The Six-Figure Price of Passion: Running Two Lower-League Soccer Teams for Just 10 Weeks

The Dream vs. The Balance Sheet: Where is the Help?

Watch Full Interview Here: https://youtu.be/HHkqGDFpfRQ

It’s amazing to see people around the world who love the sport for the right reasons and invest in the sport for the right reasons. But honestly, these dedicated owners, like the one we talked to, really don't have any help from the federation or the sport in their countries, while the federation sits on so much money. It’s crazy!

For many of us, the dream of owning a local soccer franchise—building community pride and nurturing young talent—is the purest connection we have to the sport. But when you move from the romance of ownership to the raw financials, you see the staggering sacrifice involved.

They're actually helping the sport grow in the country and helping the Federation, but they spend a lot of money and don't get any return because of the system. 

I took a deep dive into the financials thanks to a candid interview with Midhat Mujic, the president of FC Rochester. Running both his men’s USL2 team and women’s USLW team for just one summer season costs well over $125,000—a brutal lesson in the high cost of pure, uncompensated passion.

1. The Price Tag: Over $125,000 for a 10-Week Season

For a brief, 10-week summer season—where college players play during their break—the total operational cost for FC Rochester’s two teams exceeds $125,400. And get this: none of that money goes toward player salaries. This $125k is purely operational, covering necessities to keep the lights on and the ball rolling.

The Cost of a Single Home Game: ~$2,425 Hosting a match is expensive, right from the jump:

• Stadium Rental: $750 (Locks, lights, scoreboard—the essentials!)

• Referees: $475 (A required league fee.)

• Food for Both Teams: ~$300 (Typically pizza. Gotta feed the home and away side.)

• Staffing: $800 (Security, ticketing, and merch staff for a four-hour window.)

• Miscellaneous: ~$100 (Drinks and small stuff.)

With six home games for each team, the total cost for hosting matches reaches $29,100 for the season. That’s just getting the games played!

Seasonal Operations: The Real Costs of Competition

The ongoing costs are where the budget explodes:

• Away Games: A single bus trip averages $2,900, with longer trips hitting $4,400. Add $300 per trip for player meals, and the total cost for 12 away games (six per team) is $38,400.

• Player Housing: Recruiting 56 top college players nationwide means they need housing. Renting apartments ($24,500) and houses ($18,900) for the season costs a staggering $43,400. This is an investment in quality, not geography.

• Uniforms & Gear: Outfitting 56 players with professional-quality kits, training gear, and travel shirts (which they keep) totals $14,500.

2. The Return on Investment: "Stress"

After spending over $125,000 in just 10 weeks, what does the owner actually gain? Midhat’s one-word answer is painfully honest: stress.

His motivation isn't financial—it’s driven by creating the opportunities he was denied as a young player. "I wanted these opportunities when I was coming through high school, but they weren't available," he shares. The reward is seeing players advance to the next level, even though the club receives zero financial compensation (no transfer fees!) for their development.

As I pointed out in the interview: "...It's absolutely crazy what you're doing—investing in U.S. soccer and you're not getting anything back."

3. The Player Development Paradox: Short-Term Pain for Long-Term Gain

The $43,400 spent on housing out-of-town college players raises a big question: Why spend so much when local talent could save a fortune?

Midhat explains the truth: the local youth talent pool isn't competitive at the USL2 level yet. His blunt philosophy on development highlights the massive gap in the current youth system: “By the time a player is 16, 17, or 18 and can’t properly pass or receive the ball, it’s too late to coach them.”

They are importing top college talent now to build credibility and community support, paving the way for an all-local team by 2026 once their own youth system is mature. It’s a complete paradox: you invest a fortune in out-of-town players today to build a brand that can eventually support a homegrown team tomorrow.

4. Why the League Matters: It's All About the Platform

The six-figure budget isn't accidental; it's a strategic choice to operate within the USL ecosystem. Midhat believes USL2 offers critical long-term advantages over leagues like the UPSL:

• USL2: The brand recognition attracts better players and, more importantly, provides market exclusivity—"rights for 90 miles." This protects the club’s talent pool and brand positioning.

• UPSL: This league allows saturation, which divides local talent, making sustainability harder.

Choosing USL2 is an investment in a platform that pro scouts and college players respect as a credible pathway. As Midhat notes, pro scouts are much more likely to look at USL2 players.

Final Thoughts

The story of the American lower-league owner is one of incredible passion and massive financial sacrifice. Midhat’s willingness to spend over $125,000 to run two teams in 10 weeks highlights the sheer dedication required to create opportunities for the next generation.

But it all comes back to the initial question: Can a system that relies on costly, high-risk investments from private individuals—who get nothing in return from the federation they are helping—provide a long-term, healthy future for the sport? These owners are the backbone, and they deserve better support.