FC Kendall starts GoFundMe campaign to fund U.S. Open Cup trip to Nashville

One of the underdiscussed aspects of soccer management in America recently (in fairness, there has been a lot to talk about) has to deal with the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. One of the major problems with the competition is the difficulty amateur clubs have navigating it. No, it’s not related to the challenge posed by professional competition. The issue is funding for long trips. And a local team — FC Kendall — is facing that issue head-on this week.

Just last week, it was learned that the United States Soccer Federation will offer financial assistance to clubs in the open division amateur qualifying tournament who have to make road trips longer than six hours. However, it likely won’t be enough for small amateur clubs facing a multi-state journey.

FC Kendall of the APSL is taking a direct approach to the problem. Earlier today, it posted a campaign to GoFundMe entitled “Help FC Kendall get To Nashville!“

In the post, Nico Brando, who acts as a representative of the team, details the club’s plight. The club was drawn on Wednesday to play Nashville United FC on Nov. 18, 2017. The club is a not-for-profit organization run mainly by volunteers. The expense of the trip, which is estimated to be $10,000, is much greater than their annual budget can accommodate. From the post:

Travel – $7300 (20 flights @ $350; including ground transportation upon arrival)
Hotel – $1200 (assuming one night stay for all players and coaches)
Meals – $1800 (expecting to enter Saturday afternoon Nov.18 and depart Sunday morning Nov.19)

The club has raised $156 of its goal in less than 10 hours as of publication Wednesday night. It’s uncertain how much of this amount will need to be raised through the campaign before the club would consider forfeiting its match.