by Dan Minkoff
Excitement is building for Shoreline FC’s upcoming campaign in UPSL Premier. After a stellar performance in UPSL Division 1 during its debut season as a club, Shoreline United FC earned promotion and is ready to take on new challenges and a higher level of competition.
Its first game of the fall season kicks off against AMSG FC at 6 p.m. on Sept. 7 at Lake Forest Sports Park, Field A. Shoreline FC’s first home game will be at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 14 at the Long Beach City College soccer fields.
Check out Shoreline FC’s complete 2024 fall UPSL Premier SoCal North schedule here.
A New Chapter Begins
Promotion to the UPSL Premier marks another significant milestone for Shoreline FC after making its mark during the 2024 spring season. The team from Long Beach ripped off seven consecutive league wins after starting 0-2-1 competing in UPSL SoCal East Division 1 during its first season as a club.
Promotion to UPSL SoCal North Premier puts Shoreline in the same division that produced the 2023 national champion Chiriaco FC (Coachella, California) and 2024 UPSL national playoff finalist Inland Empire FC (San Bernardino, California). However, because college soccer season runs concurrently with UPSL’s fall season, teams will be dealing with roster changes. Current college players are ineligible to play UPSL until their season ends.
Coach Eddie Soto’s Perspective
Coach Eddie Soto, who took over Shoreline FC coaching duties when the winning streak began, acknowledges the uncertainties ahead.
“The challenge is the unknown,” Soto said. “Everybody's in the same boat because college players aren’t cleared to train or play. So, rosters are going to be different. I think it's important for us because we did a good job finding some players who finished playing in school and now they’re looking to continue playing in a competitive environment. The interesting thing is going to be competing without knowing too much about our opponents. That's going to be the biggest challenge.”
Reflecting on the team’s journey, Soto added, “The heart this team showed in our first season was incredible. Winning our division was just the beginning. Playing with 10 men in overtime in the quarterfinal and winning two penalty shootouts on our way to promotion really showed our resilience and determination. We’re bringing back a lot of those guys and that gives us a great foundation.”
Co-founders Sebastian De Smedt and Willie Alexander on Shoreline United FC’s Success
Shoreline FC co-founder Sebastian De Smedt said the team’s goal was just to be competitive in its first season and build from there. Finishing first in the division and earning promotion surpassed all expectations.
“Winning our division and the promotion playoffs was beyond our wildest dreams,” De Smedt said. “It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of our players and coaching staff. We’ve built something special here, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved.”
Shoreline United FC couldn’t have done it without support from the local community. Fans are eager to see their team compete at a higher level and are ready to cheer them on every step of the way. All of Shoreline FC’s home games will be played at Long Beach City College, creating a great atmosphere that will undoubtedly boost the players’ morale.
Co-founder Willie Alexander talked about his pride in seeing the players in celestial blue and sunglow yellow kits representing Long Beach.
“Representing Long Beach at this level is an incredible honor,” Alexander said. “Our promotion to UPSL Premier has raised the bar, and the expectations are higher than ever. We’re not just here to participate; we’re here to push for more success and to make our community proud.”
Building a Competitive Squad
Without its college players, Shoreline United FC will rely on its existing roster and new signings. The coaching staff has been working to scout and recruit talent that can fill the gaps and bring fresh energy to the team. Shoreline FC is not alone in facing this challenge. All UPSL teams will be navigating the season without their college stars, creating a level playing field. This scenario could lead to some unexpected outcomes and thrilling matches as teams adapt and players balance competing priorities, such as jobs, families and school.