I would hope we could do better than a modular stadium at the D2 level in a large market, in 2020 -onward.....especially if its downtown. If its downtown, I would expect it would need to be a little classier than a bare bones erector set stadium. I continually say it...but Louisville City is the gold standard for stadium plans that are appropriate for an independent USL team that isnt making the jump to MLS eventually. Their Butchertown stadium will cost 50 million and seat 11,300...with potential for expansion if needed. I could see Cleveland starting out a hair smaller, maybe 9,000ish....and have one end open that you could fill in to increase capacity in the future if warranted. I just hope when and if this team happens, they put in the effort and investment a city and market this size deserves.
Phoenix Rising did modular right. It's not a bad move, and will only continue to get better. I'm just not sure what people expect for Cleveland. They've not drawn crowds, ever. Why should 2020 be much different than what a modular stadium could bring? Talking about 9-11,000 is a bit ambitious, should start at 1,000 and move up from there. USL Chicago will trump Louisville City's stadium.
Yeah maybe I'll be an owner of the third team, I'll name them FC Rocky River and play in a new stadium on Detroit Avenue in Lakewood.
Wondering if the USL project is still a go @Force Sports ? Obviously dont expect any details if not appropriate or possible. Just curious if this thing is still alive and breathing?
Hard to say as no one really knows where they are at, or were at, in the process of making an expansion bid.
Good morning everyone, and sorry for the extended delay in responding. While I don't have a ton of new news to report, I can say that things are moving forward - both on the league and stadium fronts. We obviously all want things to be done 'right' from the beginning, and I am finding out quickly that these things take lots of time. We have assembled an incredible team of both local and national resources who have the knowledge and wherewithal to make this a reality. I can not promise 'if' and 'when' this is going to all happen, but what I can promise is my transparency and putting in the work. I am doing everything I can to bring high-level professional soccer to Cleveland. Thank you all again for your passion! Greg Abrams, President Force Sports
It's better to go slow and take your time making sure things are done smartly and efficiently than coming in quick and leaving just the same. USL will be better with a strong team in Cleveland. Make it count.
The Cleveland Crunch will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of their 1994 championship with an April 26 event in Akron that will include an alumni game. I spoke with Hector Marinaro about that, and a period that was the time of his life.https://t.co/KxRz5bYhsa— Kevin Kleps (@KevinKleps) March 1, 2019
Thing went up FAST and while it still has challenges (ingress/egress, restrooms), it's a good facility and one others should use as a starting point.
Modulars are pre-fab stadiums. Steel framed, typically, where there's no reliance on concrete and a longer timetable to build. The goal is to make stadiums cheaper, easier to create, able to alter, and even adapt with less effort (and cost) than the regular stadiums have been. Vancouver Whitecaps started in MLS in a modular, it no longer exists but the surface still does and is utilized today. The stadium was packed up and moved on. The stadium cost $14.4 million that sat 27,528 fans. Compare that to the $250+ million that FC Cincinnati will be spending for theirs. Here's a good read and video of Phoenix Rising's facility: https://inproduction.net/products/seating/modular-stadiums/
This won’t have locker rooms or lights. So while it’s great for the community, it doesn’t do much for pro soccer.
also only 750 seats, not sure that's even enough for NPSL although I wouldn't complain if Cleveland SC (or the Ambassadors {WPSL]) moved there, would make it very easy for me to attend games
Site has been selected? https://neo-trans.blogspot.com/2019/03/usl-cleveland-soccer-stadium-site-chosen.html