USL Long Island, LLC has been awarded a United Soccer League franchise that will see a professional men’s soccer team take the field in the 2028 season, adding to the growing footprint of USL League One across the United States.
The club will call James M. Shuart Stadium at Hofstra University in Hempstead, Long Island, its home ground, leveraging the university’s facilities and historic connection to the sport.
A Home in Hempstead
Ownership of the new franchise is anchored by two seasoned soccer professionals: Glenn Schneider, who previously served as chief executive of US Nutrition and founded SUSA FC, and Sara Whalen Hess, a former U.S. Women’s National Team member and Olympic silver‑medalist.
From the outset, the organization has pledged to involve the community in shaping the team’s identity, inviting fans to participate in listening sessions, interviews and online polls that will help define the club’s culture and branding.
Hofstra University has voiced strong support for the partnership, emphasizing its role in nurturing Long Island’s rich soccer tradition and providing a platform for the next generation of athletes.
The franchise will join existing Northeast rivals such as Westchester SC and the New York Cosmos within League One, a division that currently comprises 17 clubs and plans to welcome additional teams in 2027.
Beyond competition, the club’s vision centers on creating a professional soccer pathway that fosters community engagement, belonging and opportunity for players, families, volunteers and fans alike.