“We choose the UPSL because it has a National platform with nearly 400 teams including now 16 MLS clubs. The UPSL was re-booted in Chicago by Garrett Hayward who ran 3 teams in 2021 and recruited 4 others creating the UPSL Midwest Central.”

The Sahara Gunners lost in the Third Round of US Open Cup Qualifying of the 2024 tournament - but their story isn’t over, its just beginning. We reached out to the club from Buffalo, NY to learn more about what makes them tick and Kovan Menr enthusiastically replied. He shared articles which other outlets had put together about them and answered our basic questions to share the background of a club founded by immigrants.

Since we represent a Club and foundation that is broader in scope than just the soccer team, we are very lucky to play as ambassadors / representatives of the Club in the soccer community. Every year, we purchase extra team jerseys that the Club then re-sells to members who are interested in supporting the team or enjoy wearing the same gear as the team.

“The badge actually has a great back-story. In the past, SSFC had the charter for the USA team in the All Nations Cup. So many of the South Sound players would double dip for both SSFC and the All Nations Cup Squad. Along with that, the red, white & blue bears significance as Tacoma and JBLM will always go hand in hand.”

“Red and black have been chosen due to the affection of Brazilian soccer club giants Flamengo. I have huge admiration for Brazil & their soccer culture. The Badge E stands for "E" in Estudiantes and the star signifies that we build & attract stars.”

“Our business plan, aka the Monster Plan, raises funds to target outdated and abandoned soccer fields in under privileged neighborhoods. We then secure the real estate rights to the field and rehabilitate the field.  We then organize all volunteer family run teams for local kids and grant our teams access to the highest level leagues for little or no cost to the families.  Our Monsters Plan can be applied anywhere in the world.”

“It is part of the Seattle culture to be obsessed with magnificent beasts. Maybe it's the dark winters. Hikers have tales about Sasquatch, Skiiers have the Yeti, hokey players have tales about Kraken, and socialites have tales about the Seattle freeze. Soccer players tell the tale of a half-shark-half-octopus with 11 tentacles to control the ball and a tenacious fighting spirit.”