Appalachian FC Joins the NPSL for the 2021 Season

The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) is proud to announce that Appalachian FC (Boone,
NC) has joined the league as an expansion team. The club will begin competition in the East
Region in 2021.

“We are thrilled to add a team in North Carolina – and one that has a strong leadership team, a
solid business plan, and a market thirsting for a local soccer team to grow up with their
community,” NPSL Managing Director Cindy Spera said. “The ownership group has a wealth of
both soccer and business experience.  They have already secured several local sponsors and are
positioned to make an impact in their community from day one.”

Appalachian Soccer Group LLC has created a unique ownership model built for maximum
success. The ownership group is made up of former Appalachian State men’s soccer coach Jason O’Keefe, 919 Sports Management, and PMI combined with top Boone business owners and
community and soccer leaders.

O’Keefe is regarded as the top soccer professional in Boone as a result of a successful career
building the Appalachian State men’s soccer program. 919 Sports Management is providing in-
house legal counsel, while PMI is a sports management company that brings 25 years of soccer
management experience.

“We will bring NPSL soccer to the High Country with a strong ownership group committed to
connecting with the community and establishing the club as a professionally run and operated
club,” O’Keefe said. “This will fill the void left in the High Country after Appalachian State cut
their men’s soccer program this summer. We will provide affordable, quality family
entertainment next summer.”

Appalachian Soccer Group LLC will provide opportunities for local students to pursue a sports
management career, players to pursue their dreams, supporters to have a team to call their own in
their backyard, companies to give back to their community while growing their business, and
local owners to build a soccer legacy. The club will inspire local youth soccer players to reach
their potential and provide the community with high-level, affordable summer entertainment in
the High Country.

“Expanding in North Carolina is important for the NPSL mission to grow the sport of soccer
throughout the U.S. and we look forward to representing the High Country against great teams from the East Region,” O’Keefe said. “Boone is a soccer-loving market that will passionately
support its hometown soccer team on a beautiful summer night in the High Country.”

More information can be found by visiting www.appalachianfc.com or by following the club on
Facebook (@AppalachianFootballClub), Instagram (@appalachianfc) and Twitter
(@appalachianfc).

“The NPSL is pleased to add a team in North Carolina for the 2021 season,” NPSL Director of
Membership Development Dina Case said. “The ownership group has tremendous experience at
this level of soccer and has already established strong support from the surrounding community.
We look forward to Boone being a great market for the NPSL and to Appalachian FC having
great success there.”

More information about expansion opportunities in the NPSL can be found at
http://www.npsl.com/expansion-application.