Downtown Soccer Stadium (11th & Millwork Ave)

[omaha79]

I'm getting antsy on this project. haven't heard anything more on the turnback tax being approved. if they want to hit 2026, they will need shovels in the ground by Spring or early summer.

[ita]

I'm getting antsy on this project. haven't heard anything more on the turnback tax being approved. if they want to hit 2026, they will need shovels in the ground by Spring or early summer.

Yeah, it hasn't got out of revenue committee yet from what I am seeing. I believe the relevant bills are LB621 and 622. Checked county records to and there is no change of ownership, so nothing moving on this yet unfortunately.

[Garrett]

I'm getting antsy on this project. haven't heard anything more on the turnback tax being approved. if they want to hit 2026, they will need shovels in the ground by Spring or early summer.

Yeah, it hasn't got out of revenue committee yet from what I am seeing. I believe the relevant bills are LB621 and 622. Checked county records to and there is no change of ownership, so nothing moving on this yet unfortunately.

That’s surprising, isn’t the change a relatively small one to just allow Soccer Stadiums to qualify for an already existing stadium program?

[omaha79]

Still nothing new on the turnback being approved, I'd assume?

[WBR_Tom]

The "Sports Arena Facility Financing Act" (LB1317) was passed by the Nebraska Legislature today 49-0. That's the turnbax tax bill -- adding soccer to the list of eligible facilities. It authorizes $25m toward the stadium.

https://www.unionomaha.com/news/2024/04 ... r-stadium/

[Garrett]

That’s great! I had been watching the bill and hadn’t seen much movement on it, glad they got to it at the finish line

[Louie]

A positive step.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Good news …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Greg S]

Fantastic news! Great addition to downtown.

[skinzfan23]

So is this a done deal, and construction should start sometime later this year then?

[ita]

So is this a done deal, and construction should start sometime later this year then?

That's what it sounds like, at least for the stadium. Union Omaha has been waiting for the state commitment, and through this amendment they got it. Press release says construction is planned to start this year. The greenfield is still under Gallup's name, but maybe the purchase transaction is already happening. When we see transfer of ownership or a groundbreaking ceremony, we'll know for sure.

[skinzfan23]

Great to hear! Really will improve that stretch of road when coming into town from the airport.

[Garrett]

Great to hear! Really will improve that stretch of road when coming into town from the airport.

“Welcome to Omaha! Behold our many stadiums”

[omaha79]

I've been told there are still a few things to work out with city of omaha until it's officially official, but I'm assuming that's infrastructure costs, etc. But, there is no expectation that it won't happen at this point. Just some jockeying between the city and team on some details. It is definitely a needed project, as Omaha's difficulty hosting SKC will point to.

[djc311]

Great to hear! Really will improve that stretch of road when coming into town from the airport.

“Welcome to Omaha! Behold our many stadiums”

Lacrosse seems to be growing in popularity. Perhaps one of those facilities is now needed?

[ita]

Great to hear! Really will improve that stretch of road when coming into town from the airport.

“Welcome to Omaha! Behold our many stadiums”

Lacrosse seems to be growing in popularity. Perhaps one of those facilities is now needed?

Lacrosse? What about quidditch?

The overhead we have of the overall project does show that the stadium is not right on Abbott, so the stadium may not be immediately apparent from Abbott. I do like we have a concentration of entertainment and sports facilities. Now we need some developers to take Lot B and D and turn it into a dense urban district.

[omaha79]

Great to hear! Really will improve that stretch of road when coming into town from the airport.

“Welcome to Omaha! Behold our many stadiums”

Lacrosse seems to be growing in popularity. Perhaps one of those facilities is now needed?

Lacrosse? What about quidditch?

The overhead we have of the overall project does show that the stadium is not right on Abbott, so the stadium may not be immediately apparent from Abbott. I do like we have a concentration of entertainment and sports facilities. Now we need some developers to take Lot B and D and turn it into a dense urban district.

You guys can poke fun all you want, but the situation with the US Open Cup match against Sporting KC basically proved the need for a facility for soccer. It's unsustainable to keep turning over Werner Park between soccer and baseball on a week by week basis. It's extremely costly, for one. AAA baseball will always be the main tenant there and MLB isn't a huge fan of the wear and tear on the field. Same time, the other teams in the USL aren't happy about having to play on fresh sod at Werner and the opportunity for torn ACL's and knees.

