Virginia’s Underdog Dream Team Dress for the Big Occasion

The Dream is alive in Falls Church, Virginia.

This small city, ten miles from the nation’s capital, is back in the spotlight thanks to the recent success of Virginia Dream FC. Founded by former professional and national high school player of the year Lucas Mendes, they’ve made waves in only their second year with a huge Cupset of pro side Richmond Kickers on the road in the First Round of 2025 U.S. Open Cup.

This Dream team now face a Second Round contest against the area’s Division II USL Championship side, Loudoun United FC, in their debut go-round in this country’s most-historic soccer tournament.

“We’ve built an identity on the field, to grow and solidify a large player pool and to conquer local and national leagues,” said head coach CJ Taylor, who still hasn’t even been in the job for a full year. “The next step is to cement ourselves as a top semi-pro side and climb the next rung on the ladder. That’s The U.S. Open Cup.”

Taylor’s comments, made during this fall’s grueling amateur Qualifying Rounds, now seem prophetic. The Dream – who pulled off their huge Cupset in the First Round on the road against our 1995 Champions the Kickers – are working toward opening doors for Virginia’s players and turning the dream their name hints at into bold reality.

And don’t mind if they do all that while looking sharp.

Soccer Field as Runway

Since their inception the Dream have made statements with their kits. These projects aim to create a connection between soccer, art, fashion and music. That all began in 2023 with the team’s hand tie-dyed, square pattern kits. The colors of light blue and pink stood out plenty – and that was the whole point.

“We understand how art and sport can combine and really grow the culture of this game in this country,” said Mendes, a product of MLS side D.C. United’s academy system. “The more time that clubs put into that, the more they'll be able to relate to their fans and find new fans that maybe weren't into soccer first but were into the creative side of things. Then you draw them into the sport and they're able to feel a part of the club.”

Earlier this year, the team launched a so-called Crown Jewel Kit – a sleek black top interlaced with golden crown iconography. It’s that very uniform the team wore at historic City Stadium in Richmond, Virginia when they beat the USL League One pros 3-1 with an impressive performance that never really felt under threat.

For many in the Dream organization, the simple things go a long way. Like hand-dying a kit or taking a simple black jersey and adding a special touch to it that both looks cool and speaks about what the club wants to represent. The kits aren’t just uniforms but canvases for expression, creativity and change.

Some of the Dream’s players didn’t really understand what the whole deal was at first. Team captain Harri Hawkins, the former Hofstra defender who missed out on the First Round Cupset in Richmond but who was crucial in the Qualifying Rounds, has seen how fan engagement can vary from club to club.

“My first reaction was honestly just a soccer team that had big ambitions and a staff and roster of guys that were hungry and ready to work,” said the 31-year-old Hawkins, who had stints with the NY Cosmos and Recreativo Huelva in Spain. “It’s hugely impressive to see the club grow so far, in such a short space of time. Growing a fan base from scratch is always going to be a challenge, but the club has gained notoriety in the soccer community far past Northern Virginia.”

That growth has been fueled by more than just good soccer and cool kits. The Dream treat all aspects of the club as if it were fashion and art. Every game has a photographer that shoots a run down the touchline like it's a catwalk. And every video and photo put out by the team is edited to look like high fashion.

“To be able to see the fit work first-hand, be behind the scenes of photoshoots and connect with others outside of the Dream in the fashion world has been something to soak in,” explained coach Taylor. “It has certainly fostered interest amongst younger players to explore different avenues and it’s really cool to see the club’s impact off the field.”

Looking Good & Playing Better

While the team’s presentation is outstanding, the on-field performance might be (dare we say) even better considering the results in league and Open Cup play. The crowds that amass at Meridian High School Stadium are usually treated to something artistic one way or another.

Following a disappointing inaugural season in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), the Dream rebounded for 2024 with a deep roster. Forward Angel Chavez scored 14 goals in the regular season to take home co-Golden Boot honors along with the league’s Mid-Atlantic Conference MVP award.

The Dream – who also have squads registered in the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) and the Virginia Super Soccer League – finished the regular NPSL season with a 6-2-2 record, enough for third in the conference and a road playoff game against Alexandria Reds (the same Reds organization that the Dream beat during 2025 Open Cup Qualifying). Trailing at halftime, the Dream scored twice in the second half to reach the conference championship.

There, they battled national darlings Annapolis Blues FC at Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in front of over 8,000 fans. A 2-0 win in a chippy game against their local rivals earned the Dream a first ever NPSL Mid-Atlantic Conference Championship.

Mendes hopes that success – and their exploits in the 2025 Open Cup – opens eyes to what local soccer can do for Virginia. Despite being a local product and attending the University of Virginia, historically one of the most successful collegiate men’s soccer programs, the former New York Cosmos B player wants kids from all over the state to have the chance to play.

“A lot of clubs around this area charge their players to play in leagues,” Mendes explained. “We made it a point from the very beginning that we would take care of everything and all the players had to do was show up. A lot of people in our club work a full-time job.”

Experience is Fashionable

The English-born Hawkins has experience playing in in the F.A. Cup qualifying rounds with Histon F.C., so his eyes are already looking towards what could well turn into a deep run in the U.S. Open Cup – the historic USA-based tournament that resembles the F.A. Cup in format.

Again, his comments from the Qualifying phase of the tournament indicate he might be clairvoyant – or at least confident and quite observant.

“It would be incredible to make it far in the Open Cup,” Hawkins said in those grinding days of Qualifying. “The challenge of playing against pro teams is exciting, but I know we’re ready for it and that we’re capable of making a run and surprising some bigger teams.

“It would be cool for us to play Loudoun United since they’re the biggest team in VA,” added Hawkins, referring to state’s area’s USL Championship team and dreaming of big things for himself and his fashionably ambitious club.

And that’s exactly what he and these VA Dreamers will get on April 2 at Segra Field – a Dream date against a powerful foe with glory on offer.

Michael Battista is an award-winning journalist and regular contributor to TheCup.us, Hudson River Blue, & New York Sports Nation. Follow him at @MichaelBattista on Twitter/X.