LANCASTER, CA, May 24, 2024 – AV ALTA FC, formerly USL Antelope Valley, unveiled their new official name, crest and colors in front of thousands of local fans during a Crest Reveal & Block Party held on Lancaster Blvd in Lancaster, CA on May 17. The USL League One team is set to kick-off their 2025 Inaugural Season at Lancaster Municipal Stadium, which will be converted from baseball to a soccer-specific configuration.
“To have over 2,500 locals join us to celebrate the AV by sharing with us this milestone of revealing our name, crest and identity is just overwhelming,” said AV ALTA FC Founder & President John Smelzer. “Everything about our club and its values is a reflection of this community – the importance of hard work, family, gathering together and of course a love for the beautiful game. We know our crest embodies all of this, along with the unique culture and topography of the region; a symbol for the AV to wear over their hearts as well as our players.”
The club also nearly set a new USL League One record with over 1,100 deposits for season tickets in the first 24 hours of release coming just short of the record set earlier in the year by Portland Hearts of Pine. It did nearly double the prior record of Spokane Velocity’s 600 season ticket deposits. Lancaster Municipal Stadium will hold 5,300 seats in its new soccer configuration.
The club’s name, crest and identity was created in collaboration with the community through numerous listening sessions, surveys and hours of research. The club’s new name, AV ALTA FC showcases Antelope Valley’s initials – “AV” which is commonly referred to by the local community. Alta which means “elevated” in Latin, is a nod to the region’s unique location in the high desert of California, its ties to the aerospace industry and the region’s origins as “Alta California” prior to California statehood. “FC” stands for Fútbol Club.
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AV ALTA FC’s new crest and visual identity aims to encapsulate the natural beauty of the Antelope Valley by paying tribute to its local industry, topography and culture. The club’s official colors are Joshua Green which is inspired by the abundant Joshua Trees, and Desert Sand which represents the color of Southern California’s High Desert.
Additionally, the shape of the crest pays homage to the California poppies that grow and thrive in the region and attract thousands to the Antelope Valley California Poppy State Natural Reserve each year for their super blooms. The club brand will feature an alternative color in Poppy Orange, which is not embodied in the crest, but will be showcased in visuals and merchandise.
At the center of the crest are the letters “AV” which are proudly featured in a custom font inspired by the angles of the B-2 Bomber. The Antelope Valley community shares a special pride in the aircraft as a representation of its intersection of aerospace technology and military community, as the home of B-2 manufacturing in Palmdale, CA and test flights at Edwards Air Force Base.
Audiences can learn more about the club, its crest and how to secure Season Ticket Deposits and merchandise via is official website www.avaltafc.com
About AV ALTA FC: AV ALTA FC is an expansion club of the United Soccer League, kicking off in Lancaster, California in March 2025. The Club will consist of a professional men’s team to compete in USL League One and a pre-professional women’s team to compete in the USL W League. Both teams will play in a newly renovated, soccer-specific Lancaster Municipal Stadium, only the fourth professional soccer-specific stadium in Southern California. Season Ticket Deposits are available for $25 per seat. Details on the club and on how to secure seats can be found at www.avaltafc.com.