LIONSBRIDGE FC
Community-Driven Soccer Team & Affordable Family Entertainment on the Virginia Peninsula
THE STAGE IS SET FOR THE 2024 SEASON
Following a second straight Chesapeake Division title and a thrilling playoff run to the USL League Two National Championship game last season, Lionsbridge FC is primed to take another step forward in 2024 season. The quest begins Saturday, May 11 at cross-water rival Virginia Beach United.
The Bridge has a chance to capitalize on last year's remarkable momentum, returning with nine of its starting 11, signaling stability and strengthened team dynamics for their seventh campaign. Coach Chris Whalley welcomes back an astounding 15 players who have already worn the shirt in previous seasons, including Sam Hall, Davide Materazzi, Charlie Elliott, Cole McNally and Isaiah Chisolm, who are all back for a third season with the club.
Lionsbridge is set to leverage their experience and chemistry in pursuit of a fourth straight playoff appearance, third straight Chesapeake Division title and the national title that narrowly eluded them in 2023.
The excitement isn't just on the field. It extends into the community where a dedicated fanbase eagerly anticipates another season, mirrored by record-setting season ticket sales, social media engagement and an immeasurable buzz that surrounds the club.
The Lionsbridge match day experience at TowneBank Stadium that fans have come to know and love is back with a larger-than-ever rotation of food trucks, bounce houses, halftime contests and fireworks nights.
This season is also set to mark a special milestone with the celebration of the 100,000th fan to attend a Lionsbridge match sometime later this summer.
It's all setting up to make the 2024 season one to remember.
Following a second straight Chesapeake Division title and a thrilling playoff run to the USL League Two National Championship game last season, Lionsbridge FC is primed to take another step forward in 2024 season. The quest begins Saturday, May 11 at cross-water rival Virginia Beach United.
The Bridge has a chance to capitalize on last year's remarkable momentum, returning with nine of its starting 11, signaling stability and strengthened team dynamics for their seventh campaign. Coach Chris Whalley welcomes back an astounding 15 players who have already worn the shirt in previous seasons, including Sam Hall, Davide Materazzi, Charlie Elliott, Cole McNally and Isaiah Chisolm, who are all back for a third season with the club.
Lionsbridge is set to leverage their experience and chemistry in pursuit of a fourth straight playoff appearance, third straight Chesapeake Division title and the national title that narrowly eluded them in 2023.
The excitement isn't just on the field. It extends into the community where a dedicated fanbase eagerly anticipates another season, mirrored by record-setting season ticket sales, social media engagement and an immeasurable buzz that surrounds the club.
The Lionsbridge match day experience at TowneBank Stadium that fans have come to know and love is back with a larger-than-ever rotation of food trucks, bounce houses, halftime contests and fireworks nights.
This season is also set to mark a special milestone with the celebration of the 100,000th fan to attend a Lionsbridge match sometime later this summer.
It's all setting up to make the 2024 season one to remember.
COMPLETE 2024 SCHEDULE IS HERE!
USL League Two has released the full 2024 league schedule and Lionsbridge will begin its Chesapeake Division title defense on Saturday, May 11 at Virginia Beach United. The 'Bridge opens its home schedule on Wednesday, May 15 in a friendly against Grove United.
The full schedule can be found on our TICKETS page.
USL League Two has released the full 2024 league schedule and Lionsbridge will begin its Chesapeake Division title defense on Saturday, May 11 at Virginia Beach United. The 'Bridge opens its home schedule on Wednesday, May 15 in a friendly against Grove United.
The full schedule can be found on our TICKETS page.
TAKING ON THE PROS
Lionsbridge FC will travel to City Stadium in Richmond on June 26 to play the Richmond Kickers, the longest running professional club in the United States. Tickets are on sale for this rare professionals vs amateurs opportunity at RichmondKickers.com.
Three Lionsbridge players have gone onto play for Richmond, including current Kicker Simon Fitch, as well as former LBFC stars Joe Rice and Matthew Bentley.
The clubs met once previously in 2019 in Newport News and were scheduled to play again in 2020 until the pandemic made that an impossibility.
