Texas Soccer:Galveston Pirates Secure National Premier Soccer League Franchise

Texas soccer side Galveston Pirates are pleased to announce their purchase of a franchise berth within the U.S National Premier Soccer League (NPSL).

Teams from Brooklyn to San Diego, Atlanta to Chicago, Milwaukee to Buffalo already take part in this nationwide league setup, Galveston are just the latest of a series of sides to make the step up to this illustrious league and the point isn't lost on Pirate coach and owner Brendan Keyes.

"It's a great chance and opportunity for us, as a team to grow and progress and this national platform gives us the chance to shine," Keyes said.

After a aborted attempt to join the NPSL floundered a couple of seasons ago due to a franchise ownership issue, the Pirates initiated and jointly founded the SPSL in the Houston area before joining the Houston Football Association (HFA) where they currently ply their trade.

"We will continue to play in the HFA during the close season of the NPSL, giving us the chance to play all year round, which is great for me personally as I live and breath the game," Keyes said. "It's what I do and all I ever think about.

Keyes said the team may need to have a squad roster of nearly two separate teams to cope with the volume of games.

"I want this, the players want this and the public want this," he said. "This could catapult the team and the leagues we participate in, into the Texas sporting limelight which can only be a good thing for all involved."

The Pirate side are only four matches into the HFA Championship this season. The squad currently sits third on the table and will play through until March of next year before having a small break before joining the NPSL in May, where they will play until July.

Joining the NPSL also gives the Galveston side the opportunity to gain automatic qualification to the U.S Lemar Open Cup by winning its individual divisional section. Doing so would draw them against NASL and MLS sides in the ultimate quest of a nationwide platform.

"Ideally we would love to play against the Houston Dynamo," Keyes said of the Open Cup chance. "Being local to us, we have played their Academy side on many occasions but never the MLS senior side. It would be dream come true to play them on this stage.

"Wouldn't it be great if we could could be the first side to play them at their new stadium that's currently being built? What a coup that would be."

The Pirates have a very young side at the moment—many of the players are still in college—but have a couple of higher profile players flung in for good measure.

RJ McNair, whose uncle was the late NFL star quarterback Steve McNair, was recently installed as captain of the side even though he's still at the tender age of 23.

One of the players bringing age and experience to the squad is ex-Bahamian international Peron Major, who at 32 is the elder statesman of the squad. His experience will be key to this side competing in the NPSL when it comes around next year.

One thing's for sure with Keyes and his players, they will relish this new commitment. It's what they compete for—it's the ultimate challenge.

Marc Roseblade is a Contributor for Bleacher Report as well as Not Just Scottish Football and youth development reporter for Ayr United Football Academy. All quotes are obtained first-hand unless otherwise stated.

Galveston Pirates Soccer Club Secures NPSL Franchise