Pro and semi-pro soccer around Cleveland are having a bit of a moment this spring. Forest City Cleveland is rolling out a new identity and pitching a downtown stadium as it targets a men’s MLS NEXT Pro debut in 2027, while Lorain County Leviathan is going global with a fresh partnership that links the club to Scotland’s Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Backers say the twin moves mix brick-and-mortar stadium dreams with international scouting and fan-building in a way that could give Northeast Ohio’s soccer profile a serious boost.
Forest City unveils crest, colors and launch plans
Forest City Cleveland has introduced a new crest built around the region’s 350-year-old “Die Hard Tree” along with a color scheme the club dubs Forest City Green, Lake Erie Midnight and Golden Era. The branding rollout, which the club says involved more than 3,000 fans, is a key step in its bid to join MLS NEXT Pro on the men’s side in 2027. According to Forest City Cleveland, the group also plans to launch a women’s brand on May 4 and has already opened its site for season-ticket deposits and merchandise as it works to build a supporter base ahead of that first kickoff.
Downtown stadium pitch, price tag and public help
The club’s ownership group is chasing a soccer-specific stadium in the Gateway sports district that would seat roughly 10,000 at opening, with room to grow if ticket demand climbs. Reporting by Cleveland Magazine puts the project’s estimated cost at nearly $80 million and notes the group has requested a $19.9 million state grant as part of the financing package. Supporters argue the proposed venue would not be just for pro matches but could also host youth tournaments, national friendlies and other events if public funding and approvals come through.
Leviathan signs on with Inverness Caledonian Thistle
On March 17, Inverness Caledonian Thistle announced a commercial affiliation with Lorain County Leviathan that the Scottish side describes as a way to grow its U.S. presence and collaborate on projects and content. Inverness Caledonian Thistle quoted Commercial Director Andrew Benjamin calling the deal an opportunity to widen the club’s reach across the Atlantic. For Leviathan, the tie-in connects a fast-rising Ohio outfit with a more established European system and opens the door to new pathways for player development and fan engagement.
Exchange visits and local ripple effects
Club statements and local reporting indicate that Leviathan is scheduled to travel to Scotland in May, with Inverness set to make the return trip to Northeast Ohio in June for friendlies, exchanges and community events, according to Cleveland.com. Leviathan leader Andrew McDonnell has described the partnership as “a win-win for the players and region,” while Inverness’s Andrew Benjamin says the initiative will introduce new audiences to Highland football and strengthen scouting links. Civic partners and supporters say the combination of a home stadium push and international ties could speed up soccer’s growth across Northeast Ohio.
What comes next
Forest City Cleveland’s stadium materials say construction is projected to begin in 2026, and the club plans to host community events and watch parties as it builds its following, per Forest City Cleveland. For Lorain County Leviathan, the Inverness affiliation adds early credibility as the club readies its 2026 campaign and looks to spotlight regional talent on a broader stage. Both projects are expected to generate more headlines this spring as they move from logos and partnership announcements toward fundraising, hard timelines and, eventually, a lot more soccer.
