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Lane United FC

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Lane United Football Club
Full nameLane United Football Club
Nickname(s)The Reds
Founded2013
GroundWillamalane Center, Springfield, Oregon
Capacity1,000
OwnerRedside Sports, LLC
(Frank Nakatsuma; Joseph Hawes; Dave Elmore)
Managing DirectorDavid J. Galas
Sporting Director/
Head Coach		John R. Galas
LeagueUSL Premier Development League
20148th, Northwest Div.
Websitehttp://www.laneunitedfc.com

Lane United FC is an American soccer club based in Eugene. Founded in 2013, the team currently plays in the USL Premier Development League, the fourth tier of the American soccer pyramid.

History

2013

Lane United was admitted into the USL PDL on July 18, 2013.[1] To raise local interest in the club, a team was quickly assembled for two friendlies during the late summer of 2013. The first match, held at South Eugene High School on 18 July saw the Reds lose to the Portland Timbers U23s, 0-3. The club then went on to earn its first victory against Southern Oregon Fuego 4-0 at Sheldon High School on 23 August, with midfielder Loren Hill notching the club's first-ever goal.[2][3][4]

2014

In early 2014, the club entered into an agreement to use the Willamalane Center in Springfield, Oregon as a home field through 2016. Construction on a new playing surface and grandstand began soon after the announcement.[5] Lane United also announced a three-year kit sponsorship with Oakshire Brewing, a local brewery based in the Whiteaker neighborhood of Eugene.[6] The club slowly added commitments from college players and eventually finished out the 2014 roster with signings from open tryouts in April.[7]

The season opened on 16 May against Seattle Sounders FC U-23, with Lane United earning its first league win on a goal from Connor Bevans.[8] The Reds earned subsequent good home results against the Washington Crossfire and the Puget Sound Gunners before falling into a skid, losing all six games in the month of June. The club seemingly regained momentum with a late draw against Timbers U23s on 1 June, but suffered narrow defeats against Vancouver Whitecaps U-23s, Victoria Highlanders, and Timbers in the final three games of the league season.[9] Lane United finished off the season with a home exhibition match against Vancouver Victory of the Evergreen Premier League, which the Reds won comfortably, 2-0.[10]

Lane United finished with eight points on the season, good for last place in the Northwest Division of the PDL.[11]

In December, Lane United was awarded PDL Rookie Franchise of the Year at the United Soccer Leagues Annual General Meeting.[12]

Crest and Colors

Club Emblems

The crest is a traditional circular badge design, with the club name wrapped around a central embelem. Inside the circle is the red image of a fir tree, which can be found in abundance throughout the Pacific Northwest. Below the tree are three red lines representing the Willamette River, the major waterway that flows between Eugene and Springfield. Underneath the imagery lies the number 2013, signifying the club's founding date.

The traditional home kit is a red shirt and socks with white shorts, the source of the club's nickname. On away days the club may wear a white shirt, but prefers to play in red when possible. Lane United wears a simplified version of the crest on its shirts, featuring the tree and three lines alone. The letters "LUFC" underline the embelem.

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors

Period Kit manufacturer Shirt partner
2013 Adidas Ninkasi Brewing Company
2014-Present Oakshire Brewing

Grounds

After playing at two different high schools during the summer of 2013, the club entered into an agreement with Willamalane Parks and Recreation District to play at the Willamalane Center in Springfield through the 2016 season. The spartan facilities include a FieldTurf playing surface, metal grandstand with seating for approximately 1,000 spectators, and permanent outdoor field lighting.

Lane United is a member of the Eugene Civic Alliance, a consortium of local community groups and businesses that seek to acquire and renovate Civic Stadium in south Eugene. Previously home to the Eugene Emeralds, the Civic Alliance wishes to modernize the ground for use by Lane United Football Club and add a fieldhouse for use by a local youth sports organization.[13] Club officials have stated the need for a home venue with a higher attendance capacity in order to grow the club and eventually join the United Soccer League as a fully professional side.

Support

By September 2013, an independent supporters group had formed, known as the Red Aces [1]. The group achieved non-profit status and were subsequently granted a small ownership stake in the club itself.[14] Aside from supporting the team during games, the Red Aces are advocates for the renovation of Civic Stadium in Eugene.[15]

On matchdays, the Red Aces can be found at the south end of the Willamalane Center grandstand, displaying tifo and encouraging a raucous atmosphere.[16]

Ownership

The club is owned by Redside Sports, LLC, a limited liability company formed in the summer of 2013 to finance the franchise. The chief stakeholders in the group are: David G. Elmore, owner of the Eugene Emeralds and several other minor-league sports teams in the American West, and local businessmen Frank Nakatsuma and Joe Hawes. Several minority shareholders and the Red Aces supporters group also control the LLC.[1]

Players

Current Squad

As of 22 February 2015[17]

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
- DF United States USA Brenden Anderson
- DF United States USA Matt Arbogast
- MF Spain ESP Josep Balodví
- GK United States USA Matt Bersano
- FW United States USA Jordan Jones
- GK United States USA Chris Lowrimore
- FW United States USA Timothy Mueller
- DF United States USA Casey Phillips
- MF United States USA Devonte Small
- DF United States USA Daley Stevens
- DF Netherlands NED Dirk van der Velde
- FW United States USA Rolando Velazquez

Personnel

Current technical staff

As of 22 February 2015[18]
Position Name
Managing Director United States Dave Galas
Sporting Director/Head Coach United States John Galas
Assistant Coach United States Conner Cappelletti
Media Coordinator United States Chris Burke
Community Outreach United States Jess Sunio

Year-by-year

Year Division League Regular Season Playoffs Open Cup
2014 4 USL PDL 8th, Northwest Did not qualify Did not qualify


References

  1. ^ a b "Lane United FC Joins PDL". United Soccer Leagues (USL). July 18, 2013. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  2. ^ "Lane United FC goes pro by joining U-23 Premier Development League". Eugene Register-Guard. July 19, 2013. Retrieved October 10, 2013. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ "Lane United FC Gets Pivotal First Win, 4-0 Over Southern Oregon Fuego FC". Eugene Daily News. August 24, 2013. Retrieved October 10, 2013. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ "Lane United FC Win First Game Ever; 4-0". LaneToday.com. August 23, 2013. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
  5. ^ http://www.laneunitedfc.com/blog/2014/1/willamalane
  6. ^ "Lane United FC announces three-year partnership with Oakshire Brewing". Lane United FC. February 11, 2014. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  7. ^ "Players". Lane United FC. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  8. ^ "Lane United opens with win". Eugene Register-Guard. May 17, 2014. Retrieved July 28, 2014. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ "Lane United FC - 2014 Results". Lane United FC. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  10. ^ "Lane United FC 2, Vancouver Victory 0". Lane United FC. July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 28, 2014. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ "2014 Standings". Premier Development League. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  12. ^ "USL Honors Outstanding Teams, Executives" (Press release). Retrieved 2014-12-29.
  13. ^ "Eugene officials ready to close Civic Stadium deal". The Register-Guard. 26 February 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  14. ^ http://www.laneunitedfc.com/red-aces
  15. ^ "YMCA and soccer boosters rally in support of stadium plans". The Register-Guard. January 19, 2014. Retrieved January 21, 2014.
  16. ^ "Red Aces". Lane United FC. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  17. ^ "2015 Roster". laneunitedfc.com. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
  18. ^ "Personnel". laneunitedfc.com. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
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