Today was a day shrouded in mystery, ever since the '6.11.15' sign showed up on the billboard at the US Cellular Center about almost 2 weeks ago.  Today, that mystery was solved as we've learned a professional soccer team is coming to Cedar Rapids.

At a press conference this afternoon, Cedar Rapids Titans General Manager Chris Kokalis informed the crowd that the ownership group behind the Cedar Rapids Titans is bringing an expansion team of the Major Arena Soccer League to Cedar Rapids for the upcoming season, and the US Cellular Center will be it's home. Conveniently, the field is about the same size as the Titans field, so stadium layout will primarily remain the same.

Having two out of three state champions from the MVC and from the Cedar Rapids Metro area says a lot about where the power in soccer is. - Linn-Mar Coach Corey Brinkmeyer to MetroSportsReport.com June 6th

No doubt, soccer is hot in Cedar Rapids right now. Not only are there more than 12,000 youth players currently in the area, but Cedar Rapids is now being looked at as a soccer powerhouse, thanks in part to the state titles recently captured by both the Linn-Mar and Xavier boys soccer teams. Both teams were on hand as special guests for today's announcement, which marks the first time Cedar Rapids has ever had a professional soccer team.

The league is very excited about this new expansion team. MASL President of Expansion Kevin Milliken remarked they've been watching the success of the Titans ownership in building a great pro sports franchise and fanbase in Cedar Rapids already with one team. He adds, "This group has seen success on the football field, and we believe they will be successful with arena soccer as well. And, it will be great to have another rival for our teams in the Midwest."

MASL President of Expansion Kevin Milliken
Bridget DeMeis
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Cedar Rapids new team will play 11 home games, and 10 road games from late October to late February, with their first home game being October 30th. They'll play against teams from Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, Tulsa, and Milwaukee, in a league made up of 24 teams across the US and Mexico. One thing that caught our attention was that the games will be much like Titans games, where the action is fast paced, and the scoring high.

New CR Soccer Team logo
Cedar Rapids Professional Soccer
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The final question on everyone's mind is what the team will be named, to which Kokalis stated he didn't know yet, as that will be left up to the fans.  Fans can log on to the team's new website right now and submit their entry.  Fans at the Cedar Rapids Titans game Saturday night will also be able to submit their favorite choices on the concourse.  After all entries are collected, there will be open voting on the webpage till the name is decided.  The team colors will be Titan blue and yellow. Season ticket packages also went on sale instantly at the team's new website as well.

No doubt it'll be exciting to watch the developments as we get closer to the launch of the inaugural season.  This town is really becoming quite the place for sports and events.

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