USL and Ruffneck Scarves Extend Partnership

Ruffneck Scarves, the country's leading soccer scarf supplier, is extending its partnership with the United Soccer League as the league's Official Scarf Provider.

Serving as an important staple within the league's soccer community, the scarves partnership between the USL and Ruffneck Scarves has been in place since 2014. Ruffneck Scarves is also the Official Scarf Provider of U.S. Soccer, MLS and the NCAA. As part of the extension, Ruffneck will also serve as the Official Scarf Provider of the USL's Professional Development League (PDL). The USL-Ruffneck Scarves partnership extends through the 2017 USL and PDL seasons.

"The USL is pleased to continue our partnership with Ruffneck Scarves in order to continue the scarf tradition within the USL and its clubs," said Steven Short, Vice President of Business Development for the USL. "The league's relationship with Ruffneck Scarves has showcased how the scarf is a functional piece of a club, its game day atmosphere and its identity. We look forward to working with Ruffneck Scarves and the clubs to develop more colorful and innovative ideas to integrate the scarves into the game day and community for the USL and its clubs."

Ruffneck Scarves was founded in 2007 after the company's co-founders - Jeff McIntyre and Erin O'Brien - shared a common goal for promoting the world's game by providing fans with high-quality soccer scarves. After attending many games over the years in different parts of the world, they realized that the one thing constant among soccer fans (other than the singing) was the passion and pride exhibited in raising a scarf.

"It is important for us to contribute to the growth of the game at all levels, and the USL provides the opportunity to touch every level of the game from youth, to amateur to the professional ranks," said McIntyre. "With the league's footprint continuing to expand and supporters responding in record numbers, Ruffneck Scarves looks forward to bringing the scarf to life in USL markets across the United States and Canada."

Ruffneck Scarves was founded in 2007 to provide high-quality custom soccer scarves for teams, events or purpose at every level of soccer from youth clubs, school teams, professional teams and leagues and supporter groups. Taking the North American soccer calendar and weather into consideration, Ruffneck offers both the traditional knit scarf as well as a summer weighted scarf options to teams and consumers.

Ruffneck Wear, Inc. is based in the Seattle suburb of Renton, Wash. For more information, visit www.ruffneckscarves.com.

FOLLOW THE USL: Every game of the 2016 USL season can be seen live, free and in HD through the league's official Match Center (www.uslsoccer.com/match-center), with updates from across the league also available via Twitter, Facebook, Vine and Instagram.

USL: The United Soccer League, the longest-standing professional affiliate member of U.S. Soccer, is the largest professional soccer league in the United States and Canada, and the world, currently with 29 teams in 19 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces for the 2016 season. The USL has more than doubled in size since 2014 and built a stable, highly competitive professional soccer league on a national footprint with strong ownership groups in major markets positioned for long-term success. The 2016 season has marked the introduction of six teams - Bethlehem Steel FC, FC Cincinnati, Orlando City B, Rio Grande Valley FC, San Antonio FC and Swope Park Rangers. The league has confirmed the addition of Reno 1868 FC in 2017 and Nashville FC in 2018.

The USL's teams are divided into two conferences - Eastern and Western - with each team playing 30 regular season games. In addition to league play, USL teams compete in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as well as various domestic and international exhibitions. The USL is the strongest U.S. men's professional soccer league below Major League Soccer (MLS). Every game of the 2016 USL season will be available on the league's Match Center and can be seen live, free and in HD on YouTube (www.YouTube.com/USL), with updates from across the league also available on Twitter, Facebook, Vine and Instagram.