From the ashes, Akron United FC was born. It all started in 2020, in the heart of the COVID pandemic. The shortened 2020 Season was underway, and perennial protagonists Latinos FC was competing for a place in the final. But most of its core players had left before the season, and with many new faces and new leadership, the team and its brand were officially dismantled.

Enter Akron United FC and Siempre Unidos football. Despite finishing out of the title race, there was clear hope for what the future could bring after Akron United FC defeated much-favored Dream Team FC 3-1. And yet, the season ended full of uncertainty, few trusted the project, and new players and leadership were needed. William, however, followed his passion and pushed through.

William has lived in Akron since 2003, and since then, he has always been passionate about leading his teams to reach their potential – that has gained and strained friendships, but he has held steady in his vision. He envisioned a team of great diversity in age and background, with clear organization, and a focus on the Unity of the team rather than on the individual – Siempre Unidos. Those who joined him in leadership, including Josh Kay (USA), Pedro Bossio (Colombia), Lio Nwike (Sweden/Nigeria), Tyler Sprockhoff (USA), Cesar Castro (Mexico), and Andrew Idowu (Nigeria) shared the vision. The new leaders took the team forward with players from Paraguay, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Honduras, Mexico, Colombia, Palestine, Sweden, Nigeria, Serbia, and, of course, USA. The dream of a team united in diversity and collective force was on its way.

2021 was a year of ups and downs, with great wins and bad defeats, but it was clear the team was heading in the right direction. The inconsistency was expected in the first full transition year. In Midseason a new manager was brought in: Casey Koza, a rugby junky with a strong soccer passion, to lead the team. Akron United FC fulfilled its season goals and made the playoffs – which ended in a disappointing defeat to perennial contenders Leones FC, 1-3.

2022 saw the team come into its own. The defense and midfield kept the core of the previous two seasons – Pedro, Fede, Lio, Tyler, Noah, Nick, Andrew, Cesar, and Josh all came back, and now knew each other very well. A new GK, Orlando, came in to command the posts, and new recruits were brought in to fill gaps, particularly up front, after the team’s top scorer, Aladdin, moved out of Akron. After a shaky start, the team finished second in the standings – just short of the 1st position by goal difference. Akron United FC had the meanest defense the league has ever seen: 6 goals against in 14 games. The next best team had 20 goals against. Offense wins games, but defense wins Championships – and Akron United FC lived that to its full extent. Siempre Unidos football was shining through.

Those performances propelled the team to the final – against Leones FC. It was a hard fought, intense game that ended 1-1 after 120 minutes, crowned by a PK shootout win. Akron United FC won its first major trophy after only 3 years of existence. It was a journey from ashes to glory. Unity, organization, diversity, and loyalty to the vision move the team forward. Siempre Unidos. This is Akron United FC.