A Community‑Driven Club Takes Shape
A new professional men’s soccer team will take the field in 2028 on Long Island, competing in the USL League One circuit, after being co‑founded by 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup champion Sara Whalen Hess and youth soccer pioneer Glenn Schneider.
Whalen Hess, a Greenlawn native and Olympic silver medalist, will serve as the club’s president, drawing on her own journey from World Cup stardom to coaching to create a clear pathway for young players who have historically lacked professional opportunities on the Island.
Schneider, a Dix Hills native and founder of the successful SUSA FC academy, brings extensive experience in developing elite talent and will act as the principal owner, emphasizing a culture of winning, growth and community trust.
The club plans to operate out of Hofstra University and involve Long Islanders directly in shaping its identity through a series of community events, town‑hall meetings and outreach programs that invite fans to help define the team’s colors, crest and values.
USL League One President Lee O’Neill has highlighted the region’s rich youth soccer culture, expressing confidence that the new franchise will draw strong attendance and benefit from the league’s upcoming promotion/relegation structure, which rewards on‑field performance with movement between tiers.
Together, the leadership envisions a club that not only competes at a high level but also serves as a unifying force for the Island, fostering a sense of belonging and pride that extends beyond the pitch.