It appears as though Greenville, SC is in the mix for a team in the USL Division III circuit, as league officials have visited the city.
In the months since plans for USL DIII’s launch in 2019 were announced earlier this year, several cities have been reported as being under consideration for a spot in the league. Greenville now looks to be among those locations, as local supporters are building a petition drive for a franchise and league officials have made a visit to the city.
While not currently home to professional soccer, Greenville does have a solid track record in supporting other minor league sports. Baseball’s Greenville Drive (Low A; Sally League) have been a success at Flour Field, and hockey’s Greenville Swamp Rabbits (ECHL) play their games at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. USL DIII officials have complimented the city, believing that it could be eager to add soccer to its sports scene. More from Fox Carolina:
“I fell in love with Greenville and I think the league did as well,” said Steven Short, Vice President of the USL’s Division III. “You can definitely tell it’s a town that wants professional soccer.”
Short says the league must consider three main components including market size, finding a local owner and identifying a suitable stadium or facility. Short visited Fluor Field during his first trip to Greenville and when he returns in the near future he said he’ll also check out Sirrine Stadium where the USL’s Greenville Lions played soccer in 2001 to 2003.
The USL DIII league has been billed as a circuit intended for markets between 150,000 and a million in population. Several markets–including southeast cities such as Statesboro, GA–have been linked to the league as prospective host locations.
Image courtesy USL.