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Happenings continued

Last February U.S. Soccer, the sport’s national governing The partnership with NSU, Smith said, is a long-term
body, granted the new league Division 1 status, putting commitment.
it on par with the NWSL. That goes a long way towards “We’re there 25-plus years; It will be an ongoing project,” he
establishing credibility, Smith said.
said. “On that stadium parcel you’ll also have concerts and
“That was one of the deciding factors to go ahead and do it,” events. Through the USL, we’ll also have the option to have a
he said. “We’re the highest level of soccer, we’re Division 1. men’s team, which we play to bring on board in 2026.”
We’re basically on par with MLS and NWSL. Obviously we’re This is Smith’s first foray into professional sports ownership
an upstart league but we’ve got eight teams now, another four and it’s been a whirlwind.
coming in next year. There’s no better time to do it.”
“We pretty much started this project 10 months ago,” he said.
The four teams the league plans to bring in next year include a But through his own experience, the professionals he’s brought
regional rival for United - a club based in Palm Beach County. in and the partnership with NSU, they’ve been able to get
For Smith, who in his day job is president of air conditioning to where they need to be and attract top players. The team’s
contractor All Year Cooling, getting involved with the new roster includes players with top US collegiate and NWSL
league was straightforward. experience, as well as international players.

“I’ve always been involved in soccer through my kids,” he “Players want to play for good organizations that have the
said. “Going back, I’ve been involved in soccer through the best facilities, treat players right, and I think we have that,”
youth soccer landscape. I knew a guy who had a contact at he said.
the USL. Being around soccer, knowing soccer people I got the Equally important to Smith are events like those Saturday
opportunity for the franchise in Fort Lauderdale.”
morning clinics, or the fun and family-friendly atmosphere the
Nova Southeastern University isn’t just providing the club with club plans to create on match days.
a stadium. Players can live in new on-campus apartments and “That’s what’s going to make us successful - giving back to
have the opportunity to prepare for post-soccer careers by the community,” he said. “We’re really trying just to unite the
taking classes or working in internships through the university. community,” Smith said. “We’re here, we’re in the community,
The team will also get resources that, in addition to the new we want to support you.”
stadium, will include an 11,000 sq. ft. training facility.

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