Greenville, South Carolina, is a prime example of a city yearning for a proven professional soccer experience.

In April, the United Soccer League announced plans to launch a new third-division league with the aim to bring professional soccer to more than 75 million people across the United States.

Steven Short, the USL’s Division III Vice President, visited Greenville during his Southeast expansion tour from April 25-May 3. Reflecting on his trip, Short noted that the city already embraces professional sports teams in baseball [Greenville Drive] and in hockey [Greenville Swamprabbits], so a soccer team would provide a dynamic calendar of sports options for the city. And the community agrees.

“People here are ready for their own team,” Michael Stewart, President of the American Outlaws Chapter in Greenville told USLD3.com. “Our members regularly make trips to Charlotte, Asheville and Charleston for matches. It would be great if we had our own team.

“Our neighbors to the north in Asheville have had a very successful first year with regular attendances of 2,000 per match,” Stewart added. “I believe that could be possible here to draw a similar crowd if the proper venue is secured for the team.”