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Queens is Getting its own Soccer Team Led by Spanish Star David Villa

David Villa (Photo: Carlos Delgado; CC-BY-SA)

Nov. 12, 2019 By Allie Griffin

Queens is getting its own professional soccer team and it will be led by David Villa, a member of the Spanish national team that won the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Villa along with Jonathan Krane, a New York City-based asset manager, have secured a United Soccer League franchise to establish a professional men’s soccer team in the World’s Borough.

Queensboro FC will begin playing in 2021 and compete in The USL Championship, a Division II professional league, a tier below Major League Soccer.

The team will host its home matches in a new modular stadium fit to hold 7,500 fans according to ESPN at Jamaica’s York College. The team will also play select matches at Citi Field.

“I lived and played in New York for four years. I know what a special place Queens is,” Villa said in a statement. “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.”

QBFC will look to build its foundation with local talent and partner with local businesses and officials to promote the diverse culture and identity of the borough, the release stated.

“Queens has a large, passionate and knowledgeable community of soccer supporters and players from all over the world and deserves a club to call its own,” Krane said. “We look forward to working closely with the community to establish Queensboro FC as not just a leading organization in professional soccer but also as a proud ambassador of Queens.”

QBFC will take input from the community, as it builds itself from the ground up.

“As a passionate soccer fan who has also played my entire life, I know how this game gives back,” Council Member Francisco Moya said in a statement. “Soccer teaches so many great lifelong lessons: the value of teamwork, hard work and perseverance, to name a few. These are qualities that embody the Queens community and having a team of our own is very exciting.”

The Boro with endless passion for ⚽️ has a team to call its own #QBFC is here!https://t.co/VX5XzbMNKX pic.twitter.com/EaFzYFLO9b

— Queensboro FC (@QueensboroFC) November 12, 2019