Club News

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (September 24, 2025) – Fort Lauderdale United FC is proud to announce the addition of USMNT and Mönchengladbach soccer star Giovanni “Gio” Reyna to the club’s ownership group. This strategic partnership, led by club owner Tommy Smith, brings a prominent American and international figure into the club’s ownership and elevates the franchise’s valuation to a remarkable $55 million.

The investment comes as Fort Lauderdale United prepares to launch its men’s team at the start of the 2026 season, building momentum from its women’s program and Academy teams.

Recognized as one of America’s brightest young talents, Gio Reyna has an impressive list of accomplishments in his young career. He became the youngest player in Bundesliga history to reach 50 appearances with Borussia Dortmund and is the youngest goal scorer in the German Cup (DFB-Pokal). On the international stage, Reyna has been a key player for the U.S. Men’s National Team, winning three CONCACAF Nations League titles. He debuted for the USMNT a day before his 18th birthday and was named the 2020 U.S. Young Male Player of the Year.

“We are incredibly proud to welcome Gio Reyna to the Fort Lauderdale United family,” said Smith. “This investment not only reflects our club’s immense potential but also solidifies our position in the American soccer landscape. With our strong youth program and state-of-the-art facilities, we are proud of our ability to create signature professional pathway on both the men’s and women’s sides. Our franchise valuation of $55 million is a testament to the hard work of our entire organization.”

Reyna shared his excitement about joining the club. “What truly sold me on Fort Lauderdale United was the ownership group’s comprehensive vision. They’re not just creating two professional teams; they’re building a complete ecosystem for player development, from the youth level all the way to the pros. Combining that with the fantastic South Florida location and state-of-the-art facilities, it became clear this was a perfect opportunity to not only invest in the club’s success but also to help develop the future of American soccer.”

Hassan Pinto, one of the club’s investors, highlighted the group’s ability to attract top-tier talent. “As a professional sporting organization, we have everything right here in Fort Lauderdale to attract world-class players,” Pinto stated. “Getting a star like Gio Reyna to invest in Fort Lauderdale United further validates our mission of becoming a shining light in the development of soccer in the United States.” Pinto was a member of US Soccer’s Olympic Development Program with Reyna’s father, three-time NCAA champion Claudio Reyna, and attended UNC with Reyna’s mother, Danielle, a four-time national champion with UNC and a former member of the USWNT.

The addition of Reyna as an investor is a powerful endorsement of Fort Lauderdale’s vision and its commitment to fostering soccer talent. His experience on the American youth soccer scene, combined with his significant exposure at the elite levels of international football, will provide invaluable insight and a global perspective to the club’s development strategies.

About Fort Lauderdale United

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. Fort Lauderdale United FC fields two professional soccer teams: a women’s team in the Division One Gainbridge Super League, a USL property, and a men’s USL League One team (arriving in 2026). The club also operates men’s and women’s pre-professional teams in USL League Two and the USL W League, respectively. Additionally, it oversees a Youth Academy that, together with its girls’ volleyball programs, serves more than 1,300 young athletes – providing a direct pathway to the professional level on both the men’s and women’s soccer sides while deepening its community impact. For more information, please visit www.ftlutd.com or follow @FTLUTD on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Twitter.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (August 26, 2025) — World Sevens Football is back — and this time, it’s coming to the U.S.! After an unforgettable debut in Portugal in May, the fast-paced women’s 7v7 series lands in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from December 5-7, 2025, at Beyond Bancard Field, home of Fort Lauderdale United FC. Fans can expect three days of electrifying football, global professional stars, and a jaw-dropping $5 million on the line.

The kickoff tournament in Estoril, Portugal set the tone, bringing together clubs like Bayern München, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, and Benfica, with world-class players including Phallon Tullis-Joyce, Pernille Harder, Kerolin Nicoli, Ella Toone, and Lily Yohannes. Bayern took home the first title, but the real winner were the fans who took in shorter matches, nonstop energy, and goals galore. With an average of 11 goals every 90 minutes, plus music, live content, and global streaming via DAZN, W7F proved it is high-octane football built for today’s fans.