Lionsbridge FC will travel to City Stadium in Richmond on June 26 to play the Richmond Kickers, the longest running professional club in the United States. Tickets are on sale for this rare professionals vs amateurs opportunity at RichmondKickers.com.
Three Lionsbridge players have gone onto play for Richmond, including current Kicker Simon Fitch, as well as former LBFC stars Joe Rice and Matthew Bentley.
The clubs met once previously in 2019 in Newport News and were scheduled to play again in 2020 until the pandemic made that an impossibility.
2024 CHESAPEAKE DIVISION LINEUP IS SET
USL League Two has formalized the conference and divisional alignments for the 2024 season. Once again, Lionsbridge FC will compete in the Chesapeake Division within the Eastern Conference. All six members of the division are back and will be joined by newcomers, Charlottesville Blues FC. Lionsbridge is the two-time defending Chesapeake Division champions and also won the Eastern Conference in 2023.
USL League Two has formalized the conference and divisional alignments for the 2024 season. Once again, Lionsbridge FC will compete in the Chesapeake Division within the Eastern Conference. All six members of the division are back and will be joined by newcomers, Charlottesville Blues FC. Lionsbridge is the two-time defending Chesapeake Division champions and also won the Eastern Conference in 2023.
TicketSmarter Joins Lionsbridge as Official Ticket Resale Marketplace Sponsor
TicketSmarter has joined Lionsbridge FC's corporate partner program. The sponsorship promotes TicketSmarter as the official ticket resale and marketplace sponsor of LBFC.
As the official ticket marketplace sponsor, TicketSmarter offers Bridge fans the opportunity buy and sell tickets for games, concerts and events in Hampton Roads and all over the United States. Read more.
TicketSmarter has joined Lionsbridge FC's corporate partner program. The sponsorship promotes TicketSmarter as the official ticket resale and marketplace sponsor of LBFC.
As the official ticket marketplace sponsor, TicketSmarter offers Bridge fans the opportunity buy and sell tickets for games, concerts and events in Hampton Roads and all over the United States. Read more.
WHALLEY RETURNS AS HEAD COACH FOR 7th SEASON
Lionsbridge head coach Chris Whalley will be back on the touch line once again in 2024. One of the most successful coaches in USL League Two and NCAA Division II history, Whalley has served as head coach since Lionsbridge launched in 2018.
His assistant coaches are all familiar faces with Jamie Gunderson (7th year), Josh Spencer (3rd year), Fernando Zuniga (7th year) all returning from last year's staff. They will be joined by former Lionsbridge goalkeeper Richard Dearle (2019-20).
Lionsbridge head coach Chris Whalley will be back on the touch line once again in 2024. One of the most successful coaches in USL League Two and NCAA Division II history, Whalley has served as head coach since Lionsbridge launched in 2018.
His assistant coaches are all familiar faces with Jamie Gunderson (7th year), Josh Spencer (3rd year), Fernando Zuniga (7th year) all returning from last year's staff. They will be joined by former Lionsbridge goalkeeper Richard Dearle (2019-20).
LIONSBRIDGE DROPS HEARTBREAKER IN USL LEAGUE TWO CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, 2-1
Lionsbridge FC's dreams of bringing the 2023 USL League Two title back to the Peninsula were stolen away in the closing seconds of the championship game as Ballard FC won 2-1 on Saturday, August 5 in Seattle.
Ballard scored the decisive goal in the 94th minute off a free kick that was deflected into the back of the net, giving the home team its first USL League Two title.
The game was a bizarre one from the start with the referee taking center stage issuing five yellow cards to Lionsbridge in the first half, two of which went to defender Adam Kirkwood (27th and 37th minutes). That forced Lionsbridge to play with 10 men for the remaining 53 minutes.
Ballard took advantage, taking a 1-0 lead midway through first half. But Lionsbridge would display its trademark resilience and spirit in front of a hostile pro-Ballard crowd of 3,416 at Starfire Stadium in suburban Seattle. The 'Bridge kept Ballard at bay until finding the equalizer in the 80th minute.
