TAMPA, Fla. – USL League One’s inaugural season produced a spectacular opening weekend filled with historic firsts as soccer fans welcomed the new USSF-sanctioned Division III league to the North American landscape in solid numbers across four contests.

After a sellout crowd for League One’s inaugural contest between South Georgia Tormenta FC and Greenville Triumph SC on Friday night, the league drew almost 12,000 fans overall to its opening weekend. Those fans were treated to exciting action, including a remarkable opening bow from one of the U.S. Youth National Team program’s top players.

North Texas SC 16-year-old Ricardo Pepi recorded the first hat trick in League One history on Saturday night as he led his side to a 3-2 victory against Chattanooga Red Wolves SC at Toyota Stadium, making the biggest impression on the field of the opening weekend.