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Expansion Comes To The UWS West

02/21/2020, 4:30pm EST
By UWS Staff

Fresno-based club The City FC will be third California club in the conference

METUCHEN, NJ - United Women's Soccer (UWS) is pleased to announce the addition of The City FC to the West Conference for the 2020 campaign. Based in Fresno, California, TCFC will be the third organization from the Golden State, alongside the Santa Clarita Blue Heat and LA Galaxy OC. Canadian-based clubs Calgary Foothills WFC and Queen City United SC round out this season’s conference lineup.

Robert Podeyn will serve as the team’s first General Manager. Podeyn is the current head coach at Fresno Pacific University and has an extensive resume in working with college programs as well as professional clubs. Robert was named the 2017 Pacific West Conference Coach of the Year for the Sunbirds. For the past three years, he has served on the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer National Committee.

“The timing is perfect for UWS to add another California team to the West Conference as we continue our efforts to split it into regional divisions,” said UWS Commissioner Joe Ferrara, Jr. “Expansion in the West is critical. Yet, the challenge to provide teams of high quality and standards is always at the forefront. The City FC meets that challenge. A dynamic soccer hotbed, professional coaching and management staff, top-notch facilities and an international affiliation are elements that make this organization a great fit for United Women’s Soccer.

“Southern California has produced two national champions with the Santa Clarita Blue Heat winning in 2016 and LA Galaxy OC coming out on top last season. So, the bar is set high this season for their new neighbor to the north.”

"The City and its partners are excited to announce the addition of a women's team in UWS, the most competitive women's pro-am league in the country,” said Podeyn. “The Central Valley has some of the strongest soccer in the country and we feel that our team will represent this talent and our soccer communities with pride and passion. Our goal is to provide an exciting and entertaining product that both attracts and inspires.”

Home games are tentatively set to be hosted at Fresno Pacific University. The City FC  are an entity looking to grow and expand soccer at all levels in the Central Valley and hopes to announce further expansion opportunities in the near future. Managing partners of TCFC are:

Rob Podeyn - General Manager

Bob Hastings - Finance and Operations

Adam Smith - Technical Director

Rudy Gonzalez - International Business Relations

Justin Cruz - Youth Marketing and Promotions

"The City is also excited to announce that as one of its partners Adam Smith - a former professional coach for Fresno FC Men of the United Soccer Leagues and a UEFA ‘A’ and USSF ‘A’ Licensed coach - will serve as the head coach for the women's team,” said Podeyn. “Adam is one of the most respected coaches in the Central Valley and looks to build off of the successes he enjoyed in the USL the last two years.”

Through their international partners, The City FC also retains a relationship with Cordoba City Ladies FC in Spain. Cordoba City Ladies FC compete in LaLiga in the 4th Division and are currently in 1st place looking for promotion. Through their affiliation, TCFC has the ability to refer players to their team in Spain. More information on Cordoba City Ladies FC is available at cityladiesfc.com.

Find out more about The City FC on their website & social media pages - coming soon.

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