Tampa Bay Rowdies Are Ready To Join Major League Soccer

Things moving along nicely; early vote in St. Pete this spring on the Al Lang Stadium lease. However, message to Darden Rice: get your political hands off of our Tampa Bay Rowdies team name. This is not up for negotiation. 

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http://www.sportstalkflorida.com/soccer/tampa-bay-rowdies-mls-ready/

Tampa Bay Rowdies Are Ready To Join Major League Soccer

By James Williams

December 23, 2016

The iconic Tampa Bay Rowdies feel they are ready to join Major League Soccer

The Tampa Bay Rowdies have one the most recognizable brands in the history of soccer in the United States. Earlier this month, the Rowdies unveiled their #MLS2StPete campaign along with a website, mls2stpete.com, to build grassroots support for expansion to the Major League Soccer, to the soccer rich Tampa Bay area.

The league acknowledged ownership groups from 10 markets have publicly expressed interest in securing an MLS expansion team: The Tampa Bay Rowdies, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Detroit, Nashville, Raleigh/Durham, Sacramento, St. Louis, San Antonio, and San Diego.

In the heyday of the old version of the North American Soccer League from their inception in 1975 till the leagues down grading in the early 1980’s Tampa Bay went to three Soccer Bowls and won three Indoor titles before the glory days were gone.

Now and it is about time, there is a very strong and creditable to have the Tampa Bay Rowdies join the Major League Soccer, the top level of soccer played in this country. The timing might just be right because a Miami franchise, that has been approved is having a number of problems. It an effort spearheaded by former soccer super star David Beckham, on very shaky ground at the moment.

Despite the leagues wanting Beckham’s name and team as part of the league he simply can’t get either ownership partners in place nor can he find stadium funding.

That could open the door to Tampa Bay to join the MLS as soon as the 2018 season or at the latest the 2020 campaign. At present, Major League Soccer has announced plans to expand to 28 teams, with the fee for new entrants jumping from $10 million to $150 million in a decade.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber set a deadline of Jan. 31, 2017 for interested potential owners or ownership groups to apply. So, in a little over a year from today if the Tampa Bay Rowdies want to be in the MLS they will have file the papers, have their financing in place and the stadium renovation at Al Lang set.

MLS is constantly expanding with Atlanta United FC and Minnesota United FC taking the competition to 22 teams when the new season begins in March.

One sticking point could be Orlando City SC, the popular MLS franchise, has the exclusive MLS rights over Tampa Bay. While, any discussion of a new MLS franchise would have to include Orlando City, it not clear they would attempt at blocking the Rowdies entrance to the league.

The league has had two franchises in the same city so while Orlando City could be involved in possible conversations. Their goal is to get a piece of what is likely to be an entry fee of between $100 and $150 million.

If all goes well Tampa Bay could have a great rivalry with Orlando FC and restore the Rowdies to the top U. S. soccer league, where frankly they belong. The first step in the process has begun as Tampa Bay is leaving the North American Soccer League, the countries third division and moving up to the United Soccer League where they will play in 2017.

The Tampa Bay Rowdies push to join the MLS is being driven by their owner Bill Edwards, who carries the impressive title of Chairman, Chief Executive Officer & Governor. The move to the MLS includes, a reported $80 million in renovations to the club’s Al Lang Stadium, which overlooks the bay and would be one of the most beautiful stadiums in the entire MLS.

“We are committed to expanding the world’s game right here in downtown St. Petersburg, and we feel strongly that joining Major League Soccer is the next logical step,” Edwards said in a club statement. “We have met with MLS executives, including Commissioner Don Garber, and it is clear that they are looking at cities that have demonstrated their support for soccer via season ticket memberships, single game ticket sales and sponsorships.”

Edwards’ focus, for the moment is the all-important process of building up the team’s season ticket numbers. The Tampa Bay Rowdies ranked third in the NASL this year with an average attendance of 5,878, but only had 3,600 season ticket holders. In a joint effort to boost season ticket sales and spread support of their MLS push, the Rowdies are asking fans to utilize the hashtag #MLS2StPete on social media.

