Farley Santos

Winter in Danbury got a little hotter this year with the launch of Spice City FC, the city's new team in the Major Arena Soccer League 2.

Spice City is in the middle of its inaugural season at the Danbury Ice Arena, which is also home to the Danbury Hat Tricks ice hockey team and the newly announced Danbury Diesel arena football team.

Team owner and general manager Matt Svanda said in a statement that the city is a perfect landing spot for the growing sport.

“Bringing a fast-paced, energy driven brand of soccer to Danbury is something we think is a perfect fit for this city," Svanda said. "The game of soccer is a true passion of ours and we try and use it as a catalyst of good. We’re confident that in partnership with the Danbury Ice Arena, we will be able to bring an incredible experience and different brand of soccer to fans both new and old.”

Kyle Lyddy, president of operations for Spice City, said the city and the arena are ideal locations for the club.

 “Partnering with Herm Sorcher and the Danbury Ice Arena is the perfect setting to launch our brand to bring people together," Lyddy said in a statement. “What better place than Danbury; bringing a global game to a city with a diverse set of individuals and cultures?

"Our mantra 'You Belong Here' is a call to excite people to get in the building to witness high-energy goals and a fast-paced brand of soccer we can all rally around. … [I]t is our commitment that you won’t just be coming to a soccer game - but an event. And while MASL 2 will bring us to cities like Rochester, Utica, Baltimore and Orlando, we’re excited to add Danbury to the East to showcase our home turf.”

City officials are equally thrilled.

Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves said he's excited to welcome the team and the league to the city.

“Every day we’re looking for ways we can forge new partnerships to bring more arts and culture, and entertainment to our city to enhance our quality of life, boost our local economy, and reinvigorate our downtown," Alves said. "This is a perfect example.”

So far, so good.

The team's first home game, a win over Baltimore Arsenal on Jan. 12 drew a near-sellout crowd of 2,500 fans, marking a successful start for the team in Danbury.

Things have been looking up ever since.

Spice City, as of this week, is second in the East Division with a 5-1 record and 15 points. United Elite Krajisnik FC has 15 points, too, but is 5-0 with a game in hand.

There are 16 teams in the MASL 2, with three divisions: the East, the Midwest/West and the North. Teams with the most points at the end of the season win their divisions.

And, no, no one is suggesting Danbury be known as anything other than Hat City. However, Spice City got its name and playful jalapeno logo as nods to the multicultural municipality with a spicy edge.

Spice City FC has six more matches scheduled, including three home games (March 16, March 30 and April 6). Tickets can be purchased here.