It’s not only MLS that is growing. USL PRO continues to expand, with Thursday’s announcement in a press conference that a franchise in Colorado Springs will start play in 2015 being the latest enlargement of the league's footprint.
Colorado Springs joins Sacramento Republic FC and OKC Energy FC, which will both start play in the 2014 season, as the third tier's newest clubs.
“The momentum continues to build for USL PRO with the addition of a franchise in Colorado Springs for 2015,” league president Tim Holt said in a statement. “With Sacramento Republic FC and OKC Energy FC kicking off in 2014, this announcement continues to build the league’s western presence, with additional announcements expected soon.”
The franchise will be owned and operated by Martin Ragain and Ragain Sports, LLC. Ragain is the owner and founder of ME Engineers, a global mechanical and electrical engineering design firm. Ragain is also the lighting consultant for Olympic Broadcast Systems, currently preparing for the upcoming Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, and is also an author in the FIFA Stadium Guidelines regarding stadium lighting.
Ragain Sports anticipates that the team will play its home games at Sand Creek Stadium adjacent to the Colorado Springs Sky Sox minor league baseball facility. The team expects to announce a “Name the Team” contest in the coming weeks.
MLS formed a partnership with USL PRO early this year that allows MLS teams to integrate their reserve teams into USL scheduling or form allliances with USL clubs.
