I'm hoping they go with Force. It's an American-sounding name for an American team. It also has a lot of history in both Cleveland and US soccer (Force were one of the elite teams in the era when indoor was the top flight in US soccer).
If Columbus actually winds up packing up and moving to Austin and we dont get a replacement....im gonna need this Cleveland team more than ever.
Given time, I suppose I might find myself swinging back around for another round of punishment. Right now though, I truly feel as though I am done with the game domestically. I've had enough. Supporting a USL that is so in bed with the joke that is MLS.... I don't know man, I don't know.
I feel ya. American soccer in general is toxic anymore. At least we have an entire world full of soccer to consume.
There are still rumors out there. One of them is that they will be a PDL club first until a stadium can be sorted. ill happily support soccer in Cleveland once the crew move even though it is less than local. However if they are playing at some HS stadium with football lines, i just cant. Feels too fake and like i am watching a HS team. If they did get a team in Cleveland where could they play? I know the city stars played at CSU and its a very cool little venue but if they ended up in the USL pro league where would they go? also......Cleveland Forest?? Come on! American soccer needs to be less euro poser, hipster not more. Stick with what people know and that is the force.
I agree that football fields are painful. I watch my local Toledo Villa play and it's hard to look at it, but I really just want soccer to make it in my town. If they do start out small or even amateur, Krenzler is perfect size, a good location downtown, and an actual soccer field. DiSanto Field at Case Western would be a decent choice too. If they go with a high school, I would go with Lakewood or Cleveland Heights as they both have some cool bars and restaurants within walking distance (Detroit Rd, Cedar-Lee) to help enhance the game day vibe and that's important if we're talking about going pro.
Does anyone ever talk about soccer seriously other than the very rare soccer lover? Is there any media about it at all in Cleveland?
yes we already know it...and we also already know that it is a shitty name, sounds like an arena league football team
It is obviously not my money on the line so it is easy for me to say, but I think think any prospective investor would be making a huge mistake by starting a team under the USL level. Cleveland has potential as a market, but it is also a crowded sports scene considering the size of the city. If this is going to be successful, it has to be done right. Lots of soccer fans, but there is a certain level of snobbery as well. Some sort of stadium plan and considerable perceived investment has to be involved or this is not going to work.
6CS Cleveland @6CSCleveland 4h4 hours ago BREAKING: looks like @AFCCleveland is officially out of @NPSLSoccer for the 2018 season. - We have confirmation that they will play a 2018 season, but we do not know in what league.
Nothing official yet. It's an interesting development though. MAYBE...new Cleveland team owner has bought AFC Cleveland, and is moving them to PDL in anticipation of moving up to USL? Not far fetched really.
AFCCLE is 100% done in NPSL. Not sure where they’re playing this year, but every indication is we will play
Why though? What would buying AFC Cleveland offer an owner rather than just starting their own PDL or USL team fresh? This is a real question, I’m not just being a smart ass (for once).
Just speculating. Maybe so they already have an established fanbase to build off of. One would think if they have the financial means to create a successful USL team....they wouldn't worry about acquiring some amateur team. They would just market the crap out of their new team. Guess we'll find out.
I don’t expect to see AFCCLE in PDL this coming season. My money is on a USL Pro team starting in 2019.
The "Cleveland Force" trademark is held by something called the Force Indoor Sports, LLC, which operates seven indoor soccer centers in Ohio. Registered May 22 of this year.
Thank you. We are aware. It’s the Abrams brothers who own and run those rat-filled dumps...ahem, I mean ”indoor soccer centers.” The interesting thing about the trademark filing is that it includes something about “live professional soccer games.” Most likely they are just protecting their brand. The Abrams certainly do not have the pockets to finance a team. But if someone did come calling with interest in using the name, something tells me they would be open to negotiations (that “something” may or may not be the collapsing roofs and piles of rodent droppings that are the hallmarks of their facilities).
The Abrams are the group working with USL. From what I’ve heard, the group has more money behind them than you would expect.
I know nothing about local business people of Cleveland....but if these people behind the bid, don't have enough money.....they probably have other investors/partners going in on it with them. Registering the Force name is probably just to have control of it so nobody else tries to use it to compete against them. I dont necessarily see it as indicative of the teams ultimate name.
Does Anyone know who these Abrams Bros are who are supposedly behind the interest in the USL team. I realize they have the Force Soccer Centers, but what else?
Well, lah tee dah, then. Perhaps I was speaking to the people who floated the possibility of the team being called “Force” then.
Kenn, I apologize that I came off as being churlish. It’s my natural condition. I’m still working on it. My main point, which I missed the mark on because I was too busy being a sourpuss, is that if the Abrams are truly leading the charge on a potential USL team I have major reservations, no matter the deeper pockets they are rumored to have behind them. I really want a team. I just want it done right.