Combine that with the inability to hose non league cup matches in Omaha without renting out another facility like Creighton or UNO, which are not always available like the SKC match week where Creighton is already leasing to NSAA for state soccer, and it becomes more of a no brainer. Also, there is a total inability to field a women's team with the current setup.

Either we want professional soccer in Omaha, or we don't, but these half measures of sharing with a AAA baseball park and renting out college facilities is not sustainable for the long term. I'm glad there are some in Omaha with some foresight, at least.

[FishFighter92]

Either we want professional soccer in Omaha, or we don't, but these half measures of sharing with a AAA baseball park and renting out college facilities is not sustainable for the long term. I'm glad there are some in Omaha with some foresight, at least.

This right here.
Just look at the women's stadium in KC. River Market is packed during and after the games. It's also spurring new apartment builds and a streetcar extension.

[Garrett]

Great to hear! Really will improve that stretch of road when coming into town from the airport.

“Welcome to Omaha! Behold our many stadiums”

Lacrosse seems to be growing in popularity. Perhaps one of those facilities is now needed?

Lacrosse? What about quidditch?

The overhead we have of the overall project does show that the stadium is not right on Abbott, so the stadium may not be immediately apparent from Abbott. I do like we have a concentration of entertainment and sports facilities. Now we need some developers to take Lot B and D and turn it into a dense urban district.

You guys can poke fun all you want, but the situation with the US Open Cup match against Sporting KC basically proved the need for a facility for soccer. It's unsustainable to keep turning over Werner Park between soccer and baseball on a week by week basis. It's extremely costly, for one. AAA baseball will always be the main tenant there and MLB isn't a huge fan of the wear and tear on the field. Same time, the other teams in the USL aren't happy about having to play on fresh sod at Werner and the opportunity for torn ACL's and knees.

Combine that with the inability to hose non league cup matches in Omaha without renting out another facility like Creighton or UNO, which are not always available like the SKC match week where Creighton is already leasing to NSAA for state soccer, and it becomes more of a no brainer. Also, there is a total inability to field a women's team with the current setup.

Either we want professional soccer in Omaha, or we don't, but these half measures of sharing with a AAA baseball park and renting out college facilities is not sustainable for the long term. I'm glad there are some in Omaha with some foresight, at least.

Oh don't get me wrong, I'm definitely supportive of having a stadium for Union, especially since they've proven so successful and seem like they'll be around for a while. I just think it's funny that Omaha's front door could end up being a collection of 5 different stadiums in a few years.

[skinzfan23]

I just think it's funny that Omaha's front door could end up being a collection of 5 different stadiums in a few years.

What are the 5 stadiums? I know CHI, Schwab Field and then the soccer stadium but what else are you counting?

And I don't think that is necessarily a bad thing. Especially if development can be brought up alongside the venue so it isn't sitting empty all the time.

[OracleOfOmaha]

I just think it's funny that Omaha's front door could end up being a collection of 5 different stadiums in a few years.

What are the 5 stadiums? I know CHI, Schwab Field and then the soccer stadium but what else are you counting?

And I don't think that is necessarily a bad thing. Especially if development can be brought up alongside the venue so it isn't sitting empty all the time.

Guessing Morrison Soccer.

Maybe Sokol Arena? Stretch to put it in a "stadium" category. Large high school gym honestly.

[skinzfan23]

I was thinking, maybe the new Creighton baseball stadium, if that still happens.

[OracleOfOmaha]

I was thinking, maybe the new Creighton baseball stadium, if that still happens.

Nice call. Was in town recently and walked through this area. Creighton has a nice little sports complex down there with Sokol, Morrison, (future) Baseball stadium, and CHI right down the road.

Does anyone know what they plan to do with the baseball practice field/softball stadium on the north end of campus? Leave as is?

[Greg S]

I was thinking, maybe the new Creighton baseball stadium, if that still happens.

I think that's a done deal as the state approved the money for it and it's going to be used by the CWS. I really hope so. Would be nice to have the Jays in a better situation with a true home field advantage. I love what UNO did and assume it would be at least at that level if not better.

Greg

[halgy]

Creighton is getting a new baseball stadium? Will Schwab Field be used only for CWS, then?

[skinzfan23]

Agree, it would be nice for Creighton. Right now, they can get 4,000 people but the stadium is so cavernous that it feels horrible. There just isn't any demand for their tickets. Maybe if they can build a nice stadium similar to Morrison with great downtown views and make it more fan-friendly people will show up.

