History

California United Strikers FC was founded by the Capriotti Family and Michael Collins. The club had its origins in the adult amateur United Premier Soccer League with L.A. Wolves FC. During the opening Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup qualification effort in 2016, the Wolves defeated Del Rey City SC (UPSL) and Cal FC (UPSL) to advance to the tournament proper. In the First Round, Wolves FC pushed passed Ventura County Fusion of the PDL by way of protest and disqualification. Wolves FC played Orange County Blues FC of the USL in the next round, where they won in dramatic fashion in a 4–2 shootout victory. They then lost to La Máquina FC (UPSL), 2–0, in the Third Round.

In 2017, the Wolves were UPSL National Champions, won the California Adult State Cup, and placed third in the Adult National Cup. They also qualified for the Open Cup once more. They cruised passed the qualification rounds and then faced off against Orange County SC (formerly Orange County Blues FC) once again. This time, the Wolves weren’t as fortunate as OCSC scored off a free kick, held on tight to their 1-0 lead, and saw the game out.

As the team evolved, the ownership and management felt it was time to make a move. They entered into talks with the NASL, North American Soccer League, in late 2017 and moved away from the L.A. Wolves FC name. The team then took the name of OC Invicta for a time while they went through the application process with the NASL. As OC Invicta, the team went undefeated and was crowned the UPSL National Champions again.

Once in the NASL, California United FC was born. Cal United joined the NASL as an expansion franchise for the 2018 season. However, with the withdrawal of sanctioning for the league by US Soccer, Cal United stepped away from the NASL in early 2018 and announced that it was exploring all professional league options for the 2019 season.

In 2018, California United II participated in the UPSL league and after another undefeated season, won the national tournament, becoming National Champions for a third time. On November 15, 2018, the club announced its intention to participate in the 2019 NPSL Founders Cup and as a founding member of a new league to begin in 2020. Due to organizational problems, the club felt it needed to withdraw.

With the sanctioning of the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA), Cal United saw an opportunity to finally make a successful move into professional soccer as a member for the league's inaugural season, which begins in the fall of 2019.