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The team is financed by Newtown resident and team managing partner Peter D’Amico.
CFC Azul has signed a three-year contract with the university, which will host the team’s home games. This agreement is the latest in a string of community-building sports programs that D’Amico has spearheaded in the area since his own youth soccer coaching days in the 1980s. CFC Azul is a member of the Premier Developmental League of the Northeastern Division of the United Soccer Leagues. It is the only soccer franchise in the state. The 2014 season marks the team’s second year with the Premier Developmental League, a league that provides competitive college-age players the opportunity to be recruited by Major League Soccer teams.
D’Amico invested in the CFC Azul franchise in February and is working with the team to build a home stadium for the future. According to Azul’s website, “WCSU shares our long-term vision for progress, innovation and player development.”
WCSU President James W. Schmotter added, “We’re delighted to be able to help Azul PDL provide the community the opportunity to enjoy a high-quality athletic experience at our Westside Athletic Complex.”
Projects such as this are not new to D’Amico, who founded the Newtown Youth Academy in 2008. The academy is a not-for-profit sports center, whose facilities are often rented to local sports clubs and youth teams.
D’Amico said he hopes the games will attract families and help build a base of young fans that will support and benefit from the PDL program. Regular game day tickets are $10, $5 for children ages 11 to 18 and free for children under age 10.
The next home games are coming up in July:
- July 12, noon – Westchester Flames
- July 13, noon – Western Mass Pioneers
- July 19, 6 p.m. – Real Boston Rams
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