Full name | Lionsbridge Football Club | ||
---|---|---|---|
Founded | 2017 | ||
Stadium |
TowneBank Stadium Newport News, Virginia | ||
Capacity | 4,200 | ||
Chairman | Mike Vest, Kevin Joyce | ||
Head coach | Chris Whalley | ||
League | USL League Two | ||
2023 | 1st, Chesapeake Division Playoffs: National Final | ||
Website | Club website | ||
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Lionsbridge Football Club, or Lionsbridge FC, is an American soccer club based in Newport News, Virginia. The club was founded in 2017, and play in USL League Two. [1] The club's colors are blue, black and white, and the club is named for the Lions Bridge, the iconic Peninsula landmark that has stood along the James River and in the Mariners' Museum Park since 1923. [2] The team plays its home games at TowneBank Stadium on the campus of Christopher Newport University.
The original founders include Mike Vest, Kevin Joyce, and Dan Chenoweth, all of whom are Virginia Peninsula residents. [3] Lionsbridge FC announced its launch on June 9, 2017, via a social media release. At the time of the team's announcement, the club invited fans to help determine its crest via a fan vote on social media. More than 600 people voted [4] and the team unveiled the winning design in July 2017. The crest integrates four identifying features of the Virginia Peninsula - the Lions Bridge, the team's location and launch year, the James and York Rivers, and the region's importance as a hub of the United States military. [1] [5]
Lionsbridge FC announced its league affiliation (Premier Development League) and TowneBank Stadium (then known as Pomoco Stadium) agreement (with Christopher Newport University) during a press conference on November 14, 2017. [6] [7]
The team named Chris Whalley as its first head coach on February 14, 2018. [8]
Year | League | Conference | Division | Pld | W | L | D | Pts | Pos | Playoffs | U.S. Open Cup | Attendance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018 | PDL | Eastern | South Atlantic | 14 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 17 | 3rd | did not qualify | did not qualify | 11,520 |
2019 | USL League Two | Eastern | South Atlantic | 14 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 18 | 5th | did not qualify | did not qualify | 17,523 |
2020 | USL League Two | Southern | South Atlantic | Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic | ||||||||
2021 | USL League Two | Southern | South Atlantic | 14 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 23 | 2nd | Conference Quarterfinals | did not qualify | 17,655 |
2022 | USL League Two | Eastern | Chesapeake | 14 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 38 | 1st | Conference Quarterfinals | did not qualify | 25,493 |
2023 | USL League Two | Eastern | Chesapeake | 12 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 28 | 1st | National Final | 1st Round |
Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
---|---|---|
2018-19 | Nike | Chick-fil-A |
2020-22 | Errea | |
2023–present | Food Lion |
Lionsbridge FC's inaugural season sponsors included Chick-fil-A (Official Jersey Sponsor), Riverside Health System (Official Sports Medicine Provider), Planet Fitness (Official Health Club), Nike (Official Apparel Supplier) and Financial Security Group. [24] [25] [26] [27]