[WBR_Tom]

Agree, it would be nice for Creighton. Right now, they can get 4,000 people but the stadium is so cavernous that it feels horrible. There just isn't any demand for their tickets. Maybe if they can build a nice stadium similar to Morrison with great downtown views and make it more fan-friendly people will show up.

Believe it or not, Creighton baseball ranked 34th nationally in attendance last year with an average of 2,112 fans per game, and 47th nationally in total number of fans through the turnstiles. But 2,112 people in a stadium that seats 24,000 means less than 10% of the seats are filled. Put that same number in a place that seats around 3,000 and the whole vibe changes.

http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/baseball_ ... attend.pdf

It's also notable to me that the top three teams in the country, SEC powers Arkansas, LSU and Mississippi State, are the only three teams in America to average over 10,000 fans per game -- and even that would be less than 50% capacity at Schwab.

[omaha79]

Agree, it would be nice for Creighton. Right now, they can get 4,000 people but the stadium is so cavernous that it feels horrible. There just isn't any demand for their tickets. Maybe if they can build a nice stadium similar to Morrison with great downtown views and make it more fan-friendly people will show up.

Believe it or not, Creighton baseball ranked 34th nationally in attendance last year with an average of 2,112 fans per game, and 47th nationally in total number of fans through the turnstiles. But 2,112 people in a stadium that seats 24,000 means less than 10% of the seats are filled. Put that same number in a place that seats around 3,000 and the whole vibe changes.

http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/baseball_ ... attend.pdf

It's also notable to me that the top three teams in the country, SEC powers Arkansas, LSU and Mississippi State, are the only three teams in America to average over 10,000 fans per game -- and even that would be less than 50% capacity at Schwab.

Some of that can be misleading though. They often have 2 dates with Nebraska that will draw around 10k. Without the visitors, that number drops significantly.

Also, in such a huge stadium, they are able to do more giveaways and their game against UNO last spring had something like 10-12k in school children alone. That is a luxury other schools cannot have, one game that draws 10-15k when they are capped at 3-5k in total attendance based on facility size.

If you have 3-4 games out of, let's say 21 that become outliers, it skews the total number. If I've been there on a non-NU, non-school kids day, it's probably closer to 1,000 more often.

[skinzfan23]

Some of that can be misleading though. They often have 2 dates with Nebraska that will draw around 10k. Without the visitors, that number drops significantly.

That used to be the case, but not in recent history. Here are the totals from the past few years:

2022: 3,110
2023: 2,479 & 5,121
2024: 4,003

So in the past 2+ years they have only averaged 3,678.

I remember when they played at Rosenblatt, the game in late April/early May each year usually drew pretty well.

In 2008, there were 14,650 at Rosenblatt.
In 2011, the first year at TD Ameritrade the crowd was 22,197.

[thenewguy]

Union Omaha averaged a league 3rd best attendance, averaging 3,075 per game. If they shoot for 10k at the proposed stadium, I suspect a first season average of 6k would be likely. I'm sure there will be games that sell out, too, but on average, i think 6k sounds like a good number.

[ita]

Union Omaha averaged a league 3rd best attendance, averaging 3,075 per game. If they shoot for 10k at the proposed stadium, I suspect a first season average of 6k would be likely. I'm sure there will be games that sell out, too, but on average, i think 6k sounds like a good number.

Per the state legislation, to qualify for the state financing, the stadium, can't be more that 7,500. That will be the initial seated capacity from my understanding. The Sports Arena Facility Financing Act was limited to 7,000 seat stadiums, so part of the amendment was increasing that.

[thenewguy]

ah ok, that is even better i think. When i looked back at the original post being 10k, I was definitely thinking that'd be hard to fill. I mean, Omaha does a pretty good job with events downtown (swim trials, march madness, CU basketball, supernovas, etc) but i didn't want to see this be too big and turn it into something negative (a la charles schwab being empty most of the year, even though it is a huge financial engine for Omaha).

[omaha79]

ah ok, that is even better i think. When i looked back at the original post being 10k, I was definitely thinking that'd be hard to fill. I mean, Omaha does a pretty good job with events downtown (swim trials, march madness, CU basketball, supernovas, etc) but i didn't want to see this be too big and turn it into something negative (a la charles schwab being empty most of the year, even though it is a huge financial engine for Omaha).

