VSI Tampa Bay FC News Release -- www.vsi-fc.com
Thursday, April 4, 2013
TAMPA, Fla. -- VSI Tampa Bay FC is pleased to announce that it will play its 2013 USL PRO, W-League and PDL franchise soccer matches at Plant City Stadium.
At their recent meeting at City Hall, the City of Plant City Commissioners voted unanimously in favor of VSI Tampa Bay FC leasing Plant City Stadium for all its home USL franchise matches for the 2013 season.
The 6,700-seat stadium, which includes first-class facilities, will be converted to a soccer-specific stadium with additional seating that will further enclose the field to ensure a traditional soccer atmosphere.
VSI Tampa Bay FC will host its inaugural USL PRO home match on Saturday, April 13 at 7:30 p.m. ET against the Rochester Rhinos, with its PDL and W-League seasons set to open on Friday, May 17 against the Ocala Stampede and the Carolina Elite Cobras, respectively.
The entire City Commission and Mayor Michael S. Sparkman were excited about the economic impact and raised profile VSI Tampa Bay FC and USL will bring to Plant City, which is one of Florida’s fastest growing communities with easy access to interstate highways.
“This is already a tremendous facility and with the adjustments we are immediately undertaking, it will make the stadium a great place to host elite soccer matches,” VSI Director of Soccer Clay Roberts said. “We very much look forward to playing our first USL PRO match on Saturday April 13 against the Rochester Rhinos [7:30 PM ET].”
“We are thrilled to have VSI Tampa Bay FC coming to Plant City," said Plant City Mayor Michael Sparkman. "Soccer is such a growing sport, especially with the youth of today, and specifically here in Plant City. To be able to have one of our city stadium’s being used is wonderful and we know this partnership will bring great excitement within our community.”
“This agreement enables VSI to play its competitive USL franchise matches in an environment that is soccer friendly,” said John Mitchell, VSI Head of Operations, North America. “VSI would like to thank the mayor and commissioners of the City of Plant City for their support to our submission and we look forward to developing a long-term relationship with them as part of our overall soccer strategy in the US. This now enables VSI to fully focus on its other soccer projects including a main stadium development (28,888 seats) in the Tampa Bay area.”
For all inquiries, please contact info@vsi-fc.com.