Inside Cleveland’s New Pro Soccer Boom and Downtown Stadium Plans: CLExplained
Forest City Cleveland kicks off in 2027, followed by Cleveland Astra in 2028, as Cleveland Soccer Group works to build a new Downtown stadium and establish a permanent home for professional soccer in the city.
by Stephanie Haney | Jul. 20, 2026 | 2:50 PM
Courtesy Cleveland Soccer Group
Professional soccer is coming to Cleveland, bringing with it two new teams with identities rooted in the city and a growing national soccer movement.
In this episode of CLExplained, Stephanie Haney, host of the Sound of Ideas, breaks down the meaning behind Forest City Cleveland, a nod to the city's historic nickname, and Cleveland Astra, whose name comes from the Latin word for "stars" and reflects a mission to help more stars shine in women's soccer.
Learn more about the teams' colors, including Forest City Green, Astra Violet, Lake Erie Midnight and Golden Era Gold, plus Cleveland Astra's role in launching the new WPSL Pro women's league and plans for a new Downtown stadium.
Stephanie Haney
Stephanie Haney is the host of the Sound of Ideas. She's an award-winning journalist and podcast host and a licensed attorney in both Ohio and California. She knows Northeast Ohio well, having been born and raised in Canton and having spent six years working for WKYC, where she created, produced and hosted multiple shows across digital and TV platforms. Prior to that, she worked for DailyMailTV and dailymail.com, and had a producing fellowship with Good Morning America.
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