Columbia, SC (WLTX) -- A new semi-professional soccer team is headed to Columbia this fall.
Soda City FC (Football Club) will be the third United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) franchise in the Palmetto State, joining Lowcountry United in Charleston and Sparta 20/20 FC in Spartanburg.
Soccer fans at The Cock N' Bull Pub can barely contain their excitement.
"You can tell there's a love of the sport here. It's just now getting big," said Julian Fajardo, a soccer fanatic.
"It's nice to have a team that maybe we can get behind and go out and watch instead of watching the European games on TV," said soccer fan, Harrison McConnell.
Soda City FC will play year-round in the southeast division of the UPSL.
"The fact that we're getting a semi-pro team, I would have never thought that Columbia, South Carolina would have a semi-pro team," said Fajardo. "It's remarkable the growth of the sport here."
The team's founders are four local soccer players, Tony Baker, Patrick Burnette, Andrew Richardson and Marcus Hunter. They are fueling a love for the sport in Soda City.
"If you look at the USC teams, our women's and men's team draw some of the top attendance in the country," said McConnell. "So there's clearly people that wanna watch soccer and I think our youth programs around here are pretty good."
The name Soda City FC pays homage to 'Cola', Columbia's nickname, while additionally promoting the community attachment of many local businesses that have adopted the "Soda City" name, brand and feel.
"It'd be good for the city, good for the kids. They could go see some pro's play," said Steven DuBois, coach of the Mustangs U12 soccer team.
News 19 caught up with DuBois and his players at soccer practice Wednesday at NorthWest Family YMCA.
Some of the girls tell us they have never been to a semi-pro or MLS game.
"It's crazy because a professional soccer team is coming here. That's like a once-in-a-lifetime for us," said Lacey Chapman, 11, a member of the Mustangs soccer team. "They can be inspiration for me and I can learn from them."
For youngsters, any seat will be the best seat in the house.
"I feel like it's really cool and I'd watch it if it came on TV and I might even go to a game," said Tierra Scott, 11, a member of the Mustangs. "I feel like I'd be yelling and screaming!"
The team's colors are sky blue, black and dark red...in honor of the original city flag of 1912.
The club's crest has the state house above bubbles, the "suds" of Soda City.
"The exposure that a professional team gives just inspires the girls because it gives them a chance to see the older players play, be it men or women, and it shows them what kind of commitment is required to get to that level."
Tryouts begin May 20.
As for where the games will be played, that announcement will be made within the next couple of weeks.
To learn more about Soda City FC, visit http://sodacitysoccer.com/. If you're interested in the tryout, visit http://sodacitysoccer.com/tryouts/.
Gateway Supply Company is the team's title sponsor.