Port St. Lucie SC is the vision of co-founders Gustavo Suárez, Paulo Suárez and Agostina Galimberti, along with a newly formed investment group that includes several strategic investors. In October, they were joined by City of Port St. Lucie councilmembers, officials and staff, USL leaders and residents, for a community celebration to preview the club’ s sporting plans as well as unveil its official brand, crest and team name.
“ My fellow investors and I are excited to build a professional soccer club that is deeply rooted in the fabric of the Port St. Lucie community,” Gustavo Suárez said.“ We know there is a base of talented youth soccer players in the region who are looking for a path to the professional ranks. With this club, we aim to bring high-level training opportunities to help local players develop their skills right here at home.”
Port St. Lucie SC men’ s side intends to kick off in 2027 and compete in USL League One, a growing league in the third tier of the U. S. professional soccer pyramid. A professional women’ s team is planned to follow. The club plans to build a new stadium that meets the highest standards of the USL.
The team owners will finance the stadium construction and necessary infrastructure improvements. The City is not investing any up-front capital into the project and no taxpayer money from the City’ s General Fund will be used.
Team owners could be reimbursed for up to 50 % of eligible stadium and infrastructure costs, which will be capped at $ 27.5 million. Reimbursement, which would come through Community Redevelopment Agency Tax Increment Financing( TIF) revenue, would be spread over 20 years starting the year after the stadium receives its Certificate of Occupancy.
While the stadium will be located within Walton & One, the club is exploring opportunities to have a training facility and sports complex in other areas of Port St. Lucie. Walton & One, formerly known as City Center, is envisioned as a multi-year redevelopment project to create a vibrant, walkable destination in eastern Port St. Lucie, consisting of 46 acres of retail, office, entertainment, cultural, restaurant and residential uses, all anchored by the MIDFLORIDA Event Center.
" Port St. Lucie is proud to become home to a United Soccer League franchise, an investment in our City’ s future, our economy and our identity as a community that dreams big and delivers on those dreams,” said Port St. Lucie Mayor Shannon Martin.“ This partnership will serve as a catalyst for growth and opportunity across our City, St. Lucie County and the entire Treasure Coast region. It’ s more than sports; it’ s about bringing people together, energizing our City and building our future."
Visit www. waltonandone. com to learn more. www. CityofPSL. com / SalesTax
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