About Us / Board of
Directors
The
Western Mass Pioneers are a member of the
United Soccer Leagues. The league is structured
as a pyramid with MLS at the top, followed
by the 1st Division League and then the 2nd
Division. The W-Lg is recognized as the #2
womens league in the world. The next divisions
are the Premier Development League and the
Super Y League with indoor and Youth programs
forming the base.
The
Pioneers currently participate at the 2nd
Division level (comparable to AA in minor
league baseball). On September 11, 1999, after
only two years in existence, the Pioneers
captured the D3 National Championship title
and in 2005 they reigned as regular season
champions and hosted the National Championship
match. They also operate 26 youth teams. The
Lady Pioneers were introduced in 2004 and
have qualified for the playoffs in their two
seasons.
All
home games are played in the only "soccer
specific" stadium in New England. Modeled
after European Stadiums, Lusitano Stadium
in Ludlow provides the casual fan as well
as the soccer aficionado the ultimate in soccer
viewing as fans feel they are part of the
action.
In
only eight years of existence the Pioneers
have been able to field teams, which have
been able to compete at both the league level
and national level, faring quite well in both.
The
team is comprised of former collegiate All-Americans,
players with previous professional experience,
players with international experience, as
well as up and coming players who are recent
college graduates.
The
goal of the organization is to provide the
Western Mass area with soccer at the highest
level, which is economically feasible, while
at the same time showcasing local talent and
providing an opportunity for local talent
to advance through the US Soccer system.
Although
considered a small market, the Pioneers consistently
rank amongst the top teams in attendance among
the twenty one Professional League teams in
the United States.
Board of Directors
2008
Executive Board
President
Celso Correia
Chairman
of the Board
Steve Scott
General
Manager
Greg Kolodziey
Secretary
Fred Pereira
Members
of the Board
Charles Dolan
Jeri Humphries
Teri Myette
Bob Roccanti
Tony Salvador
Stephen Scott
Brandon Smith
Stacy Santos
Luis Vitorino
Senior
Intern Coordinator
Candido Diaz
Head
Coach - Men
Leszek Wrona
Head Coach - Women
Chris Mogavero
