AC Connecticut

AC Connecticut
Full name AC Connecticut
Founded 2011
Stadium Westside Athletic Complex
Danbury, Connecticut
Ground Capacity 2,500
Majority Owner Peter D'Amico
General Manager Robin Schuppert
League Premier Development League
2016 6th, Northeast Division
Playoffs: DNQ
Website Club home page

AC Connecticut FC is an American amateur soccer team based in Newtown, Connecticut, playing in the Northeast Division of the USL Premier Development League (PDL), the fourth tier of the American soccer pyramid. The team colors are blue, black and white.

History

Logo used during the CFC Azul years

CFC Azul was founded as a USL PDL team on December 21, 2011, and launched its inaugural season in 2012. The club is the pinnacle for a 70-plus youth team organization and is Connecticut's only professional organized soccer franchise.[1] In its first season of play, CFC Azul finished mid-table tied for 4th place with fellow expansion team Worcester Hydra.

In 2013, CFC finished in 6th place with a record of 2 wins, 6 losses and 6 draws.[2] In time for the start of the 2014 season, Peter D'Amico became the primary owner and managing partner of the Azul.[3] Additionally, CFC teamed up with WXCI 91.7 FM to broadcast play-by-play of Azul's home games.[4]

The team split off from its Connecticut Football Club (CFC) parent and was renamed AC Connecticut on September 5, 2014.[5][6]

Stadium

The team was originally scheduled to play their home games at Reese Stadium on the campus of Yale University. However, due to scheduling conflicts, CFC Azul ended playing their 2012 home games at various locations throughout Connecticut including Veterans Stadium in New Britain, CT. For the 2013 season, CFC Azul played their home games at Central Connecticut State University. CFC Azul signed a muti-year contract to play their games the Westside Athletic Complex at Western Connecticut State University.[7]

Year-by-year

Year Division League Reg. Season Playoffs Open Cup
2012 4 USL PDL 5th, Northeast Did not qualify Did not qualify
2013 4 USL PDL 6th, Northeast Did not qualify Did not qualify
2014 4 USL PDL 2nd, Northeast Conference Semifinals Did not qualify
2015 4 USL PDL 4th, Northeast Did not qualify 1st Round
2016 4 USL PDL 6th, Northeast Did not qualify Did not qualify

Players and Staff

Current roster

As of June 15, 2015.[8]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
0 United States GK Stephen Sasso
1 United States GK Tucker Hackett
2 New Zealand DF Ashton Pett
3 England DF James Randall
4 United States DF Adrian Lekaj
5 United States DF Sean Weir
6 United States DF Shane Recklet
7 United States MF Frederick Metellus
8 United States MF Giorgi Mandzulashvili
9 United States FW Reco McLaren
10 Brazil MF Miguel Carneiro
11 United States MF Durval Pereira
12 United States FW Daniel Baccielo
No. Position Player
13 United States MF Zach Zurita
14 United States DF David Barna
15 United States MF Jannik Eckenrode
16 United States DF Trevor Alexander
17 United States FW Stanley Sandoval
19 United States FW Raphael Moura
20 Brazil MF Junior Cordeiro
21 United States MF Jake Zuniga
22 Brazil DF Vinicius Lelis
23 United States MF Raphael Carvalho
24 United States FW Nicholas Zuniga
25 Japan MF Mark Grant
26 United States FW David Abunaw

Notable former players

Current staff

  • Germany Robin Schuppert - General Manager
  • England Shaun Bailey - Head Coach
  • England Alex Harrison - Assistant Coach
  • England Antony Howard - Assistant Coach
  • United States Joe Mingachos - Assistant Coach
  • United States Sean Weir - Fitness Coach
  • United States Drew Esposito - Goalie Coach

References

  1. "Connecticut FC Azul Joins USL PDL". United Soccer Leagues (USL). 11 January 2012. Archived from the original on 20 October 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
  2. "PDL 2013 standings". Archived from the original on 6 September 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  3. "CFC Soccer to be based at Westconn". 7 July 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  4. "WXCI 91.7 FM to broadcast Azul home games". 19 June 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  5. "AC Connecticut Unveils New Name, Logo". United Soccer Leagues (USL). September 5, 2014. Archived from the original on September 10, 2014. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  6. "CFC AZUL CHANGES NAME TO A.C. CONNECTICUT". AC Connecticut. September 5, 2014. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  7. "Azul, WCSU Reach Agreement". United Soccer Leagues (USL). March 18, 2014. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  8. "AC Connecticut - Men's PDL". Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  9. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-03-31. Retrieved 2012-03-27.
  10. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on March 31, 2012. Retrieved March 27, 2012.
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