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Ozark United FC
Full nameOzark United Football Club
FoundedJuly 12, 2023; 17 months ago (2023-07-12)
StadiumOzark United Stadium (tentative)
Rogers, Arkansas
Capacity5,000
FoundersChris Martinovic
Warren Smith
LeagueUSL Championship
Websitehttps://www.ozarkunited.com/

Ozark United Football Club is an upcoming American professional soccer team based in Rogers, Arkansas. Founded in 2023, the club plans to have a men's team in the USL Championship before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and a women's team in the USL Super League debuting in late 2026.

History

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On July 12, 2023, the USL awarded an expansion team to the city of Rogers, Arkansas that will represent the Northwest Arkansas region.[1][2][3] The founders are Chris Martinovic and Warren Smith.

The club plans to build a new, 5,000-seat stadium located in the Pinnacle Hills area of Rogers. Initially they were expected to buy land north of the Pinnacle Hills Promenade through an agreement with Rogers philanthropist Johnelle Hunt [4], but on December 12, 2024, the club announced they would be building the stadium in a new, undisclosed location in Pinnacle Hills. [5]

A "Name the Team" campaign created by ownership to hear fan suggestions for team names and branding happened in October 2023.[6] The development of the club's name and branding identity will be led by Stone Ward, an advertising agency with offices in Rogers, Chicago, and Little Rock.[7]

On January 5, 2024, Ozark announced the launch of a Founding Fans panel, a group of 36 fans who will "be instrumental in shaping the club’s defining elements — its name, crest, and logo, ensuring that every aspect resonates with the spirit and values of USL Arkansas’ supporters and community."[8]

On May 16, 2024, Ozark announced the launch of a U20 Academy team, a new initiative to cultivate local soccer talent. The team will play in a combination of USL Academy competitions, including the USL Academy Cup and other USL-sanctioned events, as well as the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL), beginning play in the fall of 2024.[9]

On August 15, 2024, Ozark announced a partnership with Charly, a leading soccer brand from Mexico, to become the official kit and training apparel provider for the club. The partnership will equip USL Arkansas with on-field match and training kits, as well as an extensive range of merchandise.[10]

Colors and crest

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The club's crest and colors, designed by Stone Ward, were unveiled on October 3, 2024. Tens of thousands of feedback items through 16 community listening sessions, fan surveys, and nine focus group sessions with 36 Ozarkers were used to help create the club's brand.

The club's colors, Ozark and Natural Green, represent the landscape of the Ozark Mountains, while the O shape of the badge represents the hilly terrain of the Ozarks. The O-Z monogram in the middle of the crest represents the interconnectedness of Northwest Arkansas' four main cities – Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, and Bentonville.[11]

References

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  1. ^ "Professional Soccer Landing in Northwest Arkansas". Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  2. ^ "Pro soccer teams and a new 5,000-seat stadium are coming to Northwest Arkansas". Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  3. ^ "USL Arkansas plans soccer club in Northwest Arkansas". Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  4. ^ "Warren Smith updates USL backing, branding, naming". USL Arkansas. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  5. ^ "Pro soccer stadium to be built at new Pinnacle Hills location". Northwest Arkansas Business Journal. 12 December 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  6. ^ "USL Arkansas Invites Community to "Name The Team" in Latest Campaign". USL Arkansas. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  7. ^ "USL Arkansas Partners with Stone Ward to Shape a Dynamic Soccer Brand in Northwest Arkansas in Latest Campaign". USL Arkansas. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  8. ^ "USL Arkansas Partners with Stone Ward to Shape a Dynamic Soccer Brand in Northwest Arkansas in Latest Campaign". USL Arkansas. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  9. ^ "USL Arkansas Academy". USL Arkansas. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  10. ^ "USL ARKANSAS PARTNERS WITH CHARLY AS OFFICIAL APPAREL PROVIDER". USL Arkansas. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  11. ^ "USL Arkansas Unveils Ozark United FC as Official Brand, Bringing Unity and Community to Northwest Arkansas Soccer". Ozark United FC. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
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