“Major League Soccer is watched all over the world,” Edwards added. “This move will bring national and international exposure to St. Petersburg, while also boosting tourism in the area. Bringing Major League Soccer to St. Petersburg will be a great economic driver for the entire region, and will serve as another platform to unify fans on both sides of the bay.”‘

The reaction thus far from the MLS has been muted as one might expect since there has not been any formal application for membership in the league filed.

“Major League Soccer has met with Bill Edwards and is aware of the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ campaign to bring an MLS expansion team to the Tampa/St. Petersburg market. There is a rich tradition of professional soccer in the area dating back more than 40 years, and we are impressed with their vision and plans for a world-class soccer stadium on the downtown waterfront in St. Petersburg. We look forward to learning more about their plans in the coming months.”

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http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/baybuzz/spring-referendum-for-rowdies-mls-bid/2307333

Spring referendum for Rowdies MLS bid?

Charlie Frago

Friday, December 23, 2016 1:33pm

The Tampa Bay Rowdies want to make the jump to Major League Soccer.

And Darden Rice is ready to help. The St. Petersburg City Council chairwoman has scheduled a Jan. 5 meeting to discuss scheduling a spring referendum that would authorize the city to negotiate a 20-year or more lease agreement with Rowdies owner Bill Edwards for the waterfront Al Lang Stadium.

Edwards current lease for Al Lang expires in 2018. The proposed new lease would be contingent on the Rowdies being selected as an MLS expansion team.

If council agrees, the referendum would take place in late April or early May. Edwards will reimburse the city for the estimated $250,000 cost of administering the special election, Rice said.

And reminiscent of former St. Petersburg franchise dramas (St. Pete Rays, anyone?), the possibility might emerge for the Sunshine City to have a franchise named after itself, not a body of water.

"An intriguing thought for the council to think about ---stipulate the team be named for St. Pete," Rice said Friday.

Notice requirements for nearby property owners means that council wouldn't formally consider the referendum until February.

Earlier this month, Edwards announced his intention to vault the Rowdies into American soccer's premier league. Last year, a similar referendum had been contemplated before being scuttled after Orlando City FC asserted its rights to Tampa Bay's market.

Orlando City didn't respond this week to a request for comment about if it would be willing to give up those rights and for what price.

Earlier this month, MLS Commissioner Don Garber announced an expansion fee of $150 million for each of two franchises  selected to begin play by 2020. The league eventually plans to expand to 28 teams.

So far, prospective owners in 9 other cities have shown public interest: Charlotte, Cincinnati, Detroit, Nashville, Raleigh/Durham, Sacramento, St. Louis, San Antonio and San Diego.

Interested parties must submit applications by Jan. 31, 2017, according to an MLS news release earlier this month.

Rice said she understands the MLS will decide on its expansion picks by spring, one reason for the expedited schedule for the referendum.

Landing an MLS franchise would be a big plus for the city, said Rice, a longtime Rowdies season ticket holder and self-described "serious fan."

""For St. Pete to land an MLS soccer team is huge. It is undoubtedly positive for our city. Improving the run down Al Lang Stadium for better use is in line with the Downtown Waterfront Master Plan that the community has poured over and discussed. We heard the exciting announcement weeks ago that the Rowdies were seeking MLS status. This referendum would authorize the city to negotiate a longer lease at Al Lang. Then council would still have discretion to discuss and approve that. And all of this is contingent strictly upon Edwards getting an MLS agreement. It absolutely would not extend to a lease extension for anything else.  This is a great opportunity," she said in a text message to the Times.

