Why Idaho Should Be Granted a Professional Soccer Team

The Paris Olympics is happening right now, and soccer is one of the sports gaining the most attention. It is one of the few times that Americans watch it, with the other time being during the World Cup. With this year's Olympics taking place in France, the games are happening at odd times, but many fans are struggling without sleep to cheer on their team and country. With soccer being popular this month, and the sport growing and expanding over the last few years, should Idaho make a push to bring a team to the Gem State?

Should Idaho Get a Professional Soccer Team?

NWSL and MLS, which are the men's and women's professional soccer leagues in the United States, have both grown significantly over the last few years. With expansion talk happening, could Boise be a potential destination for a team in the future? Portland and Salt Lake City are smaller markets that have proven that they can support professional soccer teams, and with no other pro teams in the state, the thought of a soccer team calling Idaho home would be intriguing. Would Idahoans support the team, and would there be enough interest to make it a possibility?

Professional Soccer in Idaho

A stadium would need to be built to house any professional soccer team in Boise, but Albertsons Stadium, where the Boise State Broncos play football, would be a good temporary home for a team until a stadium could be built. In terms of capacity, if we are comparing Portland and Salt Lake City, America First Field in Utah holds just over 20,000 people, with Portland's Providence Park holding over 25,000. By those numbers, Boise and the state of Idaho should be able to decently fill a stadium, especially if the team is good. With both Salt Lake and Portland, known cold cities, and housing teams, Boise would be ok through the season, which typically takes place from February to October. With a new stadium and a team, it would open up many jobs in the area, which would help grow the city of Boise and help the economy as well. 

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While soccer isn't the most ideal sport for Idaho, the region has proven it supports the teams in the nearby cities, and with no other professional sports team, the city and state would likely jump on the bandwagon and show its state pride. If things went well, there could be talk of both a women's and men's team. Soccer is growing in popularity, especially in the women's game, and Idaho makes perfect sense for a team to help the economy in the state, as well as to show that Idaho is ready to support a professional team of some sort.