Strikers Link Up With NPSL Side Southern California Sports Club

The player development efforts of the Fort Lauderdale Strikers took another massive step forward Thursday with the club announcing a partnership with Southern California Sports Club (SoCalSC).

“This partnership adds another layer to our goals of developing top young players,” Strikers Managing Director Luis Cuccatti said. “Along with Strikers U-23, the under-19 team that will participate in the Weifang Cup in China, and Fort Lauderdale FC, Southern California Sports Club will play a strategic role in our player development initiatives.”

SoCalSC is competing in its inaugural season in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). Located in San Bernardino, SoCalSC taps into a proven hotbed for some of the best young talent in the country. United States men's national team players from Landon Donovan to Gyasi Zardes have gotten their start in Southern California.

“We are delighted about the opportunity to partner with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers,” Daniel Gamba, General Manager of Southern California Sports Club said. “The idea is to work together on the development of players in Southern California, and look to the Strikers as the team for our players to eventually play. We positioned ourselves in a very strategic market in terms of player development and we are looking to develop players here, and hopefully give them the opportunity to suit up for the Strikers in the future.”

SoCalSC manages the 17-field San Bernardino Soccer Complex (SBSC), a 47-acre facility that features a number of amenities and attracts more than 750,000 visitors per year. Included in the partnership is the potential for the Strikers to conduct preseason training at the complex, as well as tournaments and youth camps.