OPL
Railway City FC is our OPL club. It is the top of the Whitecaps London pathway, where U20 and senior players step up to semi‑pro soccer.
The top step in its own colours
Railway City FC plays in the Ontario Premier League, the province's Pro-Am promotion and relegation pyramid. The club is based in St. Thomas and is named for the city's railway heritage; the 1881 on its crest marks the year St. Thomas became a city.
Whitecaps London is the club's affiliated youth academy. Our players develop through the Whitecaps London pathway, and Railway City FC gives the best of them a local, visible route to semi-professional soccer without leaving the region.
More about OPL
Railway City FC fields men's and women's teams, plus a U20 men's team that bridges youth and senior soccer. Home matches are at 1Password Park in St. Thomas.
Railway City FC is our OPL club
A semi-professional club built on the railway story of St. Thomas, playing home matches at 1Password Park. One track, one heart.
- 3
Teams
Men's, women's and U20 men's sides, all in the Ontario Premier League.
- 1881
On the crest
The year St. Thomas became a city, the Railway Capital of Canada.
- U20
The bridge
A U20 men's team links youth soccer to the senior sides.
Three steps to the senior stage
Grow in the pathway
District, Regional and OPDL at Whitecaps London build the habits, fitness and game sense senior soccer demands.
Earn your look
Coaches watch for players ready for senior minutes. The U20 men's team is the bridge from youth to senior soccer.
Get selected
Registration is for selected players only. The coach gives you a code after selection.
OPL questions
Is Railway City FC part of Whitecaps London?
Railway City FC is its own club, with its own crest and kit. Whitecaps London is its affiliated youth academy, so our pathway leads straight to it.
Who is OPL for?
U20 and senior players who are ready for a demanding, results-driven environment against top opposition, with an eye on college, semi-pro or pro soccer.
When are trials, and what does it cost?
Next season's dates and fees are still to come. Call or text (548) 488-2662 and the club will connect with you.
Where are home games?
Home matches are at 1Password Park in St. Thomas. The schedule is on the Railway City FC site.
How OPL works
- Days a week
- 2 to 3
- Hours a week
- About 3 to 4
- Games
- 14 league games plus OPL Cup and playoffs
- Format
- 11v11, 2 x 45 min
- Price
- Free for selected players
The teams
- Men's OPL3
Coach: Rob Pereira
2026: won the OPL3 Southwest conference (10-2-2, 47 goals for, 16 against, 32 points) and reached the OPL3 semi-final. 2025: 3rd in the Southwest (6‑3‑5).
- Women's OPL3
Coach to be named
2026: 2nd in OPL3 Southwest (9-2-3, 41 goals for, 19 against). 2025: 2nd in the Southwest (11-2-1), conceding only 7 goals, and reached the promotion playoff.
- Men's U20
Coach: Andrew Loague
2025: 2nd in Southwest (10‑3‑1).
- Women's U20
Coach: Mo Nabavieh
2025: 4th in Southwest (7‑1‑4).
A training week
Winter program sessions at BMO Centre in the 2026-27 schedule (2 to 3 a week), then the April to August league.
The season
The Ontario Premier League (OPL) has three tiers: OPL1, OPL2 and OPL3. OPL3 plays a 14-game season in regional conferences (Railway City is in the Southwest), April to late July, then playoffs for the three conference winners and the best runner-up. The OPL3 champion can take promotion to OPL2. The OPL Cup runs midweek alongside the league. OPL U20 has the same conference and playoff format, without promotion.
Who you play
Men: FC London B, Windsor City FC B, Waterloo United B, Cambridge United B, Guelph United B, Hamilton United B, Burlington SC B, Oakville SC B, St. Catharines Roma Wolves B
Women: St. Catharines Roma Wolves, Waterloo United B, FC London B, Tecumseh United FC B, Guelph United B, Hamilton United B, Cambridge United B
Connect with the club or a coach
Ask about teams, coaches, cost or the right level. The club will connect with you.
- Register for a trial
- Not sure which program fits? Find your path
- Rather talk now? Call or text (548) 488-2662
Ask a coach about your player
Tell us about your player and a coach will connect with you.
Take the academy-ready quiz
A few quick questions. A score out of 100 and the program that fits.
Connect with the club now
Ask about the team, the week, travel or cost. Call or text (548) 488‑2662, 10 am to 7 pm.