Top-flight soccer in Cleveland has had some bad luck as of late. First, news of the collapse of the City Stars became public. Then we heard no mention of a Cleveland franchise in the new USSF Division 2 league.
Now we hear the worst news of all: Cleveland is no longer being considered as a host city for the 2018 or 2022 World Cup bid. We are not alone in our sorrow as Chicago, the home of U.S. Soccer and President Barack Obama, was also taken out of consideration. Cleveland and Chicago were among several traditional markets that were ousted in favor of “emerging cities”.
Cleveland is the same city described as “one of the top five soccer markets in the United States” by George Nanchoff of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. Many people, including Nanchoff, believed the fall of the City Stars would have no effect on the World Cup bid. We now know that there were many other, more important factors. However, it seems logical that the lack of professional soccer didn’t help.
We shouldn’t lose all hope. This summer Cleveland will serve as host to the AC Milan Continental Cup, the fastest growing international youth soccer tournament in the U.S. This will bring some fine young players to our own backyard.
