The Indy Eleven kicks off its second season Saturday at IUPUI's Carroll Stadium.
Team president Peter Wilt said he's pumped, "we're expecting more wins than last year and more crowds."
They're also hoping for a win at the Statehouse that would help them build a home of their own.
"The $20 million approved by the Senate is a fantastic step in the right direction," Wilt said.
A bill passed Thursday would allow IU to borrow $20 million and put it toward renovating Carroll Stadium or building a new one on the site and sharing it with the Indy Eleven.
Asked about his preference, Wilt said, "Everyone knows what's in the best interest of the sport here in Indiana is to have a stadium with first division standards."
Several months ago, the team unveiled plans for an $82 million multi-purpose soccer stadium that could host concerts and other events. The 18,000 seat venue would be paid for with some of the tax revenue the stadium generates. While the House signed off, the Senate offered the scaled-down version.
Wilt said either way, the team would still seek assistance from the city and the Capital Improvement Board.
"Like any sports venue in the country, it's a community asset owned by the community so it makes sense to work in partnership," he said.
While Wilt said it was to early to say what or how much money might be involved, critics have warned about investing in a new team that's still minor league.
But members of IUPUI's soccer team hope the deal goes through.
Harold Agyeman-Prenpeh said, "It's a sport everyone enjoys. It brings people together, people from different cultures...and it brings that competitiveness that people look for in a sport."
Clint Hoffar said it would help IUPUI's athletic department bring in new recruits.
As for whether the Indy Eleven could draw big enough crowds to fill those 18,000 seats? Hoffar said, "They sold out every game last year and they're better...everyone is coming to watch and going downtown after...I think if they build it, they will come."
The bills could go to a conference committee as early as next Thursday. Wilt said depending on what happens, a new stadium could be in place by late 2017, but even if a funding package passes the Statehouse, it's likely to face hurdles at the local level.
