Springfield eyes professional soccer opportunity

The city of Springfield has its sights set on an agreement designed to bring professional soccer to town.

Springfield City Council at a special luncheon meeting tomorrow is scheduled to consider a letter of intent and cost-share agreement with the United Soccer League, based in Tampa, Florida. The meeting's agenda points to a potential new stadium on city-owned land east of Hammons Field.

"The city of Springfield's Department of Economic Vitality and Workforce Development has been in preliminary discussions with the (USL) regarding the possibility of bringing both men's and women's professional soccer teams to the city," the agenda reads. "The city-owned property located at 1109 E. Trafficway St. has been identified as a promising potential site for a soccer stadium, and the USL is ready to begin conducting feasibility studies and other research regarding the potential development of the site."

Up for consideration at council's meeting tomorrow is a cost-share agreement where the city would pay up to $75,000 for the cost of the feasibility study, as well as a letter of intent that provides for exclusivity between the city and the USL during the feasibility phase that initially runs through Dec. 31, 2025.

The letter of intent, included in council's agenda, states that the city and the USL would work together toward the development of a stadium with a minimum seating capacity of 5,000 and the ability to expand to at least 10,000 seats. The letter of intent indicates the USL would serve as the stadium's anchor tenant and have the right of first refusal to serve as its operator/manager. Further, the city would work with Missouri State University to help the USL enter into a lease/use agreement for the Robert W. Plaster Stadium until the proposed new stadium is complete.

The potential stadium site at Trafficway and National Avenue spans 8.9 acres. It's fronted by The Commons at Jordan Valley.