United Premier Soccer League Announces Utah Expansion with Saints Football Club

LOS ANGELES - Oct. 19, 2017 - PRLog -- The United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) is excited to announce Utah Saints Football Club as a new member starting with the 2018 Spring Season.

Based in Davis County (Utah), Saints FC will begin UPSL play in the Utah Conference.

United Premier Soccer League Commissioner Yan Skwara said, "Welcoming Utah Saints FC is another great addition to the UPSL's Utah Conference, bringing together some of the top Pro Development teams in a state that is rich in soccer talent and ambition. There are ownership groups ready to give opportunities to players and communities, and we're excited the Saints are marching into the UPSL. We wish Utah Saints FC the best as they prepare for the club's UPSL debut."

Saints FC is owned by long-time Davis County, Utah, resident Andres Pena. A local business owner and entrepreneur, Pena owns Best Bedzzz in Woods Cross, Utah.

Utah Saints FC Owner Andres Pena said, "We have been thinking about what our next move to a higher level league so it seems fitting that I would bring a team into the best Pro Development league in the country, which is the UPSL."

Pena, 32, is a native of Ecuador and was selected to Ecuador's Under-17 National Team in 1996 before moving to Utah as a teen with family. He went on to win a Utah High School state title as the starting goalkeeper for Woods Cross HS, and later a Utah state association amateur title for Salt Lake City-based Olympique Montreux FC.

"(Olympique Montreux owner) Bel-Ami Montreux is my mentor. I've learned a lot from him about running a team because he is an owner and a head coach," said Pena, who has served as an Olympique Montreux FC assistant coach in recent seasons. "The amount of dedication that is needed – he showed me that."

Ruben Pavez, a native of Spain, will serve as Saints FC's first team head coach. Pavez, 47, currently holds a USSF 'F' Coaching License while continuing his education.

Utah Saints FC also operates a comprehensive youth academy that Pena hopes will serve the club well into the future.

"It's a most important part of the club that it has youth teams," Pena said. "We want to show these kids that there is a path, and step by step they can go on to play at higher levels."

The club is currently exploring venue options in compliance with UPSL's Minimum Standards. The team soon will announce its upcoming game schedule.

About Utah Saints Football Club

Utah Saints Football Club is an American Soccer club currently based in Davis County, Utah, and a new member of the United Premier Soccer League. Utah Saints FC will begin play in the UPSL's Pro Premier Division.

Founded in 2016, Utah Saints FC can participate in the qualifying rounds for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup through their affiliation and membership with the UPSL, the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) and the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA).

Contact:
Andres Pena
Direct: 801-390-6845
Email: utahsaintsfc@gmail.com
Website: www.utahsaintsfc.com

United Premier Soccer League

The UPSL was formed in 2011 and currently includes more than 100 teams in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin. UPSL is the fastest growing Pro Development League in the USA, with 125-plus teams targeted for 2018 Spring Season. Each UPSL team is individually owned and operated, and is responsible for maintaining either UPSL Pro Premier Division or Championship Division minimum standards.

UPSL teams are all eligible to participate in the U.S. Open Cup Qualifying Rounds through the leagues affiliation with the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) and the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA).

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

Contact UPSL:
info@upslsoccernews.com
Direct: 310-415-5691

Media Relations:
Dennis Pope
dennis.pope@upslsoccernews.com
Direct: 951-675-3963
www.upslsoccer.com
www.facebook.com/unitedpremiersoccerleague
www.twitter.com/unitedpremiersoccerleague