ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION
It all started with a friendly wager.
A friendly wager at the Gremio Lusitano club among friends led to team president Celso Correia to form the Western Mass Pioneers Soccer Team, which became officially founded in 1997.
The Western Mass Pioneers started playing in 1998 in the USL D-3 Pro League. In 1999, they won the USL D-3 Pro League championship. In 2005 they reigned as the regular season champions, were USL Second Division finalists, and hosted the National Championship match. In 2010, the Pioneers became a pre-professional team in the USL PDL, now known as League Two, to focus on developing future professional soccer players. The Pioneers also operate numerous youth camps here and throughout western Massachusetts.
All home games are played at the Soccer Capital of New England, Lusitano Stadium. Modeled after European stadiums, the only soccer specific stadium in New England is located in the heart of Ludlow, providing the casual fan as well as the soccer aficionado the ultimate in soccer viewing as spectators feel they are part of the action. Tasty foods such as our famous ‘bifana’ (Portuguese pork sandwich) and other refreshments are available at the stadium pavilion during soccer games.
The goal of the organization is to present soccer and the game day experience here at the highest levels possible to the entire New England area, while at the same time showcasing local and exceptional talent and to provide them opportunities to advance through the US Soccer system.
Although considered a small market, the Pioneers consistently rank amongst the top teams in attendance. We hope you can join us for a game!
Board of Directors
Executive Board
Joe Ferrara
Arkadiusz Czarniecki
Federico Molinari
2023 (USL League Two)
Playoffs – lost in Conference Quarter Finals
2022 (USL League Two)
Playoffs – lost in Conference Semi Finals
Braudilio Rodrigues – nominee for Player of the Year
Nicholas Oberrauch & Braudilio Rodrigues – Eastern All-Conference Team
Braudilio Rodrigues – All-League Team
Braudilio Rodrigues – 2nd Round MLS Draft Pick to New York City FC
Patrick Agyemang – #12 MLS Draft Pick to Charlotte FC
2021 (USL League Two)
Northeast Division Champions
Eastern Conference Champions
National Semifinalist
2019 (USL League Two)
Northeast Division Champions
Undefeated Regular Season 11-0-3
Playoffs: lost in Conference Final
Blake Mullen makes All Eastern Conference Team
Blake Mullen wins Golden Glove – League Best Goalkeeper
Ciro Damine is ranked #4 on League Two Global Greats from South America
2016 (USL PDL)
New England Soccer Journal names Jair at #47 and gives Rob Jachym honorable mention in their 50 Greatest Players from New England
Playoffs: lost divisional round
Maxi Viera wins Goal of the PDL Playoffs
2014 (USL PDL)
All-Eastern Conference F Alencar Junior
2013 (USL PDL)
President Celso Correia inducted into the New England Soccer Hall of Fame
2010 (USL PDL)
Everson Maciel named #9 on the USL Second Division Top 15 of the Decade
2009 (USL Second Division)
All League Second Team F Almir Barbosa
2008 (USL Second Division)
All League Second Team D Federico Molinari
All League Second Team F Jeff Deren
2007 (USL Second Division)
All League First Team D Jay Willis
All League Second Team M Everson Maciel
Franchise inducted into USL Hall of Fame
2006 (USL Second Division)
All League First Team M Everson Maciel
All League Second Team F Omar McFarlane
2005 (USL Second Division)
All League First Team M Everson Maciel
All League First Team F Rigels Qosa
Regular Season Champions
Executive of the Year Rick Andre
Assist Leader Neil Krause
2004 (USL Pro Soccer League)
All League First Team M Everson Maciel
2003 (USL Pro Select League)
MVP Rob Jachym
Scoring Champion Rob Jachym
Goal Scoring Champion Rob Jachym
Assist Leader James Proctor
All League First Team F Rob Jachym
2002 (USL D-3 Pro League)
Assist Leader James Proctor
All League First Team M James Proctor
2001 (USL D-3 Pro League)
Executive of the Year Rick Andre
2000 (USL D-3 Pro League)
All League First Team D Kyle Fletcher
1999 (USL D-3 Pro League)
Organization of the Year
Champions
All League First Team D Paul Kelly
All League First Team F Rob Jachym
1998 (USISL D-3 Pro League)
