FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AFC Columbia and Missouri Reign Announce Merger to Elevate Soccer in Mid-Missouri

[Central, Missouri] - October 15, 2023 - AFC Columbia and Missouri Reign are thrilled to announce their partnership, solidifying an exciting merger within the soccer community in Mid-Missouri semi-professional soccer landscape. This dynamic partnership is driven by a shared commitment to fielding competitive teams at the semi-professional level and actively engaging with the surrounding community. Together, they aim to create a thriving soccer culture in the region, offering players and fans a unique and enriching experience.

With a vision of fielding highly competitive teams at the semi-pro level, AFC Columbia and Missouri Reign join forces to strengthen the foundation of soccer within the community. The intention is to foster growth, passion, and community involvement in the sport, providing an unparalleled experience for players and fans alike. Under this merger, the clubs will maintain a "brother-sister" relationship, guided by a parent board overseeing both entities. This structure ensures a harmonious synergy between the organizations, enabling them to work closely together to achieve shared goals. 

Zach Fischer, AFCC Club President, added, “I am excited about partnering with our friends from Jeff City, elevating our opportunities for women's soccer players. Their energy and commitment to bringing a quality program will be great for our local players. AFCC is excited to support this new partnership and looks forward to collaborating with the Reign on as many things as we can. Our combined resources and experience in both Columbia and Jefferson City will help both of our teams be more competitive on the regional level as we both expect to compete for championships in the near future. We look forward to the opportunities in front of us and winning a lot of silverware for Mid-Missouri along the way!”

Founder and President of Missouri Reign, Dakota Acock, expressed the shared ambition, saying, "This merger underscores a dedication to unite the Mid-Missouri community and bring soccer fans together, celebrating the amazing local talent and the community that raised these exceptional athletes. We hope our passion for the game and commitment to the region will show through and that we will provide a culture that transcends the field, impacting our shared community.” 

Both clubs have exciting plans for the future, including sponsorship opportunities and fundraisers running through the fall of 2023. Soccer enthusiasts can look forward to thrilling matches starting in late spring of 2024 as AFC Columbia and Missouri Reign take to the field.

For the latest updates and information, follow Missouri Reign on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, as well as AFC Columbia on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Media Contact:

Dakota Acock

Founder and President, Missouri Reign

Email: Dakota.Acock@gmail.com 

Phone: 573-301-2754

Twitter: @MissouriReign

Instagram: @missouri.reign

Facebook: Missouri Reign 

missourireign.com

Missouri Reign are a women's soccer club representing the Mid-Missouri area, competing in the Women's Premier Soccer League.

Zach Fischer

Founder and President, AFC Columbia

Email: Zfisher@afccomo.com

Phone: (573) 239-7767

Twitter: @AFCColumbia

Instagram: @afccolumbia

Facebook: AFC Columbia 

afccomo.com

AFC Columbia is the only semi-professional soccer club in Columbia, Missouri. Follow us in our journey as we prepare for the 2022 season!

“We invite our community to be part of this exciting journey as we strengthen Mid-Missouri together. Stay tuned for more developments and announcements from AFC Columbia and Missouri Reign.” 

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