Winston-Salem's first pre-professional soccer team is making its debut this season.

Salem City FC started as Greensboro Dynamo in 1993. The team won the Premier Development League's Mid-Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference championship in 2004. Throughout the years, the team went through new changes, including switching to a youth soccer team. In 2018, it joined US League 2, which is focused on developing a team of professional soccer players.

Covering new grounds

With new ownership came a new name and a new location. The team moved from Greensboro to Winston-Salem last year, hoping to create a soccer culture in the Twin City.

"We're just trying to create [...] an exciting atmosphere for people to come out," Chris Barnhart, managing partner with Salem City FC, told City Editor Kellina. "We're only working with local communities organizations keep it as local as possible and then just building that community support around it."

Salem City FC is equipped with 28 players on the roster who come from all over the Piedmont region, the US, and world. Their goal is to advance the soccer team in ranks.

"We have a vision and the vision is to bring professional soccer to Winston year-round," Salem City FC Head Coach Chris Williams said.

What to expect on game day

The first home game will take place Saturday, May 11 at Truist Sports Park (428 Twins Way) in Bermuda Run. Fans will come out to cheer on Salem City FC, who will play against Charlotte Independence starting at 7 p.m.

Barnhart says fans can expect bounce houses for kids, local food trucks, and performances by local high school bands. The team will also partner with Wise Man Brewing and plans to create a beer garden for adults.

Scoring tickets

The season will run through September. You can buy season tickets for $60 to attend all home games. Fans will also have the option to purchase individual tickets at a later date.

"We're really excited to start the season and to continue the rich history that we've already created when it was the Dynamo," Barnhart said.