Sometimes you just have to make the best of whatever situation you’re in. After winning a national championship as a professional club in NISA last year, Flower City Union announced that it would be joining the NPSL as an amateur side. When the news broke last week, it took few by surprise, though the destination league had been in doubt.

Rumors had swirled throughout the offseason that the club couldn’t afford another season as a professional side and would be looking for an amateur league to join. And as late as January, most had assumed the club would join the ever-growing USL League Two, but the NPSL proved to be the final decision. While some have speculated that the decision against USL may have been forced by NISA contractual stipulations, according to Casey Catlin, Flower City General Manager, the decision was easy because of historical reasons. “The NPSL has a history here in Rochester with the Rochester Lancers and our minority owner Mark Washo has known Michael Hitchcock for quite awhile.” Hitchcock, of course, is part of multiple NPSL club ownership groups including Annapolis Blues, Appalachian FC, and Ft. Worth Vaqueros.

NISA has had clubs exit its league every season, some joining other leagues, some disappearing completely. That second channel was never on the table according to Catlin. “Folding the team was never an option. We are focused on the long-term sustainability of the club and moving to the NPSL this season was a decision that we needed to make to continue growing the awareness of the club and build on our successes from 2023 both on and off the pitch.”

During its final run in NISA, which resulted in a league crown, it was clear that Flower City was beginning to connect with a soccer-rabid fanbase in Rochester. The team plans to continue to grow that relationship and will continue to play matches in the Rochester Community Sports Complex for the 2024 season. The club’s women’s side, Flower City 1872, will also call the Complex home for its UWS matches. Flower City has also begun announcing roster signings for both teams.

Catlin feels there’s plenty to be excited about this year’s iteration of both teams that play under the Flower City. “We have been working tirelessly behind the scenes this offseason to not only continue operating as though we are a professional club but also take even more steps forward than we have in the past. We will be unveiling new home and away kits, announcing a Flower City Union/Flower City 1872 beer that we have partnered with Strangebird on, stepping up our youth development side, and overall enhancing our stadium experience for our fans.”

- Dan Vaughn