For decades now, the game of soccer which had been known as a sport that was germane to Europe, South America and the Middle East has been catching on here in the United States. Hence, the spread of the term “soccer mom” to describe a mother who is constantly taking her kids to soccer practice.
WABC Eyewitness News in New York reported that Queensboro FC, the newest professional men’s soccer team in Queens, has announced that CUNY’s York College will be home to New York City’s first stadium built specifically for soccer.
According to a report in the Sunnyside Post, the stadium will be built near the corner of 160th Street and Tuskegee Airmen Way in Jamaica with construction expected to begin over the summer. The stadium will have 7,500 seats and a turf playing surface, as was reported by WABC 7 News.
The new stadium will host Queensboro FC’s home games when it debuts in the United Soccer League (USL) Championship in the spring of 2022, as was reported by the Sunnyside Post. USL is the second tier of men’s professional soccer in the United States with Major League Soccer (MLS) being the top. Spanish coach Josep Gombau will manage the Queensboro FC first team.
Jonathan Krane, owner of Queensboro FC said, “Today is an exciting day for Queensboro FC. The announcement of our home stadium site at York College represents a bold new chapter for professional sports in New York City. More importantly, we are proud to deliver our QBFC fans a dedicated soccer specific venue, built by and for the Queens community, bringing us all together to celebrate the beautiful game.”
Soccer has gained tremendous traction in Queens as thousands of players gather every weekend at Flushing Meadows Corona Park to participate in the sport, according to the Eyewitness News report.
CUNY awarded QBFC the contract to construct and operate a stadium on the York College campus to support the university’s academic and athletic mission, as well as enhance the college experience for its students, create local jobs, grow neighborhood businesses and develop the surrounding area of Jamaica.
It’s supposed be completed in time for the professional men’s soccer team to play the 2022 season.
The stadium will allow for year-round sports, entertainment or other community events.
Fans can put down a $25 deposit for the first rights to buy season tickets.
