By USLLeagueOne.com Staff , 08/19/26, 12:30PM EDT Photo by Joe Orovitz/Hofstra LONG ISLAND, NY (Aug. 19, 2026) – USL Long Island, LLC has been awarded a United Soccer League (USL) franchise and plans to launch a professional men’s team in USL League One in 2028, pending final league and federation sanctioning approval. “We’re thrilled to welcome USL Long Island to League One during this unprecedented time for professional soccer in the U.S.,” said Paul McDonough, President and CEO of the USL. “Long Island has a rich soccer history and the club’s leadership team is dedicated to growing the game locally, building a community-rooted club, and creating a professional pathway for aspiring young players.” The club will play its home matches at James M. Shuart Stadium at Hofstra University in Hempstead. The historic venue serves as the home of Hofstra lacrosse and the host site for many professional, college and high school sports competitions. Centrally located with convenient access from all parts of Long Island, the nearly 13,000-seat facility combines a deep sporting tradition with the atmosphere and amenities befitting professional soccer. USL Long Island is being led by an experienced ownership group with strong local ties to Suffolk and Nassau counties: Glenn Schneider, Principal Owner, is the former CEO of US Nutrition at Nature’s Bounty vitamin and supplement company and the current Founder and CEO of SUSA FC, which serves more than 5,000 players and operates Long Island's largest academy soccer club and privately-owned facility. After spending over a decade building one of the most respected youth soccer organizations in the country and creating opportunities for young athletes, the Dix Hills, NY native, is now committed to creating a sustainable professional soccer pathway on Long Island. Sara Whalen Hess, Co-Founder and President, is a former U.S. Women's National Team player, 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup Champion, Olympic Silver Medalist, and licensed clinical psychologist. Sara was raised on Long Island in Greenlawn and played varsity soccer at Harborfields High School. After college, she played for the Long Island Lady Riders and then New York Power. In 2001, Sara was inducted into the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame. Schneider, Whalen Hess, and League One President Lee O'Neill. Photo by Joe Orovitz/Hofstra "Long Island is where I fell in love with soccer, and after everything the game has given me, bringing a professional soccer club home is a real full circle moment for me," said Whalen. "I've come to realize that soccer was never just about winning championships. It was always about people and creating connection, belonging and community. That's the culture we're building at USL Long Island. We want every player, every family, every volunteer and every fan to know they have a place where they matter. Today we're announcing a professional soccer club, but what we're really building is a home." "Our vision is to build a club that every Long Islander can proudly call their own," said Schneider. "The strongest sports organizations don't simply play in a community but rather they become part of their identity. Long Island has spent generations producing exceptional players, coaches and passionate supporters. Now it's time to unite that passion behind a professional club that reflects our region, inspires the next generation and becomes a lasting source of pride for Long Islanders." Hofstra University has a strong reputation and long history serving the Long Island community. Its centrally located campus and state-of-the-art facilities will deliver a strong gameday experience for players and fans. Photo by Joe Orovitz/Hofstra "This is an exciting day for Hofstra University and for Long Island," said Rick Cole Jr., Vice President and Director of Athletics at Hofstra University. "Hofstra has long been home to professional sports teams, leagues and championship events, and James M. Shuart Stadium has built a reputation as one of the premier athletic venues in the region. We are proud to partner with USL Long Island as they establish a professional club that will inspire the next generation of players and fans while adding to Long Island's rich soccer tradition. We look forward to welcoming supporters from across the region to our campus for years to come." League One is the third division of professional soccer in the United States. Since launching in 2019, the league has grown to 17 clubs, with additional clubs set to join in 2027. League One teams also compete in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and the Prinx Tires USL Cup. USL Long Island will add another chapter to the league's Northeast rivalries, joining Westchester SC and the New York Cosmos in the region. USL Long Island’s name, crest, and colors will be unveiled in the coming months, shaped by fan input and reflecting the people, places and culture that make Long Island special. A series of listening sessions, interviews, and online polls will invite the community to help define the team’s identity. To learn more and participate, visit USLLongIsland.com and sign up for the latest club news or follow on Instagram. Tag(s): News Spotlight Home
Curated by Taleb Kabbara · Source: www.uslsoccer.com