I get the ownership sticking to the brand but come on, that name is not fit for a professional soccer club. Would never deter my support, but let's get a more proper name here and not just pimp the owner's various field complexes.
Instant name recognition. Unique in sports. Copious amounts of unsanctioned Star Wars tifos. I would absolutely frickin love it. Too bad it'll never happen. We all know that if, by the grace of god, we ever do actuallly manage to land a team, it will be a FC Inter Sporting Cleveland United SC.
Yeah I searched "Cleveland" in USPTO trademarks and came across it. Has a description related to associating with live professional soccer games.
Wow, to each his own. Personal preference but I could not disagree more. Star Wars tifos are the only positive I can see. But I think you're gonna get your wish as that looks to be direction they're going.
I'll be curious to see if it's what is actually used. Still a long ways to go before a ball is kicked.
Force is way outdated sounding. Maybe they're trademarking it just to have it locked down and in their possession so no competitor trying to start a team in a different league can use it. I'm still hoping for something involving the forest city nickname personally.
Here's my idea, encourage opinions: Cleveland Forest FC A la Nottingham Forest, utilize a past soccer moniker that isn't yet used in US and also connect it with Forest City as the club's name is similar to Cleveland's nickname. Think you could align the team with the MetroParks system which is a source of civic pride for the area. Green/gold colors and some sort of slick graphic design of a tree. That would help club exposure and win brownie points with public. Make the franchise the embodiment of promoting eco friendly behaviors. That'll kill with the target age group of 18-34. Combining civic pride with some goodwill.
I love everything about that idea. Maybe give Metroparks a good deal on a sponsorship agreement (shirt or stadium?)
Yeah I think Metroparks for the stadium and then you could maybe get Great Lakes Brewery for shirt or even Forest City Brewery. So far my only sponsorship ideas are breweries [emoji848]. But I think it's worth exploring I'd love to pitch it to the owners.
And a nationally recognized brand. Would get a lot more causal fans than normal wanting to wear one I think if the rest of the shirt checked out.
For the record, I would also much prefer a name that references the history of our city. Forest, Foresters, the hot damn Rockefeller Soccerers if you like. Unfortunately, I just don't see it happening. We are either going to end up with something as sinfully boring and played out as Cleveland FC, or we end up as the Cleveland Force. Between the two, my pick is as easy as we pick our butts around this forum. Completely anecdotal, but when I wear an old Cleveland Force shirt or jersey around town, people comment on it. Always. People remember. Many of these folks likely haven't watched a soccer game in 20 years. It's nostalgic, it's hokey, whatever.... we can try to be cool, or we can just be Cleveland. Sadly, no one ever says a thing about my hot Canton Invaders gear though. Stylin'.
I wore my Force shirt to a WWE event on Tuesday with my son… a dozen people I didn't know stopped me to tell me they lived the shirt or remembered and lived the team. Local brand awareness with the tail end of gen x and the front end of millennials is very strong. Anyone bringing a team here would have a tough time not taking that well worn path… even though most current soccer fans may prefer something fundamentally better (I would).
Big fan of the Force, went to many games but I also would prefer NOT to use that name. If we had to though, could we go with "Cleveland Force FC"? Or is that just too much? "Cleveland Force SC"?
Not sure what this dude designed all of this branding for... but I love the badge and think that it, or something similar would be excellent... https://www.behance.net/gallery/27774635/Forest-City-(United-Soccer-Association)
Im obsessed with this not yet existent team and I live on the other end of the state! (Toledo). Poking around on Google maps, I still think partnering with CSU to turn Krenzler into a modern soccer stadium would be perfect. Cleveland USL as the primary tenant accompanied by any mens and women's college soccer, lacrosse, etc teams as well as hosting important high school football games possibly. So it serves as a multi-purpose amenity to this city. Atmosphere wise, youre downtown in easy walking distance to anything you could want. Youre also right at CSU campus so you have a captive group of people to market to (students). Bars like Bettys and Moes are steps away & Hofbrauhaus is like a couple blocks away. Perfect for supporters to gather and march to the stadium. Dont know if CSU would go for it but I like the idea.