At the end of 2025, the men’s semiprofessional WISL indoor soccer team, Vancouver Lightning, rebranded as Vancouver Storm, with a new mission for the new year. Head coach Peter Valdez says the change was needed for several reasons, including separation from a local nonprofit, so the team could expand its mission and reach.
“Under the previous name, our identity unintentionally locked the men’s semiprofessional team into a perceived relationship with one specific youth club,” shares Valdez. “While that relationship was important early on, it limited our ability to function as a true community-wide team.”
The team, as Vancouver Lightning, was established in 2023. Later, they expanded with a youth club, previously affiliated with the Vancouver Lightning Arena Soccer Club, a nonprofit organization created to support youth soccer programming, Valdez explains. “While nonprofit status was appropriate and necessary for the youth side of the organization, it became clear that the men’s semiprofessional team needed to function as a separate entity,” he adds.
In addition, they found that the relationship with the one youth club separated them from other youth programs in the region. “To correct that and realign with our community-first mission, a rebrand was necessary,” Valdez says.
New Name, Broader Mission for Vancouver-Portland Area Indoor Soccer Team
The new name, Vancouver Storm FC, comes with a new business identity as an LLC instead of a nonprofit. “This structure allows the men’s semiprofessional team to operate with professional standards, accountability, and long-term sustainability,” explains Valdez.
And why a Storm? “The name Vancouver Storm FC was chosen to reflect strength, momentum and regional identity,” shares Valdez, “while standing on its own as a professional brand. It represents a fresh start, a unified community presence, and the competitive edge we’re building toward.”
In addition to a new business model, officially separating from the Vancouver Lightning Arena Soccer Club allows them to broaden their mission of mentoring future semi-professional indoor soccer players. “By rebranding as Vancouver Storm FC, we are now positioned to support all youth clubs across Clark County, and to allow those clubs to support us in return, without exclusivity, barriers or confusion,” explains Valdez. “The new name represents inclusivity, independence, and a broader vision for soccer in our region. We are intentionally connected to all local youth soccer programs, supporting player development from grassroots levels through higher competitive pathways without exclusivity.”
The expanded mission includes community youth outreach with camps and clinics to grow soccer in the Vancouver-Portland area and Clark County as a whole. “We are willing to collaborate with any youth club requesting player visits to training sessions,” Valdez shares.
As for their long-term vision, Valdez says: “Our goal is to build toward a professional organization within MASL, MASL2, MASL3, or MLIS, bringing true professional indoor soccer to Vancouver. This vision includes the development of a 3,000-plus seat arena designed not just for soccer, but for concerts, exhibitions and other sporting championships, creating a lasting community asset.”
Tryout for the Vancouver Storm FC Men’s Indoor Soccer Team
Valdez says they are regularly holding tryouts and player evaluations. If you are interested in joining the team, they look for those with high-level fitness and conditioning; strong technical ball skills; tactical awareness, especially for indoor soccer; and coachability, discipline, and professionalism. He adds that they focus on developing players, not just selecting talent.
Aligned with their mission, they welcome players of all backgrounds.
The Vancouver Storm FC season runs August through February, with tryout cutoffs in mid-January. To learn more, visit the Vancouver Storm FC website.
