Greenville FC: Pro soccer is coming to Greenville next summer

Greenville will add soccer to its professional sports scene next year with Greenville FC, the latest expansion team for the National Premier Soccer League.

The league, which began in 2003, now has nearly 100 clubs that compete in four regions and 14 conferences.

Greenville, the only team in the state, will compete in the Southeast Conference of the South region and will face clubs from North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Louisiana. Team officials anticipate a rivalry developing with Asheville City Soccer Club.

The regular season begins in May and runs through June, with playoffs running into August.

The Elm City Express, from New Haven, Connecticut, won the national championship this season.

Club president Marco Carrizales said the goal is to build a team that Greenville and the Upstate can call its own.

“As a first-year club, Greenville FC’s expectations both on and off the field are very high, but we remain realistic and will stop at nothing to build a club that is competitive, sustainable and representative of the entire Greenville and Upstate community,” he said.

Carrizales, a Furman University soccer alum, is part of the ownership group along with his brother Richard Carrizales II and their father, Richard Carrizales Sr.

He said they applied to join NPSL to bring something new to the Greenville community.

"Our main focus is to have a high-level team that can represent the Greenville area," Carrizales said. "Being a former player I've seen the talent in this area, but it has not had the platform to showcase it. That is one thing we aim to do."

Tryouts will be held in February or March. Announcements about the team's home field and coaching staff are expected soon.

"We have received a ton of inquiries, and we are talking to individuals," Carrizales said. "There is no timetable of when we want to announce a hire, but sooner rather than later."

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