'Soccer city': Council moves forward with resolution to bring more soccer to Austin

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On a chilly Thursday afternoon, with school in session, the Onion Creek Soccer Complex in south Austin is only home to the occasional speed walker -- not a soccer ball in sight.

But when school lets out and the clouds part to nicer Austin weather, those fields become part of a growing Austin turf war.

"There needs to be more places to play, for youth, for adults of all different levels. And there's a huge shortage of that, particularly compared to other cities with MLS teams," said Aaron Rochlen, founder of Soccer Assist, a nonprofit that's helped build mini-pitches around Austin.

It's one of the reasons why Austin City Council voted Thursday to kickstart the process of expanding soccer access in our city. Council Member Vanessa Fuentes brought the item forward. In part, it directs the city manager to look into the following:

• Increasing the number of fields available
• Expanding youth programs and access to those programs
• Attracting new soccer events to the city

"Austin calls itself a live music city—there's plenty of places to go to play and listen to live music. We're calling ourselves now a soccer city—there has to be a similar parallel there," Rochlen said.

Of course, the term 'soccer city' has been used more frequently over the past few years with the addition of Austin FC.

The director of operations at Capital City Soccer Club says that the team has given young athletes in Austin something to aspire to -- but they need a place to play.

"Whether it's dance or soccer or whatever it is, you want to be able to see people like you and Austin FC have brought in tremendously diverse players," said Ric Granryd.

The city manager is directed to come back to council in September with available land, what the needs are and recommendations, according to council documents.