League News

The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) is proud to announce that LSA Athletico Lanier

(Gainesville, GA) has joined the league as an expansion team. The club will begin competition

in the East Region’s Southeast Conference in 2020.

“We are thrilled to add LSA Athletico Lanier to our Southeast Conference,” NPSL Managing

Director Cindy Spera said. “Adding an NPSL team to an already robust youth program will set

them apart from the competition in the region. We are excited to bring this big news to our fans

and supporters in Georgia.”

LSA Athletico Lanier is led by Owner/GM Raul Menjivar.

“LSA offers the opportunity to start at the academy level and make it to the top team,” Menjivar

said. “We are focused on player development and the future of our players.”

Menjivar played soccer at LSA from U12-U19 and then joined the military, completing multiple

overseas tours over eight years in the U.S. Navy. He went on to attend the University of North

Georgia and Truett McConnell College. He has been working at LSA Academy for five years

and is currently coaching the U14 Development Academy team.

“LSA’s expectation is to come into the league and compete at the highest level,” Menjivar said.

“Making the playoffs in the first year would be a great accomplishment.”

Home matches for LSA Athletico Lanier will be played at Allen Creek Soccer Complex in

Gainesville, GA. The complex features nine fields and a 2,500-seat stadium.

“There has been a tremendous wave of excitement for the sport of soccer in this region of the

U.S.,” NPSL Director of Membership Development Dina Case concluded. “The strong support

in this region coupled with LSA Athletico Lanier’s affiliation with a well-established youth club

is a great recipe for success. We are confident that the club will be an asset to Southeast

Conference. And we are excited that they have decided to continue to build their brand in the

NPSL.”

More information about expansion opportunities in the NPSL can be found at