Buffalo Pro Soccer, led by Western New York native Peter Marlette Jr., has announced plans to bring a United Soccer League Championship team to the city by 2026. Marlette will serve as the president of the organization, collaborating with stakeholders to make the club a reality in Buffalo. The goal is to showcase Buffalo’s passion for sports and establish a professional soccer club that embodies the community’s values of hard work, resilience, innovation, and pride.
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown has praised the efforts of Buffalo Pro Soccer in bringing professional soccer to the city. He recognizes that it has the potential to enrich Buffalo’s civic and sports history and establish it as a prominent destination for sports enthusiasts globally. Marlette brings valuable experience to the project, having played for FC Buffalo and managed Union Omaha. His involvement in Major League Soccer with FC Dallas further strengthens his expertise in building successful soccer clubs.
The USL Championship features 24 men’s professional teams and offers a platform for high-level competition in a league sanctioned by U.S. Soccer’s Division II. With an average attendance of nearly 6,000 fans per game and some teams drawing over 10,000 spectators, it provides a dedicated fan base and a competitive environment for aspiring professional soccer players. The ambitious plans of Buffalo Pro Soccer aim to capitalize on its reputation as a hub for sports in North America and establish itself as a key player in the soccer landscape.
In conclusion, Buffalo Pro Soccer is set to bring professional soccer back to Buffalo by 2026 under Peter Marlette Jr.’s leadership. The goal is not just to create another sports team but also to embody Buffalonian values of hard work, resilience, innovation, and pride while contributing positively to the city’s civic history.
As mayor Byron Brown mentioned earlier this year at his State of City address that “Buffalo is not just another city; we are more than just another city.” With this new initiative from Buffalo Pro Soccer, it could become even more than just another city but also one with its own thriving professional sports scene that showcases its dedication towards excellence in everything they do whether it’s business or sports.
