The Vision Behind the Club : Meet Simon Velez

For Simon Velez, founder and captain of Weston Villa FC, the beautiful game has always been a deeply personal passion. His love for soccer ignited during childhood summers spent in Bogotá, Colombia, heavily inspired by the legendary 2006 World Cup. After a competitive youth career and a formative college playing experience, Velez returned to South Florida. He and his friends were frequently playing pickup games but lacked reliable facilities and a proper competitive outlet. In 2022, he took matters into his own hands, founding the club to provide a structured platform for his childhood friends to compete, stay healthy, and continue playing the sport they love together.

The club’s identity is as unique as its origins. The name "Weston Villa" is a clever nod to the English Premier League’s Aston Villa—chosen by Velez (ironically, a Chelsea fan) for its neutral appeal and distinct color palette. On the pitch, the team boasts a distinctively technical, Latino-influenced playing style. Embracing their South Florida roots, the squad communicates seamlessly in both English and Spanish, focusing on a fast-paced, one-touch ground game that mirrors the vibrant soccer culture they grew up playing.

Under Velez's dedicated leadership, which he models after the influential captains from his college days, the club has experienced a rapid ascent. Initially forced to join a local 5v5 league due to a lack of full-sided options, Weston Villa proved their mettle immediately by sneaking into the playoffs and winning the championship in their inaugural season. In the summer of 2025, Velez’s original vision had finally come to fruition as the club currently in the highly competitive 11v11 UFL. Weston Villa is focused on making a statement, shocking the league, and proving that this brotherhood is building a lasting legacy.