~ Fort Lauderdale now has complete pathways to pro on both the men’s and women’s sides ~
Fort Lauderdale, Florida (April 29, 2025) – At a community town hall last night, the United Soccer League (USL) and Fort Lauderdale United FC (FTL UTD) announced the launch of a USL League One professional men’s soccer team starting next year. With this addition, Fort Lauderdale United FC has established complete pathways to the pros on both the men’s and women’s sides.
Video: FTL UTD + USL Town Hall | Men’s Pro Team, Completion of Pathways Announced
“When I started this club a couple of years ago, the vision was to develop a true pathway to the pros for girls and boys,” said Tommy Smith, Fort Lauderdale United Founder and Chairman. “Growing up as a parent in youth soccer culture, I knew we wanted Fort Lauderdale United to be a unique club with clear standards that does things the right way, like the best leagues in the world. Adding a USL League One professional men’s soccer team next year, to compete alongside our USL Super League professional women’s soccer team, is a significant step toward achieving that goal.”
Video: Vision for the Future | FTL UTD: A Club Born for Greatness
Fort Lauderdale United FC currently fields a team in the USL Super League, a USSF Division One-sanctioned women’s professional league, and has continued to grow both on and off the pitch. In addition to its plans to launch a professional men’s team, the club will field men’s pre-professional and women’s pre-professional teams in USL League Two and the USL W League, respectively, this summer.
Last week, the club announced Sharon Lacey as its new Chief Executive Officer, responsible for all men’s and women’s operations. Lacey joins at a pivotal time for the club as it continues to expand at all levels and build Fort Lauderdale United FC into South Florida’s premier soccer destination.
“This is a historic day for Fort Lauderdale United as we continue to strategically execute on our ambitious vision and mission. The addition of a USL League One professional men’s soccer team, along with the launch of our women’s reserve team, will establish a complete pathway to pro pipeline for both boys and girls – providing tremendous opportunities for young people and their families,” said Sharon Lacey, Fort Lauderdale United FC CEO. “In fact, our unique pathway to pro for girls doesn’t exist anywhere else in South Florida.”
Infographic: FTL UTD Girls USL Academy League Pathway to Pro
Infographic: FTL UTD Women’s Reserve
“Fort Lauderdale United FC has made a positive impact on the South Florida soccer community, and with the addition of a USL League One team, the club is poised for even greater growth,” said Justin Papadakis, USL Deputy CEO and Chief Real Estate Officer.” With a new proven CEO, a dynamic leadership team, and the strong inaugural season of their professional women’s team, the club has shown its commitment to building a community-driven soccer culture. As they prepare to launch their men’s professional team, the combination of a dedicated fanbase, new stadium, and a clear vision positions Fort Lauderdale United FC for long-term success.”
Infographic: FTL UTD Boys USL Academy League Pathway to Pro
(l-r) Thiago Oliveira, Tommy Smith, Sharon Lacey, Justin Papadakis, and Gabriel Marcelo Neveleff
Nova Southeastern University AutoNation Center for the Arts
About United Soccer League
Founded in 1986, the United Soccer League (USL) is the largest and fastest-growing soccer organization in the United States, impacting more than 200 communities nationwide. The USL is the first and only organization to offer a comprehensive youth-to-professional pathway for both men and women under one ecosystem. This structure includes four men’s leagues: the newly announced, top-tier professional Division I league, the USL Championship (Division II), USL League One (Division III), and USL League Two (pre-professional). The women’s pathway includes the top-tier USL Super League (Division I), which debuted in 2024, and USL W League, the country’s leading pre-professional women’s league. The USL also oversees USL Academy, a progressive talent development platform, and USL Youth, a premier national youth platform.
About Fort Lauderdale United FC
Relentlessly striving for greatness at every level – from nurturing our youth talent to embodying the enduring values of Fort Lauderdale – our club stands as a beacon of global competition, unifying our community under the banner of soccer. Through our dedication to excellence both on and off the pitch, and our unwavering pursuit of success, we create a pathway from aspiring youth to professional mastery, ensuring that passion meets opportunity. For more information, please visit www.ftlutd.com or follow @FTLUTD on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Twitter.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
United Soccer League
Laura Fontanills, laura.fontanills@uslsoccer.com
Fort Lauderdale United FC