus of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. It is home to the Yale Bulldogs soccer and lacrosse teams. Reese Stadium is also the home of the Elm City Express
Elm City Express is ...
on the campus of
Yale University
Yale University is a Private university, private research university in New Haven, Connecticut. Established in 1701 as the Collegiate School, it is the List of Colonial Colleges, third-oldest institution of higher education in the United Sta ...
. However, due to scheduling conflicts, CFC Azul ended playing their 2012 home games at various locations throughout Connecticut including
Veterans Stadium
Veterans Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, at the northeast corner of Broad Street and Pattison Avenue, part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex. The seating capacities were 65,358 for foo ...
in
New Britain, CT
New Britain is a city in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. It is located approximately southwest of Hartford. According to 2020 Census, the population of the city is 74,135.
Among the southernmost of the communities encompassed wi ...
. For the 2013 season, CFC Azul played their home games at
Central Connecticut State University
Central Connecticut State University (Central Connecticut, CCSU, Central Connecticut State, or informally Central) is a public university in New Britain, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1849 as the State Normal School, CCSU is Connecticut ...
. CFC Azul signed a muti-year contract to play their games the Westside Athletic Complex at
Western Connecticut State University
Western Connecticut State University (WCSU and WestConn) is a public university in Danbury, Connecticut. It was founded in 1903 as a teacher's college and is part of the Connecticut State University System.
WCSU consists of four schools: the An ...
. AC Connecticut now plays their home games at
Dillion Stadium in
Hartford, CT the home of the
USL Championship
The USL Championship (USLC) is a professional men's soccer league in the United States that began its inaugural season in 2011. The USL is sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation (U.S. Soccer) as a Division II league since 2017, p ...
team, the
Hartford Athletic
Hartford Athletic is an American professional soccer team based in Hartford, Connecticut. The club was founded in 2018 and started play in the USL Championship in 2019. It is the only pro soccer team in Connecticut.
History
On June 8, 2021, Ha ...
. They also have facilities in
Newtown, CT
Newtown is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It is part of the Greater Danbury metropolitan area as well as the New York metropolitan area. Newtown was founded in 1705, and later incorporated in 1711. As of the 2020 cens ...
at
North Yarmouth Academy
North Yarmouth Academy (also known as "NYA") is an independent, co-ed, college preparatory day school serving students from early childhood education to postgraduate. NYA was founded in 1814, in what was then North Yarmouth, Maine, prior to the 184 ...
Sports & Fitness.
Year-by-year
Players and staff
Notable former players
*
Steve Covino
*
Ryan Kinne
*
Jannik Eckenrode
*
Gianluca Catalano
Gianluca Catalano (born May 6, 2000) is a Canadian soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for Vaughan Azzurri in League1 Ontario.
Youth career
He began playing soccer at age three with Kleinburg Nobleton SC. As a youth, he was a member of the ...
*
Henry Kessler
Current staff
* Robin Schuppert – General Manager
* Alex Harrison – Head Coach
* Joe Mingachos – Head Coach
* Joe Falstoe – Assistant Coach
* Sean Weir – Fitness Coach
* Paul Winstanley – Goalie Coach
See also
*
Hartford Athletic
Hartford Athletic is an American professional soccer team based in Hartford, Connecticut. The club was founded in 2018 and started play in the USL Championship in 2019. It is the only pro soccer team in Connecticut.
History
On June 8, 2021, Ha ...
References
External links
*
Soccer clubs in Connecticut
Sports in New Haven, Connecticut
2011 establishments in Connecticut
USL League Two teams
{{Connecticut-footyclub-stub