SAVANNAH, GEORGIA (October 12, 2026) – Competitive soccer will return to the Hostess City as Savannah Clovers FC kicks off a new season in March 2027. The roster will be built with local players selected at upcoming open tryouts. The season will be a homecoming for the Clovers as they enter the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL), where the club rose to prominence.
“This is where we grew the Club during our early years,” Clovers Co-Founder and General Manager Brian Sykes said. “The UPSL allows us a platform to remain community focused. We will also have more regional opponents, creating additional rivalry matches for our players and fans.”
The return of the Clovers comes as the love of soccer surges across the United States. Data from Nielsen reveals the number of American soccer fans jumped by 27% over the last five years. The 2026 FIFA World Cup broke records for American TV soccer viewership as well. Additionally, US Women’s National Team is poised for another run at the FIFA Women’s World Cup title in 2027, keeping high level soccer front and center in American sports culture.
“Millions of Americans saw the USMNT make a historic run in the tournament this summer.” Sykes said. “So many people are asking what it takes to keep developing our country’s ability to compete on the world stage. It doesn’t start with World Cup Qualification. It begins by building the sport close to home in local clubs that grow the game from the ground up. We’re excited for the Clovers to play a role by doing that right here in the Savannah area.”
Building on past community engagements, the club plans to host outreach events and matchday themed nights. An expansion of the Clovers’ official YouTube Channel will feature behind-the-scenes content along with match highlights.
Open tryouts are set for 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at the newly opened Garden City Recreation Complex. Prospective players must be at least 17, and registration is required.
About Savannah Clovers Football Club:
Savannah Clovers Football Club is a community-based soccer team founded June 23, 2016 as a local amateur club. The team played in the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) for five seasons and participated in both the 2020 and 2021 editions of the NISA Independent Cup. The club’s mission is to bring the highest levels of soccer to the Hostess City, while engaging players, fans and local businesses to serve our community. In 2022, the Savannah Clovers were elevated to a professional club and gained membership in the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA). The Clovers competed in the 2023 and 2024 NISA regular seasons. 2027 will mark the return of the Savannah Clovers as they once again compete in the UPSL.
About the UPSL:
Founded in 2011, the United Premier Soccer League now stands as the largest and most competitive pro-development league in North America. The league was started in Santa Ana, California by Leonel Lopez, with 10 teams. Today the league includes more than 900+ men’s and women’s teams nationwide. The league occupies the 4th tier of the US Soccer pyramid, just below the three professional tiers in the pyramid. With a participant average age of 22.5 years, the UPSL fills and brings structure to the large gap that exists between the youth game and the professional game, serving thousands of aspiring players and coaches as they strive to further their aspirations and fuel their passions.