Northern Virginia United FC

{{distinguish|Northern Virginia FC|Virginia United FC (United States)}}

{{infobox football club

| clubname = Northern Virginia United FC

| image = File:Northern_Virginia_United_2021.jpg

| upright = 0.8

| caption =

| nickname = NVU

| TV =

| founded = {{Start date|2018|01|03}}

| stadium = Cropp Metcalfe Park at Evergreen Sportsplex

| capacity = 1300

| chrtitle = Owner

| chairman = Brian Welsh

| mgrtitle = Head Coach

| manager = Brian Welsh

| league = NPSL

| position =

| website = https://www.nvufc.com/

| American = yes

| current =

}}

Northern Virginia United FC was an American soccer club based in Leesburg, Virginia. They used to have teams in the fourth-tier National Premier Soccer League and fifth-tier United Premier Soccer League.

The club's primary nickname is 'NVU' and the name used across all of their social media platforms is 'NVUFC'. The club used to play their home matches at Cropp Metcalfe Park at Evergreen Sportsplex.

History

Northern Virginia United FC was founded in 2018 by Brian Welsh and Chris Jennings.{{cite web|url=https://www.loudountimes.com/sports/leesburg-based-pro-soccer-team-making-waves-in-inaugural-season/article_6830ca8e-805d-11e8-a3e7-832981622f7e.html|title=Leesburg-based pro soccer team making waves in inaugural season|first=Casey|last=Pazzalia|work=Loudoun Times-Mirror|date=July 5, 2018}} They joined the fourth-tier National Premier Soccer League and playing out of Evergreen Sportsplex in Leesburg, Virginia.{{cite web|title=Northern Virginia United FC Joins the NPSL|url=http://www.npsl.com/news_article/show/871585?referrer_id=1510764|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103073215/http://www.npsl.com/news_article/show/871585?referrer_id=1510764|date=January 2, 2018|archive-date=January 3, 2018|url-status=dead|work=National Premier Soccer League}}{{cite web|url=https://www.npsl.com/15489/|title=From NPSL to MLS: Collin Verfurth Looks to make Impact with the New England Revolution|date=May 4, 2021|first=Ryan|last=Makuch|work=National Premier Soccer League}} Their original crest reflected the area's aviation history and status as an Internet hub.{{cite web|url=http://midfieldpress.com/2018/01/03/welcome-to-the-npsl-northern-virginia-united/|title=Welcome to the NPSL: Northern Virginia United|date=January 3, 2018|first=Chris|last=Kivlehan|work=Midfield Press}} However, the crest eventually change to include a lion, a homage to Brian Welsh's former club in Scotland, Dundee United.{{cite web|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/17405288.former-tangerine-says-link-up-old-club-perfect-place-blood-young-american-talent/|title=Former Tangerine says link-up with his old club perfect place to blood young American talent|date=February 2, 2019|first=Bryan|last=Kay|work=The Herald (Glasgow)}} They played their first match on June 1, 2018, defeating FC Frederick by a score of 2–1.{{cite web|url=https://www.npsl.com/2941/|title=Northern Virginia United FC Defeats FC Frederick 2-1|date=June 4, 2018|work=National Premier Soccer League}}

In 2019, the Northern Virginia United Youth Academy was formed.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/news/6797/TERRORS-PARTNER-WITH-NORTHERN-VIRGINIA-IN-EXCITING-UNITED-FUTURE.html|title=Terrors Partner with Northern Virginia in Exciting United Future|work=Dundee United F.C.|date=March 23, 2021}} The academy joined the Super Y League in 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nvufc.com/post/northern-virginia-united-fc-signs-authentic-partnership-with-scottish-premiership-club-dundee-united|title=Northern Virginia United FC signs authentic partnership with Scottish Premiership Club Dundee United|date=March 23, 2021|work=Northern Virginia United FC}}{{cite web|url=https://www.soccerwire.com/news/northern-virginia-united-fc-partners-with-scottish-pro-club-dundee-united-fc/|title=Northern Virginia United FC partners with Scottish pro club Dundee United FC|date=March 24, 2021|work=Soccerwire}}

In 2020, they added a club in the fifth-tier United Premier Soccer League, while continuing to operate their NPSL side.{{Cite web|url=https://www.astoriaknightsfc.com/news/2020/02/14/upsl-announces-mid-atlantic-expansion-with-northern-virginia-united|title=UPSL Announces Mid-Atlantic Expansion with Northern Virginia United|date=February 14, 2020|work=United Premier Soccer League}} However, their debut in the UPSL was delayed as they were unable to compete in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/dundee-united/1456151/dundee-united-brian-welsh-america-dode-fox-podcast/|title=Dundee United cup final hero Brian Welsh lifts lid on how he's bringing working-class values to suburban America|first=Ian|last=Roache|date=July 20, 2020|work=The Courier (Dundee)}}

In March 2021, NVUFC announced a partnership with Scottish Premiership club Dundee United F.C. The partnership's formation was due in part due to Brian Welsh, the owner and manager of NVUFC, being a former longtime player for Dundee United.{{cite web|url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/dundee-united/2171254/dundee-united-feeder-network-northern-virginia-united-manchester-city-ross-starke/|title=Can Dundee United emulate 'the Man City model' as they explore setting up a feeder network?|date=April 28, 2021|first=Calum|last=Woodger|work=The Courier (Dundee)}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/dundee-united/2166670/dundee-united-brian-welsh-northern-virginia-united/|title=Doing things the Dundee United way: Former Tangerines defender and Northern Virginia chief Brian Welsh has high hopes for his kids in America|date=April 27, 2021|first=Calum|last=Woodger|work=The Courier (Dundee)}} The partnership will allow for the sharing of resources, with players and coaches being able to travel for training experiences between the two clubs.{{cite web|url=https://ne98.net/2021/04/12/dundee-uniteds-state-side-partner-northern-virginia-united-chris-jennings-interview/|title=Dundee United's State Side Partner, Northern Virginia United – Chris Jennings Interview|date=April 12, 2021|work=NE98}} As part of the partnership, NVUFC rebranded their logo to align with the Dundee United crest, adopting the tangerine color and logo brand assets.{{cite web|url=https://www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage-blog/NVUFCDUNDEE|first=Dan|last=Vaughn|work=Protagonist Soccer|date=March 23, 2021|title=NVUFC and Dundee United Ink Partnership}} current status is unknown as they werent announced for the upcoming NPSL Mid Atlantic division 2024 season.