Soccer Franchise Coming to Kokomo
During an event at Kokomo Municipal Stadium
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Wisconsin-based owners of the Kokomo Jackrabbits have announced a new soccer franchise that will play next season in Kokomo Municipal Stadium. MKE Sports & Entertainment says the yet-to-be-named team will compete in the 65-member Premier Development League.
The PDL serves as a stepping stone for elite professional organizations like Major League Soccer. The organization is holding a naming contest for the franchise.
The team will play seven home and seven away matches each season and feature college-aged players seeking to advance to the next level. The league’s championship is called the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
The $9 million, 4,000-seat stadium opened this May and is home to the Prospect League’s Kokomo Jackrabbits. Mayor Greg Goodnight calls the venue a "key amenity" for the Howard County city and says "this new PDL expansion soccer team is a terrific new addition to the stadium and our city."
Jackrabbits and soccer club owner Mike Zimmerman says "the city of Kokomo has shown that it is hungry and passionate for sports. We want to continue to invest in the city and continue to bring additional entertainment options to the community and surrounding area."
“Kokomo Municipal Stadium is already a key amenity for our city, and this new PDL expansion soccer team is a terrific new addition to the stadium and our city,” City of Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight said. “I want to thank the PDL for choosing Kokomo for its newest expansion team, and thank MKE Sports and Entertainment for their work in bringing this new family-friendly activity to our city.”
Current U.S. Men’s National Team players that also played in the PDL include goal keeper Brad Guzan and defender DeAndre Yedlin. The league says "more than 500 current professionals in the U.S. and Canada have PDL roots."