I want to take a moment to share something close to my heart not just what Delmarva Thunder is, but why it exists, and what I hope it can mean for our community.

I grew up loving soccer at a time when the sport wasn’t nearly as popular in this country. That love has only grown deeper over the years. But I didn’t start Delmarva Thunder just to launch another soccer team. I started this to build something meaningful, a team rooted in shared purpose, community pride, and the belief that everyone has value.

Over the past 15+ years, I’ve been involved in soccer as a coach, a referee, and a parent. Those experiences both good and challenging, have helped shape a vision for something better. I've seen what makes this sport special, and I've also seen how often players lose the joy that drew them in.

Too often, I’ve watched:

Talented players go unnoticed because they didn’t fit the “right” mold.

Coaches prioritize ego over development.

Young people lose their passion for the game because of negativity or rigid systems.

That’s not the game I love. And it’s not the team we’re building.

Delmarva Thunder is about something different. It's about bringing joy, creativity, and heart back to the field. It's about creating a place where hard work, character, and teamwork matter more than politics or systems. And it’s about giving players in our area, especially those who may have been overlooked an opportunity to compete, grow, and represent something bigger than themselves.

We want to win, no question. But the results are out of our control so as a team our focus is on what we can control, our effort, our preparation, our attitude, our commitment, our response to setbacks and our belief in each other. We believe that when you focus on what you can control results will come.

This isn’t just a team. It’s a mission. And it’s one we want to share with you.

Whether you’re a lifelong soccer fan, a parent, a business owner, or simply someone who believes in building strong communities, we want you to be a part of this. Your support, whether that’s showing up on game day, helping spread the word, or backing us financially, makes a real difference.

Building and running a team takes focus, dedication, funding, and a lot of hard work. As a semi-pro team, we’re not dealing with million-dollar contracts or global superstars we’re here because we believe in supporting local players with big dreams. We’re creating opportunities for talented athletes to compete at a high level, right here in front of their friends, families, and community.

There are many costs involved in running a team: field rentals, league and referee fees, equipment, and advertising, to name a few. To help cover those expenses, we rely on a combination of sponsors, merchandise sales, ticket revenue, and modest player fees. While we're working hard to keep those fees as low as possible and build a sustainable model, part of the investment is also coming directly from me because I believe in this team, and I believe in what it can become.

With the help of this community, we can build something that lasts. Not just a team, but a culture. A sense of pride. A legacy that players, fans, and neighbors can all be proud of.

We’re just getting started. And we’d love for you to be part of it.

Let’s build something special—together.

Larry Amon

Founder, Delmarva Thunder