USL News Release

Thursday, November 6, 2008

ROCHESTER, NY -- It was announced today that former Rochester Rhinos W-League head coach Peter Amos has acquired the franchise rights of the team and is re-launching the side as a professional team by the name Western New York FC Pride. The new team will be affiliated with the W-League’s FC Indiana Lionesses, whose head coach Shek Borkowski will be joining the Pride as the new head coach.

Western New York will play its inaugural 2009 season at Rochester’s 12,000-seat PAETEC Park.

Amos stated, “The goal of the organization is to bring a complete and comprehensive program that affects the entire soccer community bringing it together on every level. From youth development up to the professional team, the organization’s mission is to be involved in the community. “Rochester is a soccer town both from a participation stand point and from a spectator perspective. By bringing these two groups together we intend to create one of the best player development programs in the country and building a strong fan base for one of the premiere women’s teams in the world.”

Borkowski has been the head coach of FC Indiana for the last five years and led the club to four national championships during that period, reaching the W-League final in its first season of participation last year.

“This is an exciting time for women’s soccer and we are looking forward to bringing some of the best players in the world to Rochester. This is truly a unique opportunity for both the players and the youth to interact and learn from each other,” said Borkowski. “Professional Futbol in Europe has always been connected and developed through the youth, and we have an incredible opportunity to bring that here to the states with Western New York FC.”

The team, according to Borkowski, will be comprised of some the best American players as well as international players who have extensive experience on the world stage.

Joy McKenzie, a two year player for Peter Amos and the Rhinos states, “I am excited and eager to come back to Rochester and play for a professional women’s soccer team in such a great environment. I have known both the FC Indiana and the Rochester club prior to their union and it’s easy to see why it is such a great fit. FC Indiana is already well known for its caliber of soccer around the world and the team has the accolades to prove it. On top of that, Shek and the rest of the staff there are the best you will find anywhere in the game. When you couple that with the new infrastructure in Rochester, and Peter’s enthusiasm to promote women’s soccer and youth development, not only in the U.S. but around the world, it will make for something exciting and extraordinary. You couldn’t ask for a better scenario as a player and as a lover of the game. I’m thrilled to be a part of what will surely become something special.”

“USL is excited to see these two W-League franchises come together in a collaborative effort to provide a platform of professional soccer for the female player,” said Director of W-League Operations Melanie Fitzgerald. “This is another example of how the W-League and USL continues to be a leader in women’s soccer by providing opportunities for the player in multiple levels, whether it be youth, amateur or professional. We are confident that through the efforts of both parties Western New York FC will place itself as a strong presence for both the league and the player.”