United FC Binghamton, part of the United FC soccer club, will join the 60 teams already part of the nationally recognized league for the summer 2012 season. Head Coach Shane Cook, who has been affiliated with local soccer for the past 20 years with head coach positions at Chenango Forks, Broome Community College, BC Fusion, and United FC is excited to be a part of this program.

“United FC [www.unitedfcfutbol.com] is the leading youth soccer program in the Southern Tier and now having the top level women’s program in the nation affiliated with our club is incredible. This area is fortunate to have great soccer at all levels from DI at Binghamton University, JUCO at Broome Community College, to our many youth clubs. Now having a WPSL franchise is just the icing on the cake for our female soccer players,” said Cook.

The team, whose base will be in Binghamton, is planning to attract highly-competitive women from all areas of the Northeast and even Canada. “United FC Binghamton is the only WPSL team in all of upstate NY since the Albany Alleycats will not have a team this year. This means there are a lot of college players looking for an opportunity to stay match fit and play against the highest level of amateur competition in the world over their summer breaks. The benefit to college coaches is when their players return, they are ready to play and already fit,” said Cook.

United FC club President Tom Darpino said, “Our focus at United FC is providing economical, quality training to players at every skill level. This WPSL team is just an extension of that idea and falls right into our club theme of ‘One Club, One Passion, One Community.’ Our goal is to provide a place to play for the five-year-old youth recreational player all the way to our WPSL players and everything in between.”

College students are already looking at the new team as a positive opportunity.

“It will be the hardest competition and the highest quality of soccer, without going pro, compared to my other options,” said 18-year-old Mallory Illsley, who hopes her 14-year soccer career will continue after her graduation from Canisius College in 2015.

The excitement stems from not only her personal interests, but also from the interests of others.

“I’ve played soccer for so long that it seems to be such a natural part of me. This team is a great opportunity to help me for the next level and keep my skills sharp for Canisius College. I can play here in the summers and even after college, and be part of developing something people want to see,” said Illsley.

Coach Cook plans to facilitate a program that will be just that: something that people want to see.

“Our plan is to create a product that people will want to come see as a family. Our club’s motto is ‘One club, One passion, One community’ and this will fall right in line with that. Our hope is this will be a community team where everyone will come out and support it. Having quality role models for our youth, especially girls, is very important. Having this team to showcase top-level female athletes will do just that,” said Cook.

Support from the community is something that Cook will be reliant on for the development of this program.

“In keeping with our club’s theme, we want this team to be a strong part of our community. The community can support us by coming out to see us play. We will support the community by taking players into the schools before the end of the year and giving tickets away to local youth clubs and schools. My goal is to see people all over the Southern Tier wearing Binghamton United FC gear,” said Cook.

Local businesses interested in donating either money, products, or services should contact the team at BinghamtonUFCCommunity@gmail.com.

Team sponsor Loren Illsley, owner of T&M Excavating, is excited to contribute to something he truly believes in.

“I am fortunate to be in a position to provide an opportunity for women where they can continue to play a game they love so much,” said Illsley. “It’s important that once youth soccer has ended, at age 19, that these talented women have further opportunities to flourish.”

The non-refundable advanced registration fee is $40 and should be sent to 708 Castle Creek Rd. Binghamton, NY 13901. Registration at the door is $45. Checks should be made to United FC Binghamton. Interested players must email unitedfcwpsl@hotmail.com or log on to www.unitedfcfutbol.com to get a registration form. All players attending the tryout must reserve a spot by emailing even if they are paying at the door.

• While we are growing every day, we still have room for you and your friends. We will ALWAYS be taking registrations from club level players. For Premiere level players we will take registrations until April 1, 2012 when the state freezes our rosters
• At anytime you can print the registration form and mail it in
• We have a sponsor for the U6, U8, and U10 program to offset the cost for families.
• All U6, U8, and U10 club / travel players will pay $15 per month for one practice per week with a trainer.
• We are very excited to offer this unique, low-cost program to the Greater Binghamton futbol community.

Questions? Contact Tom D’arpino at (607) 427-8747 with any questions.