Little Haiti Supreme FC With Electric Start After Joining UPSL

A two year project to join the league pays off big and pays off early for LHFC & UPSL

Miami, FL – After a two year project to solve financial, administrative, and travel issues, Little Haiti Supreme FC (LHSFC) joined the UPSL Division 1 in Florida South Conference for the 2022 Spring Season. No one expected what would come next, LHSFC is standing 2nd after 5 games with an incredible 4-1 record! An exceptional start to a trailblazing inclusivity initiative from the UPSL.

On February 20, 2020, Christian Vallejos of the UPSL met with Gomez Laleau, Pat Santangelo,and Christopher Corey of LHSFC to discuss the addition of Little Haiti Supreme FC to the UPSL. LHSFC is the only 100% free and competitive youth club in Florida, with no money from players or parents, the barriers to joining an amateur/semi-pro league with administrative fees and travel obligations were significant. Tackling these issues took patience, creativity, and resourcefulness. The UPSL adjusted administrative fees, travel scheduling, and team requirements to give Little Haiti the opportunity to compete. Well worth it according to the team at the UPSL. 

‘Working with Little Haiti Supreme FC was important for us at the UPSL, Soccer in the United States needs to be inclusive’ said Christian Vallejos. The impact has been definitive in the Little Haiti community, Christopher Corey says ‘Our younger kids can look to our senior level players competing with other team and set goals for themselves. It gives them an opportunity and hope for an exciting future’. 

The strong start from Little Haiti has even caught Pat Santangelo by surprise, a founding member of LHSFC, ‘This is unknown territory for us, we are playing against tough competition, to hang with these teams is an excellent accomplishment for our players and coaching staff’. LHSFC

About the United Premier Soccer LeagueThe UPSL was formed in 2011 and currently includes more than 350 teams nationwide. The UPSL is the largest Pro Development League in North America. Each UPSL team is individually owned and operated.

UPSL teams are eligible to participate in the U.S. Open Cup Qualifying Rounds through the league’s affiliation with the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF)

More information about UPSL can be found at www.staging.upsl.com or by following the league on Facebook (www.facebook.com/upslsoccer), Instagram (@upslsoccer) and Twitter (@upslsoccer).

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