The US may have gotten cheated out of its World Cup bid, but soccer fans in Knoxville now have a reason to celebrate - the city is getting its own professional soccer team, the Knoxville Force.
We really don't know that many of the details - and what we do know came from the Chamber's Twitter feed - but apparently the city is once again following Chattanooga's lead a few years late and getting its own National Premier Soccer League team, with a companion women's team to follow next year. The Force will play its first game on May 7 at UT's Regal Soccer Complex.
The Chattanooga Football Club is about to start its third season, and my pal Jim Tanner in the sports department of the Times Free Press says the team has been a smash success there so far - which is all the more reason for Knoxville to step up its game this summer and support that other kind of football. Plus, if the Chattanooga FC's team's website is any indication, there will be cool football scarves too - although who will wear them when the team is playing in June, we're not quite sure ...
UPDATE: The Chamber finally got back to us. Here are some more details:
Semi-Professional Soccer Team coming to KnoxvilleKnoxville Soccer, LLC has acquired a franchise in the National Premiere Soccer League (NPSL). The Knoxville Force will play in the Southeast Conference in May 2011.Knoxville Soccer LLC has been formed to bring high quality, values-based men's and women's soccer to Knoxville to "enhance character, community and love of the game of soccer." The Vision of Knoxville Soccer LLC• Through the formation and fielding of professional men's and women's soccer teams in the Knoxville area, Knoxville Soccer LLC will serve as a focal point for social change by offering soccer programs and projects that enhance the health and well-being of a broad and diverse population of our community including the underprivileged youth living in high-risk areas.• We view soccer as a powerful vehicle for developing self-esteem, self-confidence, leadership skills, team work, respect for others, and all the inherent benefits of physical exercise.Additionally, we are seeking to franchise a women's team, the "Knoxville Lady Force," in the USL W-League or Women's Premiere Soccer League (WPSL) for 2012.
Comments » 0
Be the first to post a comment!
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.