F.C. Bulletin: City Fitness Challenge; Student Job Fair; Virginia Dream FC's U.S. Open 'Cupset'
Falls Church Fitness Challenge Starts Today
Take your marks. Get set...
Building on the Little City's recognition last year as the Healthiest Community in America as recognized by U.S. News & World Report, today, April 1, marks the beginning of the Falls Church Fitness Challenge this year, running through April 30.
"To build on this achievement, we’re kicking off the Falls Church Fitness Challenge — a month-long event for all ages, abilities, and fitness levels," the event's spokesperson, Tricia Barba, owner of Preservation Biscuit Co. in the City of Falls Church, announced.
The Fitness Challenge will include passport check-offs, social-media photo and hashtag sharing, prizes and raffles, specials at fitness and wellness businesses, and free fitness pop-ups throughout the City.
Go to #fallschurchfit to see fitness workout suggestions such as this from Fullyfithealthcoaching. Instagram video.
The following is based on Barba's press release for the City:
Whether you’re just getting started or already a fitness enthusiast, there’s something for everyone. From April 1–30, stay active, boost your well-being, and connect with the community — all while earning rewards!"
Open to all Falls Church residents, as well as City Government and School employees.
Challenge Your Way: Choose activities that match your fitness level, from gentle yoga and walking to team sports and group workouts. Invite family, friends, and coworkers to join!
Get Active: Complete Passport Challenges to improve your health and win prizes! The more challenges you finish, the bigger your rewards.
Track Your Progress: Mark off completed challenges on your Fitness Challenge Bingo Board, and share photos on Instagram @fallschurchedo with #FallsChurchFit.
Prizes & Raffles: Turn in your completed Fitness Challenge Passport at designated locations by the end of the month to claim your prizes and enter our raffle!
Twenty-one Falls Church fitness and wellness businesses are offering specials during this time, such as:
- Bikenetic: As part of the Falls Church Fitness Challenge, Bikenetic is excited to offer 5% OFF any new in-stock bike and 15% OFF any in-stock accessory or item. Stop by and gear up for your next adventure! Just mention “Falls Church Fitness Challenge.”
- Falls Church Wellness Center: Take the first step toward wellness at half the cost. Get 50% OFF a 50-minute mental health intake session this month. Email fallschurchwellness@gmail.com to book your session.
- Jazzercise: Jazzercise invites you to take a class for FREE during the Falls Church Fitness Challenge. Visit their website to view the schedule and call or text them at 571-749-9021 or email fallschurchjazzercise@gmail.com with any questions.
- Karma Yoga: Yogi or aspiring yogi? Karma is offering a special membership that includes access to all classes for the month of April at 50% OFF their Unlimited Membership pricing. Happy fitnessing, Falls Church! This membership is a one-time purchase, does not auto-renew, and is active only from April 1-30.
- Transitional Wellness for Women: In celebration of the Falls Church Fitness Challenge, Transitional Wellness for Women is offering a 25% discount on Wellness Program Creation. This program is designed for women 40+ who enjoy working out, but may lack confidence in their technique or need help creating a structured program that maximizes results. Email Erika Thoman at erika@transitionalwellnessforwomen.com to get started.
AND we have seven FREE fitness pop-ups planned at local parks.
Here's the City's official info on the Falls Church Fitness Challenge.
For more on health news in Falls Church see our recent article below:
Christopher Jones
Meridian High School Student Job Fair, April 3
Interested in reaching out to local high school students with job opportunities this summer?
The following is based on a press release from FCCPS on Meridian High School's Student Job Fair – open to all – this Thursday, April 3.
Hello Falls Church Business Owners!
Are you looking for seasonal, summer or part-time students for employment? If so, Meridian High School is hosting a Student Job Fair next Thursday, April 3 and you are invited to attend! Event details:
DATE: Thursday, April 3, 2025
TIME: 11:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Please plan to arrive between 11:15 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. to find parking and set up before the first lunch block begins at 11:47 a.m. Upon arrival, check in with staff at the security desk to obtain a visitor pass.
PARKING: If you have materials to bring into the building, you may temporarily park on Mustang Alley to drop them off in the lobby before moving your car. Meridian High School is located at 121 Mustang Alley in Falls Church. Due to ongoing construction at the intersection of Route 7/Leesburg Pike and Haycock Road, traffic may be impacted. Parking on campus can be challenging, so we encourage you to review the Visitor Parking for the Secondary Campus website for information on available parking areas and paid parking options. Limited parking is available in the South Parking Lot near the athletic fields.
SET-UP: The job fair will be held in the main lobby near the cafeteria. Tables will be provided for displaying materials to share with students. If you require any additional accommodations, please let us know in advance.
PRINT MATERIALS: We encourage you to bring printed applications, informational handouts, or a QR code directing students to your employment application.
Please RSVP to me, Regan Davis, Community Outreach Coordinator, Business in Education Partnerships Falls Church City Public Schools, (571) 545-2395, and/or complete the Google interest form below to let us know if you'll be coming: Meridian High School Student Job Fair - Interest Form
Thank you in advance for taking the time to connect with our students and share information about job opportunities.