Omaha remains an interesting market. You have to be perceived as an event, and we like certain niche sports and not others. I've marveled at the notion that Union Omaha can only reach about 3k in attendance while Supernovas can reach almost 10k. What is really the difference? Yes, we like volleyball around here, much more than the rest of the cities in the league, judging by attendance. But, right or wrong, this is being marketed as a "major league" sport...and, that's just enticing to some while Union Omaha is still seen as not only Minor League, but lower than the top levels of minor league. I think, by default, that keeps some home. And, you're playing way out West, and on a baseball diamond. There is nothing that pulls people in and says, "I gotta be there."

It will be imperative for Union to continue to perform well in a new stadium. They will have to win, but I think they will also have to move up to USL Championship. Ownership is going to have to their best to market that as "just a step below MLS.," whether that's right or wrong or anyone believes it. USL League One is ultimately a dead end in this town especially among the derp derp "why isn't this MLS?" crowd that has no functioning understanding of the local sports landscape or MLS, but just want to feel like Omaha is big time.

It will be interesting to see. Keep in mind, Sporting KC was playing at the T-Bones/Monarchs stadium drawing around 5-7k in a bad venue for the sport. They rebranded from Wizards and moved down the block and immediately went from 6k in attendance to 18k. Do I think that kind of jump is possible for Union? No, not in USL League One and probably not in USL Championship, but I think you can go from 3k to 7k in USL Championship. There are currently 24 franchises in USL Championship. Looking at last year, even averaging 6k-6500 puts you in around 8th-9th in the league and around upper 1/3 in attendance. I think that should be the goal here.

https://www.transfermarkt.us/usl-champi ... on_id=2022

[halgy]

I've marveled at the notion that Union Omaha can only reach about 3k in attendance while Supernovas can reach almost 10k.

For one, CHI is set up to be good for volleyball, whereas Werner Park is substandard for soccer. Honestly, it may partially be because CHI is indoors and climate controlled, so you don't have to worry about it being too hot/cold. It is also notable that the Supernovas pull more attendance than the Storm Chasers, too, even though the Storm Chasers are just a step below MLB, though that might partially be because baseball has so many more games, so the attendance is more spread out.

But honestly, I wonder how much of the better attendance for the Supernovas is because they're playing downtown, rather than out in the middle of nowhere. Even if you have to drive the same distance to both places, there's stuff to do around CHI before and after the game, which makes it a much better night out than a Storm Chasers/Union Omaha game.

The new Union Omaha stadium will help with both of those shortfalls: it will be optimized for soccer, and it will be downtown. Hopefully they extend the streetcar to or near the stadium to make the integration even more complete.

[nebugeater]

I've marveled at the notion that Union Omaha can only reach about 3k in attendance while Supernovas can reach almost 10k.

For one, CHI is set up to be good for volleyball, whereas Werner Park is substandard for soccer. Honestly, it may partially be because CHI is indoors and climate controlled, so you don't have to worry about it being too hot/cold. It is also notable that the Supernovas pull more attendance than the Storm Chasers, too, even though the Storm Chasers are just a step below MLB, though that might partially be because baseball has so many more games, so the attendance is more spread out.

But honestly, I wonder how much of the better attendance for the Supernovas is because they're playing downtown, rather than out in the middle of nowhere. Even if you have to drive the same distance to both places, there's stuff to do around CHI before and after the game, which makes it a much better night out than a Storm Chasers/Union Omaha game.

The new Union Omaha stadium will help with both of those shortfalls: it will be optimized for soccer, and it will be downtown. Hopefully they extend the streetcar to or near the stadium to make the integration even more complete.

FIrst I hope the Supernovas are extremlly sucesfull

WHat I will say is lets wait and see what year 2 , 3 and beyond hold for attendance. The shiny new car effect will have some impact and we will only be able to wait and see how much.

If memory is correct the Storm Chasers drew larger #s in the first couple of years at Wearner I could go look it up but not going to now.

[skip]

I've marveled at the notion that Union Omaha can only reach about 3k in attendance while Supernovas can reach almost 10k.

For one, CHI is set up to be good for volleyball, whereas Werner Park is substandard for soccer. Honestly, it may partially be because CHI is indoors and climate controlled, so you don't have to worry about it being too hot/cold. It is also notable that the Supernovas pull more attendance than the Storm Chasers, too, even though the Storm Chasers are just a step below MLB, though that might partially be because baseball has so many more games, so the attendance is more spread out.

