Leading Central PA Soccer Clubs Collaborate to Create an Elite Hershey NPSL Men’s Team and New Central Penn United U-23 Team
By Hershey FC
In honor of its 10th Anniversary, the Hershey Soccer Club (Hershey SC) announces a collaboration of four Central Pa. leading youth soccer clubs to form an Advisory Board to enhance the recruitment and training of regional young male soccer players. To better compete at the highest amateur levels, this new Advisory Board comprised of Hershey Soccer Club, Capital Area Soccer Association (CASA), Penn FC and Eagle FC leaders will support the Men’s Hershey FC National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) Team and the Central Pennsylvania United Under 23 Team (Central Penn United U-23). The Board’s focus is the creation of a single Men’s Hershey FC NPSL team of exceptional athletes through high-level development, recruitment and training of young soccer players from Dauphin, Cumberland, Lebanon and Perry counties, as well as a heightened fan experience.
“Over the years, these community clubs and directors have informally worked together to improve the players and performance of area youth soccer clubs. However, this dynamic collaborative effort is designed to build a single top-flight team,” said Tony Potter, president of Hershey Soccer Club. “The advisory panel is excited and dedicated to creating top-level soccer in our highly competitive East Region of the NPSL with a specific focus on developing players for college and professional play.”
Eric Pettis, the former owner of the Harrisburg City Islanders professional soccer team, is a catalyst for the initiative.
“As community-based clubs, Hershey SC, CASA, Penn FC and Eagle FC are committed to continuing the long tradition of putting the larger central Pennsylvania soccer community first,” said Pettis. “We encourage local young men with a passion for elite soccer competition, and the personal dedication required to be a successful teammate, to try out and earn the right to play with the best. We are hopeful this new alliance leads to a top-tier NPSL soccer team in Central Pa. that will qualify for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.”
Joining Pettis on the Advisory Board are Hershey Soccer Club Directors Anthony Potter and Keenan Schaeffer, CASA Director Gino DiFlorio, Penn FC Director Bill Becher, Eagle FC Director Brian Redding and longtime Trinidad and U.S. soccer pro Richard Chinapoo. Through high-quality training of the new Central Penn United Under 23 Team, the Advisory Board will ensure skilled players train together and fuel a deep talent pool for the Hershey FC NPSL Team.
An open tryout for the Hershey FC NPSL and Central Penn United U-23 teams will be held on February 6, 2022 from 9:00-10:30 am at In The Net, 798 Airport Road, Palmyra, Pa. For more information and to register, visit HersheySoccer.org.