Best ~
Regan Davis
Community Outreach Coordinator
Sports: Falls Church's Virginia Dream F.C. Scores Major 'Cupset' vs. Richmond Kickers in U.S. Open Cup; Global Attention Continues
Following their impressive 3-1 victory over the Richmond Kickers in the March 19 opening round of the US Open Cup – the nation's "oldest and most prestigious soccer tournament," known as the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup and now in its 110th edition – the City of Falls Church's semi-pro Virginia Dream FC (Football Club) has drawn pro-team Loudoun United FC in the cup's second round sweet-sixteen match set for April 2, 6:30 p.m. at Segra Field in Leesburg, Virginia.
Loudoun United competes in the USL Championship, just one level below Major League Soccer, and the club is the "highest level team The Dream has ever faced," according to a Virginia Dream FC press release.
Meanwhile, USsocer.com continues to shower Virginia Dream FC with positive coverage seen around the world. In this article by award-winning soccer journalist Michael Battista, Falls Church City's team, The Dream – named after Meridian H.S.'s soccer pitch, "where dreams are made" – is described "perfectly," in their blending of "soccer, art, fashion and music to bring even more fans into the 'beautiful game,'" according to the team's press spokesperson, Paolo Mendes.
"The Dream is alive in Falls Church, Virginia," Battista begins. "This small city, ten miles from the nation’s capital, is back in the spotlight thanks to the recent success of Virginia Dream FC. Founded by former professional and national high school player of the year Lucas Mendes, they’ve made waves in only their second year with a huge Cupset of pro side Richmond Kickers on the road in the First Round of 2025 U.S. Open Cup."
Following is a condensed version of Battista's piece:
“We’ve built an identity on the field, to grow and solidify a large player pool and to conquer local and national leagues,” said head coach CJ Taylor, who still hasn’t even been in the job for a full year. “The next step is to cement ourselves as a top semi-pro side and climb the next rung on the ladder. That’s The U.S. Open Cup.”
Taylor’s comments, made during this fall’s grueling amateur Qualifying Rounds, now seem prophetic. The Dream – who pulled off their huge Cupset in the First Round on the road against our 1995 Champions the Kickers – are working toward opening doors for Virginia’s players and turning the dream their name hints at into bold reality.
And don’t mind if they do all that while looking sharp.
Soccer Field as Runway
Since their inception the Dream have made statements with their kits. These projects aim to create a connection between soccer, art, fashion and music. That all began in 2023 with the team’s hand tie-dyed, square pattern kits. The colors of light blue and pink stood out plenty – and that was the whole point.
“We understand how art and sport can combine and really grow the culture of this game in this country,” said Mendes, a product of MLS side D.C. United’s academy system. “The more time that clubs put into that, the more they'll be able to relate to their fans and find new fans that maybe weren't into soccer first but were into the creative side of things. Then you draw them into the sport and they're able to feel a part of the club.”
Earlier this year, the team launched a so-called Crown Jewel Kit – a sleek black top interlaced with golden crown iconography. It’s that very uniform the team wore at historic City Stadium in Richmond, Virginia when they beat the USL League One pros 3-1 with an impressive performance that never really felt under threat.
For many in the Dream organization, the simple things go a long way. Like hand-dying a kit or taking a simple black jersey and adding a special touch to it that both looks cool and speaks about what the club wants to represent. The kits aren’t just uniforms but canvases for expression, creativity and change....
....The Dream treat all aspects of the club as if it were fashion and art. Every game has a photographer that shoots a run down the touchline like it's a catwalk. And every video and photo put out by the team is edited to look like high fashion.
“To be able to see the fit work first-hand, be behind the scenes of photoshoots and connect with others outside of the Dream in the fashion world has been something to soak in,” explained coach Taylor. “It has certainly fostered interest amongst younger players to explore different avenues and it’s really cool to see the club’s impact off the field.”
Looking Good & Playing Better
While the team’s presentation is outstanding, the on-field performance might be (dare we say) even better considering the results in league and Open Cup play. The crowds that amass at Meridian High School Stadium are usually treated to something artistic one way or another.
Following a disappointing inaugural season in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), the Dream rebounded for 2024 with a deep roster. Forward Angel Chavez scored 14 goals in the regular season to take home co-Golden Boot honors along with the league’s Mid-Atlantic Conference MVP award.
The Dream – who also have squads registered in the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) and the Virginia Super Soccer League – finished the regular NPSL season with a 6-2-2 record, enough for third in the conference and a road playoff game against Alexandria Reds (the same Reds organization that the Dream beat during 2025 Open Cup Qualifying). Trailing at halftime, the Dream scored twice in the second half to reach the conference championship.
There, they battled national darlings Annapolis Blues FC at Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in front of over 8,000 fans. A 2-0 win in a chippy game against their local rivals earned the Dream a first ever NPSL Mid-Atlantic Conference Championship.
Mendes hopes that success – and their exploits in the 2025 Open Cup – opens eyes to what local soccer can do for Virginia. Despite being a local product and attending the University of Virginia, historically one of the most successful collegiate men’s soccer programs, the former New York Cosmos B player wants kids from all over the state to have the chance to play.
“A lot of clubs around this area charge their players to play in leagues,” Mendes explained. “We made it a point from the very beginning that we would take care of everything and all the players had to do was show up. A lot of people in our club work a full-time job.”
For updated Virginia Dream FC team information go to: https://www.instagram.com/VirginiaDreamFC/?hl=en.
For more in-depth coverage of Virginia Dream FC, see our articles below:
Christopher Jones
Christopher Jones
Christopher Jones
By Christopher Jones
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