Lionsbridge FC: an "almost" Cinderella story

Founded in 2017 in Newport News, VA, Lionsbridge Football Club (LBFC) is a semi-professional soccer team competing in USL League 2 (USL2), with a strong focus on the surrounding Virginia Peninsula community. Named after Lions Bridge, an iconic landmark on the Peninsula, the team made history during the 2022 regular season, remaining undefeated, securing their first division title and achieving the largest single game attendance in the league. During their 2023 season, I had the rewarding experience of being the team’s digital media intern, and watched the team make history again and again and again.

LBFC owners Mike Vest and Kevin Joyce stand with the 2023 intern class. Photo by Sydney Smith.

Winning their first six matches with ease, the 2023 LBFC season was off to a strong start. On June 10th, however, everything changed. The team faced off against Christos FC, and despite battling on the field, lost their first game 2-1. That loss was the beginning of a month-long drought for the team, as they lost or tied the following four games against relatively easy competitors. As we entered July, the team, fans and staff feared the club would not even qualify for playoffs, squashing any hopes of second chance.

As the team prepared for the Coastal Virginia Challenge Cup match, head coach Chris Whalley did something unexpected: he came to the digital media team, in an attempt to figure out what could make the team start winning again. He asked my boss and I to make a video with messages from fans, host families, staff members and team alumni, to show the team they were playing for more than themselves; they were playing for the Peninsula. When it was finally game time, a new team stepped on the field and they won the cup with a 3-0 victory.

And just like that, Lionsbridge was back. They wanted to win, not only to make up for the brutal month of June, but to show LBFC’s loyal fan base they were a team to remember. With a rematch against Christos FC approaching, the team needed a victory if they wanted to qualify for playoffs. Despite Christos holding the lead for over 75% of the game, fans cheered the team on, and LBFC won 3-2 with a late goal clinching their victory and a playoff spot.

Sam Hall celebrates his game-winning goal against Christos FC on July 3rd, 2023. Photo By Sydney Smith.

Shortly after, LBFC secured the Chesapeake Division title and began preparation for playoffs. Before the first round game, Coach Whalley again approached the digital media team requesting another video, this time from the players’ families. As fans filled LBFC’s stadium, the nerves from the 2022 playoffs disappeared and the team won their game. And then they won the next. And the next. And the next. For the first time ever, the club was headed to the USL2 National Final, flying to Seattle, WA to compete against Ballard FC. Despite the 2,922 miles separating the team from its home turf, LBFC fans were still in attendance, with posters, streamers, face paint and more. Unfortunately, this Cinderella story did not get a happy ending, as Ballard scored in the final seconds of the match to win 2-1.

LBFC fans cheer on the team before the USL2 National Final in Seattle, WA. Photo by Liz Wolter.

Despite the unlucky outcome of the game, the 2023 LBFC team made history over and over again. But how? What changed between June 10th and July 3rd? We may never know, but I have one theory that I’m almost certain of. With the guidance and encouragement from their coaches, fans, supporting staff and families, the team realized they were not just playing for themselves. They were playing for all of the people that wanted to see their team achieve the impossible, something they thought they would not even get the opportunity to witness.

From the supportive comments flooding LBFC social media accounts to the fatheads and posters brough to each game, the fans did everything they could to show what the club, and the athletes, meant to the community. And the digital media team made sure the players knew that. So maybe I think the digital team had a larger impact on the season than we did. But who knows what would have happened otherwise?

“I think the social media aspect is really important,” said 2023 LBFC captain Sam Hall. “It gave fans a chance to engage with the players, attracting more and more supporters, and we feed off that. It’s a top-down effect and it led towards our success. The digital team did a fantastic job across all aspects and provided something that this level has yet to see.”

Up the 'Bridge.