USL Veteran is Expansion Club’s First Hire, Reinforcing Community-First Approach
LONG ISLAND, NY (Nov. 9, 2026) – USL Long Island, a new United Soccer League (USL) expansion club planning to begin play in 2028, has named USL veteran Jay Lockhart as its first hire and Director of Community Outreach.
“We have been very consistent from day one that this club will be about community, and making Jay our first hire is more than symbolic. It reaffirms our commitment to connecting with people across Long Island and making them feel that this is their team,” said Sara Whalen, Co-Founder and President of USL Long Island. “Jay’s experience from his years within the USL is also a huge asset as we want to learn from what successful clubs have done, while still creating something that is uniquely Long Island.”
A native of Stourbridge, England, Lockhart brings more than a dozen years of experience across youth, academy and professional soccer in the United States. He joins USL Long Island following more than a decade with USL League One club Charlotte Independence Soccer Club, where he served as Director of Community Engagement while also coaching multiple youth programs. His experience includes serving as an assistant coach at the USL League Two level and as a video analyst with the Charlotte Independence, as well as head coach of the Carolina Ascent U20 USL Academy team. He has also been actively involved with TOPSoccer, an inclusive program providing soccer opportunities for athletes with disabilities. He holds a USSF A License and U.S. Soccer Coach Educator License and earned a bachelor’s degree in Sports Development from Sheffield Hallam University and a master’s degree in Sports Coaching from Ohio University.
In his new role, Lockhart will lead USL Long Island’s outreach throughout the region, building relationships with youth soccer organizations, schools, community groups, businesses and other organizations as the club prepares for its inaugural season.
“The opportunity to join an expansion club and help build something from the beginning is incredibly exciting,” said Lockhart. “More importantly, I genuinely believe Long Island has everything needed to become a tremendous USL market. A huge part of our success will come from our connection with the community and making people across Long Island feel a part of this club, identify with it and ultimately be proud to call it their team.”
USL Long Island will compete in USL League One in 2028, pending final league and federation sanctioning approval, with home matches at James M. Shuart Stadium at Hofstra University. The historic venue has hosted professional, collegiate and high school sporting events and provides a centrally located home for a club being built to represent soccer fans and communities throughout Long Island.
About USL Long Island
The new USL League One expansion franchise, was Co-founded by Long Island natives, Glenn Schneider, the owner of SUSA FC, New York’s largest youth soccer academy and Sara Whalen, a former U.S. Women’s National Team player, 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion, Olympic Silver Medalist, and licensed clinical psychologist. USL Long Island (the club’s temporary name) is scheduled to begin play in March 2028 at James M. Shuart Stadium at Hofstra University in Hempstead. The nearly 13,000-seat facility combines a deep sporting tradition with the atmosphere and amenities befitting professional soccer. To learn more, visit USLLongIsland.com and sign up for the latest club news or follow on Instagram.
About United Soccer League
The United Soccer League (USL) is building a united soccer system across the country through community-rooted clubs, connected player pathways and meaningful competition. With clubs in more than 200 communities and multiple levels of play for men and women, the USL unites players, clubs and fans around a shared belief in creating opportunity for everyone. Beginning in 2028, the USL is aligning with the global game by bringing promotion and relegation to its professional men’s leagues, allowing clubs to move between divisions based on performance.
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Media Contact: Doug Drotman – USL Long Island (doug@drotman-pr.com)
