HARRISON, NJ (January 21, 2015) – The New York Red Bulls announced on Wednesday that the club has successfully acquired the rights to a USL PRO franchise and will begin play in 2015.

“We are proud about this important moment in the history of our organization,” said Sporting Director Ali Curtis. “This platform will integrate coaches, players and staff at all levels from the Academy, USL PRO and First Team as we are excited to start competing at the USL PRO level this season.

We are extremely committed to excellence as a club, investing in all areas of player development and providing a pathway such that our sporting operations have a more efficient opportunity to align tactically, technically and philosophically.”

“This is a great opportunity for us as a club to provide our younger players with a professional environment to compete in and develop into legitimate first team players,” said head coach Jesse Marsch. “Our commitment to youth development is very important to us and the addition of a USL PRO team strengthens that.”

USL PRO featured 14 teams in 2014, with that number having grown to 24 for the 2015 season. In addition to New York, the expansion teams for 2015 include: Austin, Charlotte, Colorado Springs, Louisville, Montreal, Portland, Salt Lake City, Saint Louis, Seattle, Toronto, Tulsa and Vancouver.

New York’s USL PRO team will train out of the club’s training facility in Hanover, New Jersey. Additional information on club name, coaching staff, venue for home matches and tickets will be released at a later date.