Pro soccer team will call Indianapolis home

Indianapolis was the latest city to be granted a North American Soccer League franchise Wednesday.

NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson welcomed the franchise into the men’s professional soccer league for the 2014 season during the Major Soccer League draft Wednesday at the Indiana Convention Center.

“We have all witnessed great sporting moments in Indianapolis over the years and in that same vein, the support for this team has been overwhelming,” Peterson said in a press release.

The Indianapolis team will be owned by Ersal Ozdemir, president and chief executive officer of Keystone Construction Corporation. Ozdemir is open to the idea of local investors who have expressed interest in owning shares of the team, according to the press release.  

Peter Wilt, former president and general manager of the Chicago Fire who was hired as president for the Indianapolis team, said Indiana was chosen for a NASL franchise partially because of the area’s passion for sports.  

“With a market like this with a high passion for soccer, it’s a great opportunity,” Wilt said. “With Ozdemir providing resources, I think we can do it the right way and have an exceptional team.”

Gov. Mike Pence and Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard were also on hand for the announcement.

“Indianapolis’ success as a city in many ways is defined by our long-term blueprint focused on sports, both professional and amateur,” Ballard said. “Our large sports presence greatly impacts the community, from its effect on teams, players and facilities to quality of life for residents, including our local sports hospitality workers.”

The team is in discussion with IU-Purdue University Indianapolis to play home games at Michael Carroll Stadium for the 2014 season.

Kate Julius, assistant vice chancellor for auxiliary services at IUPUI, said IUPUI is working at the campus level to get through all the details regarding the team playing at Carroll Stadium.

“Anytime we have additional traffic and particularly for a sport that is so globally accepted and loved. We believe it’s going to have a positive impact on the campus,” Julius said.

Wilt said there is no draft for the team.

“We are looking at acquiring people in three basic areas: international players, players from Indiana and players from other parts of United States,” Wilt said. “We are trying to reflect the community and create emotional connections with the fans and the team.”

Wilt said he is particularly interested in the soccer program at IU.

“We believe that IU does a tremendous job with developing quality players with a championship this previous year,” Wilt said. “(Coach Todd) Yeagley not only developed talented players that develop very well. I talked to both the son, Todd, and dad to include former Hoosiers on the roster and how important that is.”

The unnamed franchise has an advisory poll on indyprosoccer.com, in which fans can vote on the team’s name.

A coach and players are to be named later this year, according to the press release.
Season tickets for the inaugural season can be reserved now at the team’s website.