The Highlanders were founded in 1997 by a group of
Armenian American businessmen and soccer fans as a competitive branch of the locally based Ararat Soccer Club, to compete in the nationwide
amateur soccer league, the
USL Premier Development League. The club rose to the pinnacle of the league quickly, becoming playoff champions in only their second season in 1998, having defeated the previously unbeaten
Jackson Chargers 3–2 in the PDL Championship game and ensuring a Southwest Division champion for the third straight season. Following the 2001 season the team ceased operations. After a 15-year absence the club announced their return in January 2017 joining the
United Premier Soccer League. ==Season-by-season==