Football: The Other Kind

Bridgeport is next location for Soccer league expansion

Once upon a time, Connecticut was the hopeful new location for a football team that was sure to bring in millions of dollars of economic development; a deal that was alas, not to be. Although a story that is often told in the annals of “what could have been,” Connecticut is finally getting a football team – so to speak. Perhaps not the kind of football you’re thinking of unless you are one of the seven billion plus people who don’t live in North America, but for us, we can say that Connecticut is getting a soccer team.

Bridgeport is set to be one of five expansion locations for the growing Major League Soccer affiliate system – NEXT Pro. With hopes to start playing by 2025, the team has been branded the Connecticut United Football Club, and will be joined by Carolina Core FC, Cleveland, Jacksonville FC and Chattanooga FC, pending approval by the U.S. Soccer Federation according to their press release.

A stadium will be built for the team to play on Bridgeport’s waterfront. Utilizing the existing Shoreline Star Greyhound Park, the new stadium will be repurposed for professional soccer games.

The city has been adding unique attractions left and right over the past several years in order to attract businesses and residents to enjoy the city. The concerted effort has been paying off, leading to a virtuous cycle of economic development. According to figures from NBC Connecticut, the development of the stadium and the team is “expected to generate $4.5 billion over the course of 25 years, and create over 2,000 construction jobs and 1,000 permanent jobs.” 

The team has deep roots already in Connecticut without playing a single game. Not only are they planning on scouting in the state for homegrown players, but the founding partner, Andre Swanston, is a longtime Connecticut resident and UConn alum. If the team plays anything like the teams of his alma mater, they will be sure to be a winner.

Each year, it seems that soccer grows more popular in the United States. While it is not likely to usurp the “football” moniker from our NFL anytime soon here in North America, the league’s expansion shows no signs of stopping. And that’s a good thing for Bridgeport, who keeps rolling on it’s virtuous cycle, and it’s a good thing for Connecticut, one that is united in its love for sport.