by Marty Camacho
It is a great time for soccer fans. The big leagues are in the middle of their season and have provided fans with a ton of twists and turns already. However, despite the joy the big leagues have given me and other fans, specifically Liverpool’s recent slip-ups and Arsenal’s late winners, let us focus our attention on the excitement here in Pensacola.
PSC students who love soccer do not need to look far for action. We have a Women’s Soccer team that is the consecutive division champions and is aiming to secure a ticket to the nationals again this season. Only in its third year of establishment, our soccer team plays its home games in Ashton Brosnaham Park, which is about a 20-minute drive from our Pensacola campus. However, that will not be the case for long.
A groundbreaking for our own soccer pitch was held last December, and the construction is making good progress. Located right across our baseball field, the new soccer pitch is expected to be ready by February next year. The opening of a home pitch for our Lady Pirates will be a blessing to fans and spectators who have endured watching on the side pitches at Ashton Brosnaham Park. Those who have attended some games before will understand, and to those who have not, there are no seats and no shade, except a solitary tree near one of the corner flags and the roofed area far from the pitch. Add the extra drive necessary, and it is currently a little challenging to attend the Pirates’ soccer games. That will change once our home pitch opens.
Aside from the benefit it will give to the supporters and fans, having our own soccer pitch will give a huge boost to our team as well. “We are excited to have a place on campus to practice that is an actual soccer-sized pitch,” said Head Coach Mark Yepishin. Currently, the soccer team practices on the recreational area by the tennis courts and Hartsell Arena, which is only half the size of a soccer pitch, making it difficult for the team to simulate in-game experiences. As Coach Yepishin said, “It is hard to get real-life things going on when the size of the pitch is half the size of what they are actually doing.”
On the topic of soccer plans, there was news earlier this year of a possibility of Pensacola having its own professional soccer team affiliated with the United Soccer League (USL). The USL operates in a different format than the more well-known Major League Soccer (MLS). Unlike the MLS, the USL operates in a multi-division structure. The plan to establish a professional team within Pensacola is part of the USL’s expansion plan to create a three-tiered division, similar to European leagues, that features a promotion and relegation system to better compete with the MLS.
During Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves’ weekly press conference held last Oct. 7, updates about the plan were given. The mayor’s update consisted mainly of two things the city and the league are currently working on – ownership and space. “This will not be a fully funded municipal stadium if it were to happen,” stated Mayor Reeves. He made it clear that the plan will not be continued if the city is expected to fund the building of the 3,500- to 5,000-seat stadium. The league is currently seeking potential owners and sponsors of the team, while the city is figuring out where the stadium can be built.
Having our very own professional team will be great for the city. Economic activities centered around the team and stadium will give opportunities to local businesses and boost community engagement. The stadium that accompanies the establishment of the team can also be used by local schools’ sports teams for their games and for other purposes as well. Above all, having our very own professional team will be a lot of fun for soccer fans.
But enough about the distant future, let us move on to more immediate news, which is the SEC. The Southeastern Conference Women’s Soccer championship will once again be held at Ashton Brosnaham Park this Nov. 2 to 9. The SEC has been hosted by Pensacola since 2022 and is guaranteed to be held here until next year, with an option to extend the contract through 2029.
So, like I said, it is a good time for soccer fans. To be specific, it is a good time to be a soccer fan here in Pensacola. There is reason to be excited and lots to look forward to, and definitely a lot of upcoming soccer to enjoy.