New Smyrna Beach, Florida is now home to its first and only local semi-professional soccer team, the NSB Current FC (New Smyrna Beach Current Football Club). This groundbreaking team is poised to invigorate the local sports scene, offering a new avenue for local talent to flourish and bring exciting soccer action to the community. The ultimate goal for the club is to become a professional league.
New Smyrna Beach local, Terry Lippens, 29, is the team owner and founder of the NSB Current FC. The soccer team is Lippens’ first experience with team ownership. “I wanted athletes to have a local home for talent,” explains Lippens. “A place to develop strength and maturity beyond youth and high school sports. I’ve invested my savings into this team.” Lippens draws from his personal experience as the head coach of a 2013 and 2016 boys team at the Southeast Volusia Soccer Club (SVSC).
The team brings excitement to the community every Sunday at the New Smyrna Beach Football Field, located at the city sports complex. These matches are becoming a local highlight, drawing an average of 170 fans per game, not only for the on-field action but also for the warm familyfriendly atmosphere. Lippens’ mother contributes a unique touch by preparing and selling delicious empanadas as well.
The robust roster of 54 players and dedicated staff, all work together to drive the team’s success. The all men’s team ranges in ages from 16 to 33 years old. There are 20 players selected to play for each game roster. In a stunning debut, the team stormed through the competition to clinch the Division 1 title, setting a high standard for their future seasons.
According to the 2024 spring season stats, the team delivered an impressive performance securing seven wins and one loss. The remarkable run includes a total of 28 scoring goals. The fall season play begins in September 2024. On the evening of June 30, the first quarter final game versus Gatorville, out of Gainesville, Florida took place. Lippens says, “The goal for the team is to win all the final games, secure the conference title, and seize the opportunity to compete for the state title this summer.”
The coaching staff for the team is strengthened with the addition of coaches from Stetson University, including the appointment of Nate Monsanto as the technical director. Monsanto, who currently serves as the assistant coach for Stetson’s men’s soccer team, brings experience and strategic insight to the semi-pro club. This hire underscores NSB Current FC’s commitment to leveraging top-tier coaching expertise to elevate the team’s performance and development, further enhancing their competitive edge in the league.
The New Smyrna Beach Current U19 UPSL, the academy team for the first senior team, has quickly become a platform for local talent aiming for college recruitment. With a focus on high visibility and competitive play against mature men, the U19 team offers young athletes an opportunity to showcase their skills to college scouts and recruiters. The emphasis on youth development not only strengthens the team’s future prospects, but also paves the way for players to secure college scholarships and advance their soccer careers.
The club team competes through a player development league, United Premier Soccer League (UPSL). According to the UPSL website, Premier.UPSL.com: “The league was founded in 2011 and has nearly 400 clubs competing nationwide. The league occupies the 4th tier of the United States (US) Soccer pyramid, just below the three professional tiers in the pyramid. With a participant average age of 22.5 years, the UPSL fills and brings structure to the large gap that exists between the youth game and the professional game.”
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