Des Moines is drawing attention from both Major League Soccer (MLS) and the United Soccer League (USL) as the city explores the establishment of professional soccer teams. The Iowa Soccer Development Foundation has plans for a downtown soccer stadium, and Krause Group CEO Kyle Krause secured a franchise for a USL Championship men's team in 2022, recently announcing a new franchise agreement for a Division I women's team.

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On September 22, Chris Klein, president of Hometown Soccer Holdings, revealed that MLS is considering downtown Des Moines as a site for an MLS NEXT Pro team. He noted, "Des Moines, and central Iowa, is a great sports city," highlighting local support for teams like the Iowa Cubs and Iowa Wolves.

The increasing interest from both leagues complicates the path to realizing the soccer stadium vision. Krause initiated the USL Pro Iowa campaign in 2019, stating, "It’s the right time and it’s the right place," but faced delays due to the pandemic and financing challenges. On September 24, the Iowa Soccer Development Foundation will hold a public meeting to discuss plans for bringing a Division II men's soccer team to the city, with attendance from city officials and USL CEO Paul McDonough.

Foundation chair Jeff Lorenzen expressed enthusiasm for the potential benefits of a professional soccer presence in the city, stating that communities with USL teams often experience significant economic growth and increased community engagement.

Des Moines City Manager Scott Sanders clarified that the September 24 meeting is not city-sponsored but a necessary notice due to legal requirements concerning council attendance.

Klein emphasized that establishing a team in Des Moines could strengthen Sporting Kansas City's fan base, as many players from their youth clubs already hail from Iowa. He stated that there is potential for a stadium project to enhance existing assets downtown.

Recent developments include the city cutting ties with a proposed $95 million financing plan for the stadium due to feasibility concerns about surrounding developments. Following this, representatives from Hometown Soccer Holdings met with local officials to discuss options for an MLS NEXT Pro team.

Klein noted that while Hometown Soccer Holdings wouldn’t directly develop an entertainment district, there's interest in creating a year-round event venue through collaboration with public and private stakeholders. He mentioned that MLS NEXT Pro stadiums could host various events beyond soccer.

Despite setbacks in the stadium project timeline, Lorenzen assured that financing is prepared and independent of the abandoned district development. The foundation has received a $13 million grant for the stadium site, which requires environmental remediation due to its previous industrial use. He described a recent $7 million tax increment financing deal as vital for progressing toward construction of the stadium, although a timeline for the start of construction remains uncertain.