A new opportunity is emerging for soccer players across Northeastern Pennsylvania — one built on access, development, and a belief that talented athletes in the region deserve a clear pathway forward.

NEPA FC, a new semi-professional club competing in UPSL Division I, is preparing for its second tryout Thursday night, Nov. 20, at The Dome Sportsplex in Wilkes-Barre. The club was founded by Chris Geiser, Hardy Pinto, and Paul Votta, who together hope to launch a program centered on helping players move forward in the sport — not just age out of it.

For Geiser — who serves as vice president and has longstanding ties to local programs, including Jim Thorpe — the project is the culmination of years spent trying to create something the region has never truly had.

“We felt we needed to change the mentality of regular club,” Geiser said. “They accept your money, you get some trainings and some matches — but when you age out, that’s it. There’s no pathway to the collegiate or professional level. We wanted to build something that was really about the players.”

Creating opportunities

at home

Geiser’s experience in the region runs deep, and his work in player development includes launching Right to Dream, a nonprofit he created with a close friend — a retired professional player from Portugal who grew up in England. The two used their overseas network to send players abroad for opportunities in multiple countries.

But they wanted something more accessible for players in Pennsylvania.

“We figured, why don’t we make it easier?” Geiser said. “Instead of sending players overseas, let’s create something here where we can invite college coaches and professional coaches to come see the players.”

After working with two semi-pro clubs that didn’t align with their player-first approach, Geiser and his cofounders decided it was time to build something on their own.

“We came to the conclusion less than a year ago — we need to start our own semi-pro team,” he said. “There was nothing in the region like this.”

NEPA FC will launch with a first team and a reserve squad, with several high school seniors already showing interest. The goal is to begin building a system that mirrors the age and developmental structure seen in European clubs.

“We want to start building that youth spirit through it,” Geiser said. “Overseas, if you want to make it professionally, the prime ages are 16 to 18. There’s nothing here that bridges that gap. We want to change that.”

A coach with

global experience

NEPA FC’s on-field development will be led by first-team head coach Mitchell Lopez, a former professional who played in Sweden, Finland, Spain, and the United States.

His coaching stops include:

• Brazilian Twisters U15

• Deerfield Beach UPSL

• Miami Beach U12

• Florida Wolves UPSL

• Järpen IF Women (Sweden)

• American Heritage HS

• Black Hills Rapids SC (athletic director)

• HEX FC Boys (2023–25)

Lopez’s background gives NEPA FC a global lens, something Geiser says will elevate the experience for local players.

“Mitchell brings professionalism and standards that match the level we want to build,” Geiser said. “He understands what it takes, on and off the field.”

A league built on advancement: What is the UPSL?

NEPA FC will compete in UPSL Division I, one of the nation’s largest pro-development platforms. The league features more than 400 teams nationwide and serves as a recognized pathway to higher levels such as USL League Two, USL League One, and professional opportunities abroad.

The UPSL’s structure allows high school athletes, college players, recent graduates, and aspiring professionals to compete together — a model Geiser believes fits perfectly in Northeast Pennsylvania.

A region ready for more

For Geiser — a retired military veteran — the work is about more than soccer.

“I’m a true believer in giving back,” he said. “What’s important to me now is the youth — proper guidance, mentorship, and helping these players out, especially in the region we live in.”

A key part of that mission is accessibility.

“There are a lot of great players in this area who just can’t afford club fees,” he said. “Some clubs charge $2,000 or more a year. Our semi-pro fee is $390. We’re targeting players who just aren’t financially set up where they can move higher.”

Changing the culture

Geiser said that through years of coaching in the Schuylkill, Colonial, and Wyoming Valley leagues, he rarely saw high school coaches reaching out to college programs or helping players map out their next steps.

“There’s money in the sport, and a lot of coaches pound their chest — ‘it’s about me,’” he said. “But it’s about the grassroots. We’re not here to grow rich. We’re here for the players.”

To help families navigate the process, NEPA FC will host free seminars featuring college coaches and licensed FIFA agents.

“We want to break the mold,” Geiser said. “There’s so much misinformation out there. We want to bring in people who can tell players and parents the real process.”

Looking ahead

NEPA FC is only the beginning for the founding group.

Geiser said the club plans to launch a training academy — in partnership with The Dome Sportsplex — and eventually expand into younger age groups, with the long-term goal of creating a USL-level program.

“It’s a bridge, but it’s also a launching pad,” Geiser said. “If players want to make it, we want to give them every opportunity.”

Second tryout

Thursday

NEPA FC will host its next tryout on:

• Thursday, Nov. 20

• 8–10 p.m.

• The Dome Sportsplex, Wilkes-Barre

• Males ages 16+

• $45 registration fee (covers both sessions)

Players can register using the QR code on the club’s flyers or through links on NEPA FC’s social media pages.

For Geiser and his cofounders, the mission remains simple — and overdue.

“This region deserves an opportunity to make something for themselves,” Geiser said. “We want players to know there is a pathway — and that we’re here to help them take it.”