CLEVELAND — Cleveland’s professional women’s soccer team has its official name, and it’s out of this world.
What You Need To Know
The Cleveland Astra officially debuted Monday morning, and according to its website, it aims to be “a constant, a guiding light”
The team will begin playing in 2028
The crest of the team incorporates many facets of the city as well as a bit more to encompass what the team is all about
The Cleveland Astra officially debuted Monday morning, and according to its website, it aims to be “a constant, a guiding light.”
“Giving more talented women a team to play for. Giving our fans a club to be proud of. Giving the city a reason to look up,” the website states.
The crest of the team incorporates many facets of the city as well as a bit more to encompass what the team is all about.
The name itself, Astra, is Latin for “stars.” Not only is the language a nod to the many communities that encompass the city, but also it’s a guide to help light the way for others and burn bright, according to the team.
The logo is encased in a double gold-tipped frame, an ode to art deco and a gilded age in the city.
In the logo sits the outline of Ohio in the lower crest, and in the top right sits the North Star, Polaris, right on top of Cleveland.
“We’ll be that North Star for everyone who needs something brilliant, stable and true to aim at,” the team explained.
In the bottom left corner is Ursa Major, the Great Bear, pointing toward the North Star.
“Built to love fiercely, protect her own, hold her ground and keep us moving forward,” the team said.
Even the colors of the crest were chosen based off of Northeast Ohio’s natural landscape — Lake Erie Midnight, Golden Era (a color represented in Cleveland landmarks, including the Arcade, Guardians of Traffic and Terminal Tower) and Violet ad Astra, the color of a nebula.
“Cleveland Soccer Group was built on a belief that a sports organization can be more than the sum of its results,” said Michael Murphy, CEO & co-founder of Cleveland Soccer Group.
The team will begin playing in 2028, because one of three new women’s professional teams to debut across Ohio. Its twin team, the Forest City Cleveland, the men’s team, will join Astra in hosting a series of community events and celebrations this year.
“We believe soccer brings people together in ways that improve individual outcomes and strengthen entire communities,” said Murphy. “And we’re making strides to do just that.”
Merch and other information is available on the team’s website.