AV Alta FC
| File:Logo of AV Alta FC.png | ||||
| Full name | AV Alta Football Club | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | October 4, 2023 | |||
| Stadium | Lancaster Municipal Stadium | |||
| Capacity | 6,000 | |||
| Owner(s) | J David Harden John Smelzer Bob Roback | |||
| President | John Smelzer | |||
| Head coach | Brian Kleiban | |||
| League | USL League One | |||
| 2025 | USL League One, 9th of 14 | |||
| Website | avaltafc | |||
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AV Alta Football Club, commonly referred to as AV Alta FC or Alta, is an American professional soccer team based in Lancaster, California. First announced in 2023, the team plays in the USL League One since 2025. Their home field is Lancaster Municipal Stadium, also known as "The Hangar".
History
[edit | edit source]On October 4, 2023, the United Soccer League announced that the city of Lancaster, California, had been awarded a USL League One expansion team which would start play in the 2025 season. John Smelzer, an entrepreneur who worked with the United States Soccer Federation for the 1994 FIFA World Cup, was announced as founder and president.[1]
On May 16, 2024, Brian Kleiban was announced as the team's inaugural head coach. Kleiban had held coaching roles with FC Barcelona, Los Angeles FC and Chivas USA.[2]
The club's name — AV Alta FC — and logo were unveiled on May 17, 2024.[3] Former U.S. international and Major League Soccer player Miguel Ibarra, who hails from the area, was announced as the club's first player on December 9, 2024.[4]
In their first match in club history, the club lost to the South Georgia Tormenta FC 2–0 away.[5] However, in their inaugural match in both the U.S. Open Cup and at the Lancaster Municipal Stadium, AV Alta won 3–1 over the Ventura County Fusion, with Jerry Desdunes scoring the first goal in club history.[6]
Club identity, crest and colors
[edit | edit source]The club's official name, crest and colors were unveiled in front of thousands of fans in Lancaster on May 17, 2024.[7] "AV" is a common local nickname for the Antelope Valley, while "Alta" is meant to allude to the region's location in the high desert, its ties to the aerospace industry, and to Alta California, the region's name prior to California statehood.
The club's official colors are referred to as Joshua Green and Desert Sand, the former in reference to the abundant Joshua trees in the area. The shape of the crest is meant to resemble a California poppy, while the angled font of the "AV" at the center of the crest was inspired by angular shape of the B2 stealth bomber.
Stadium
[edit | edit source]The team play at Lancaster Municipal Stadium, also known as "The Hangar", a former minor league ballpark that was home to the Lancaster JetHawks until 2020.[8] The stadium was reconfigured for soccer use by adding seating in the former outfield at a cost of $17 million, and has a total of 5,300 seats, including a safe standing supporters' terrace on the north side.[4]
Current roster
[edit | edit source]- As of May 10, 2025
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
- ^ USL Academy Contract
Record
[edit | edit source]Year-by-year
[edit | edit source]| Season | USL League One | Playoffs | U.S. Open Cup | Top Scorer 1 | G | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | Pos | |||||
| 2025 | 30 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 42 | 47 | 36 | 9th | Did not qualify | Round of 32 | United States Eduardo Blancas | 11 |
^ 1. Top Scorer includes all goals scored in regular season, league playoffs, U.S. Open Cup, and other competitive continental matches.
Honors
[edit | edit source]Player honors
[edit | edit source]| Year | Player | Country | Position | Honor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Eduardo Blancas | United States United States | Midfield | All-League Second Team |
References
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