Press Kit

FAYETTEVILLE FURY PRESS KIT

The pulse of the game is about to intensify

Fayetteville Fury is thrilled to welcome you to our Press Kit, where you can find all the essential information and resources you need to tell our story accurately and compellingly. Whether you're a journalist, blogger, investor, or simply curious about our company, this kit is designed to provide you with a comprehensive overview of who we are, what we do, and the impact we're making.

Fayetteville fury team overview

Founded in 2021 by sports executive Andrew Haines, the Fayetteville Fury stands as a testament to the growth and evolution of professional indoor soccer. Today, the club is under the leadership of Phillip Lin, a visionary entrepreneur and our Furyous leader. Lin's cross-functional expertise and entrepreneurial approach have been instrumental in propelling the Fury into an exciting new era. Beyond the Fury, Phillip Lin's expansive sports portfolio includes the ownership of the Oak City Gliders and the Fayetteville Chutes. This diverse array of sports teams presents us with the unique opportunity to cross-promote within our Fayetteville teams. This ability to provide cross-promotion ensures our sponsors get more value for their investments, as we can tailor our promotional efforts according to sponsors' specific requests.

Recently, Lin published his autobiography, 'One Bad Asian', through which he seeks to inspire and empower others with insights into his path to success, redefining the concept of the American Dream. His entrepreneurial mindset is clearly demonstrated in his approach to operational leadership, particularly within software and IT development environments. Through meticulous needs assessments, streamlining processes, and developing innovative solutions, Lin has consistently met customer requirements, given us a competitive edge, and driven our revenue growth.

Under Phillip Lin's guidance, the Fayetteville Fury is poised to reach new heights. In 2023, we initiated the Fury NXT program and our Fury FC, our outdoor team, which plays in the United Premier Soccer League in the Premier Division of the Mid-Atlantic Conference. These two set the groundwork for a critical bridge between grassroots and professional soccer in our community.

Our championship pedigree is evident – the Fayetteville Fury men's team claimed the NISL title in 2022. During our last season, we significantly expanded our fan base, increasing game attendance by 148%, season ticket holders by 61%, and our average attendance rate by 71% in the 2023 season. Our club's core values – community engagement, respect for the military, continuous development, sportsmanship, passion, perseverance, unity, teamwork, service, and excellence – are the heartbeat of the Fayetteville Fury. We don't just play soccer; we live it. As part of our commitment to these values, we've developed a culture of active community involvement and demonstrated a profound respect for our neighboring Fort Bragg (now known as Fort Liberty) military members, as well as our first responders and our teachers.

Our mission and vision embody our commitment to both the beautiful game and our community. We strive to inspire unity, passion, and love for soccer while providing a platform for talented individuals to transition from amateur to professional status. We aim to become a symbol of excellence in professional indoor soccer, community engagement, talent development, and matchday experiences.

At the Fayetteville Fury, we have a unique community-driven approach. We believe in nurturing talent from grassroots programs, offering affordable entertainment for our fans, and being a force for good in our community. Our commitment to military appreciation and social responsibility, as well as our pursuit of excellence in every facet of our operation, distinguishes us in the soccer landscape.

Join us on our journey as we aspire to inspire, uplift, and drive forward the sport we deeply cherish.

management overview 

• Phillip Lin, Owner/President, Fayetteville Fury
  Born in Taiwan, Phillip grew up in the western North Carolina foothills.  Finding himself immersed American culture, Phillip used his love of sports to connect with classmates and neighbors, building his first friendships in a new country. Phillip worked in his family’s Chinese restaurant as he completed high school and college, graduating from Gardner-Webb University with degrees in computer science and mathematics. After moving to the Raleigh-Durham area, Phillip continued to use his love of sports as he participated in company intramural activities. Phillip graduated from North Carolina Central University in 2004 with a Masters of Science in Mathematics. His career has led him through a variety of companies including IBM and SAS. 

• Albeiro Florez, General Manager and Head Coach, Fayetteville Fury
  Albeiro (Al) Florez, was born in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, and raised in El Salvador, Central America from when he was three weeks old. He has over 17 years of happy marriage to his beautiful wife Jessica, and together they have three amazing sons, Julian, Adrian, and Christian. Al started playing soccer in El Salvador at an early age. Played for Colegio Champagnat in High School, where he earned a spot to the National U-15 men’s team. He also played in CONCACAF U-17 championship, and Club Deportivo FAS. While in the US Army, he began coaching for the USO, and the local rec teams. Later, he coached at MCCS Foster in Okinawa Japan. After the military he began advancing his coaching skills thru the US Soccer Learning Center where he has received several licenses and certifications (USSF-ID: 1000-0000-0024-7615). He currently mentors and teaches coaches through a program at N Zone Sports All American.   

• Dustin Lee, Assistant General Manager, Fayetteville Fury
  Raised amid the thriving soccer culture of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Dustin Lee is a renowned figure in both sports and entertainment. From the tender age of 5, Dustin's affinity for soccer blossomed, and he soon found himself immersed in various clubs and programs. For over two decades, Dustin has honed his skills on the soccer field, a journey highlighted by a standout performance at the US Airforce team at Langley AFB in Virginia when he was just 16. With his impressive 18 goals leading the team to victory, Dustin's name became synonymous with soccer excellence.

