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An MLS team would be huge for youth soccer in Indianapolis

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An MLS team would be huge for youth soccer in Indianapolis


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Indianapolis has a fantastic opportunity to land a Major League Soccer team for our city. The impact of bringing an MLS team to Indianapolis cannot be overstated for our soccer and athletics communities, for our city and our state. 

Attracting an MLS team would put Indiana on the map for soccer. MLS is a multibillion-dollar industry with fans across the globe. The average MLS team is worth $678 million, generates $66 million in revenue, and attracts an average 22,000 fans per match.

Soccer is among the most popular sport on the planet. Typical Super Bowls have 200 million viewers. FIFA World Cup has 1.5 billion viewers. U.S. soccer is growing as big-name players like Lionel Messi enter the league. These players are driving up revenues as well. Ticket prices are up 585% for games where Messi plays.

An Indy MLS team would mean more visitors to our city, a tremendous impact on downtown businesses, new economic development opportunities, and jobs. The value goes far beyond economics and into our communities. Securing an MLS team would have a profound impact on resources and access available for our soccer community, particularly our youth.

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As president of the largest Indianapolis club serving 3,000 children ages 2-20 each season and generating $8 million in local economic impact, I see every day the positive benefits soccer involvement has on our youth, their families, and the community, especially in traditional underserved communities.

As it has in other cities, an MLS team in Indianapolis would foster increased interest and participation in youth soccer. It would bring expanded resources, partnership and mentorship opportunities, and sponsorship and other funding sources to promote soccer for our youth. This creates excitement, momentum, and access for Indianapolis children.

Soccer involvement promotes health and wellness, connectivity and friendships, goal setting, and being part of a team. As our children become stronger, their communities become stronger. United Soccer Alliance of Indiana has developed fine young men and women since 1979. USA of Indiana has produced three MLS All Stars: Ray Gaddis, Perry Kitchen and Matt Hedges. Lori Lindsey, former Pike Youth Soccer Club player, played for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer team.

Indianapolis is making a name for itself as a premier sports city. Bringing in MLS is an obvious next step, and it couldn’t be a better time to do it. Several major global soccer events are coming to the U.S. over the next few years. FIFA selected the U.S. to host the 2026 World Cup and the U.S. will host the 2024 Copa America. Indianapolis and Indiana can be part of the excitement.

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On behalf of our soccer community, I urge our city leaders and partners to wholeheartedly pursue an MLS team for Indianapolis. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity and we need to seize it.

Thomas J. Geisse is president of the Community Through Youth Sport Foundation, the United Soccer Alliance of Indiana and the Pike Youth Soccer Club.



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Pirates farm report for April 18, 2026: Rafael Flores Jr. hits 1st homer in Indianapolis win

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Pirates farm report for April 18, 2026: Rafael Flores Jr. hits 1st homer in Indianapolis win


INDIANAPOLIS (Triple A, 6-14) thumped Omaha (Royals), 11-3. 1B Rafael Flores Jr. (.206) went 2 for 3 with a double, his first home run, two runs scored and three RBIs. LF Tyler Callihan (.239) went 3 for 4 with a double and his first homer, a two-run shot. DH Enmanuel Valdez (.273) went 2 for 4 with his first homer and three runs scored. RF Esmerlyn Valdez (.258) went 2 for 5 with two doubles and a run scored. SS Davis Wendzel (.269) went 1 for 3 with a double, two walks, two runs scored and two RBIs. RHP Carson Fulmer (2-0, 5.51) started, gave up three runs on three hits in five innings and earned the win. RHP Chris Devenski (1.50) and LHP Joe La Sorsa (3.24) each pitched two scoreless innings.

Next: Sunday at Omaha (Royals), 3:05 p.m.

ALTOONA (Double-A, 2-12) had two hits – both solo home runs – and beat Portland (Red Sox), 2-0. LHP Dominic Perachi (1-0, 1.80) started and went six innings, allowing three hits and two walks with three strikeouts. RHP Landon Tomkins (3.38) followed with two scoreless. RHP Jaycob Deese (3.00) worked the ninth for his first save. LF Titus Dumitru (.146) went 1 for 3 with his second homer. C Shawn Ross (.182) went 1 for 3 with his second homer.

