LEXINGTON, Ky. — Professional soccer will make its debut in Lexington. The United Soccer League announced Tuesday the addition of Lexington Pro Soccer as a USL League One expansion club, which will begin play in 2023.

The club's inaugural season will kick off at a local collegiate facility, but more details will be announced in the coming weeks, according to a release.

The majority owner of Lexington Pro Soccer is Tower Hill Sports, founded by Bill Shively.

“This is an exciting moment for USL League One, the city of Lexington and Central Kentucky,” said USL President Jake Edwards. “Since League One’s inception, Lexington is a place we’ve wanted to be because of its celebrated sports history and growing appetite for soccer. With tremendous leadership in Bill Shively, Vince Gabbert and Tower Hill Sports, this club will create a new source of great pride for the people of Lexington and the Central Kentucky region.”

The excitement is catching on with fans of all ages.
“This is very special to me because I’ve grown up playing soccer knowing, and most of my friends play soccer with me,” said Landon Fair, a student.
Fair and Kaden Vandervort, both 12-years-old, took a break from school today to attend the soccer announcement.
“I thought it'd be a great opportunity to see like how the soccer program is going to start,” Vandervort said.
For them, it’s a historic moment.

Landon Fair and Kaden Vandervort attend the Lexington soccer team announcement. Both hope to play professional soccer one day. (Spectrum News 1/Khyati Patel)

“Knowing that USL is coming, I can make more friends and it will connect more people, and we can hopefully have fun and be more competitive,” Fair said.
The competition they’re eager to watch when the new Lexington professional soccer team arrives in town.
“I mean it's a weird feeling, but it's very special to me because knowing that I might have the chance to grow up and play in this USL Academy, and maybe grow up and play in the USL team. It just makes my dreams come true,” Fair said.
For the duo, they’re inching closer to becoming soccer professionals
“I got to see some of my fellow friends, dads, and moms, and my coach, and soon I’ll be playing in the USL one,” Vandervort said.

Lexington Pro Soccer will respond to the RFP for the High Street Development Project "with the intent to construct a state-of-the-art, soccer-specific stadium at the site," according to the release. The venue would be able to host festivals, concerts and other events. The release added the club is exploring multiple locations in Fayette County that could become the site of the club's training grounds and USL Academy program.

“Lexington has a rich and storied tradition of sporting excellence, from the racetrack to the hardwood and beyond. Our local teams and athletes have long been among the best, and our fans are some of the most passionate in the nation. Our community is comprised of a diverse and international citizenry, which has a deep appreciation for the game of soccer. To bring a Professional club to Lexington is a natural fit,” said Club President Vince Gabbert. “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to bring a USL League One club to our great city and to our incredible fans. League One features an impressive lineup of community-driven soccer clubs, and we’re honored that Lexington will now join that group and become a part of the USL family.”

The club's brand and crest will come soon. As part of the process, the club is hosting focus groups, town hall sessions and workshops to gather ideas.