AC Connecticut

CFC Azul was founded as a USL PDL team on December 21, 2011, and launched its inaugural season in 2012. The club is the pinnacle for a 70-plus youth team organization and is Connecticut's only professional organized soccer franchise.{{cite web|url=http://www.uslsoccer.com/home/585444.html |title=Connecticut FC Azul Joins USL PDL |date=11 January 2012 |access-date=3 August 2012 |publisher=United Soccer Leagues (USL) |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020013427/http://www.uslsoccer.com/home/585444.html |archive-date=20 October 2014 }} In its first season of play, CFC Azul finished mid-table tied for 4th place with fellow expansion team Worcester Hydra.

In 2013, CFC finished in 6th place with a record of 2 wins, 6 losses and 6 draws.{{cite web|url=http://pdl.uslsoccer.com/standings/ |title=PDL 2013 standings |access-date=9 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906204137/http://pdl.uslsoccer.com/standings/ |archive-date=6 September 2014 }} In time for the start of the 2014 season, Peter D'Amico became the primary owner and managing partner of the Azul.{{cite web|url=http://news.hamlethub.com/ridgefield/neighbors/43941-cfc-azul-soccer-to-be-based-at-westconn|title=CFC Soccer to be based at Westconn|date=7 July 2014|access-date=9 July 2014}} Additionally, CFC teamed up with WXCI 91.7 FM to broadcast play-by-play of Azul's home games.{{cite web|url=http://cfcazul.com/wxci-91-7fm-to-broadcast-azul-home-games/ |title=WXCI 91.7 FM to broadcast Azul home games |date=19 June 2014 |access-date=9 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304073735/http://cfcazul.com/wxci-91-7fm-to-broadcast-azul-home-games/ |archive-date=4 March 2016 }}

The team split off from its Connecticut Football Club (CFC) parent and was renamed AC Connecticut on September 5, 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.uslpdl.com/home/834875.html |title=AC Connecticut Unveils New Name, Logo |date=September 5, 2014 |access-date=September 8, 2014 |publisher=United Soccer Leagues (USL) |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140910215754/http://www.uslpdl.com/home/834875.html |archive-date=September 10, 2014 }}{{cite web|url=http://acconnecticut.com/cfc-azul-changes-name-to-a-c-connecticut/|title=CFC AZUL CHANGES NAME TO A.C. CONNECTICUT|date=September 5, 2014|access-date=September 8, 2014|publisher=AC Connecticut|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140910205521/http://acconnecticut.com/cfc-azul-changes-name-to-a-c-connecticut/|archive-date=2014-09-10|url-status=dead}}

In 2021, AC Connecticut announced a partnership with Hartford Athletic to identify potential players and create a pathway to pro soccer.{{Cite web|url=https://www.uslleaguetwo.com/news_article/show/1153309-hartford-athletic-announces-partnership-with-ac-connecticut|title=Hartford Athletic Announces Partnership with AC Connecticut|author=USLChampionship.com Staff|date=March 19, 2021|website=USL League Two}}

The team was originally scheduled to play their home games at Reese Stadium on the campus of Yale University. However, due to scheduling conflicts, CFC Azul ended playing their 2012 home games at various locations throughout Connecticut including Veterans Stadium in New Britain, CT. For the 2013 season, CFC Azul played their home games at Central Connecticut State University. CFC Azul signed a multi-year contract to play their games the Westside Athletic Complex at Western Connecticut State University.{{cite web|url=http://www.uslsoccer.com/home/795251.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140319160628/http://www.uslsoccer.com/home/795251.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 19, 2014 |title=Azul, WCSU Reach Agreement |date=March 18, 2014 |access-date=March 19, 2014 |publisher=United Soccer Leagues (USL) }} AC Connecticut now plays their home games at Trinity Health Stadium in Hartford, CT, the home of the USL Championship team, the Hartford Athletic. They also have facilities in Newtown, CT at Newtown Youth Academy.{{cite web|url=https://www.acconnecticut.com/facilities |title=AC Connecticut Facilities |publisher=AC Connecticut }}

• {{flagicon|USA}} Steve Covino{{cite web|url=http://cfcazul.com/news/azul-add-former-usl-pro-player/ |title=Azul Add Former USL-Pro Player | CFC Azul |access-date=2012-03-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331180813/http://cfcazul.com/news/azul-add-former-usl-pro-player/ |archive-date=2012-03-31 }}
• {{flagicon|USA}} Ryan Kinne{{cite web|url=http://cfcazul.com/news/azul-get-former-new-england-revolution-player/ |title=Azul Get Former New England Revolution Player | CFC Azul |access-date=March 27, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331180830/http://cfcazul.com/news/azul-get-former-new-england-revolution-player/ |archive-date=March 31, 2012 }}
• {{flagicon|USA}} Jannik Eckenrode{{cite web|url=https://gomason.com/news/2016/5/18/210961210.aspx|title=Eckenrode signs contract with KF Aegir in Iceland|date=May 18, 2016|work=George Mason University}}
• {{flagicon|CAN}} Gianluca Catalano{{cite web|url=https://www.uslleaguetwo.com/roster_players/33161064|title=Gianluca Catalano|work=USL League Two}}
• {{flagicon|USA}} Henry Kessler{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/soccer/2020/01/15/revolution-got-their-man-virginia-henry-kessler/42OsdeitX4gwUxR7K7zfmO/story.html|title=Revolution Got Their Man in Virginia's Kessler|date=January 15, 2020|work=Boston Globe}}

• {{flagicon|GER}} Robin Schuppert – General Manager
• {{flagicon|ENG}} Alex Harrison – Head Coach
• {{flagicon|USA}} Joe Mingachos – Head Coach
• {{flagicon|USA}} Joe Falstoe – Assistant Coach
• {{flagicon|USA}} Sean Weir – Fitness Coach
• {{flagicon|USA}} Paul Winstanley – Goalie Coach

• AC Connecticut women
• Hartford Athletic

{{Reflist}}

• {{official website|https://www.acconnecticut.com/}}

{{USL League Two}}

{{Dillon Stadium}}

{{Connecticut Sports}}

Category:Soccer clubs in Connecticut

Category:2011 establishments in Connecticut

Category:USL League Two teams

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