Scoring Champion Michael Butler (39)
Goal Scoring Champion Michael Butler (15)
Rookie of the Year Michael Butler
All League First Team F Michael Butler
US Open Cup History
1998
1r – v. New York Greek Americans (USASA), 2-0 (forfeit)
2r – v. Rochester Raging Rhinos (A-Lg), 1-3
2004
2r – v. Cape Cod Crusaders (PDL), 2-3
2005
2r – v. Reggae Boyz FC (USASA), 5-0
3r – v. Chicago Fire (MLS), 1-3
2007
1r – at Danbury United (USASA), 3-2 (aet)
2r – at Rochester Raging Rhinos (USL1), 1-2 (aet)
2008
1r – v. Boston Olympiakos (USASA), 2-0
2r – v. Richmond Kickers (USL2), 1-2
2009
1r – v. Emigrantes Das Ilhas (USASA), 3-2
2r – at Harrisburg City Islanders (USL2), 0-0 (aet) (pk 4-3)
2010
1r – at F.C. New York (USL Pro), 0-3
2014
1r – v. Mass Premier Soccer (USASA), 4-1
2r – at Rochester Rhinos (USL Pro) 1-2 (aet)
2015
1r – v. Greater Binghamton FC (NPSL), 1-1 (aet, 4-3 PK)
2017
1r – v. Boston City F.C. (NPSL), 2-2 (aet, 3-4 PK)
2018
1r – v. Elm City Express (NPSL), 1-2
2020
1r – v. GPS Portland Phoenix (USL2), Tournament Cancelled
2022
1r – v. Brockton FC United (BSSL), 2-0
2r – v. Flower City Union (NISA), 1-0
2024
1r v. Union Omaha (USL League One) 4-0
Western Mass Lady Pioneers
The Lady Pioneers competed in the USL W-League between 2004-2009. They made the playoffs in 2005 and 2006, losing in the conference semifinals in 2006.
2006
John Natale – Coach of the Year
Kelly Shimmin – All-League Team, Eastern All-Conference Team, Scoring Champion, Goal Scoring Champion
Margaret Tietjen – Eastern All-Conference Team
Katie Schoepfer – U19 Player of the Year, Eastern All-Conference Team
USL W-League Organization of the Year
Western Mass Pioneers USL Super-20
2012 – Men’s Super-20 First 11
The Pioneers are proud to support charities and fundraising for people in our community, both local and in the soccer world. Please contact us at info@wmpioneers.com if you would like to partner up to help your cause!
Charities the Pioneers support and have supported in the past include:
Jimmy Fund – Independent and co-operative fundraising efforts with the New England Revolution to support Jimmy Fund.
Soccer without Borders – Donating slightly used soccer equipment to nations worldwide to bolster soccer efforts.
Kevin Ambrose and Jose Torres Funds – supporting fallen offers in the line of duty.
Local school fundraisers and benefits.
Community School Reading Program – Involved in supporting the National Reading initiative in local elementary schools throughout the area.
Memorial Day Parade – Pride in our program and supporting Memorial Day activities.
Operation Santa at Baystate Brightwood Heath Center – Solicited donations of sports equipment to hand out to children in need.
Helped raise funds and donated Lusitano Stadium for a benefit soccer match between LYSA and Ludlow Fire & Police for L.J. Maravilha
In 2010, the Pioneers joined the USL PDL (now USL League Two) and dedicated themselves to helping young soccer players develop and enhance their game, improving their chances of becoming professional. Please send any updates or information to info@wmpioneers.com.
Braudilio Rodrigues – 2023 MLS Superdraft second round pick – NYCFC
Patrick Agymang – 2023 MLS Superdraft #12 pick – Charlotte FC
Yosuke Hanya – 2022 Signed with Colorado Rapids 2, (MLS NEXT Pro)
| Sebastian Rosano – Signed with @udmontijo (Spanish 3rd Divison) |
| Nacho Torres – Signed with Bangor City FC (Premier League of Wales) |
| Jimmy Slayton – Real Monarchs (USL Championship) (2020) |
| Adrian Romero – C.D. Pedroneras (Spain Third Division) (2019) |
| Alex Frank – Atlanta SC (NISA) (2019) |
| Christian Schneider – Philadelphia Fury (NISA) (2019) |
| Will Daniels – KF Aegir (Iceland Second Division) (2016) |
| Tommaso D’Agostino – Gela FC Scordia (Italy Serie D) (2016) |
| Ryan Malone – FC Magdeburg 2015 |
| Thomas McNamara – Chivas USA (MLS) first pick in the second round (20th overall) of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft |
| Joey Kapinos – Detroit Waza (PASL) (2013) |
| Alejandro Sucre – Vancouver Whitecaps FC (MLS) Drafted with the 67th overall pick in the 2013 Supplemental Draft |
| Steve Covino – F.C. New York (USL Pro) 2011 |
Lusitano Stadium
Contact Us
Western Mass Pioneers
P. O. Box 457
Ludlow, Massachusetts 01056
T. 413-583-4814
E. info@wmpioneers.com