Puerto Rico soccer team

NBA star Carmelo Anthony is joining the ranks of sports group proprietors.

The newest York Knicks forward launched at a Thursday development seminar that their brand-new club, Puerto Rico FC, will get in on the us Soccer League and commence play in 2016.

"My passion for soccer has long been indeed there, " Anthony informed ESPN FC in a unique meeting.

"i recently always held it to myself and among my circle. Gonna games, sneaking into games and just watching being across the recreation over time. The greater time we started investing in Puerto Rico within the last six, seven many years we realized there ended up being particular a void down here on my island. The area don't really have anything that they are able to style of call unique, they could represent not just on island but from a worldwide point of view."

Puerto Rico FC will be the NASL's 13th club after the league recently added Miami FC on May 20.

The club, that may begin play inside 2016 NASL autumn season, will play its house suits within recently renovated Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium. Positioned in Bayamon, about 10 kilometers from the capital city of San Juan, the 12, 500-seat arena serves as the house base the Puerto Rico national group.

This is not the first time that an expert club features set up store in Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rico Islanders played in a variety of leagues from 2003 until 2012 before-going on hiatus after the conclusion of 2012 NASL period.

Throughout that time the Islanders made an unforgettable set you back the semifinals of this 2008-09 CONCACAF Champions League before dropping to Liga MX powerhouse Cruz Azul.

"it had been a perfect opportunity for us to not only restore that power which club, but to start some thing fresh, " Anthony stated. "i wish to be any particular one staff that presents Puerto Rico."

Anthony's connections into area run deep. He and his spouse tend to be of Puerto Rican lineage, and also for the past years he has got has actually involved with charitable efforts, including the opening of baseball courts all-around Puerto Rico. Today his purpose should increase their financial investment when you look at the area.

"For me, it is more info on taking that worldwide awareness to Puerto Rico, " he said. "everybody in the world really wants to go to Puerto Rico. And there's a lot of Puerto Ricans scattered throughout the world, plus America alone. I would like to hook up to those pouches of Puerto Ricans in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Orlando. That's something i wish to tap into."

Anthony insisted that brand-new endeavor wont distract him from their time job, playing when it comes to Knicks.

"baseball is my No. 1 thing, " he said. "i am very hands-on but it is more about making the effort now during offseason. We spend a lot of time in Puerto Rico instruction. I'll do like a mini-training camp down there. Right now it really is about putting suitable individuals in position so that whenever I'm returning to my regular task, basketball is my primary focus. We'll have a great group operating [Puerto Rico FC] on a day-to-day basis."

The eight-time NBA All-Star recently journeyed to Cuba as a guest of Pele when it comes to New York Cosmos' historical match against the Cuban nationwide Team in Havana. A year ago, Anthony invested time with Real Madrid once the Spanish club spent part of its preseason training in the Los Angeles area.

So excited becoming on this historic visit to Cuba with @Pele