Hempstead, NY - In a joint announcement by Hofstra University and the United Soccer League (USL), James M. Shuart has been announced as the home venue for the USL Long Island franchise to begin competition in USL League One in 2028, pending league and U.S. Soccer Federation sanctioning approval.
 
"This is an exciting day for Hofstra University and for Long Island," said Rick Cole Jr., Vice President and Director of Athletics at Hofstra University. "Hofstra has long been home to professional sports teams, leagues and championship events, and James M. Shuart Stadium has built a reputation as one of the premier athletic venues in the region. We are proud to partner with USL Long Island as they establish a professional club that will inspire the next generation of players and fans while adding to Long Island's rich soccer tradition. We look forward to welcoming supporters from across the region to our campus for years to come."
 
"We're thrilled to welcome USL Long Island to League One during this unprecedented time for professional soccer in the U.S.," said Lee O'Neill, USL League One President. "Long Island has a rich soccer history and the club's leadership team is dedicated to growing the game locally, building a community-rooted club, and creating a professional pathway for aspiring young players."
 
USL League One is the third division of professional soccer in the United States. Since launching in 2019, the league has grown to 17 clubs, with additional clubs set to join in 2027. League One teams also compete in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and the Prinx Tires USL Cup. USL Long Island will add another chapter to the league's Northeast rivalries, joining Westchester SC and the New York Cosmos in the region. USL Long Island's name, crest, and colors will be unveiled in the coming months, shaped by fan input and reflecting the people, places and culture that make Long Island special.
 
Historic Shuart Stadium serves as the home of Hofstra men's and women's lacrosse and the host site for a wide assortment of championship events and professional, college and high school sports competitions. Shuart Stadium has previously hosted the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League from 1972 through 1973 and again from 2013 through 2015.