• Miguel Sanchez, NXT Head Coach and Fury Assistant Coach
  Born and bred in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Miguel Sanchez is more than just a local success story. This soccer aficionado owns and operates Sanchez Trucking LLC, but his heart is firmly planted on the soccer pitch. With a coaching career spanning nearly a decade, Miguel's journey began humbly with Fayetteville Parks and Recreation, where his spark for coaching was ignited. In partnership with his confidante and fellow soccer enthusiast, Sergio Inestroza, Miguel set the local soccer fields alight at the Fayetteville Soccer Complex. The duo orchestrated an impressive string of undefeated seasons across two age divisions, quickly becoming the talk of the town. Miguel's coaching approach embraces a more personal, player-centric philosophy. He firmly believes that fostering individual growth and nurturing each player's unique skills ultimately culminates in a dynamic, unstoppable team. Every training session under his watchful eye is like a masterclass in soccer finesse, where he combines technical drills with character development to shape not only remarkable players but also well-rounded individuals.

upsl announcement:

The excitement is palpable as the Fayetteville Fury soccer team proudly announces its entry into the esteemed United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) as a Premier Division soccer team in the Mid-Atlantic Conference. This strategic move marks a significant milestone for Fayetteville Fury, positioning them at the forefront of competitive soccer in the United States.

As a Premier division team within the UPSL, Fayetteville Fury is set to compete at the highest level of pro-development soccer. The UPSL, renowned as the largest and most competitive league of its kind in the country, serves as the 4th tier of the US Soccer pyramid – just below the professional tiers. With close to 400 clubs vying for supremacy nationwide, the UPSL presents an unparalleled platform for teams to showcase their talent, commitment, and passion for the game.

The UPSL's affiliation with the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) and the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) grants Fayetteville Fury and its fellow UPSL teams eligibility to participate in the prestigious U.S. Open Cup Qualifying Rounds, enhancing the competition and elevating the stakes even further.

"At Fayetteville Fury, we are truly thrilled to join the United Premier Soccer League as a Premier division soccer team," said Phillip Lin, Owner of Fayetteville Fury. "This is a defining moment for our team, as we embark on a journey to take on some of the nation's finest soccer talent. The UPSL's role in bridging the gap between youth and professional soccer is commendable, and we are proud to contribute to the growth and development of aspiring players and coaches."

With an average participant age of 22.5 years, the UPSL fills a vital niche in the American soccer landscape, offering a structured pathway for emerging talents to hone their skills and transition from youth play to the professional arena.

The Fayetteville Fury's inaugural UPSL match was August 19, 2023, marking the beginning of an exciting chapter in their journey. Fans can look forward to the team's first home game in Fayetteville on September 10, 2023, bringing top-tier soccer action to the local community.

upsl game schedule:

• Queen City FC vs, Fury FC - September 2, 2023 at 7 pm @ OrthoCarolina Sportsplex

• Fury FC vs. Soda City FC - September 10, 2023 at 4 pm @ D.T. Carter Stadium/E.E. Smith

• Fury FC vs. AC Raleigh - September 24, 2023 at 4 pm @ D.T. Carter Stadium/E.E. Smith

• Asheville FC vs. Fury FC - October 1, 2023 at 6 pm @ Buncombe County Sports Park

• Fury FC vs. Combine Rush - October 8, 2023 at 4 pm @ D.T. Carter Stadium/E.E. Smith

• Fury FC vs. SCU Heat - October 15, 2023 at 4 pm @ D.T. Carter Stadium/E.E. Smith

• Mint Hill FC vs. Fury FC - October 21, 2023 at 6 pm @ Mecklenburg County Sportsplex

• Charlotte FC vs. Fury FC - October 29, 2023 at 3 pm @ Matthew Sportsplex Turf Stadium

• James Island SC vs. Fury FC - November 4, 2023 at 2 pm @ Bayview Soccer Complex

• Fury FC vs. North Carolina FC - November 5, 2023 at 4 pm @ D.T. Carter Stadium/E.E. Smith

fall 2023 UPSL team roster:

fury tournament: furious clash

The Fayetteville Fury is thrilled to announce the Furyous Clash, a three-day long, soccer tournament at the Crown Complex. Mark your calendars for November 10th through 12th, as the Fury presents an electrifying soccer tournament that serves as a pivotal bridge transitioning us from the outdoor season and offering the community, along with our neighbors, a taste of the National Indoor Soccer League's vibrant energy. 

Over the span of three action-packed days, 24 elite men's teams and 12 dynamic women's teams will compete in their respective divisions, showcasing their remarkable skills and unwavering passion for the game. The tournament promises an elevated level of competition that will keep attendees on the edge of their seats.

One of the highlights of the tournament is the enticing prize pool. With an entry fee of $1,500 per team, the stakes have never been higher. The Fury is pleased to announce a tantalizing $5,000 prize for the winning team in each division. 

This substantial prize not only adds a competitive edge to the tournament but also recognizes the exceptional dedication and talent of the participating teams.

In addition to the thrilling soccer matches, the Fury is diligently working to secure sponsors that will contribute to the overall success of the tournament. These sponsors will play a pivotal role in enhancing the event's atmosphere, ensuring that attendees have an unforgettable experience both on and off the field. The tournament grounds will feature vendors offering a range of products and services, adding to the vibrant ambiance surrounding the event.

Please note that, as per our agreement with The Crown, outside food vendors will not be permissible within the tournament area. However, attendees can look forward to a variety of refreshments and culinary options available on-site.

Teams interested in participating in this monumental tournament can now register at the official Fayetteville Fury website, fayettevillefury.com. Don't miss your chance to be a part of this exciting soccer event that promises to showcase the best of indoor soccer and unite the community in a shared passion for the game.

To register as a competing team, visit: https://www.fayettevillefury.com/furyous-clash-indoor-tournament

social media handles and hashtags

Social Media Handles and Hashtags:
Facebook: https://facebook.com/fayettevillefury
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fayettevillefury/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/fayfurysoccer
Hashtags: #feelthefury #fayettevillefury 

media inquiries
For media inquiries; contact Audrey Hasslocher, Director of PR, at audrey@219group.com