Latest news with #IndyEleven
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Report: Former MLS coach Ian Fuller brings pro vision to One Knoxville SC amid local soccer boom
Former Major League Soccer manager Ian Fuller is now leading One Knoxville SC into a larger spotlight, applying his first-class experience to East Tennessee's burgeoning soccer landscape. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now With One Knox becoming established at Covenant Health Park and further building its swift climb through the United Soccer League ranks, Fuller views Knoxville as fertile ground for professional soccer—even with potential in Major League Soccer. Ian Fuller brings MLS pedigree to One Knoxville SC with vision for East Tennessee soccer growth As One Knoxville SC prepares to play Indy Eleven on May 24 at Covenant Health Park, head coach Ian Fuller already has long-term visions. The former Minnesota United FC assistant coach thinks the city can sustain a Major League Soccer franchise — but only if the city itself comes to support soccer outside college campuses and Friday night lights. Fuller, who played professionally for Clemson University and was drafted by the New England Revolution in 2002, signed with One Knoxville SC this year with a purpose: to assist East Tennessee in developing into a soccer town. With more than a decade of coaching experience within Major League Soccer and extensive participation in developing clubs such as Orlando City SC and Minnesota United FC, Fuller understands what it takes to construct a franchise from the beginning. For Ian Fuller, there's more to it than victories. He talks of overall growth, explaining, 'First and foremost, I care about the guys. I care about them as men ... I love coaching now, wanting to get the best out of our guys. I don't want them to give up opportunities. I don't want them to wake up at 40 and their careers are over and realize they didn't take advantage of everything.' The Fullers themselves have embraced Knoxville life, with Ian's wife, Susannah Collins — a former CBS Sports soccer commentator — joining him in the move from New York City to Maryville. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The change in pace has proven rewarding, with Ian saying, 'We're enjoying every second of it. We sit on our wraparound porch. We sit out there every day and look at the Smokies.' Also read: For One Knoxville SC and Ian Fuller, the journey is just beginning. While the road to Major League Soccer involves financial strength, supporter support, and community commitment, the puzzle is falling into place in East Tennessee. With Fuller's vision, a committed fanbase, and an increasing passion for the sport, Knoxville may have everything it needs to be America's next soccer citadel.
Axios
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Indianapolis weekend events: Indy Eleven, Blake Shelton, Indiana Artisan Marketplace
The Indy Eleven are bringing their 12th season to their home turf this weekend. What's happening: The Eleven return to Michael A. Carroll Stadium with a 1-1-0 record and a Saturday night date with the defending USL champions, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (0-2-1), at 7pm. Tickets start at $11. How to watch: ESPN+ The intrigue: How the Eleven play now could have a major impact on the team's future. The USL plans to launch a Division One league in 2027-28, intended to rival Major League Soccer as the top tier for the men's game in the U.S. Teams that perform well will be rewarded promotion to a higher league. Teams that perform poorly will face relegation to a lower league. Here are the rest of our picks for the weekend: 📽️ Explore some of cinema's most iconic rivalries during the Indy Film Fest's free 15th annual Bigger Picture Show, 6:30pm Friday at the Circle City Industrial Complex. 🎙️ Rock out with the Deftones when they bring their 2025 tour to Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 7pm Friday. Tickets start at $40. 🚙 Check out some nice rides during the 66th Annual O'Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. 3-8pm Friday, 10am-8pm Saturday and 10am-6pm Sunday. Tickets are $23 for adults and $8 for kids ages 6-12. 🎹 See the pianist billed as "the hottest artist on the classical music planet" when Lang Lang plays The Palladium in Carmel, 8pm Friday. Tickets start at $35. 🎸 Party with country music superstar Blake Shelton at Fishers Event Center, 7:30pm Saturday. Tickets start at $85. 🎤 Sing along with Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons at Old National Centre, 7:30pm Saturday. Tickets start at $53. 🏀 Witness the best in Indiana high school hoops when Gainbridge Fieldhouse hosts the 2025 IHSAA Boys Basketball State Finals on Saturday. Sessions start at 10:30am and 6pm. Tickets start at $15. 😂 Laugh the night away with comedian Ian Bagg as he does four shows at Helium Comedy Club.
Axios
20-03-2025
- Business
- Axios
Promotion, relegation coming to Indy Eleven's league
The United Soccer League is making moves to compete more directly with Major League Soccer, something the embattled Indy Eleven is using to bolster its case for remaining Indianapolis' sole professional soccer team. The big picture: USL owners voted this week to introduce promotion and relegation by 2028 as they prepare to launch a new top-tier soccer league. The USL plans to launch a Division One league in 2027-28, intended to rival Major League Soccer as the top tier for the men's game in the U.S. Why it matters: This is a huge move in the U.S. soccer landscape, rewarding teams that perform well with promotion to a higher league. Teams that perform poorly will face relegation to a lower league. What they're saying: "This now provides Indy Eleven the opportunity to play at the top tier," the team said in a statement. The team also contends it has "continually met minimum criteria" to compete at the top tier, except for a U.S. Soccer Federation requirement to have a 15,000-plus-capacity stadium. "This is why the team has worked expeditiously on the pursuit of a 20,000+ stadium," the statement said. Catch up quick: Indy Eleven's owner, Ersal Ozdemir, broke ground in 2023 on Eleven Park, a $1.5 billion mixed-use project along the White River that was supposed to include a 20,000-seat soccer stadium to serve as the team's new home. Last year, city officials announced they would pursue an MLS expansion bid without Ozdemir and the Indy Eleven — removing necessary support for Eleven Park in favor of a different stadium project on the east side of downtown. The intrigue: While there were doubts about the viability of transitioning the Indy Eleven to the MLS, the new USL structure could give the city a Division One soccer team without having to court MLS and pay its exorbitant expansion fees. How it works: With the existing USL Championship (second division) and USL League One (third division), USL Division One (first division) would create a pyramid structure for promotions and relegations. It is unclear what the exact layout for promotion and relegation will look like, such as the number of teams that will be promoted and relegated each season, or if there will be financial incentives for promotion. Between the lines: Promotion and relegation is common outside the U.S., including in England's Premier League. If you're among the millions of people who watched "Ted Lasso" on Apple TV+, you've already been exposed to the concept. Zoom out: MLS is the existing top-tier men's league in the U.S. It also has a third division league, MLS Next Pro, under its umbrella. MLS does not include promotion and relegation.
