Niagara Falls, April 12th, 2012 – The Niagara United Soccer Club is very pleased to announce that it will field a men’s first division Canadian Soccer League (CSL) team. Playing in the CSL’s first division will elevate the Niagara United squad to a professional level in the Canadian soccer pyramid, shared by only 15 other communities in Canada.

The CSL is Canada’s only Professional Soccer League, which has been in existence for over 80 years. The league is in direct membership with the Canadian Soccer Association, which is the governing body of soccer in this country. The CSL has a mandate through the Association to expand countrywide. The CSL is made up of 16 First Division teams including Toronto FC Academy, Montreal Impact Academy, Toronto Croatia, York Region Shooters, Mississauga Eagles FC, Brampton City United, North York Astros, London City, St. Catharines Roma Wolves, Niagara United SC, Brantford Galaxy, Kingston FC, SC Waterloo, Windsor Stars, Serbian White Eagles, and SC Toronto. There is also a second division made up of 14 teams.

The CSL is also planning the development of Youth Academy Program for boys divisions U11, U13, U15, and U20. The CSL feels it has an obligation to the development of the game across the country. The creation of youth development teams will develop future CSL players as well as players for our Canadian National Team Program. “The awarding of a franchise to the city of Niagara Falls is an important step in the expansion plans of the CSL. We are delighted this is now in the hands of an organization with a long and proven record for player and skill development.” said Vincent Ursini, Chairman of the CSL

The Niagara United Soccer Club (NUSC) was founded in 1973 as an incorporated non-profit organization. Over the last 39 years Niagara United has become one of the largest soccer clubs in the Niagara Region with over 1300 youth and adult participants. The Club’s mission has always been to “promote soccer awareness and development opportunities in partnership with local government and the global soccer community.” The Club has recently added a $1.5 million FIFA approved turf field and a state of the art clubhouse. “This is a very exciting time for NUSC, and we are proud of our affiliation with the CSL. This will provide us yet another avenue to continue improving our player development program, and give our membership an opportunity to reach a professional level.” says Donna Mantesso NUSC President.

With the addition of the men’s CSL team NUSC’s soccer facilities will receive many upgrades that will include the addition of 500-700 new stadium seats and field delineators. Niagara United SC will play its CSL first division inaugural home game on Saturday May 26th at 7pm. All home games will be played at the Kalar Sports Park, 6775 Kalar Rd.

Do you have the trivia smarts to take home the prize?  Niagara United will be hosting our first annual trivia night this coming April 13th, 2012.  Buy your tickets as an individual or as a team.  All proceeds will go directly to our club, and will help keep are membership fees the lowest in Niagara Falls.

Niagara United Soccer Club is currently accepting registrations for our 2012 outdoor season.  Registration is open for boys, girls, men, and women.  Our youth house league program accepts boys and girls ages 3 through 18.  Our adult program is open to men and women 19 years and older.  For more information please click here.  Online registration is available 24/7 through our members zone.  Registration can also be done in person at our Kalar Sports Park club house during walk in sessions.  These walk in sessions will be posted on our homepage, and updated regularly.  More information will become available about days, and times of play for each age group as we get closer to the start of the season.  If you have any questions please contact us.