Coleman Jennings' long throw into the box found Sam Hall who flicked a header over to an open Josh Baker at the top of the box. Baker's strike tied the game at one, sending the 100 traveling Lionsbridge fans into pandemonium.
More dramatics would be on the way in the final 14 minutes, though. Ballard's top scorer, Stas Korzeniowski, was sent off for second yellow card in the 84th minute and it felt like Lionsbridge might have the momentum it needed to pull out the victory. But just seconds before extra time, Ballard's free kick into the box took a deflection and went into the back of the net.
Ballard scored the decisive goal in the 94th minute off a free kick that was deflected into the back of the net, giving the home team its first USL League Two title.
The game was a bizarre one from the start with the referee taking center stage issuing five yellow cards to Lionsbridge in the first half, two of which went to defender Adam Kirkwood (27th and 37th minutes). That forced Lionsbridge to play with 10 men for the remaining 53 minutes.
Ballard took advantage, taking a 1-0 lead midway through first half. But Lionsbridge would display its trademark resilience and spirit in front of a hostile pro-Ballard crowd of 3,416 at Starfire Stadium in suburban Seattle. The 'Bridge kept Ballard at bay until finding the equalizer in the 80th minute.
Coleman Jennings' long throw into the box found Sam Hall who flicked a header over to an open Josh Baker at the top of the box. Baker's strike tied the game at one, sending the 100 traveling Lionsbridge fans into pandemonium.
More dramatics would be on the way in the final 14 minutes, though. Ballard's top scorer, Stas Korzeniowski, was sent off for second yellow card in the 84th minute and it felt like Lionsbridge might have the momentum it needed to pull out the victory. But just seconds before extra time, Ballard's free kick into the box took a deflection and went into the back of the net.
WE'RE GOING TO THE 'SHIP!
Lionsbridge FC has advanced to the USL League Two National Championship!!! 4-3 in penalties vs The Villages in front of the best fans in America!
We are on our way to Seattle, Washington next Saturday, August 5 against Ballard FC for the USL League Two National Championship. See below for the highlights, post-game interviews and much more from a magical night!
Lionsbridge FC has advanced to the USL League Two National Championship!!! 4-3 in penalties vs The Villages in front of the best fans in America!
We are on our way to Seattle, Washington next Saturday, August 5 against Ballard FC for the USL League Two National Championship. See below for the highlights, post-game interviews and much more from a magical night!
This Is Lionsbridge FC
⭐ USL League Two National Finalist (2023)
🏆 USL League Two Eastern Conference Champion (2023)
🏆 Chesapeake Division Champion (2022, 2023)
⭐ USL League Two Playoff Host (2021, 2022, 2023)
⭐ Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Qualifier (2022, 2023)
🏆 Coastal Virginia Challenge Cup winner (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
🏆 Commonwealth Cup Champion (2018)
🏆 USL League Two Eastern Conference Champion (2023)
🏆 Chesapeake Division Champion (2022, 2023)
⭐ USL League Two Playoff Host (2021, 2022, 2023)
⭐ Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Qualifier (2022, 2023)
🏆 Coastal Virginia Challenge Cup winner (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
🏆 Commonwealth Cup Champion (2018)
LIONSBRIDGE FC NAMED USL LEAGUE TWO FRANCHISE OF THE YEAR
Lionsbridge FC was named the Franchise of the Year by USL League Two at the league's Winter Summit. (FULL ARTICLE)
Lionsbridge FC was named the Franchise of the Year by USL League Two at the league's Winter Summit. (FULL ARTICLE)
USL LEAGUE TWO RECOGNIZES LIONSBRIDGE FC FOR ITS COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
(USLLeagueTwo.com) – The Hampton Roads area of Virginia has a well-documented passion for soccer. Though the interest in global soccer has been present for some time, the area hadn't recently had a club to call its own until two years ago. That changed when Lionsbridge FC was founded. (FULL ARTICLE)
(USLLeagueTwo.com) – The Hampton Roads area of Virginia has a well-documented passion for soccer. Though the interest in global soccer has been present for some time, the area hadn't recently had a club to call its own until two years ago. That changed when Lionsbridge FC was founded. (FULL ARTICLE)