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Cleveland Professional Soccer pitches training facility and community fields near Bedford middle school
Summary
Michael Murphy, founder and CEO of Cleveland Professional Soccer, told the Bedford Board of Education on April 17 that his organization has included Bedford in a request for proposals for a professional training facility and community fields and described a concept that could use land behind the district's new middle school.
Michael Murphy, founder and CEO of Cleveland Professional Soccer, briefed the Bedford Board of Education on April 17 about the club's search for a training facility and community fields and said Bedford is under consideration.
Murphy said Cleveland Professional Soccer is planning a downtown stadium near Progressive Field and, separately, an interconnected training facility and community fields. “We issued recently an RFP from communities around Northeast Ohio,” Murphy said, and described Bedford’s proximity to I‑271 and I‑480 as an advantage. He suggested part of the district land behind the new middle school could fit several full pitches, mini pitches and — in a later phase — an indoor “bubble.”
The presentation included potential community benefits: fields available for youth and tournaments, year‑round indoor activity space, a foundation for youth programming and internship opportunities for students. Murphy also described a civic outreach element: “As part of the World Cup coming, the US Soccer Foundation had a goal to put 1,000 mini pitches into this country,” and said mini pitches could be part of an initial phase located on underused hard courts or tennis courts.
Superintendent Doctor Johnson thanked Murphy for the ongoing conversations and for considering the district as the site for community access and student opportunities. Board members asked few questions during the presentation; one member requested a copy of the presentation for follow‑up.
Murphy said the concept would include a mix of natural grass and turf, potential lighting for night use and a foundation that could support community programming. He also said a professional academy or residential academy is a possibility in later phases and that the project could bring a workforce of players and about 80 employees, though he did not provide a financing plan or formal commitments. Murphy said the club has discussed Notre Dame College and other sites in Northeast Ohio in its search.
No formal board action, financing request or site agreement was proposed or taken at the April 17 meeting. Board members and district staff said they would continue discussions and requested the presenter share the full slide/deck after the meeting.
The presentation occurred during the awards and communications portion of the agenda and lasted about five minutes; follow‑up conversations were offered after the meeting.
Ending: The club's RFP remains open and Murphy said Cleveland Professional Soccer is continuing talks with city and county officials. The board asked for the presentation materials to be circulated and signaled interest in continuing conversations but took no formal vote or commitment on the concept.
