VSI Tampa Bay FC (W-League)

VSI Tampa Bay FC was an American women's soccer team based in Plant City, Florida, that played in the United Soccer Leagues USL W-League from 2012 to 2013. The team was owned by VisionPro Sports Institute and was affiliated with the VSI Tampa Bay FC professional men's team in USL Pro, the VSI Tampa Bay FC amateur men's team in the USL Premier Development League (PDL), and the youth team in the Super-20 League.[1] All the teams folded after the 2013 season.

VSI Tampa Bay FC (W-League)
Full nameVisionPro Sports Institute Tampa Bay Football Club
Nickname(s)Flames
Founded2011
Dissolved2013
GroundPlant City Stadium
Plant City, Florida
Capacity6,700
General ManagerUnited States Alex Miranda
Head CoachUnited States George Fotopoulos
LeagueUSL W-League
20135th, Southeast Division
Websitehttp://www.vsi-flames.com/index.php/usl-w-league

History

edit

The VSI Tampa Flames were established in 2011 as part of a broader move by the English football development academy, VisionPro Sports Institute, to build a foundation for youth and professional soccer in the United States. VSI partnered with the local Brandon, Florida, area youth soccer organization, West Florida Flames, to build "the perfect platform for vertical progression, giving talented youngsters the opportunity to progress from junior soccer all the way through to the professional game," according to VSI's CEO, Simon Crane.[1]

The USL W-League Team started play in 2012. The PDL Team finished with a record of 3 Wins, 7 Losses and 2 Ties. The team played their matches at JC Handly Sports Complex.[2]

On November 22, 2012, the team's parent club changed its name to "VSI Tampa Bay FC" and the W-League team followed suit. The team folded after the 2013 season.

Record

edit

Year-by-year

edit
Year Division League Regular Season Playoffs
2012 4 W-League 4th, Southeast Division Did not qualify
2013 4 W-League 5th, Southeast Division Did not qualify

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "VisionPro Academy Headed to Tampa". United Soccer Leagues (USL). November 16, 2011. Archived from the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  2. ^ "VSL Tampa Flames PDL Page". United Soccer Leagues (USL). August 4, 2012. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved August 14, 2012.