A new group, Buffalo Pro Soccer, led by Western New York native Peter Marlette Jr., has announced plans to bring a United Soccer League Championship team to Buffalo by 2026. Marlette will serve as the president of the organization, working with various stakeholders to make the club a reality in Western New York. The goal is to establish a professional soccer club that embodies the community’s values of hard work, resilience, innovation, and pride.
Marlette expressed his commitment to building a winning USL Championship club and highlighted the opportunity for Buffalo to join the growing soccer movement in the United States. He emphasized the collaboration with individuals and organizations who believe in Buffalo’s potential to excel in the world of professional soccer. The initiative is seen as a way to enrich Buffalo’s civic and sports history by establishing a new chapter in the city’s vibrant sports culture.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown praised the efforts of Buffalo Pro Soccer in bringing professional soccer to the city, recognizing the potential for Buffalo to become a prominent destination for sports enthusiasts globally. Marlette, with his background in playing for FC Buffalo and managing Union Omaha, brings valuable experience to the project. His involvement in Major League Soccer with FC Dallas further strengthens his expertise in building successful soccer clubs.
The USL Championship features 24 men’s professional teams and offers a platform for high-level competition in a league sanctioned by U.S. Soccer’s Division II. With an average attendance of nearly 6,000 fans per game and some teams drawing over 10,000 spectators, it provides a dedicated fan base and competitive environment for aspiring professional soccer players. Buffalo Pro Soccer’s ambitious plans aim to capitalize on Buffalo’s sports reputation and establish the city as a key player in the soccer landscape.
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