News

Ashburn, VA – January 3, 2013 – After thousands of suggested names poured into VIP Sports & Entertainment and NASL Virginia in just a few weeks, the candidate list has been narrowed for the contest’s final phase, Kick the Vote ’13. Starting today, soccer fans in Northern Virginia and around the globe are encouraged to cast their vote for one of the following three names:

The North American Soccer League franchise will debut in 2014, playing its home games at the forthcoming ballpark located at One Loudoun, immediately off the interchange of Route 7 and the Loudoun County Parkway in Ashburn, VA.

NASL Virginia culled through a variety of fan-submitted names which reflect Virginia’s rich and storied history, including traditional soccer names as well as numerous unique and fun names. Ultimately, these three finalists were selected for best encapsulating the feel of this developing franchise. To learn more about why these names were selected, go to the NASL Virginia Fan’s Corner Blog at http://www.naslvirginia.com/fanscorner.

VIP Sports & Entertainment and NASL Virginia offer several ways to voice your choice: Visit our website, NASLVirginia.com; post to our Facebook Page at facebook.com/NASLVirginia; send us a tweet with the hashtag #KickTheVote13; or make your pick via the NASL Virginia iPhone app, now available for free in the iTunes store.

The contest will run until Monday, February 4, 2013, and the team name will be announced following a U.S. Men’s Soccer viewing party on February 6 – location to be announced shortly. NASL Virginia’s Name the Team Contest is presented by Edelman Financial Services, Buffalo Wing Factory & Pub, Mountcastle Plastic Surgery and Sonak Family Chiropractic.

“The name the fans pick as they Kick the Vote will set the identity of this organization for years to come,” said Mark Simpson, NASL Virginia’s Director of Soccer Operations.  “All three of these names share a spirit and vitality that reflects the rapidly growing and vibrant community that is Northern Virginia. It is in the fans’ hands now!”

By 2014, the NASL will consist of 11 teams and their split-season format will run from Spring to July 4, then Summer to early November, with the champion determined by the winner of the Spring Championship hosting the winner of the Fall Championship. VIP Sports & Entertainment will host at least 16 regular season home games in its Northern Virginia ballpark.

“It is always amazing to me how responsive and supportive the fans are here in Northern Virginia,” said VIP S&E Chairman and Founder Bob Farren. “Through this contest and the interaction with the growing number of supporters, we are building something special here. I can’t wait to see how the fan’s vote and what name we will announce on February 6^th!”