News

Ashburn, VA – February 6, 2013 – Bearing a strong, classic name VIP Sports & Entertainment's North American Soccer League franchise -- previously referred to by the generic term "NASL Virginia" -- has established an identity and will be known as Virginia Cavalry FC.

This seminal announcement comes after NASL Virginia fielded thousands of submissions from across Virginia, the D.C. metro area and around the world, made via NASLVirginia.com, Facebook.com/NASLVirginia, through Twitter.com/NASLVirginia and a unique iPhone app.

The team name contest, dubbed "Kick The Vote '13," even sparked interest from Hollywood, with an extremely clever, funny episode of "Joe & Buzz" (www.joeandbuzz.com) centered entirely around the Kick-The-Vote contest.  Their suggestion of "The Virginia Beards," while inventive, doesn't completely fit in a state founded by a bunch of guys wearing wigs.

"Virginia Cavalry FC is tremendous name for Virginia's first high-level professional soccer club," said Bob Farren President and CEO of VIP Sports & Entertainment.  "Not only does it connect with our area's long military history and its well-known tradition as horse country, it also signifies our club will work together as a single unit for a common goal. Boldly carrying the name ‘Cavalry’ as our fans roar encouragement, our players will feel the impulse to saddle up and charge forward in the relentless pursuit of victory.”

The Cavalry unveiled their new brand at a star-studded event held at Bungalow Lakehouse in Sterling, Virginia. NBC Sports’ Russ Thaler hosted the event, which featured US Soccer Hall of Famers, and Men’s National Team Veterans John Harkes and Eddie Pope. Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell welcomed the team to the Commonwealth via video. A highlight of the event was when 14 year old Connor Rouch of Leesburg, VA was awarded the grand prize of tickets to the inaugural Cavalry game in 2014 and an official home jersey.

The team's website is http://www.VirginiaCavalry.com, and they can be found on social media at Facebook.com/VirginiaCavalry and Twitter.com/CavalryFC.

The Cavalry released a number of images, none of which are the final team logo. The logo and team uniforms will be unveiled soon via the Cavalry’s social media platforms directly to our fans. A high-resolution version of the word marks can be found at http://www.virginiacavalry.com/media.

"Really, we couldn't have asked for a better name from our growing base of enthusiastic fans," said Mark Simpson, former MLS champion D.C. United goalkeeper now serving as the Cavalry's Director of Soccer Operations. "This is a name that players will be proud to wear on their jersey shields, and fans will have fun associating with in the stands and in public."

Sports fans and fellow NASL teams: Here come the Cavalry.