Forest City Cleveland: A Recent Era for Soccer in Ohio

Cleveland’s professional soccer landscape is set for a significant expansion with the arrival of Forest City Cleveland, a new men’s soccer club poised to commence play in MLS Next Pro in 2027. The club’s identity, unveiled today, is deeply rooted in the city’s history, community, and future aspirations.

A Name Forged by the Community

The name “Forest City Cleveland” isn’t a new one for the city. It’s a nod to Cleveland’s historical nickname, stemming from the dense tree canopy that once covered the area. According to Gina Prodan Kelly, Chief Marketing Officer of Cleveland Soccer Group, the branding process was a collaborative effort, involving over 3,000 participants from across Northeast Ohio. “We believed from the beginning that this club should be built with Cleveland, not simply introduced to Cleveland,” she stated.

Symbolism Woven into the Crest

The Forest City Cleveland crest incorporates several design elements that pay homage to the city’s culture and geography:

• Double Hexagonal Frame: Inspired by the art deco geometry of Cleveland’s historic architecture, particularly the Guardians of Traffic statues.
• Ohio Outline: The base of the crest features the outline of the state of Ohio, grounding the club in its home.
• Moses Cleaveland Tree: Representing resilience, loyalty, and the enduring spirit of Cleveland, the tree is rendered in gold, drawing inspiration from art deco and botanical motifs.
• Twelve Leaves: Symbolizing the players on the pitch and the surrounding Cleveland community.
• Roots on the Shoreline: Honoring the waterways that define Northeast Ohio, including the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie.

Colors Reflecting Northeast Ohio

The club’s color palette is drawn directly from the natural landscape and architectural heritage of Northeast Ohio:

• Forest City Green: A muted gray-green inspired by Cleveland’s tree canopy and Emerald Necklace.
• Lake Erie Midnight: A deep navy, evoking the night skies over Lake Erie.
• Golden Era: An architectural gold inspired by Cleveland’s historic civic design and landmarks like the Colonial Arcade and Terminal Tower.

Looking Ahead: 2027 and Beyond

Forest City Cleveland will compete in MLS Next Pro starting in 2027, playing its home matches in a new, soccer-specific stadium in Downtown Cleveland. The Cleveland Soccer Group also plans to launch the branding for its women’s team on May 4th.

Community Engagement and World Cup Preparations

Throughout 2026, the Cleveland Soccer Group will host several community events, including:

• U.S. Women’s National Team watch parties at The W Sports Bar.
• A community watch party for the USA vs. Paraguay match on June 12, 2026, the opening match of the Men’s World Cup, at North Coast Yard.
• A watch party for the 2026 World Cup Final on July 19.

“Our goal is to make Cleveland the North Star of community-driven soccer in America,” said Michael Murphy, Founder and CEO of Cleveland Soccer Group. “We believe soccer can bring people together… and we’re already making strides to do just that.”

Fans can find more information, place season ticket deposits, and purchase merchandise at the club’s website.