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Jumping Ship: Indy Eleven Join USL For 2018 Campaign

New York Red Bulls II Blasts Richmond Kickers

TAMPA, FLORIDA (January 11, 2018) – Indy Eleven and the United Soccer League announced this week that the club will play in the USL in 2018. They join Fresno FC, Las Vegas Lights FC, Nashville SC, North Carolina FC and ATL UTD 2 as USL expansion teams this year.

Jumping Ship: Indy Eleven Join USL For 2018 Campaign

Indy was founded in 2013 and began play in 2014. Prior to this year, they spent their entire on-field existence in the North American Soccer League. The club plays at IU Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium in Indianapolis.

“Today, we are delighted to announce the addition of another tremendous organization to the USL. The work that has been done by Owner Ersal Ozdemir and President Jeff Belskus to establish the Indy Eleven in the heartland of America has been incredibly impressive, as has the club’s commitment to its fans and local community. Indy Eleven brings all of the qualities that make a club successful in the USL and will add tremendously to the league’s rivalries in the region,” said USL Chief Executive Officer Alec Papadakis.

This another significant win for the USL as the league pursues Division II status in U.S. Soccer as well as grow to the point of being a two tiered league internally. Indy will join a number of Midwestern clubs including potential regional rival Cincinnati FC.

“We are excited to begin a new chapter in our club’s history as we join the USL for the 2018 season. The USL’s remarkable growth on and off the field over recent seasons has been impressive to observe. We look forward to helping the league continue that positive momentum as its visibility continues to rise both in the United States and around the world,” said Indy Eleven Owner Ersal Ozdemir.

This move is a blow for the NASL who are officially now down to six teams. The league continues to fight a lawsuit with U.S. Soccer while being unable to sustain expansion teams and general league membership.

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