The Cleveland Football Group is working to establish professional outdoor soccer in Cleveland, announcing the introduction of a Division II women’s soccer team that could debut by early 2027. This team will compete in WPSL Pro, a new league aimed at bridging the gap between amateur and top-tier professional soccer. The announcement comes after Cleveland’s recent bid for a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team fell short to Denver.
CEO Michael Murphy expressed disappointment over the NWSL loss but emphasized the group’s commitment to bringing professional soccer to the city. Cleveland will be one of the founding markets of WPSL Pro, alongside other regions like Atlanta and Dallas. Additionally, the Cleveland Football Group is aiming to build a new 10,000-seat stadium, expandable to 20,000 seats, on a 14-acre site near downtown, with hopes to break ground in summer 2024 and open by fall 2026.
To finance the project, the group is pursuing a public-private partnership without imposing new taxes, seeking to utilize a portion of future tax revenues generated by the stadium. The proposed stadium site will enhance connection to downtown and surrounding neighborhoods through walking paths and bike trails.
The women’s team is focused on player development, providing opportunities for those who need further experience before moving up to professional ranks, and plans to host various events besides soccer. Community engagement is also a priority, with the group looking to tailor the game-day experience based on fan input and offering local youth training opportunities.
In preparation for launching the team, the Cleveland Football Group plans to begin hiring staff and securing a training facility for both the women’s team and the MLS Next Pro men’s team. Season ticket deposits are now open for both teams as the city gears up for a new era of professional soccer.
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