Nonprofit Semi-pro Soccer Team Coming Soon To Somerville

SOMERVILLE, MA — A nonprofit, smei-professional soccer team is set to being its inaugural season later this year.

Somerville United FC will play the first-ever game in its team history this spring as part of the American Premier Soccer League. The APSL has more than 200 teams throughout the nation divided into dozens of conferences. Somerville FC was founded by Robert Sifa Onjiko and his wife, Alesandra Grace Onjiko as the couple wanted to see more soccer opportunities and representation in the Boston area.

“We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to soccer in Somerville through community-partnerships, easy access for players, and a focus on player development,” the founders said in a statement. “Our mission is to build a club that reflects the diversity and spirit of our city, while providing high-quality, competitive soccer opportunities.”

Sifa-Onjiko is also the club’s CEO in addition to being a co-founder. He reportedly has experience as an athletics coach and organizer. Alesandra Onjiko is a native of Miami, Florida moved to Boston to pursue her Master’s degree in Vocal Performance at the New England Conservatory. She serves as the team’s Executive Director as well as co-founder along with her husband. The team’s front office staff also consists of seven others, who all work on a volunteer basis.

George Dilboy Memorial Stadium at 110 Alewife Brook Parkway will be the home of Somerville United. The multi-purpose regional sports complex is owned by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Tryouts for the team are slated to begin in less than a month. The Onjikos are also planning to launch a women’s edition of the club before the year’s end, which would be the first of its kind in the region.

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