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UPSL Welcomes East Valley FC to Arizona Division

Mesa, AZ-Based Pro Development Club Joins UPSL for the 2020 Season
Published Oct 16, 2020

October 16, 2020 – Los Angeles, CA – The United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) is excited to welcome East Valley FC as a new member.

Based in Mesa, AZ, East Valley FC began UPSL play with the 2020 Spring Season as part of the Southwest Conference Arizona Division. The club hosts its UPSL home games at East Valley Soccer Complex (905 N. Sunvalley Blvd, Mesa, AZ 85207).

UPSL Western Conference Manager Gary Brunner said, "It's good to see Arizona growing and we're glad to have East Valley FC returning. We know there's a lot of talent in Arizona and not a ton of places to play, so it seems like this growth was inevitable. We wish them luck as they continue to expand their program alongside the UPSL."

Mike Miller is President and Head Coach of East Valley FC. Walid Kaakoush serves as Assistant Coach.

"I think, for players at the pro development level, that there's a gap here in Arizona between the high school-to-college and the college-to-pro levels. And Arizona doesn't have a strong college platform either, so really it's a high school-to-pro gap that's proving to be so huge. The UPSL bridges that gap in Arizona," Miller said. "The UPSL provides players who want to play at a higher level a place where the focus is still on player development. That's how we run our club and it's because the UPSL allows for that."

East Valley FC (1-0-1 overall) opened its UPSL 2020 Fall Season with a 4-1 loss to Olympians FC but bounced back to earn a 2-1 victory over SC del Sol. The club FC Arizona at 4 p.m. PT at East Valley Soccer Complex on Sunday, Nov. 1.