Now, the stage shifts to Florida—where some of the world’s best clubs will battle it out, and a new W7F champion will be crowned. “This isn’t just a tournament, it’s a movement,” said Head of Football, Adrian Jacob. “Now, we’re building on that momentum and in advanced conversations with some of the top clubs across the Americas, all truly eager to be part of World Sevens.”

Beyond the pitch, W7F is driven by a bigger mission: growing the women’s game, creating opportunities for players, and inspiring the next generation. From community programs to player-led advisory councils, the series is built with athletes and fans at the heart. As Co-Founder Jennifer Mackesy put it: “The response to our first event exceeded our expectations – world-class players and clubs, an electrifying format, and content that gives fans a real, authentic connection to the athletes. And who doesn’t want to be in Florida in December, watching some of the best athletes in the world light up the pitch?”

Fans can stream every match live and for free on DAZN. Ticket and club announcements are coming soon—but one thing’s already certain: Fort Lauderdale is set to host one of the most exciting weekends in women’s football history.

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For more details and information, visit worldsevensfootball.com
Media contact: media@worldsevens.com 

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About World Sevens Football

World Sevens Football (W7F) is a global 7v7 women’s football series that debuted in May 2025 with a successful event in Estoril, Portugal. Featuring fast-paced seven-a-side matches and a $5 million prize pool per tournament, W7F brings together top professional clubs in an exciting new format. The next tournament will take place in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in December 2025, continuing W7F’s rapid expansion to major football destinations. Guided by a distinguished Player Advisory Council and in partnership with DAZN for global broadcast, W7F is committed to elevating women’s football and providing unique opportunities for players and fans worldwide.

Fort Lauderdale, FL (January 22, 2025) – Fort Lauderdale United FC (FTL UTD) is pleased to announce the closing of a seven-figure investment from Future Sporting Ventures (FSV). Future Sporting Ventures will work to accelerate the growth of Fort Lauderdale United Holdings, LLC, inclusive of all clubs, stadiums, practice fields, concessions, merchandise, concerts and ancillary events. 

FSV is a diverse owned and operated investment group that consults with and invests in privately held sports franchises and sports technology companies. FSV is led by Managing Partner, Akinwole Garrett, a media and entertainment executive with twenty years of corporate development, business development, strategy and management experience. The FSV team includes Hassan and Meleata Pinto, long time business owners and parents of Hassan Jr., who works for US Soccer, Brianna, who plays for the NC Courage (NWSL) and Malik, who plays for the Colorado Rapids (MLS), respectively; Ian Burris, an accomplished North Carolina restauranteur and semi-professional soccer player with AC Raleigh of the UPSL; in addition to business executives Terry Hsiao, Joshua Moore, Donald Thompson, Sheela John and others.

“FSV is excited to invest in FTL UTD and contribute to the growth of women’s soccer and women’s sports in the United States. We are committed to fostering a culture of passion, excellence and winning, ensuring that every aspect of Fort Lauderdale United Holdings, LLC —from player development to fan engagement—is executed with the highest standards,” says Garrett. “Our mission is to ensure that the FTL UTD brand becomes the cornerstone of sports and entertainment in South Florida.”

“The team at Future Sporting Ventures is coming in with deep expertise in sports, entertainment and community engagement and to help take  Fort Lauderdale United Holdings to the next level,” says CEO Tommy Smith. “”We share a unified vision of establishing FTL UTD as the premier entertainment brand in South Florida within the next 5-10 years.”

About Fort Lauderdale United FC

Formed in 2023, Fort Lauderdale United FC is a Division 1 professional women’s soccer team based in South Florida. Empowering talent and forging opportunities, our club stands as a beacon, committed to nurturing players and unifying the community under the banner of soccer. Through our dedication to excellence both on and off the field and an unwavering pursuit of success, we aim to redefine the path to professional soccer, ensuring that passion meets opportunity. Committed to empowering athletes and inspiring the next generation, Fort Lauderdale United FC strives to promote a culture of inclusivity, athletic prowess, and community engagement. For more information, visit Fort Lauderdale United FC.