UPSL: FC Berlin’s Jean Tilo gains roster spot in World Cup Qualifiers for Bahamas
- Dan Stickradt
- Feb 16
- 5 min read
(Have photos to go with this story? Email pics to Web and Content Editor / Director of News Dan Stickradt at dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com and also list the photo credit as well.)
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
BUFFALO, N.Y. – Months after making his UPSL debut, FC Berlin defender Jean Tilo is making significant strides with the Bahamas Men’s National Team.
The 22-year-old center-back, now with six international caps, balances his soccer career with academics at Daemen University in Buffalo, New York, all while competing in the UPSL’s Western N.Y. conference.
Aspiring to sign professionally overseas, Tilo reflects on his journey from local clubs in the Bahamas to the competitive environment of the UPSL.
“Growing up in the Bahamas, most of the teams I played for were small, local clubs,” said Tilo, a 2021 graduate of the Nassau (Bahamas) Windsor High School. “My first appearance playing college soccer was for the University of the Bahamas. Then I was put in touch with coaches who were from an NCAA Division II school in New York. The adjustment was difficult at first, UPSL certainly helped that by providing more playing experience at a high level.”
Tilo played collegiately for NCAA Division II Daeman University, where he drew one assist and contributed three shots on goal as a defender during the fall 2024 collegiate season. While the Wildcats dipped through a rebuilding campaign with a 3-10-2 record, Tilo’s game did not. He continued to excel as a ball-hawking marking back and has retained his national team status with the Bahamas.
This was preceded by a fine spring/summer season with FC Berlin in the UPSL.
After the college season completed in early November, Tilo rejoined his UPSL side. He stepped aside again in late January to continue training with the Bahamas and essentially has played in some matches with them during February. He had previously earned six Caps with the Bahamas National Team over the past two years.
“I immediately noticed the speed of play and intensity at the UPSL was a lot different than what I was used to,” noted Tilo. “I noticed similarities between how we were coached in the UPSL and the coaching we received with the Bahamas National Team. Both were very demanding.
“Playing for the Bahamas was definitely one of my big goals,” continued Tilo. “Mentally, you have to be strong and not be scared to make mistakes. At the national team level, you switch off once and it can cause the team to lose against a top international opponent. Decision-making is very important here, so I always say the small details matter.”
Tilo, who was born in 2002 in Haiti and raised in the Bahamas until coming to the U.S. for college in August of 2021, will continue his development with the Bahamas National Team and aims to help his nation make it to the world’s biggest stage.
To stay up to date on FC Berlin and other top UPSL teams in the Spring, visit upsl.com. To register your team to join, please visit www.upslregistration.com/application/team
COURTESY PHOTO
Jean Tilo, a current FC Berlin standout and college soccer player for NCAA Division II Daeman University, is enjoying some time with the Bahamas Mne's Nation team and competing in some World Cup Qualifiers in 2025.
Jean Tilo, Daeman University
FEBRUARY SOCCER NOTEBOOK:
USL LEAGUE TWO: League expands to record 144 teams for 2025
TAMPA, Fla. – The United Soccer League unveiled the complete 144-club field that will be competing in the 2025 USL League Two season.
This year marks 30 years of USL League Two, tracing its history back to the then-named USISL Premier League. Wearing several different faces over the last three decades, USL League Two has remained committed to its core belief that tomorrow's professionals can come from anywhere – they only need the opportunity.
This season, USL League Two is in more communities than ever – two new divisions, 36 total states, 30 first-time clubs in League Two, and one trophy for the very best among the field.
Clubs will play between 12 and 14 games against other teams within their division, before a playoff bracket is formed based on each division’s standings.
