Click here for Official Press Release (12/2/11).  

Click here to read Press Release Text 

Click here for Questions & Answers - to some of your initial questions.

Clearwater Chargers, Fusion FC Announce Merger

Chargers Soccer Club to be one of Florida’s largest

               Two of the oldest and most tradition-rich youth soccer clubs in Florida - the Clearwater Chargers and Fusion FC - are pleased to announce a merger to become “Chargers Soccer Club”, effective with tryouts at the end of May 2012.  The merger will provide soccer opportunities to youth players throughout the Tampa Bay region with programs and fields in Pinellas, Hillsborough and Manatee counties, covering all sides of Tampa Bay.

The merger brings together a pair of clubs established in the 1970s to create a club of 80-90 competitive teams and three recreational programs with more than 2,500 players utilizing 50 soccer fields in three counties. The Clearwater Chargers operate out of facilities in Clearwater and Lakewood Ranch, while Fusion FC’s facilities are located in Tampa.

 Both clubs have a long history in the Tampa Bay area of developing players who have gone on to be successful in college programs, on U.S. Soccer national teams and in the professional ranks. The list includes current and former MLS standouts such as Kenny Cooper of the Portland Timbers, Bobby Boswell and Richard Mulrooney of the Houston Dynamo, Zac MacMath of the Philadelphia Union, Jeffrey Cunningham and Korey Veeder of the Columbus Crew, Blake Wagner of Real Salt Lake and Scott Bower of the San Jose Earthquakes.

Among other notable alumni are Bryane Heaberlin, (US U17, U18 and U20 Women’s National Team goalkeeper, recently committed to the University of North Carolina), Eugene Starikov (FC Tom Tomsk, Russia), Jeff Attinella and JP Rodrigues (FC Tampa Bay), Brian Waltrip (Norway), Gus Kartes (Greece), Joey Collewijn (Holland and England), Kevin Pahl (U14 and U15 US National Teams), and Atsou Ayah, (current U18 Chargers Academy team member, formerly of the US U17 National Team Residency Program).

“This merger is between two like-minded clubs with a focus on the development of soccer players at every level,” Clearwater Chargers Director of Coaching Peter Mannino said.  “We are excited about what the future will hold for everyone and our ability to continue to be a leader in the Tampa Bay soccer community.”

Chargers Soccer Club is expected to draw players from six counties with the continuation of their local soccer opportunities as well as additional regional and national opportunities. Players age 4 to 19 will compete in recreational “in-house” leagues (U5-U10), recreational travel leagues (U12-U19), and the top competitive soccer leagues in the state, region and nation (U9-U18). Clearwater Chargers Soccer Club is currently one of four clubs in Florida and 78 in the nation to serve as a United States Soccer Federation Development Academy for boys U16 and U18, and is also part of the Southeast Pre-Academy League (U14 Boys). Additionally, the club has an application on file for participation in the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) for girls U14-U18.

“This is a great opportunity for two of the longest-standing clubs in Florida, let alone in the Tampa Bay area, to come together combining our resources to continue to provide local opportunities and player development with additional regional, national and international-level opportunities across the whole club,” said Jim DiNobile, Fusion FC Director of Soccer Operations.

The merger brings together a director staff with an unprecedented level of experience for the Tampa Bay region: 

·         Peter Mannino, Clearwater Director of Coaching (nearly 20 years); USSF B license 

·         Jim DiNobile, Fusion FC Director of Soccer Operations (nearly 10 years); U.S. Soccer coaching and instructional staff and U.S. Soccer academy scout, USYS ODP Region III Staff Coach, USSF A license 

·         Garth Pollonais, Clearwater USSF Development Academy Director & U16 coach; USYS ODP Region III Staff Coach, USSF B license 

·         Mauricio Pesaresi, Fusion FC, Boys Director of Coaching; USYS ODP Region III Staff Coach, USSF A license 

·         Roberto Lopez, Clearwater USSF Development Academy U18 coach,  U.S. Soccer Staff Coach; USYS ODP Region III Boys ‘88 Assistant Coach, former U20 Men’s National Team staff, USSF A license, 

·         Richard Chisolm, Fusion FC Girls Director of Coaching and Goalkeeper Director; USYS ODP Region III Staff Coach, USSF A license, USSF Goalkeeper license 

·         Tim Mulqueen, Clearwater USSF Development Academy goalkeeper coach, former U17 National Team goalkeeper coach,  USSF A license 

·         Steve Heighway, former Clearwater DOC, Liverpool FC player and director of Liverpool Youth Academy; currently a Clearwater technical advisor 

·         Kevin Clinton, Clearwater Goalkeeper Director; formerly of the Tampa Bay Rowdies 

·         Siggi Nagele, Clearwater college advisor, technical trainer; former Eckerd College women’s coach and FYSA ODP Staff Coach 

·         Roland Moldovan, Fusion FC club coach, speed & agility coach; FYSA ODP Staff Coach, USSF B license  

The Chargers Soccer Club competitive program will feature teams at multiple levels in each age group with both Region Cup and State Cup-level teams. Among the leagues in which Chargers Soccer Club teams could compete are the Club Directors League, United Soccer Association, the Florida State League, the Region III Premier League, the National Premier League, the Florida Youth Soccer Association State Premier League and the Southeast Pre-Academy League. The club will also explore the possibility of combined competitive tournament teams for players looking for the opportunity to play with their local club team as well as at major college showcase tournaments.  

