Memorial Field in Mount Vernon, which in Sept. 2022 was reopened after a $40 million rehabilitation, will be home to a professional soccer team, Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard and the Westchester Soccer Club announced. The Soccer Club plans for its professional men’s team to begin playing there with the 2025 season. It says it would like to develop a women’s professional team in the future.
“This partnership with the Westchester Soccer Club is a significant milestone for Mount Vernon. It not only brings professional soccer to our city but also strengthens community ties, promotes local economic growth, and showcases the Stadium at Memorial Field as a premier venue for sports and entertainment,” Patterson-Howard said.
In addition to the announcement about the soccer club using Memorial Field as its home stadium, The United Soccer League (USL) announced that the club has been granted the rights to a USL League One franchise.
“We are excited to work with Mount Vernon to give Westchester’s passionate soccer fans a place to call home,” said Mitch Baruchowitz, principal owner of the Westchester Soccer Club. “As Westchester’s first homegrown professional sports franchise, we will look to create a family-friendly soccer experience.”
Baruchowitz is co-founder and managing partner of Merida Capital Holdings. He has been active in cannabis investing and investment banking in general.
After the announcement about Memorial Field, Westchester Soccer Club revealed that New York Jets quarterback Tyrod Taylor has joined its ownership group. During his time playing in the National Football League, Taylor had a Super Bowl championship with the Baltimore Ravens and a Pro Bowl selection in 2015.
Mount Vernon’s Recreation Commissioner Kathleen Walker-Pinckney said, “It is an honor and pleasure to join the United Soccer League in announcing the establishment of a new USL League One franchise at the beautifully renovated Memorial Field Stadium as their home base. The Recreation Department has been serving youth in our community with soccer programs for years and to have a professional team come to Mount Vernon is a thrilling and great opportunity for all the young aspiring athletes and dedicated fans who will now have soccer at their doorstep, which will be a beacon of hope.”
The Westchester Soccer Club said it will host a kick-off event at Memorial Field on Saturday, June 15. It promised opportunities to meet players and the coaching staff and said there will be merchandise giveaways and interactive games. It planed to put season tickets for the 2025 season on sale beginning Saturday.
