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Announcement Planned Soon on Deal to Bring Pro Soccer to Louisville

A formal announcement is expected next month that Louisville is getting a professional soccer team.

Architect Wayne Estopinal is among a group of local investors behind a plan to bring the successful Orlando City franchise to Louisville.           

Mayor Greg Fischer’s new budget proposal includes a $581,000 appropriation to make Slugger Field soccer compatible.

Estopinal says the soccer team would begin play at the ballpark next spring.

"The home team dugout to the right field wall would be the long axis of the pitch.  We’ll be able to seat about 9,000 in really good seating and when we have an international exhibition or something we’ll open it up more and we’ll seat about 12,000 in it," Estopinal said. 

The franchise is part of the United Soccer Leagues, the affiliate system for Major League Soccer.

Estopinal says there have already been pledges for 1,600 season tickets in Louisville.

We have a great fan base, Orlando City is the best USL team in the league.  They’ve proven that for the past four years, they’re leading the league right now."

Estopinal says investors plan a more detailed announcement on June 4.   

Copyright 2014 89.3 WFPL News Louisville

Rick has been a member of the WFPL News team since 2001 and has covered numerous beats and events over the years. Most recently he’s been tracking the Indiana General Assembly and the region’s passion for sports, especially college basketball.
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