By Noah Zimmerman
Spanish soccer legend David Villa announced his retirement from the sport on November 13th, but the former New York City FC star isn’t stepping away from the game at all. Instead, Villa returns to the city he called home before spending his last season of play in Japan with Vissel Kobe and former Barcelona teammate Andrés Iniesta.
Now, after a brief hiatus in Japan, the Spaniard has his eyes set on New York City once more, returning as a part-owner of Queensboro FC, a team to begin play in the USL Championship in 2021. He joins an ownership group with New York businessman Jonathan Krane as the club looks to establish itself in the year leading up to the inaugural 2021 QBFC season.
“I lived and played in New York for four years. I know what a special place Queens is,” said Villa. “I love the cultures, the food, the people and their passion for life and, of course, soccer. There is no other place like it in the world. It’s a dream to help build this football club in Queens and I couldn’t choose a better location.”
“David’s been very committed to Queens for years now, with his DV7 clinics,” Krane remarked about Villa. “We’re just getting started. We’re so excited to be a part of the New York City and Queens sports landscape. We look forward to having many great partnerships.”
QBFC also hopes to expand into the world of US women’s soccer, something other professional clubs like NYCFC and NY Red Bulls haven’t successfully done.
“QBFC is also very interested in women’s soccer and getting involved. The women have been winning the world cup every 4 years, so it’s been very successful,” Krane stated excitedly.
Both MLS clubs made lackluster attempts to bring a NWSL club to New York City, neither team coming close to succeeding. QBFC hopes to be the one to create that first partnership, further diversifying the NWSL’s list of affiliates and bringing a pro women’s club to the city that has hosted its fair share of Women’s World Cup parades.
The USL (United Soccer League) leapt at the chance to bring an end to the vague tiers of US pro soccer, establishing the USL Championship, Division 1, and Division 2, with the Championship now considered the undisputed second division in the nation.
“Soccer is growing very quickly in the US. The USL platform is the fastest growing in the country. USL is in many strategic cities. We’re proud that we can build a USL team in New York City and specifically in Queens,” said Krane.
Queensboro FC is one of four incoming clubs to join the USL Championship via expansion, with another 11 clubs having joined the league over the past two seasons, a pace that puts even MLS’s expansion to shame. The traffic isn’t all one way; a notable trend with USL is the pathway it has provided for some MLS squads. Recent MLS expansion clubs have made their way from the lower division, with clubs like Orlando City SC, FC Cincinnati, and Sacramento Republic all granted MLS expansion while in the USL.
With QBFC still over a full year before they kick off, MLS may not be in their crosshairs, though the club is still looking to capitalize on the vast, existing potential. MLS or not, Queens has its own club, and all those involved, including local politicians couldn’t be happier.
“The deep, diversive fanbase here in Queens has long desired a professional soccer team to call our own,” stated Borough President Melinda Katz in her official statement. “The creation of QBFC is a major milestone that befits this borough of 2.4 million residents. Our families and communities are thrilled, for The World’s Game now has a home in The World’s Borough.”
“200 countries are represented in the population of Queens. There can be a global following here,” Krane stated. “We’re going to create a great culture, a winning culture, but also a culture of community, where people can really feel like a part of this. This team can represent optimism and hope in the Queens community.”
(Published 11/21/2020)
N. Z. Media 