30. FC Milwaukee Torrent (NPSL/WPSL)

While only founded in 2015 the Torrent has continued to make strides in evolving as an organization. The men’s first team currently plays in the Great Lake Conference of the NPSL and participated in the league's 2019 Member’s Cup. The club is coached by Carlos Cordoba, former Boca Juniors captain, who has professional experience throughout MLS and the Midwest region. The Torrent also field and women’s side in the WPSL and have recently launched its youth club in the Super Y League, the academy league of the USL. The strength of the Torrent lies in its organization who supports multiple clubs in multiple leagues, but has also built strong relationships with local sponsors and with Bundesliga giant Bayer 04 Leverkusen. While it is not uncommon for a lower league side to have connections with pro clubs, it is very rare for that side to be overseas and in its nation’s first division. Fresh off the rebrand, Torrent continues to push out a strong social presence with beautiful design. From the field to the office FCMT has all the makings for successful investment.

29. Florida Tropics SC (UPSL)

The Tropics took the road less traveled by starting out as an indoor side playing in MASL in 2016 before competing as an outdoor team. Both teams have had their share of success on the field, most notably the outdoor team’s perfect 2019 Spring season in UPSL which culminated in a national title. The last full season for the indoor side had them at an 18-3 record and an Eastern Conference champion before COVID shut things down. At one point the Tropics had a women’s team playing in WPSL in 2019, but at this time there’s no indication of a return (possibly a COVID casualty). As far as youth organizations go, the Lakeland Tropics have one of the largest in the state of Florida with over 2500 registered players. One advantage that the Tropics have over many of their peers is access to quality venues for soccer, indoor and outdoor. And the club has had some success in attendance with the indoor side averaging 2500 per game in the most recent season. In a relatively short time, the Tropics have shown that the club can field winning sides and put together a youth program. Becoming an investor in the Tropics would certainly have the Swan City Syndicate singing your praises.

28. Cal FC (UPSL)

I think we all remember 2012 Cal FC. Eric Wynalda leading his side to the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup. During that run, Cal FC became the first-ever amateur club to defeat an MLS side without penalties, when they defeated Portland Timbers 1-0. Since then the club has gone on to qualify for 4 additional U.S. Open Cups. Most recently Cal FC played within the UPSL, where they earned multiple division titles and helped promote players into the professional game. The organization has also harbored connections throughout the soccer community from its story to its past and present staff members.

27. Lansdowne Yonkers FC (EPSL)

If you asked us what the most challenging regional league was in the country, based on the feedback we get from clubs, we’d say it was the Cosmopolitan Soccer League. The top level of the league is full of gritty clubs, stocked with some of the best talent in the NYC area, including many ex-professionals and top college players. It’s not a pushover league, it’s a testing ground for the best clubs in NYC not playing in MLS. Want to know who won that league 4 of the last 7 seasons? Landsdowne Yonkers FC. This year the club made the hop to the new super league, the Eastern Premier Soccer League, and has crushed that competition, sitting atop the table, landing 22 points off 10 matches. LYFC is probably one of the best amateur teams in the country, let alone the East Coast. Investing in this club and it’s wealth of talent, would allow for the development of the operational side of the club.

26. Providence City FC (BSSL)

There might only be one other team in all of lower league US soccer that could challenge Providence City FC for the King of Kits title - they are a superpowered marketing machine; constantly churning out compelling swag and drawing in fans from all over the world. One of the most admirable aspects of this ambitious club is that the kits are not only attractive but actual collaborative products which cross-promote fellow businesses - creating a positive and supportive environment. This is essential for them, as they are the biggest team in their nearly 180K person market. Creating goodwill amongst potential sponsors and positive word of mouth with potential fans will only help them solidify their station and create a pocket for them to grow as an organization, carving out a niche in between the MLS markets of Boston and New York. While the Bay State Soccer League is a fantastic organization to play your soccer in, perhaps with some investment, “The Rogues” could take their branding savvy and football moxy to NISA.

25. ASC San Diego (NPSL/WPSL)

Playing in San Diego offers a unique opportunity to capitalize on not only the American market, but also the Mexican market. The Southern California market offers a good amount of competition within both the amateur and professional leagues in the region. With those relationships comes a strong fan culture plus more opportunities for the region's talent. ASC has a robust youth team whose boys side participates in the MLS next system and girls compete in the new Girls Academy. This system of clubs has created a perfect pipeline that has helped propel the professional career of many who join. The success of its player development is also matched by its success on the field. In 2019 the men's side would go on to the NPSL national semifinals where they would lose to NY Cosmos.

24. Napa Valley 1839 FC (NPSL)

Founded just four years ago by some of the smartest men in lower league soccer; Arik Hously, Greg Volker, Jonathan Collura and Michael Hitchcock, Napa Valley 1839 FC ply their trade in the NPSL’s Golden Gate Conference and bridges the gap between the Bay Area and Central Valley California. They are incredibly accessible from all parts of Northern California and Napa provides some of the most desirable wineries and hotels to visit on the whole west coast. From an investment standpoint, the team is a no-brainer - with gorgeous branding, they have plenty of marketing nous and they have put out attractive custom kits which connect to their community in a meaningful way. In 2018, they were able to attract LMX side Monarcas Morelia to play an exhibition and the club regularly pursues bringing top-quality friendlies to the community to provide entertaining soccer to the fans and to give their players a chance to play amongst North America’s very best.

23. Oly Town Artesians (EPL/WISL)

Originally started as an indoor club, Oly Town Artesians now compete in both the Western Indoor Soccer League of Washington and Oregon as well as in the Evergreen Premier League. Team founder Brandon Sparks has a knack for slick designs and has found a way to turn a part-time team into an attractive and growing brand in the Pacific Northwest. Located in Olympia, the capital of the great state of Washington, Oly Town Artesians are equally accessible to Seattle and Portland - they are stationed right on the I-5 Freeway and can get to any club along that stretch in a matter of hours. 2020 was as much a hiccup for them as it was for anyone, but their future plans include getting more folks involved with operations and growing their support base.

22. Santa Ana Winds FC (UPSL)

Winds FC, established in 2006, was a founding member of the UPSL and has been a mainstay of the league’s highly successful foothold in California. The club plays in the highly competitive SoCal conference, a hotbed of player development and cutthroat competition between amateur giants. Sometimes, it really is about location, location, location. Investing in the southern California soccer scene, rich with young soccer talent, is a smart move by any wise investor. Turning up the next great American player then shuffling that name down the line to a bigger club can pay massive dividends both financially and in prestige. With a large population, both for fans and talent, California is a great place to put a club on the map.

21. Hoboken FC 1912 (CSL)

One of the often used criticisms of the American soccer system is the lack of history and tradition. “Everything was founded 20 years ago!” As you might guess by the name of this club, not every club fits that tired trope. Hoboken FC has as much culture and tradition as you can find in any country not named England. The club was founded by German immigrants in 1912, proven by the fact that all the record-keeping done in that era was done in German. It’s rare that a club can claim to be founded before the Cosmopolitan Soccer League, which came into existence in 1923, but HFC1912 can lay such a claim. The club is built in the model of European clubs, with teams of many age groups and quality, playing together under the headline of the major club. Playing in the New York metro area is a massive plus, particularly if the club could catch lightening in a bottle and build interest. One cannot deny that to build HFC1912 into something of national consequence would take a big investment, however, the potential tie into the history of American soccer would be a sight to behold. All the soccer history buffs are quivering with excitement.