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Sports: Falls Church's Virginia Dream FC Top UPSL and VSSL, Remain Undefeated

Sports: Falls Church's Virginia Dream FC Top UPSL and VSSL, Remain Undefeated
In Saturday's 14-0 romp, Virginia Dream FC's forward Nico Likulia scored a hat trick against ODFC Cesena FC at Lake Fairfax Park. Photo by Epic Footage Studios.

The City of Falls Church's semi-pro soccer team, Virginia Dream FC – whose home field "The Cloud" is at Meridian H.S. – continues to dominate the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL), "the largest and most competitive pro-development league in North America," as well as the Virginia Super Soccer League (VSSL), the "premier soccer organization in the greater Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) area."

According to a team press release, The Dream "continued their undefeated 2024 UPSL Fall Season with an epic 14-0 victory this past Saturday to remain alone atop of the UPSL DMV South Table." The [Old Dominion Football Club] ODFC Cesena FC took their worst loss of the season against The Dream on Sept. 21 at Lake Fairfax Park Field.

Statistically, The Dream continue to display dominance in the UPSL, accruing by their 5th match, 18 points with 37 goals-for and only 4-against for a staggering 34-goal differential with only 4 games remaining in the regular season. 

Virginia Dream FC sits atop the standings. Current team rankings in the UPSL. Courtesy UPSL.

The performance Saturday evening was highlighted by Angel Chavez and Nico Likulia who between them scored a whopping 10 goals. The two are the team’s leading goal scorers, tied at 12-goals each and are strong contenders for the league’s Golden Boot Award. Lucas Mendes, Andy Hernandez, Demetrius Sheppard-Lewis and Tom Suchecki added 1 goal apiece.

With 7 goals in the match, The Dream's Angel Chavez – who was awarded Player of the Season and Golden Boot in only his second UPSL season when he played for SYC United of Springfield, Virg. and in July, 2024 received the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) Mid-Atlantic Conference MVP Award – sent a loud-and-clear message to the league that he's overcome past serious injuries. In an inspiring and moving video Virginia Dream FC posted for Mental Health Awareness Month in June, 2024, Chavez "shares the challenges he had to overcome early on in his journey as a player." After viewing the clip, it's hard to think of ever not rooting for Chavez on the field and in life.

Angel Chavez after joining Virginia Dream FC. Instagram video screen capture.

For footage of Nico Likulia's hat trick performance Saturday night, click on the pic below or go here: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/b6i1Dk8L3vegurCr/.

Attacking forward Lucas Mendes – the club's owner, creative director, and kit designer – also had three assists, according to Operations Director Paolo Mendes, Lucas Mendes's dad. "So, the guys are feeling good, feeling positive and looking forward to the playoffs," Paolo Mendes told The Falls Church Independent. "We're also undefeated at four wins and one tie in the [Virginia Super Soccer League] VSSL."

Club owner and attacking forward/midfielder Lucas Mendes (center, arms outstretched) celebrates with teammates in an earlier match. Photo by Jared Soares.

In those 5 matches played so far in the VSSL this season, The Dream have also racked up 23 goals-for and only 1-against.

At the recent Falls Church Festival, Virginia Dream FC's Operations Director, Paolo Mendes, staffed a club information table featuring several of the team's recent league trophies. Photo by Chris Jones.

Virginia Dream’s next game is at home this Saturday Sept. 28th. The team will face DC Hyper which sits in 4th place in the UPSL's DMV South conference. 

After this weekend’s game at Meridian High School, aka “The Cloud,” The Dream will play Arlington SA away, Alexandria United home, and Villarreal CFVA away to end the regular season.

Tickets for the game are $10 at the door and, as always, children under 12 and all FCCPS students are admitted free.

For updated information go to: https://www.instagram.com/VirginiaDreamFC/?hl=en.

And for a deeper look at Virginia Dream FC, see our recent article below:

Falls Church’s ‘Virginia Dream F.C.’ Launches 2nd Season, Following League Soccer Championships, Worldwide Press
Have you heard of Virginia Dream F.C., the City of Falls Church’s championship semi-professional men’s soccer team whose home stadium is “The Cloud” at Meridian High School?

By Christopher Jones