An MLS team would be huge for youth soccer in Indianapolis

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.

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.

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.