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The United Soccer League isn’t the only group interested in bringing pro soccer to Omaha.

Another group, not employed by the league, is trying to form an Omaha ownership group of its own.

National Sports Services, a franchise development group based in Kansas, has been trying to pull together an ownership group for several years. The plan: Recruit committed investors, agree to a stadium plan and file a formal proposal to the USL.

The group asked Omahan Ren Smith to rally support in Omaha. Smith ran the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights hockey team and held a position with the United Football League’s Omaha Nighthawks.

Smith has met with representatives from TD Ameritrade Park, Creighton University, the University of Nebraska at Omaha and the proposed Nebraska Multisport Complex in La Vista to discuss the feasibility of playing at each of their venues. He said he has prospective investors lined up, but none will commit to a lead role. Nevertheless, he continues to work.