Next: Sunday vs. Portland (Red Sox), 1 p.m.

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GREENSBORO (High-A, 10-4) lost 8-3 to Brooklyn (Mets). C Easton Carmichael (.273) went 2 for 4 with an RBI. RF Shalin Polanco (.250) went 1 for 3 with a stolen base and an RBI. 1B Jared Jones (.277) went 2 for 5 with a run scored. RHP Carlson Reed (0-1, 7.36) started, recorded one out and gave up four runs on two hits and four walks. RHP Jose Garces (3.60) pitched two scoreless innings.

Next: Sunday at Brooklyn (Mets), 2 p.m.

BRADENTON (Low-A, 5-9) allowed seven stolen bases in its 6-5 loss to Tampa (Yankees). CF Edward Florentino, starting a rehab assignment as he recovers from an ankle injury, went 1 for 3 with a walk, double and run scored. LHP Reinold Navarro (6.43) started and gave up three hits, four walks and two earned runs over three innings while striking out five. SS/1B Eddie Rynders (.128) went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI. DH Edgleen Perez (.238) went 1 for 4 and drove in two runs. LF/CF Josh Tate (.208) went 2 for 5 with an RBI. 2B/SS Antonio Pimentel (.154) went 2 for 4 with a double. RHP Greiber Mendez (5.40) and RHP Noah Murdock (0-1, 9.00), who took the loss, each gave up two hits and one run in one inning. RHP Treyson Peters pitched the final three innings, allowing five hits, one earned run and one walk while striking out two.

Next: Sunday at Tampa (Yankees), noon

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The Zone Extra | April 18, 2026

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The Zone Extra | April 18, 2026


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — It was another busy week in high school sports in central Indiana and ‘The Zone Extra’ has it all covered.

Athlete of the week and Guerin Catholic senior outfielder Ian Taylor is off to a scorching hot start to the young season. Check out his interview as well as Guerin Catholic head coach Dave Schrage talk about Taylor’s success.

The Johnson County baseball tournament came to a close. See highlights from Center Grove’s tournament victory.

The 4A baseball coaches poll was released as well as the 3A softball coaches poll.

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The former Columbus North gymnastics coach, John Hinds, passed away at 88 years old.

Center Grove head softball coach Alyssa Coleman joins the show for a coaches corner conversation.

See highlights from the Colts Local Pro Day, featuring several former Hoosiers and Purdue’s Devin Mockobee.

Girls lacrosse is in the first season as an IHSAA emerging sport.

All of that, and more, can be found in the full The Zone Extra show above.

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Tornado watches issued for counties north and west of Indianapolis

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Tornado watches issued for counties north and west of Indianapolis


(WISH) — A tornado watch was issued until 3 a.m. EDT Saturday for counties northwest and west of Indianapolis, and into Illinois.

Indiana counties in the watch area are Boone, Carroll, Cass, Clay, Clinton, Elkhart, Fountain, Fulton, Howard, Kosciusko, La Porte, Marshall, Miami, Montgomery, Parke, Pulaski, Putnam, St. Joseph, Starke, Tippecanoe, Vermillion, Vigo, Wabash, Warren and White. The watch area includes the cities of Crawfordsville, Elkhart, Lafayette, Lebanon, South Bend, Terre Haute, and West Lafayette.

The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center has issued two watches in Indiana. The other one until midnight EDT Friday includes the Indiana counties of Benton, Jasper, Lake, Newton and Porter. That includes the city of Gary. That watch also extends into Illinois.

Storms on Friday night in central Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Minnesota led to dozens of confirmed tornado warnings. The storms in central Illinois has gusts up to 80 mph, and tornadoes embedded in heavy rain.

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An alert issued after 10:30 p.m. Friday from the National Weather Service at Indianapolis said, “A line of strong thunderstorms is nearing the state line with a history of widespread damaging winds and tornadoes. The line is expected to continue to produce damaging winds as it moves into Indiana with the potential for additional tornadoes. The line is then expected to gradually weaken as it moves further into the state.”



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