Clubs Make it Official

With a stirring half time presentation, Western United FC and the Western Mass Junior Pioneers officially announced the merger of the two clubs into a new organization called, The Western United Pioneers. Club officials spoke of reinforcing the clubs identity while highlighting the uniquely talented pool of players in Western Mass. and the opportunities this merger will present. Boys and girls from U10 teams representing each club, unveiled the new logo as they removed their club jerseys to reveal the new clubs logo worn underneath.

Tryouts

Tryout dates for next year are listed on the WesternUnitedPioneers website. Preregistration for tryouts will be available about May 20th and current Western United players will receive an email when preregistration opens.

Western United FC and Western Mass Pioneers Announce Merger

Premier youth soccer in Western Massachusetts has been dominated since its beginnings in the late 1980s by two of the state's most successful clubs, Western United F.C. and the Western Mass Pioneers (formerly Lusitano F.C.), who together have produced dozens of state championships and untold numbers of collegiate and professional soccer players.

WU's Will Rasid Travels to Italy with Region 1 ODP Team

Earlier this year, Will Rasid was selected to the Region 1 1996 Olympic Development Team (ODP). As he heads to Italy, Rasid now has the opportunity to participate in international competitions with teams from other countries. Follow his blog and learn more about his amazing experience.

WU Alum Jay Heaps on Being Head Coach of The Revs

Western United Alum, Jay Heaps (Longmeadow, MA) arrived on the New England Revolution scene in 2001. Heaps - the 1999 MLS Rookie of the Year, graduated from Duke University and was drafted second overall in the 1999 MLS College Draft by Miami Fusion. A short two years after retiring from the Revolution, Heaps is chosen as their next coach. Read a recent article in the Boston Globe about Heaps's approach to guide his team to success.

Western United Teams Triumphant in Tournament Play

The U18 Girls, U15 Boys, U13Boys Red, and U12 Boys all won their respective age divisions in tournament play this past weekend. The U16 Boys won a bid to the finals and captured a second place title. Read more and view photos.

WU Alum Voted D3 Soccer First team All American

Alum Sam DeMello (Easthampton) was voted to the 2011 D3soccer.com Men's All-America team. The Liberty League Player of the Year was also named Midfielder of the Year by D3soccer.com.

Read the D3soccer.com article.

Ten WU Boys Selected Republican All-Scholastic

Western United player Hans Erickson (Amherst, MA) leads the list of the All-Scholastic first team selections. Erickson was also selected All-New England and The Republican Player of the year. The honorees include: Tucker Bixby (Amherst), Kyle Cupka (Minnchaug), Shane Denault (Chicopee), Matt Miles (W. Springfield), Greg Blinder (Frontier), Nate Fournier (Belchertown), Eddie Mercer (South Hadley), Chris Riel (Belchertown), and Tyler Szymkowicz (Hopkins). Read the MassLive article.

Fisher Named High School Girls Soccer Player of the Year

Western United's Jenna Fisher (Longmeadow, MA), has been named high school girls soccer player of the year. The three-time All-Scholastic pick was chosen as an All-New England player, an All-State player for the second straight year and was named to the Scholar All-America team by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. Fisher will play Division I soccer next year at Boston University while majoring in Health Sciences. Read the MassLive article

WU Super-20 Player To Play For University of Hartford

Dillon Holguin has signed a letter of intent to play men's soccer for the University of Hartford. Holguin spent last summer playing for Western United F.C. in the United Soccer Leagues’ Super-20 League. It was during this time that Hartford Head Coach Tom Poitras saw Holguin play. Holguin became a starter on defense for the Super-20 team despite being one of the younger players on the squad. Read the entire article at OAVarsity.com.

News Bulletins (full list)