AC Connecticut

AC Connecticut
Full nameAC Connecticut
Founded2011; 13 years ago (2011)
StadiumDillon Stadium
Capacity5,500
Majority OwnerPeter D'Amico
General ManagerRobin Schuppert
LeagueUSL League Two
20245th, Northeast Division
Playoffs: DNQ
Websitehttp://acconnecticut.com

AC Connecticut is an American amateur soccer team based in Newtown, Connecticut, playing in USL League Two, the fourth tier of the American soccer pyramid. The team colors are blue, black and white.

History

CFC Azul was founded as a USL PDL team on December 21, 2011, and launched its inaugural season in 2012. The club is the pinnacle for a 70-plus youth team organization and is Connecticut's only professional organized soccer franchise.[1] In its first season of play, CFC Azul finished mid-table tied for 4th place with fellow expansion team Worcester Hydra.

In 2013, CFC finished in 6th place with a record of 2 wins, 6 losses and 6 draws.[2] In time for the start of the 2014 season, Peter D'Amico became the primary owner and managing partner of the Azul.[3] Additionally, CFC teamed up with WXCI 91.7 FM to broadcast play-by-play of Azul's home games.[4]

The team split off from its Connecticut Football Club (CFC) parent and was renamed AC Connecticut on September 5, 2014.[5][6]

In 2021, AC Connecticut announced a partnership with Hartford Athletic to identify potential players and create a pathway to pro soccer.[7]

Stadium

The team was originally scheduled to play their home games at Reese Stadium on the campus of Yale University. However, due to scheduling conflicts, CFC Azul ended playing their 2012 home games at various locations throughout Connecticut including Veterans Stadium in New Britain, CT. For the 2013 season, CFC Azul played their home games at Central Connecticut State University. CFC Azul signed a multi-year contract to play their games the Westside Athletic Complex at Western Connecticut State University.[8] AC Connecticut now plays their home games at Dillon Stadium in Hartford, CT the home of the USL Championship team, the Hartford Athletic. They also have facilities in Newtown, CT at Newtown Youth Academy. [9]

Year-by-year

Year Level League Reg. Season Playoffs U.S. Open Cup
CFC Azul
2012 4 USL PDL 5th, Northeast did not qualify did not qualify
2013 4 USL PDL 6th, Northeast did not qualify did not qualify
2014 4 USL PDL 2nd, Northeast Conference Semifinals did not qualify
AC Connecticut
2015 4 USL PDL 4th, Northeast did not qualify 1st Round
2016 4 USL PDL 6th, Northeast did not qualify did not qualify
2017 4 USL PDL 6th, Northeast did not qualify did not qualify
2018 4 USL PDL 5th, Northeast did not qualify did not qualify
2019 4 USL League Two 8th, Northeast did not qualify did not qualify
2020 Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021 4 USL League Two 6th, Northeast did not qualify did not qualify
2022 4 USL League Two 7th, Northeast did not qualify did not qualify
2023 4 USL League Two 7th, Northeast did not qualify did not qualify
2024 4 USL League Two 5th, Northeast did not qualify did not qualify

Players and staff

Notable former players

Current staff

  • Germany Robin Schuppert – General Manager
  • England Alex Harrison – Head Coach
  • United States Joe Mingachos – Head Coach
  • United States Joe Falstoe – Assistant Coach
  • United States Sean Weir – Fitness Coach
  • United States Paul Winstanley – Goalie Coach

See also

References

  1. ^ "Connecticut FC Azul Joins USL PDL". United Soccer Leagues (USL). 11 January 2012. Archived from the original on 20 October 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
  2. ^ "PDL 2013 standings". Archived from the original on 6 September 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  3. ^ "CFC Soccer to be based at Westconn". 7 July 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  4. ^ "WXCI 91.7 FM to broadcast Azul home games". 19 June 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  5. ^ "AC Connecticut Unveils New Name, Logo". United Soccer Leagues (USL). September 5, 2014. Archived from the original on September 10, 2014. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  6. ^ "CFC AZUL CHANGES NAME TO A.C. CONNECTICUT". AC Connecticut. September 5, 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-09-10. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  7. ^ USLChampionship.com Staff (March 19, 2021). "Hartford Athletic Announces Partnership with AC Connecticut". USL League Two.
  8. ^ "Azul, WCSU Reach Agreement". United Soccer Leagues (USL). March 18, 2014. Archived from the original on March 19, 2014. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  9. ^ "AC Connecticut Facilities". AC Connecticut.
  10. ^ "Azul Add Former USL-Pro Player | CFC Azul". Archived from the original on 2012-03-31. Retrieved 2012-03-27.
  11. ^ "Azul Get Former New England Revolution Player | CFC Azul". Archived from the original on March 31, 2012. Retrieved March 27, 2012.
  12. ^ "Eckenrode signs contract with KF Aegir in Iceland". George Mason University. May 18, 2016.
  13. ^ "Gianluca Catalano". USL League Two.
  14. ^ "Revolution Got Their Man in Virginia's Kessler". Boston Globe. January 15, 2020.
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