What's so great about having an MLS team, anyway?
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Crew faithful of all sizes came out for the kickoff event. Photo: Rick Osentoski/USA Today Sports
As Indianapolis vies for a Major League Soccer team, we went to Columbus, Ohio, where MLS All-Star Week is taking place, to see what the fuss is about.
Why it matters: Indianapolis is pulling out all the stops to secure an MLS franchise in the league's next expansion, including a commitment to constructing a new, soccer-specific stadium on the city's dime.
State of play: Mayor Joe Hogsett visited Columbus Tuesday at the invitation of league officials to attend a reception with MLS Commissioner Don Garber and team owners.
- Hogsett said the city needs State Budget Committee approval for the special taxing district created by the City-County Council. Once approved, a private investor group will make their ownership bid public.
- He said the league does not guarantee anything, but Hogsett hopes to have the city's application into the MLS by the end of the year.
The intrigue: Indianapolis media were encouraged to participate in Garber's midseason press conference, scheduled for Thursday.
We asked fans at the MLS Soccer Celebration — a family-friendly festival with games, giveaways, and entertainment kicking off the week of activities — what the best thing about their team and having an MLS franchise in town is.
Here's what they told us:
👪 "It's a community," said Lindsay Chaney, who brought her 5-year-old daughter, Cameron, to the celebration. "There's not as much of a bandwagon."
- Chaney and her husband have been die-hard Columbus Crew fans for over 15 years. They travel for events and even use their honeymoon to catch an away game.
💯 "Everything," said 12-year-old London, an avid Crew fan and soccer player.
🤗 "It brings people together," said his dad, Eric Smith.
- The pair was visiting from Dayton for the kickoff and the MLS All-Star Concert featuring Marshmello.
⚽ "It's a better environment than other major sports," said Mark Spring, whose whole family was decked out in yellow Crew jerseys. "It's still a big crowd, but it's a good group."
🏆 "They're really good," said Liam, 11, about the Crew.