LVU Rush
For Release Date: Jan 21, 2023
For Release Time: 12.00 PM EST
Two Elite Eastern PA Youth Soccer Clubs Announce Partnership
Lehigh Valley United FC and Pennsylvania Rush Soccer Clubs to Form
Combined Teams of Elite U13-U19 Players for 2023-24 Season
New Entity Known as LVU Rush Will Host ID Clinics and Tryouts Spring 2023
Allentown, PA and Doylestown, PA — Jan 21, 2023 — Lehigh Valley United FC (LVU) and Pennsylvania Rush Soccer (PA Rush) will begin collaborating in preparation for the Spring 2023 season to form combined teams of elite players for their U13-U19 age groups for both their girls’ and boys’ teams. “We are excited to announce a partnership between two distinguished clubs that have won championships at the state, regional and national level, and produced hundreds of collegiate players during the past decade. This history of success and development, along with competing in the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) and the highest levels of play in U.S. Youth Soccer (USYS), position LVU and PA Rush to continue as top Eastern PA youth soccer leaders for years to come,” said LVU President and Lehigh University Head Coach Dean Koski.
Both clubs have spent the last year working toward a partnership that would strengthen their respective organizations with more players, teams, coaches, facilities, and resources. “I want to thank PA Rush Technical Director Kristian Bates, PA Rush Director of Operations Sheku Bangura, and Executive Director of LVU, Greg Ramos, for working tirelessly to make this collaboration a success” said Luka Okoniewski, President of PA Rush. “Through this partnership, both organizations will work to enhance the player development process for which both clubs are well-known.”
In the first year (2023/2024 season), LVU and PA Rush will continue to operate their non-LVU Rush teams and programs independently, sharing best practices, with the mutual shared goals of continuing to develop players of all abilities who can compete in a variety of competitive arenas. According to LVU Executive Director, Greg Ramos, the partnership adds value and opportunity to all players and levels within LVU and PA Rush: “This partnership supports the three pillars of development - bringing together the best coaches, and the best players, in the best competitive environment - and will positively benefit all that we do, including our Recreational, Travel, ECNL, USL 2, and Adult Leagues.” Ramos added, “This partnership ultimately will improve our existing teams, coaching staff, and organizations, and elevate the competitiveness of our teams regionally and nationally, while strengthening an already robust college soccer pathway.”
For PA Rush, enhancing player progress from high school through college, to the ranks of professional soccer, is their ultimate goal, making partnering with LVU a logical step. This partnership opens an opportunity for the club’s college-aged players to participate in LVU’s USL League Two pre-professional soccer team, and to continue training at the highest level throughout the summer months. “This is a win-win collaboration for both clubs, and we are excited to bring our two soccer families together to forge one of the best player development oriented club experiences in the region,” said PA Rush Technical Director Kristian Bates.
LVU’s leading sponsor is the Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) and the Rush soccer organization is the largest youth soccer club in the world, with over 45,000 players in 50 countries around the world.
LVU and PA Rush will be holding joint LVU Rush ID Clinics and Tryouts in the Spring. Additional information, including dates and locations, will be made public soon.
For more information, press only:
Greg Ramos:
gramos@lehighvalleyunited.com
Kristian Bates:
kbates@parush.com
