CT United FC

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CT United FC
Connecticut United FC logo 2024.svg
Full nameConnecticut United FC
FoundedJanuary 9, 2024;2 years ago (2024-01-09)
StadiumNew Waterfront Stadium
Owner(s)André Swanston
Michelle Swanston
Manager Shavar Thomas
League MLS Next Pro
Website ctunited.com
Soccerball current event.svg Current season

CT United FC, also known as Connecticut United FC, is a planned American professional soccer expansion team that will be based in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The club is anticipated to begin play in MLS Next Pro in 2026.

Contents

History

On January 9, 2024, MLS Next Pro awarded an expansion team to a group from the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut. [1] [2] The ownership group, named Connecticut Sports Group, consists of businessman André Swanston and his wife Michelle Swanston. [1]

Originally set to begin play in 2025, the team's debut was delayed to 2026. [3]

Stadium

The club plans to play at a new stadium to be located on the waterfront at a former dog-racing track; stadium plans were approved by the Bridgeport government in November 2023. [4] In October 2025, the Connecticut Mirror reported that the club would launch before their stadium was ready and play their inaugural season at different venues around the state. [5]

Academy

The club's academy teams play in MLS Next. The inaugural season for the U14 and U16 teams was the fall 2024 season. [6]

At the 2025 MLS Next Fest, the club's U15 team became the first team from the state of Connecticut to qualify for the Generation Adidas Cup, defeating Chattanooga FC in the MLS NEXT Pro GA Cup Qualifier Championship.

Players and staff

Current roster

As of January 10, 2026

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos.NationPlayer
GK Flag of Mexico.svg  MEX Anthony Ramos
DF Flag of Barbados.svg  BRB Andre Applewhaite
DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Lukas Kamrath
DF Flag of Finland.svg  FIN Michael Boamah
DF Flag of El Salvador.svg  SLV Nelson Rodriguez
DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Richard Hauth
MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Daniel D'lppolito
No.Pos.NationPlayer
MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Hivan Kouonang
MF Flag of Uganda.svg  UGA Ibrahim Kasule (on loan from New York Red Bulls II)
MF Flag of Uganda.svg  UGA Steven Sserwadda (on loan from New York Red Bulls II)
MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Sean Petrie
FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Robbie Mora
FW Flag of Brazil.svg  BRA Cauã Paixão
FW Flag of Hungary.svg  HUN Barnabás Tanyi
FW Flag of England.svg  ENG Laurie Goddard

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Connecticut United Football Club Announced as Newest Independent Team to Join MLS NEXT Pro" (Press release). January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  2. "CONNECTICUT AWARDED MLS NEXT PRO EXPANSION TEAM" . Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  3. "Pro soccer debut delayed in Bridgeport until 2026". News 12 - Default. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  4. Phillips, Erica E. (January 9, 2024). "New minor league soccer team, stadium planned for Bridgeport". Hartford Courant . Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  5. Lockhart, P.R. (October 29, 2025). "CT United FC will launch without a stadium. That wasn't the original plan". The Connecticut Mirror . Retrieved October 29, 2025.
  6. ""Today marks the start of the inaugural season for @ctunitedacademy's U14 & U16 teams!..."". www.instagram.com. Retrieved January 4, 2026.