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Austin City Council votes in favour of MLS stadium

The local council in Austin has voted in favour of a stadium being built in the city for Major League Soccer team Columbus Crew.

The Austin City Council voted 7-4 in favour of plans proposed by Crew owner Anthony Precourt, who wants to move the team 1,200 miles to Texas as he feels the franchise is currently unsustainable in Ohio.

The Crew’s new 20,000-seat stadium would be situated at McKalla Place in North Austin and the team could begin playing in the city as early as 2021. The next stage of the process will see Precourt Sports Ventures (PSV) discuss stadium plans with city staff in Austin.

PSV said in a statement: “Precourt Sports Ventures is extremely pleased that Austin City Council has voted to authorise negotiations and execution of agreements with PSV for a privately funded Major League Soccer stadium and park at McKalla Place.

“We wish to express our gratitude to the Austin City Council for passing today’s momentous resolutions. We thank council for acknowledging the groundswell of support to help bring MLS to Austin.”

Columbus Crew added: “Precourt Sports Ventures has been clear that identifying and working toward a solution for the sustainability and viability of this club has not been merely an option or goal, but in fact a necessity to achieve long-term stability and success in Major League Soccer.

“As we have stated before, normal business operations continue in Columbus for 2018, and Crew SC remains focused on winning an MLS Cup title.”

Columbus Crew is currently fourth in the MLS Eastern Conference. The team has played at Mapfre Stadium (pictured) for 18 years and should it move to Austin it would become Texas’ third MLS franchise alongside FC Dallas and Houston Dynamo.

Image: Nheyob