Queen City FC and The US Open Cup–Soccer in it’s Purest Form

By: Ryan | May 3rd, 2008

A few weeks ago, I did a post on the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) and explained all about the league, it’s structure, and most importantly, how I am personally involved with one of the teams Queen City FC.

I’m sure not many of you are aware, but the first qualifying rounds of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup are well underway. My club, Queen City FC take to the field against Danbury United, from the Connecticut Soccer League on Sunday at 2:00pm in Buffalo, New York.

But in case you were wondering, it isn’t simply blow the whistle and play. Queen City FC is something more, it’s part of the heart of American Soccer.

Queen City FC is 99% volunteer driven. Aside from the coaching staff, every single one of us volunteers for the job. There are about six of us who are constantly active in the running of the club. This means that we all pitch in and help out when it’s necessary. I’m Director of Media Relations, but that means I do ‘All other duties as assigned.’

For this weekend’s US Open Cup, there has been countless things to do, from taking picture, photocopying simple programs, making flyers, phone calls to media, picking up players from the airport, getting international players cleared, etc. This team is completely run on hard work and dedication.

We are in this simply because we love the game. Leading up to this weekend’s game, you could see it in everyone that was working for the club, and in the players as well. Daily emails back and fourth between myself and coaches, and other members of the staff were full of anticipation for the games. We all can’t wait for kickoff on Sunday to finally get this thing going. We have been busy organizing our own supporters club and I managed to set up our own forums, which are a daily source of banter between the City fans and everyone else, or just amongst ourselves.

This is truly what soccer is in America. Queen City FC is all grassroots, done by only a few dedicated individuals. I can speak for this since I am such a part of it. We are building a new club from the ground up and it can be tough work. Daily we are presented with problems that we have to fix, in between having a ‘real-job’ (as we call them) family, and a normal life. My girlfriend swears that I am married to the club, and sometimes I think I am. I know other significant others feel the same.

Advertising is done old school. We hang flyers advertising the game, I send out facebook messages, I cold-call, I shake hands, kiss babies, go to boring meetings, and ‘Play Switzerland’.

But, this isn’t just cake for us. Many media in the states still are opposed to soccer for some unknown reason. I make countless calls each week to newspapers and TV stations only to be shunned, to have phone calls surely deleted off of voice mailboxes and emails deleted from in-boxes. It’s not as if I am selling Cutco or giving out the plague, but you’d think I was.

When you think about it too, the reason we do this is a bit messed up. We are a semi-pro team (aka amateur). None of our players are paid so they can retain their amateur status and be in good standing in the eyes of the NCAA. Most of our players are currently in college or recently graduated, even though we have some former pro’s on our team this season. What is our main goal? To get these kids into the pros.

So, we take these kids, train them, help them become better players, then when they get a shot at going pro and they get a contract, boom, they are gone. If thats not dedication to the cause, then I don’t know what is.

Honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way at Queen City. This season is going to be something special. We are moving into our new home at All-High Stadium, complete with $6 million in renovations from last season. (Fact: The stadium where we play was where the baseball movie The Natural, was filmed.) Our fan base is growing and people all over the city are psyched at this Sunday’s game. Tickets are only $5 for general admission and $7 for preferred seating.

I encourage everyone here at The Offside to support us as we challenge for the NPSL trophy this season and attempt to break into the national tournament in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Visit our forums and say hello and lend your support to the best NPSL team in the land. I’ve also secured a NPSL blog on The Offside which is Queen City FC territory for the time being until we get some more bloggers on board. Stop on over and support us. You are all Queen City fans now!

If anyone is in the Buffalo, NY area this weekend, 2:00pm Kickoff at All-High Stadium.

Be Loud! Be Proud! Be City!