FutbolUSA (FUSA), Las Vegas, announced March 4 that it is launching a 32-team, two-division professional soccer league that will begin play in September 2015.
FUSA will specifically target Hispanic and Latino amateur players for its teams, and plans to recruit more than 700 players at four regional tryouts and combines that will be held in June.
“The language barrier, registration costs, the U.S. youth soccer pay-to-play model, and professional recruitment almost exclusively from colleges are the main factors that keep some of the best Hispanic and Latino players from playing professional soccer,” says Miguel Perez, director of futbol operations. “While FUSA is an unprecedented opportunity for amateur Hispanic and Latino players to turn pro and get paid to play the sport they love, FUSA is also open to players of all races, ethnicities, language preferences and national origin.”
FUSA will begin selling 16 Liga Primera (Division 1) and 16 Liga Nacional (Division 2) teams in 16 cities across the Southwest in its attempt to tap into Hispanic and Latino markets.
“FUSA will be a Hispanic and Latino community resource infused with cultural pride that provides homegrown entertainment and opportunity,” Perez says.
For additional information, visit futbolusa.com. — J.B.