Capo FC Director Peter Carey: “We Have New Ownership in Place”
The famous California academy club is back in NISA Pro for the 2025 Fall Tournament and are looking to establish themselves.
San Juan Capistrano’s only professional soccer side, famous youth club Capo FC, made their debut in NISA for the 2024 season and are returning for the 2025 Fall Tournament and future professional seasons. We reached out to Director Peter Carey to discuss the thoughts process behind the return, new ownership, a possible soccer-specific stadium, and competing at a high level by developing local youth talent.
BT90: Why a return to NISA? After such a crazy first year in the league for your club as others came and went, and a collapse in both meeting USSF Pro League Standards for 2025 and the league front office, why choose Bob Friedland and company to help restart the pro side of Capo FC?
Peter Carey: We chose NISA because it provides a direct pathway into the professional ranks, allowing us to bridge our youth and college systems with the pro level. Through our participation in NISA, we’ve successfully several of our players sign with higher-level clubs—demonstrating the strength and visibility of the platform in advancing talent.
We interviewed former NISA Commissioner John Prutch in October 2024, in which he made an interesting statement about your club’s ownership structure: “It's an experiment that we decided that we wanted to see if we could take a club that had been around a long time with a significant youth program, promote them up to the pros, which is where they wanted to be, and see how they perform. Even though they may not qualify as an owner, U.S. Soccer approved that process.” Does the club still not have a primary owner? How has the club been funded? What was the process for approval like in the club’s first professional year?
Our first year was a challenge without ownership support, but sometimes you have to endure the struggle to reach your goals—and we made it through. We're excited to share that we now have a new ownership group in place and are fully funded moving forward.
The club went 4-3-9 in the 2024 season. How are you looking to construct the roster to better compete in the Pro Cup and beyond?
While other teams may have larger budgets and the ability to bring in outside talent, we’re focused on building our brand from the ground up—developing local players and providing opportunities within our own community. We understand that true success takes time, but we’re confident in the strength and potential of our core group, made up primarily of Southern California talent. Our culture is built on hard work, belief, and long-term commitment, and we fully expect to be a top contender in the Pro Cup. We’re excited for the opportunity ahead.
The USL2 club under your organization is currently 5-1-1 and at the top of the Southwest Division. How important is success at the youth level to your club, and how will it help the professional side?
Our USL2 and USLW teams are having a strong season, and they play a vital role in bridging the gap between high school and the professional level. At Capo FC, our player pathway is built to progress from youth club to high school and/or academy, then on to college soccer, and ultimately to the professional ranks. These teams also help us strengthen connections with local colleges, coaches, and players—ensuring we continue to develop and retain top talent from within our own community.
The Pro Cup has only had one other team confirmed in the West: Temecula FC (Note: interview was conducted before Hailstorm FC and LA Force joined). Even as more teams get added to the tournament and NISA, it needs to be asked if the club is worried about the travel costs of a national league?
From what I understand, additional teams will be announced soon for the Pro Cup, with the total expected to reach between 10-12. Thanks to our new ownership group, all of our travel and league expenses are fully backed, ensuring that our professional team is well-funded and operating at the highest standard.
What plans are in the works for a future stadium? Are you looking to build a soccer-specific stadium?
It’s in discussion, but nothing solid. There is a bid that has to take place, so I’m hesitant to shake any leaves right now.
What stadium will you play at this season?
JSerra Catholic High School.
A follow-up question from earlier: You mentioned that your club had a challenge last year without a singular owner, but can you expand and tell us how the club was funded and how you were approved by the USSF?
Last year we were not funded; unfortunately I don’t have a lot I can add to that. We had to pay it ourselves, which I pretty much paid for personally.
So just confirming, you can’t tell us much about the USSF approval process last year for Capo, correct?
Correct, NISA helped me get the USSF approval.
The info on USSF approval might stay a mystery to fans, but the fact that the club has new stable investment and is discussing building a stadium of their own is a huge step for both the club and NISA as a whole. With Capo and Temecula looking for their own homes, the league might have a good starting point to ask for professional sanctioning again. Whether NISA gets it or doesn’t, Capo FC will be showcasing their youth talent at the highest level and making noise on the national soccer scene.
Sometimes I wish US Soccer can get all division three leagues to become one or at least NISA and USL1 together with MLSNP being a reserve league for all the teams... some kind of merger. Especially with pro/rel beinf around the corner.
Great piece (as usual). I’m curious and have a couple questions.
The indications were Capo was an amateur team playing under the NISA professional umbrella. Any idea of it that is an accurate assessment?
How seriously does the author and other community members take the stadium matter?
It seems like being in a league as volatile as NISA would lend itself to such an ambitious and expensive effort.