Rocket City United (RCU) was an American soccer team based in Huntsville, Alabama, United States. Founded in 2007, the team formerly played in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), a national Semi-Professional league (where some teams and players were on full time contracts) at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southeast Division. Rocket City United announced it would go on hiatus and not field a team for the 2015 NPSL season. The franchise was subsequently replaced by other clubs and later folded. A youth academy program that was connected to Rocket City United still continues under the same name.
The team played its home games at John Hunt Soccer Stadium in Huntsville, Alabama. Home games were also played at Madison City Schools Stadium in Madison, Alabama from 2010 to 2012.Semi-Pro Soccer Comes To Madison The team's colors were red, black, and white.
History The team had a rich history of attracting collegiate footballers who wanted to play during the college off season, or after college in the bid to try and progress up the ladder. RCU attracted players from all over the United States and as far as Brasil, England, Ireland, Scotland, Uganda, South Africa and more. The team bond was unquestionable.
In 2010 RCU appointed USA Hall of Famer Des Armstrong. This brought huge credibility and put Huntsville under the spot light.
Under Armstrong's stewardship the team played an expansive form of football.
The 2010 campaign coincided with the 2010 World Cup, so Vuvuzela's were a common sound at home games.
Year-by-year YearDivisionLeagueRegular seasonPlayoffsOpen Cup20084NPSL3rd, SoutheastDid not qualifyDid not enter20094NPSL1st, SoutheastNational Semi FinalsDid not qualify20104NPSL3rd, SoutheastDid not qualifyDid not qualify20114NPSL6th, SoutheastDid not qualifyDid not qualify20124NPSL3rd, South-Southeast-WestDid not qualifyDid not qualify20134NPSL3rd, SoutheastDid not qualifyDid not qualify
Honors NPSL Southeast Division Champions 2009
Head coaches Greg Petersen (2008–2009) Desmond Armstrong (2010) Gerry Cleary (2011–2014) Jacob Letsholo (2014)
Stadia John Hunt Soccer Stadium; Huntsville, Alabama (2008–09, 2013–14) Jack Allen Soccer Complex; Decatur, Alabama (2 games) (2008) Madison City Schools Stadium; Madison, Alabama (2010–12)
References
External links