March 25 2025

Written By Chris Dailey

FC Monmouth is proud to release its inaugural schedule as members of the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL). 2025 will mark the Blue and Gold’s debut year in the league after having spent last year playing friendlies.

Head coach Lou Santa Cruz will lead FC Monmouth into its first league match on May 21st, as they travel to Pennsylvania for a match against Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals - Liberty. Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM. Founded in 1950, the Nationals are one of the country’s most historic youth soccer clubs. Their developmental academy trains players ages 5-8 and their travel teams are home to players ranging from 8-18. The travel teams compete at a high level within the national and local scene. Last season, the Nationals finished fifth out of seven teams in the WPSL’s Mid-Atlantic Conference Colonial division on ten points. FC Monmouth faced the Ukies in a home and away fixture, with the teams splitting the series with a win each.

FC Monmouth will make its way back home to Count Basie Park for days of back-to-back soccer on May 31st at 7 PM and June 1st at 6 PM. The games will be played against SJEB FC and Fever SC, respectively. SJEB FC will be a tough challenge for FC Monmouth after having placed second in the division on 18 points in nine matches played. Penn Fusion SA edged them out for the title, earning 21 points in ten matches. Meanwhile, Fever SC finished towards the bottom of the pack in the division. The club recorded 8 points en route to a sixth place standing.

The two matches mark a momentous occasion for FC Monmouth, as the club competes in official league-play on home soil for the first time. Doing so in the WPSL - the longest-running women’s soccer league in the United States - only sweetens the moment. Entering its 27th season, the WPSL also holds the bragging rights of being the largest women’s soccer league in the world with 150 teams. Notable alumnae of the league include Kristine LIlly, Julie Foudy, and Alex Morgan, amongst hundreds of more that have since gone on to play professionally.

FC Monmouth will then hit the road on June 3rd and June 6th for their reverse fixtures against SJEB FC and Fever SC. Both matches are scheduled to kickoff at 7 PM.

The club will be back at Count Basie Park on June 7th at 7:30 PM for a bout against the Delaware Ospreys - Deleware FC’s u23 women’s team. Their men’s counterpart plays in USL League 2. Similarly to Monmouth, the team is comprised of many collegiate players, highlighted 2023 Big South Tournament MVP Lilly Short. A junior at Radford, Short is set to lead the Osprey’s attack in 2025. The club finished fourth in the division last year, compiling a record of 5-3-1.

The match against the Ospreys will be the lone double-header of the year for FC Monmouth. Earlier in the day, the men’s team will face off against Kensington Soccer Club at 4:30 PM in The League for Clubs action.

FC Monmouth will then play the reigning division champions Penn Fusion SA and Real Central NJ two-times each to close out the year. The first two games will come on the road, starting with a showdown against Penn Fusion SA on June 14th at 4 PM. The club is located in West Chester, Pennsylvania and have proven themselves to be the team to beat over their past few seasons in the WPSL. The blue and gold will follow up with a game against Real Central NJ on June 17th at 7 PM. Real Central NJ holds the distinction of being the first opponent of FC Monmouth’s women’s team. The clubs competed in a friendly at Count Basie Park on June 3rd, 2024, with FC Monmouth hailing victorious, 4-0.

Penn Fusion SA and Real Central NJ will come to Monmouth County for the reverse fixtures on June 21st at 6 PM and June 22nd at 7 PM, correspondingly.

FC Monmouth is thrilled for the season ahead. The club takes great pride in providing players from around the county a platform to compete at the highest level of amateur soccer in the country and is committed to achieving success on and off the pitch.

To buy tickets for the season, visit fcmonmouth.com/tickets . To stay up to date with all things blue and gold, follow us on social media @wearemonmouth

FC Monmouth Unveils Inaugural WPSL Season Schedule