In an public release announcement on Friday, January 22, 2021 the franchise rights of the San Antonio Athenians were acquired by Juventus Academy San Antonio. The Athenians will continue to play in the United Women’s Soccer League, which is the second division of women’s soccer in the United States. The backing of Juventus Academy San Antonio will open the possibility of having the Athenians be a premier club in the UWS and possibly set up a move to the NWSL in the future, if Juventus Academy San Antonio make the decision to do so.
San Antonio Athenians SC were founded in 2016 by Pete Veras and played their first season in 2017 in the WPSL as the first semi-professional women’s soccer club gaining a large following and popularity in the city. The Crocketteers are the main supporters group of the Athenians. The San Athenians last played in 2019 in the UWS Southwest Division and finished with a record of three wins, three losses and zero draws. The Athenians placed third in the division.
Juventus Academy San Antonio president Raul Orduna said in a statement provided by press release, “It was a no brainer. This union will move the needle in recognizing high level talent in the San Antonio area and helping them grow.”
The Athenians have featured sisters Marlyn Campa who is in her second season in the LIGA MX Femenil, spending one season with Club America and now UNAM Pumas and Ana Campa who is in her first season with UNAM Pumas, joining her sister Marlyn.
Try outs for the San Antonio Athenians will take place Friday February 19th, the location and link to apply for the one day try out is provided in the Twitter link below. .
The Athenians will also have a U23 team that will play in UWS League 2. Both squads are expected to play sometime in the summer of 2021. Home games and training will take place at Soccer Central, San Antonio’s newest and state of the art soccer complex located at 6610 Low Bid Lane. Stay tuned for more information on the Athenians and schedules for the UWS.
About the Athenians:
The San Antonio Athenians Soccer Club (SAASC) was created in 2016 and played their inaugural soccer season in 2017. SAASC is the first women’s semi-pro soccer team in San Antonio and features top players from the San Antonio area including amateurs, collegiate, semi-pro and former professional players. Our drive for competitive success on the pitch is only matched by our service to our community. This season SAASC will participate in the United Women’s Soccer League (UWS) in the Southwest Division. – from the Athenians website
About Juventus Academy San Antonio:
Juventus goal is to educate local players with the Juventus training method, known as one of the best in the world and followed in over 80 countries. Juventus Academy aims to improve the youngsters’ technical skills but also their personal qualities in line with the main guiding concept: “Develop people first and footballers second” These training methods have been developed for over a century in Italy and are utilized by Juventus Academies across the world, with the aim to help build the best soccer players possible. – the JASA website
About the United Women’s Soccer League (UWS):
United Women’s Soccer (UWS) is a national pro-am league composed of professionally operated clubs within the United States and Canada. UWS provides high level competition for college players, aspiring and former professionals, and international stars. – the UWS website
Soy San Antonio Fútbol 