But honestly, I wonder how much of the better attendance for the Supernovas is because they're playing downtown, rather than out in the middle of nowhere. Even if you have to drive the same distance to both places, there's stuff to do around CHI before and after the game, which makes it a much better night out than a Storm Chasers/Union Omaha game.

The new Union Omaha stadium will help with both of those shortfalls: it will be optimized for soccer, and it will be downtown. Hopefully they extend the streetcar to or near the stadium to make the integration even more complete.

Correct. I know me and my group of friends are a very small sample. But we won't go all the way out to Werner park to watch the games. We usually end up going to St Andrews or Barchen to watch. Once they build downtown, almost all of us will be buying season tickets.

[omaha79]

I've marveled at the notion that Union Omaha can only reach about 3k in attendance while Supernovas can reach almost 10k.

For one, CHI is set up to be good for volleyball, whereas Werner Park is substandard for soccer. Honestly, it may partially be because CHI is indoors and climate controlled, so you don't have to worry about it being too hot/cold. It is also notable that the Supernovas pull more attendance than the Storm Chasers, too, even though the Storm Chasers are just a step below MLB, though that might partially be because baseball has so many more games, so the attendance is more spread out.

But honestly, I wonder how much of the better attendance for the Supernovas is because they're playing downtown, rather than out in the middle of nowhere. Even if you have to drive the same distance to both places, there's stuff to do around CHI before and after the game, which makes it a much better night out than a Storm Chasers/Union Omaha game.

The new Union Omaha stadium will help with both of those shortfalls: it will be optimized for soccer, and it will be downtown. Hopefully they extend the streetcar to or near the stadium to make the integration even more complete.

It's interesting. If you listen to the loudest voices in comments sections that reside in far west outposts like Gretna, Elkhorn, and Millard, downtown omaha is a crime ridden cesspool that no one but degenerates and those with a death wish are willing to visit...and that's if you can even get there with the round the clock bumper to bumper traffic in that area.

Yet, time and time again, I see that downtown events do better than anything out West. So, I am hopeful, but not confident, that a downtown stadium with strong atmosphere will increase Unions attendance. They aren't "bad" as is for their league, but they need to be better to truly justify the new stadium.

I do also agree that indoor events are an easier sell for many than outdoor due to climate control and no worries on buying tickets in advance due to fickle weather. I also think that there is some newness factor to the volleyball league, but 10k a match is substantial and, while Union never got to have that honeymoon phase due to Covid, they never came close to selling out Werner in their first couple of years. They've generally always been in the 3-4k range outside of a few big matches and some discounted ticket games.

Overall, people in Omaha want to feel like it's an event. I've said this time and time again. Walking into a AAA baseball field to watch soccer will never build a loyal fanbase. It just won't. So, they will have to really market and build something that feels "big time" or Omaha people just can't be bothered. Right now, Supernovas feel like an event and people are convincing themselves it's a major league sport...Union is a minor league thing out west in a ballpark.

[rainman1745]

ah ok, that is even better i think. When i looked back at the original post being 10k, I was definitely thinking that'd be hard to fill. I mean, Omaha does a pretty good job with events downtown (swim trials, march madness, CU basketball, supernovas, etc) but i didn't want to see this be too big and turn it into something negative (a la charles schwab being empty most of the year, even though it is a huge financial engine for Omaha).

Omaha remains an interesting market. You have to be perceived as an event, and we like certain niche sports and not others. I've marveled at the notion that Union Omaha can only reach about 3k in attendance while Supernovas can reach almost 10k. What is really the difference? Yes, we like volleyball around here, much more than the rest of the cities in the league, judging by attendance. But, right or wrong, this is being marketed as a "major league" sport...and, that's just enticing to some while Union Omaha is still seen as not only Minor League, but lower than the top levels of minor league. I think, by default, that keeps some home. And, you're playing way out West, and on a baseball diamond. There is nothing that pulls people in and says, "I gotta be there."

It will be imperative for Union to continue to perform well in a new stadium. They will have to win, but I think they will also have to move up to USL Championship. Ownership is going to have to their best to market that as "just a step below MLS.," whether that's right or wrong or anyone believes it. USL League One is ultimately a dead end in this town especially among the derp derp "why isn't this MLS?" crowd that has no functioning understanding of the local sports landscape or MLS, but just want to feel like Omaha is big time.