Chargers Soccer Club will be a club where players of all abilities have a place to play, a club that stresses development of the soccer player, and a club that emphasizes - along with good soccer - striving to make a player the best person they can be through the principles of integrity, honesty, dedication and commitment. 

The club’s new logo, currently being developed, will proudly display three stars signifying three national championships. Fusion FC (formerly Black Watch SC and the New Tampa Soccer Association) captured the 1985 U18/19 Girls national championship, while the Clearwater Chargers (encompassing the former Countryside Lightning Soccer Club) captured a pair of National Championships (1995 & 1997 James P. McGuire Cup, U-19 Boys). 

The showcase facility for Chargers Soccer Club is Premier Sports Campus, located in Lakewood Ranch in Manatee County and featuring 22 fields and more than 140 acres. Currently serving as the site of the 2011 Nike International Friendlies and the USSF Development Academy Winter Showcase, the Premier Sports Campus will also host the highly successful Chargers Soccer Club Labor Day and Easter tournaments.

12/2/11 - Q&A - Answers to initial questions.

We are very excited to share with you that the Fusion Futbol Club and the Clearwater Chargers Soccer Club will merge in time for competitive tryouts at the end of May, 2012.

Why are we merging, then, you may ask?  Well, the benefits of working together are numerous.  They include the opportunities for players to grow within their current club location from the youngest ages through their collegiate playing careers and beyond without having to leave their community based club league teams; in additional to that, we will have the ability to pool highly competitive tournament teams across the club for those looking for additional regional & national opportunities; also, we will have the ability to provide development for players at the US Soccer Development Academy level for the boys and, for what we hope to be able to offer in the near future, Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) for the girls.  With the unprecedented level of experience of both clubs’ soccer directors plus their respective experienced coaching staff, at each club location players will continue to be coached and guided by some of the best professionals in the country.  The goal is to continue to provide soccer development and enjoyment of the game to every player at every age at every playing level & ability throughout the TampaBay area. 

The main thing we want you to know is that this merger will not change most of what you currently experience and enjoy with your club.  We will continue to offer all the current programs and you will continue to see Jim DiNobile, Mauricio Pesaresi, Richard Chisolm as our soccer directors and Kathleen Shelton as our administrative director. 

We believe this merger will create additional new avenues of opportunity and improvement at all levels:  player development, programming, facilities at each location, administration, sponsorship, fundraising . . . and the list goes on. 

Are the clubs merging or is one club in control?  This is truly a merger of equals that is being carried forward with the highest level of cooperation and support from all involved. We intend to be the model organization for youth soccer; with an unwavering focus on ensuring that the good of the players and their families comes first. 

Although both clubs have known each other for many years, our first joint venture was our very successful Tampa Bay Labor Day Showcase this past September.  Tournaments like this are terrific fundraisers for the club and represent our club in the soccer community very well.  This past Labor Day we hosted 254 teams playing on 28 fields all at the Premier Sports Complex at the Lakewood Ranch location and we have begun working on the Easter tournament.  This week the Nike Friendlies and the USSF Development Academy Showcase are being held at the Premier Sports Complex bringing in some of the best footballers in the country as well as hundreds of college coaches.   

What will be our club name?  The club name will be the “Chargers Soccer Club” where each location will be known as “Chargers Soccer Club Clearwater”, “Chargers Soccer Club Tampa” and “Chargers Soccer Club Lakewood Ranch”.  Since both clubs, Clearwater Chargers (with Countryside Lightning) & Fusion FC (Black Watch Soccer Club & New Tampa Soccer Association), have gone through previous development mergers, the names and nicknames of the club have changed over time where the nickname “Chargers” continues to exist.  It made sense to continue that name with the recognition of each club location. 

Will my child have to travel to one of the other club sites for practices?  NO, unless your child chooses to be considered for a specialty tournament team (in addition to their regular club team) or the US Soccer Development Academy.   All current recreational and competitive club players currently based at each of the 3 club locations will remain at their same location.  You will not be required to travel to another site for practice.  

Will all club locations wear the same uniform and what will be our colors?  Yes, all Chargers Soccer Club players will wear the same uniform from site to site and the colors (chosen from the common colors of both clubs) will be Red, Yellow, Black & White. 

Will we have a new logo?  Yes, it is currently being designed.  Of particular note, the new logo will include 3 stars for the 3 national championships between our clubs. 

What will the merger mean to club registration fees?  As it is every year, we work on the following season’s budget and fees in the later half of the previous season and will do the same for our soon-to-be merged club; however, in our initial analysis, we believe that fees will be able to be kept in the same range that has historically been experienced by both clubs as well as soccer programs in the Tampa Bay area taking into consideration the club expenses, inflation and some of the economies of scale we hope to achieve with the merger. 

We will have additional information to share with all of you as we continue to work on the details of the merger, plus we will launching a new website where you will be able to go for all the latest information.