Unity FC (Canada)
 | |
| Full name | Unity Football Club |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2021 |
| Stadium | Cloverdale Athletic Park |
| Head Coach | Mike Shearon (men) Graham Roxburgh (women) |
| League | League1 British Columbia |
| 2024 | L1BC, 5th; Playoffs, DNQ(men) L1BC, 2nd; Playoffs, SF (women) |
| Website | https://unityfc.ca/ |
Unity Football Club is a Canadian semi-professional soccer club based in Surrey, British Columbia that plays in League1 British Columbia.
History
[edit]The club was officially unveiled on November 22, 2021, as an inaugural license holder for the first season of the new semi-professional League1 British Columbia in 2022, operating in Langley, British Columbia.[1] The team was formed in partnership with Trinity Western University and their Spartans sports teams with the head coaches of both the TWU men's and women's soccer teams being involved with the club.[2]
Their inaugural matches occurred on May 22 on the road against TSS FC Rovers for both the male and female teams.[3] The women's team recorded the club's first ever victory, defeating the Rovers 2-1.[4]
In 2023, they formed an affiliation with Canadian Premier League club Vancouver FC, which enables Vancouver to send players to Unity on short-term loans throughout the season.[5][6] In 2023, the club hosted their home season opening male and female match in nearby Chilliwack, British Columbia, before playing the remainder of the season at their home in Langley.[7][8] That season, the women advanced to the women's championship final, where they were defeated by Whitecaps FC Girls Elite, and also qualified for the League1 Canada Inter-Provincial Championship.[8] In 2023, they announced an ownership change, with an investor group led by TSN sportscaster Kelcey Brade taking over a majority share of the club.[9][10]
In February 2024, it was announced that the club would move to Surrey, British Columbia and formed a partnership with youth club Surrey United SC.[11][12]
Seasons
[edit]Men
[edit]| Season | League | Teams | Record | Rank | Playoffs | Juan de Fuca Plate | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | League1 British Columbia | 7 | 3–3–6 | 6th | did not qualify | 4th[a] | |
| 2023 | 8 | 5–5–4 | 4th | Semi-finals | 5th[a] | ||
| 2024 | 7 | 4–4–4 | 5th | did not qualify | 3rd[a] |
Women
[edit]| Season | League | Teams | Record | Rank | Playoffs | Inter-provincial Championship | Juan de Fuca Plate | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | League1 British Columbia | 7 | 8–0–4 | 3rd | did not qualify | did not qualify | 4th[a] | |
| 2023 | 8 | 7–3–4 | 3rd | Finalists | 3rd | 5th[a] | ||
| 2024 | 7 | 7–2–3 | 2nd | Semi-finals | did not qualify | 3rd[a] |
Players
[edit]- As of 5 May 2023[13]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Notable former players
[edit]The following players have either played at the professional or international level, either before or after playing for the League1 British Columbia team:
Men
Women
References
[edit]- ^ "League1BC welcomes Unity FC as founding License Holder". BC Soccer Association. November 22, 2021.
- ^ Jacques, John (November 22, 2021). "League1 BC Comes To Langley With Unity FC". Northern Tribune.
- ^ Jacques, John (February 18, 2022). "League1 BC Reveals Inaugural Season Schedule". Northern Tribune.
- ^ McColl, Michael (May 24, 2022). "Whitecaps, Unity, and Rivers lead the way in women's division after historic League1 BC opening weekend". Away from the Numbers.
- ^ "Canadian Premier League announces downward player movement pilot project". Canadian Premier League. April 21, 2023.
- ^ Mahmoudi, Nelson (April 21, 2023). "CPL Introduces Affiliation Pilot Project With Lower Divisions". Northern Tribune.
- ^ Welsh, Eric (May 26, 2023). "Chilliwack hosting B.C. League 1 soccer match between Unity FC and Rivers FC". Chilliwack Progress.
- ^ a b Jacques, John (August 11, 2023). "A Conversation With New Unity FC Owner Kelcey Brade". Northern Tribune.
- ^ Mahmoudi, Nelson (August 10, 2023). "L1BC's Unity FC Announces Ownership Changes". Northern Tribune.
- ^ "Canadian TV sports host Kelcey Brade headlines investor group joining Unity FC". Unity FC. August 10, 2023.
- ^ "Unity FC and Surrey United SC Announce Groundbreaking Multi-Year Agreement, Bringing Pro-Am Soccer to Cloverdale Athletic Park". Unity FC. February 6, 2024.
- ^ Jacques, John (February 7, 2024). "Unity FC Joins Forces With Surrey United". Northern Tribune.
- ^ "Unity FC". League 1 BC.
