Greenville, SC - With Triumph SC and its fans waiting for a return to the field due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic , the United Soccer League and others have turned to the realm of esports, hosting three different video game tournaments for clubs and giving fans an opportunity to support their club on the virtual pitch.

Three Greenville Triumph Soccer Club fans, Giovanny Cañas, Camilo Dominguez and Cam Hucker, are competing in the fan-crafted eUSL Championship, a video game season made up of Championship and League One clubs alike, to keep the spirit of competition high during the period of social distancing.

Cañas, however, will be the only GTSC competitor to participate in the inaugural Lower League eCup, a 554-match FIFA tournament that kicked off Tuesday, April 1st. The tournament, designed to engage supporters, players and owners alike, was open to any third-division club and below with a total of 10 professional teams, 90+ amateur sides and over 20 different leagues set to compete. 

"We are experiencing hard times as a nation, and it has been special seeing people come together in a new way," said Cañas. "Organizing this new arena of sports will help bring some much needed entertainment into people's lives, and I'm honored to represent the Triumph," he continued. "I hope to make my club and all of its supporters proud over the coming weeks."

Earlier this week, USL also announced an extension of its ESPN relationship as the organization will broadcast the inaugural USL eCup: Rocket League Edition on the ESPN app and ESPN.com.

USL eCup: Rocket League Edition is a 32-team, World Cup-style tournament featuring clubs from across Championship and League One competing for bragging rights in the digital arena. The esports tournament will benefit local charities nominated by each club to receive donations from fans tuned into the ESPN broadcasts over the next month. 

USL Sr. Vice President of Digital, Emerging Technology, Lizzie Seedhouse, looks forward to the impact this tournament will have locally for participant clubs. “While we can’t wait to see our teams return to action on the field, this tournament will serve as a fun diversion that does a tremendous amount of good in communities across North America.”

Triumph supporter and creator of GVLSoccer.com and the Yeah That Soccer Show podcast, Chris Ashley, is set to carry the club's banner in the Rocket League competition. He and the club will be playing for the United Way of Greenville County.

The competition will be tough, with Greenville drawing tournament favorite FC Tucson and their representative Trent Wieland, a University of Arizona student who helped lead his team to a Rocket League national championship. Their match will be aired Friday, April 3rd, at 2:00 PM on ESPN3.

Click here learn more or to donate to United Way of Greenville County.