More information about the league schedule will be released in the coming weeks. For more details, visit www.uslleaguetwo.com
Here are 2025 USL League Two divisions:
WESTERN CONFERENCE
NORTHWEST DIVISION:
Lane United FC
FC Olympia
Ballard FC
Tacoma Stars
West Seattle Junction FC
Midlakes United
Snohomish United
Bigfoot FC
Bangers FC
NORCAL DIVISION:
San Francisco City FC
Marin FC Legends
San Francisco Glens SC
Davis Legacy SC
Project 51O
Academica SC
Almaden FC
Monterey Bay FC 2
San Juan SC
MOUNTAIN DIVISION:
Colorado International Soccer Academy
Albion SC Colorado
Flatirons FC
Utah United
Colorado Storm
SOUTHWEST DIVISION:
Redlands FC
Ventura County Fusion
Southern California Eagles
Capo FC
AMSG FC
FC Tucson
Coachella SC
City SC
Stars FC
CENTRAL CONFERENCE
GREAT LAKES DIVISION:
AFC Ann Arbor
Flint City Bucks
Kalamazoo FC
Lansing City Football
Midwest United FC
Oakland County FC
Union Macomb FC
Northern Indiana FC
VALLEY DIVISION:
Kings Hammer FC
Dayton Dutch Lions
West Virginia United
Fort Wayne FC
Kings Hammer Columbus
Lexington SC
GREAT FOREST DIVISION:
Cleveland Force SC
FC Buffalo
Toledo Villa FC
Akron City
Steel City FC
Erie Sports Center
GREAT PLAINS DIVISION:
Peoria City
Des Moines Menace
Sunflower State FC
St. Louis Ambush
Santafé Wanderers FC
Springfield FC
HEARTLAND DIVISION:
Chicago City Dutch Lions
Sueno FC
River Light FC
Minneapolis City SC
St. Croix Legends
RKC Third Coast
Rochester FC
SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
SOUTH FLORIDA DIVISION:
Miami AC
Sarasota Paradise
St. Petersburg FC
Weston FC
Kings Hammer Sun City
Fort Lauderdale United
FC Miami City
SOUTHEAST DIVISION:
Brevard SC
Brave SC
Sporting Jax
Nona FC
Inter Gainesville KF
Brooke House Academy
SOUTH CENTRAL DIVISION:
Asheville City SC
East Atlanta Dutch Lions
Tennessee SC
Southern Soccer Academy
Dothan United SC
Athens United FC
Birmingham Legion
Montgomery United FC
Apotheos FC
Columbus United FC
MID SOUTH DIVISION:
Little Rock Rangers
LA Krewe FC
Mississippi Brilla
Hattiesburg FC
McKinney Chupacabras
Denton Diablos
Red River FC
LONE STAR DIVISION:
AHFC Royals
Twin City Toucans
Corpus Christi FC
AC Houston Sur
Houston FC
Hill Country Lobos
Laredo Heat
GFI Woodlands
Lonestar SC
EASTERN CONFERENCE
CHESAPEAKE DIVISION:
Christos FC
Lionsbridge FC
Virginia Beach United
Northern Virginia FC
Virginia Marauders FC
Patuxent FA
Charlottesville Blues
Annapolis Blues FC
METROPOLITAN DIVISION:
Morris Elite SC
Long Island Rough Riders
Cedar Stars
New Jersey Copa FC
Manhattan SC
Westchester Flames
FC Motown STA
Hudson Valley Hammers
Ironbound SC
Staten Island ASC
NORTHEAST DIVISION:
Seacoast United Phantoms
Western Mass Pioneers
Vermont Green FC
Boston Bolts
Albany Rush
AC Connecticut
Black Rock FC
Boston City FC
New England FC
MID ATLANTIC DIVISION:
Ocean City Nor'Easters
West Chester United SC
Reading United AC
Real Central NJ
Lehigh Valley United
Delaware FC
SOUTH ATLANTIC DIVISION:
North Carolina FC U23
Wake FC
Charlotte Independence 2
Tobacco Road FC
Charlotte Eagles
South Carolina United
Salem City FC
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(Have a story suggestion for the Premier Media Group and the National Soccer Network regarding club/youth soccer, high school varsity, amateur soccer, collegiate soccer or professional soccer involving teams, players or coaches with ties to a particular state or states, contact Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com and news@nationalsoccernetwork.com, or call 248-525-2349. Dan Stickradt is a 32-year veteran of the Michigan and national media circles and recently joined the staff full time at PMG in March of 2024. Want to schedule a broadcast game or live show, contact PMG/NSN Director of Broadcasting Jonathan Turner for availability and pricing at jonathan@thepremiermediagrp.com.)
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