Yuma City FC shines in first official league match

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - Yuma City FC made history this weekend, taking the field for the first time in United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) play at Desert Sun Stadium.

The club hosted its inaugural match in front of an excited home crowd, marking a major milestone for semi-professional soccer in Yuma.

For owner and player Blas Gasca, the night was the culmination of months of work and sacrifices from everyone involved with the club.

“If I can only put it into one word, it’d probably be pride,” Gasca said. “All the hard work I’ve been putting in the last year. And not just myself, but with the boys.”

Gasca said seeing the community come out to support the team made the moment even more meaningful.

"All that hard work, spending time away from their family," Gasca said. "Sacrifices for the last 4 or 5 months. Seeing all these people here finally just supporting. It just means a lot. It’s a dream.”

For Yuma City FC captain and midfielder Alexis Aguirrebarrena, the inaugural match was also about representing the Yuma community and showing the growth of this team since its beginnings.

“It means a lot, especially because I’m representing our city and all of Arizona," Aguirrebarrena said. "It always means a lot to go out and represent and try to do the best you can, you know. We’re pretty excited, I see the group is ready to go. We got way better as a group.”

While the club is just beginning its UPSL journey, Gasca says the goal is to establish a strong semi-pro soccer culture in Yuma.

“I want to build that culture of semi-pro soccer here in Yuma,” Gasca said. “Make sure that everybody in Yuma knows that we have a team, that they have a team representing them.”

Yuma City FC now has its first UPSL match in the record books, with the club hoping the historic night marks the beginning of a new era for soccer in Yuma.

With a 3-2 victory in front of the home fans, City FC looks to build something special here locally.

City FC will be back in action Sunday, September 27th as they take on Kings FC in Scottsdale at 4:30 P.M.