It will be interesting to see. Keep in mind, Sporting KC was playing at the T-Bones/Monarchs stadium drawing around 5-7k in a bad venue for the sport. They rebranded from Wizards and moved down the block and immediately went from 6k in attendance to 18k. Do I think that kind of jump is possible for Union? No, not in USL League One and probably not in USL Championship, but I think you can go from 3k to 7k in USL Championship. There are currently 24 franchises in USL Championship. Looking at last year, even averaging 6k-6500 puts you in around 8th-9th in the league and around upper 1/3 in attendance. I think that should be the goal here.

https://www.transfermarkt.us/usl-champi ... on_id=2022

Union Omaha is in the third tier of pro soccer in the US. The MLS might not even be in the top 15 of pro leagues in the world. That's not the "derp derp why isnt this MLS" crowd talking. That's the facts talking. When you take into account other countries tiered systems, it might not even be a top 100 pro league in its sport. It's a fine product if you are an avid soccer fan and want to support a local team. Unless they are playing in the later rounds of the US Open Cup, the local casual fan isn't going to care.

The Supernovas on the other hand are playing in what is billed as the top pro league in its respective sport, in a state that is crazy for volleyball. It is easy to see why one gets more support than the other.

[Athomsfere]

Correct. I know me and my group of friends are a very small sample. But we won't go all the way out to Werner park to watch the games. We usually end up going to St Andrews or Barchen to watch. Once they build downtown, almost all of us will be buying season tickets.

I think there are a lot of us.

I'm not the biggest sports person, but I do love the occasional hockey / soccer game. There is very little incentive to go out to Werner park. I have, but I really, really prefer not to.

Downtown: Taking the bus to the game as often as I can justify. The 10 minutes on a bus is infinitely more enjoyable than the 30 minute drive to Werner.

[omaha79]

ah ok, that is even better i think. When i looked back at the original post being 10k, I was definitely thinking that'd be hard to fill. I mean, Omaha does a pretty good job with events downtown (swim trials, march madness, CU basketball, supernovas, etc) but i didn't want to see this be too big and turn it into something negative (a la charles schwab being empty most of the year, even though it is a huge financial engine for Omaha).

Omaha remains an interesting market. You have to be perceived as an event, and we like certain niche sports and not others. I've marveled at the notion that Union Omaha can only reach about 3k in attendance while Supernovas can reach almost 10k. What is really the difference? Yes, we like volleyball around here, much more than the rest of the cities in the league, judging by attendance. But, right or wrong, this is being marketed as a "major league" sport...and, that's just enticing to some while Union Omaha is still seen as not only Minor League, but lower than the top levels of minor league. I think, by default, that keeps some home. And, you're playing way out West, and on a baseball diamond. There is nothing that pulls people in and says, "I gotta be there."

It will be imperative for Union to continue to perform well in a new stadium. They will have to win, but I think they will also have to move up to USL Championship. Ownership is going to have to their best to market that as "just a step below MLS.," whether that's right or wrong or anyone believes it. USL League One is ultimately a dead end in this town especially among the derp derp "why isn't this MLS?" crowd that has no functioning understanding of the local sports landscape or MLS, but just want to feel like Omaha is big time.

It will be interesting to see. Keep in mind, Sporting KC was playing at the T-Bones/Monarchs stadium drawing around 5-7k in a bad venue for the sport. They rebranded from Wizards and moved down the block and immediately went from 6k in attendance to 18k. Do I think that kind of jump is possible for Union? No, not in USL League One and probably not in USL Championship, but I think you can go from 3k to 7k in USL Championship. There are currently 24 franchises in USL Championship. Looking at last year, even averaging 6k-6500 puts you in around 8th-9th in the league and around upper 1/3 in attendance. I think that should be the goal here.

https://www.transfermarkt.us/usl-champi ... on_id=2022

Union Omaha is in the third tier of pro soccer in the US. The MLS might not even be in the top 15 of pro leagues in the world. That's not the "derp derp why isnt this MLS" crowd talking. That's the facts talking. When you take into account other countries tiered systems, it might not even be a top 100 pro league in its sport. It's a fine product if you are an avid soccer fan and want to support a local team. Unless they are playing in the later rounds of the US Open Cup, the local casual fan isn't going to care.

The Supernovas on the other hand are playing in what is billed as the top pro league in its respective sport, in a state that is crazy for volleyball. It is easy to see why one gets more support than the other.

Billed as a top pro league doesn't automatically equate to truly top tier. The rest of the markets in the league aren't treating this as "major league" judging by the attendance number. Treating this a major sport is purely an Omaha thing.