EVERETT — A professional soccer team in Everett could kick-off with local ownership, according to Everett Mayor, Cassie Franklin. Franklin announced, “This week we have an ownership group for our future USL professional soccer team emerging. John Carswell who is the owner and founder of Apex Everett has been joined by other sports professionals.”
Everett officials have targeted The United Soccer League as a possible future tenant of a planned $120 million Everett Outdoor Events Center that would serve as an athletic home to Aqua Sox High-A minor league baseball–an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners–and a future USL team, while also being a venue for concerts and events in downtown Everett just east of Broadway between Hewitt Avenue on the north, the railroad line on the east, and Pacific Avenue on the south.
Franklin remarked at today’s Everett City Council meeting, “After incredible turnout, we saw at our World Cup Waterfront watch parties this summer, it’s clear that we’re ready to be a soccer city. Having a local ownership group step forward, led by a trusted local business leader really makes this more exciting. And John’s just an extraordinary human. He’s a strong supporter of Everett. He continues to show his dedication through significant local Investments, creating Apex Everett, 1611, and more. This has always been more than about bringing soccer to Everett or supporting baseball. This investment is something special that brings people together, supports our local economy and gives (us) another hometown team to call our own.”
Tammy Dunn, Executive Director of the Snohomish County Sports Commission tells the EverettPost.com, “Having a local ownership group for a future United Soccer League (USL) professional soccer team in Everett is exciting news! The sport of soccer is popular throughout the City of Everett and Snohomish County with league play happening year-round and more soccer clubs hosting youth soccer tournaments throughout the county. With the success of the Everett Waterfront Watch Parties this summer,” for FIFA World Cup, “having a home team to cheer for on a regular basis can create a new ‘soccer craze’ for the city and the county. With the opportunity of a USL professional soccer team coming to Everett, it means more than just soccer. This opportunity supports businesses and creates community events. The Snohomish County Sports Commission will have the ability to bring more visitors to the city through sports tournaments.”
The USL runs several divisions of competitive play which incorporate a relegation system to promote top teams and demote losing teams between upper and lower divisions. The USL currently lists Championship, League One and League Two as its men’s divisions. The USL includes two women’s divisions.
USL League Two includes local teams like Snohomish, Ballard, West Seattle, Maple Valley, Tacoma and Olympia. League One includes teams in Spokane, Portland, and Boise.
Apex Everett is a 5-star restaurant and music performance venue located at 1611 Everett Avenue in Everett, Wash.