Photo Story: Professional and Amateur Soccer in Indianapolis

Although Hoosiers are not known for their play on the soccer field, there has been a variety of talent that has come from our state, especially Indianapolis. Indianapolis also hosts a professional soccer club, Indy Eleven. This team was founded in 2013 and has been playing in the United Soccer League, the second highest tier league in America, since 2018. Let’s explore how soccer has had an impact on Indiana’s capital and surrounding areas.

As mentioned, the Indy Eleven are the only professional soccer team in Indianapolis. FC Indiana and FC Pride are also semiprofessional soccer teams that often compete in Indianapolis. All three of these teams also play at Carroll Stadium, shown above.

Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts NFL team, also hosts Indy Eleven games. Indy Eleven also refer to Lucas Oil as their home venue because of its popularity. This huge football stadium that can seat 70,000 fans has also hosted some world-renowned games, such as Chelsea vs. Inter Milan in 2013.

Although college soccer does not produce as much popularity for the sport, I have mentioned it in other posts so I will continue that trend. The Big Ten Conference is a hot topic in Indianapolis, as it includes division one universities throughout the Midwest, such as Indiana and Purdue. Indiana University actually has one of the best men’s soccer teams in the country. Purdue University is home only to a women’s squad.

Indianapolis is also home to Marian University, the University of Indianapolis, IUPUI, and Butler University, which all have men’s and women’s soccer teams. Carroll Stadium, which was shown earlier, is also IUPUI’s home field. The influence of the sport in this city is definitely growing, and interest in the universities’ games is rising.

St. Vincent Field is home to Marian University, the school I attend! The women’s team just came off a national runner up finish, and both soccer teams are looking forward to competing in the fall of 2020. St. Vincent also serves as home to the football and lacrosse teams at Marian.

Professional soccer dreams comes from the humblest beginnings, which reminded me of this practice pitch off of Cold Spring Road by Marian. Although not everyone makes it to the highest level, practice and hard work enduring the toughest playing conditions make an athlete want to chase their goals (literally and figuratively).