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http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/jose-de-jesus-ortiz/ortiz-st-louis-doesn-t-need-an-mls-team-to/article_d0a338cd-f92d-5716-9c12-da8b23559264.html

Ortiz: St. Louis doesn't need an MLS team to be a 'major league' town

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http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2016/12/27/breaking-orlando-city-soccers-phil-rawlins-steps.html

Breaking: Orlando City Soccer's Phil Rawlins steps down from day-to-day operations

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http://www.wmfe.org/phil-rawlins-steps-down-as-president-of-orlando-city-sc/67834

Phil Rawlins Steps Down As President Of Orlando City SC

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http://ussoccerplayers.com/2016/12/territory-in-mls-soccer-news.html

Territory in MLS

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http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/2016/12/15/rumors-swirl-future-nasl-indy-eleven-remains-unclear/95476594/

US Soccer delays decision on NASL, USL 'through end of the year'

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http://www.stltoday.com/online/rams-leave-mls-is-courted/article_bcf39a95-8375-5ceb-a32c-d332010a2dfb.html

Rams leave; MLS is courted

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http://www.indomitablecitysoccer.com/2016/12/23/14067834/okc-energy-playing-the-long-game-with-regards-to-mls

OKC Energy playing the long game with regards to MLS

OKC’s USL club is bullish on MLS aspirations in the long term, but pragmatic about the work yet to be done.

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http://www.themaneland.com/2016/12/24/14056202/top-10-moments-of-2016-don-garber-watches-as-seat-installation-begins-at-orlando-citys-new-stadium

Top 10 Moments of 2016: Don Garber Watches as Seat Installation Begins at Orlando City’s New Stadium

In our No. 8 “moment” of the year, the Lions hosted MLS Commissioner Don Garber to witness the installation of the first seats in the new stadium.

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http://kokomoperspective.com/nixon-on-public-stadium-spending-it-s-the-price-of/article_cc11761f-7561-5709-ab50-f15444e824d2.html

Nixon on public stadium spending: "It's the price of doing business"

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http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/columns/tony-messenger/messenger-gov-jay-nixon-s-last-stand-does-st-louis/article_fbb5164f-4531-5095-846e-922866025ea8.html

Messenger: Gov. Jay Nixon's last stand: Does St. Louis want to be Major League, or not?

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http://en.as.com/en/2016/12/20/football/1482230739_167787.html

Griezmann: "I'd love to play for Beckham's team in Miami"

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http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/antoine-griezmann-admits-united-states-9489964

Antoine Griezmann admits United States interest and desire to play for David Beckham's Miami team

The French ace is already thinking about life in the future, and is intrigued by life in the United States

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http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11838/10703122/antoine-griezmann-wants-to-join-david-beckham8217s-proposed-mls-team-in-miami

Antoine Griezmann wants to join David Beckham’s proposed MLS team in Miami

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http://www.calciomercato.com/en/news/manchester-united-target-griezmann-expresses-desire-to-play-in-t-38408

Manchester United target Griezmann expresses desire to play in the MLS

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http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/antoine-griezmann-wants-play-u-s-david-beckhams-team-one-day-122016

Antoine Griezmann wants to play in U.S. for David Beckham’s team one day

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http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/antoine-griezmann-mls-miami-david-beckham-122016

Antoine Griezmann eyes a future in MLS, with David Beckham in Miami

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http://www.sport-english.com/en/news/laliga/antoine-griezmann-wanting-play-for-beckhams-miami-team-5702930

Antoine Griezmann on wanting to play for Beckham's Miami team

Griezmann also joked about playing with Usain Bolt, the sprinter who has never hidden his enjoyment of football

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http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/antoine-griezmann-visits-nba-stars-9506095

Antoine Griezmann visits NBA stars in New York days after revealing desire to play in MLS

The Frenchman is keen to link up with David Beckham and his new franchise and has made a trip to the Big Apple

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http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/michelle-kaufman/article122773314.html

Here’s what soccer fans want for Christmas...

Finally, for South Florida soccer fans: An ownership group that can keep the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers afloat. Another great season for Miami FC, a club that did far better — on the field and in the stands — than anybody predicted. And, once and for all, a resolution on David Beckham’s seemingly never-ending quest to bring an MLS team here. In February, it will be three years since the British icon showed up in town with his plan. He was met with VIP parties and much fanfare. Fans here are still waiting while new teams are starting up in Atlanta and Minneapolis in 2017, and in Los Angeles in 2018. Will Beckham and his partners close the Miami deal? Or not? We need to know.

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http://flbusinessdaily.com/stories/511062312-two-veteran-players-return-to-rowdies-2017-roster

Two veteran players return to Rowdies' 2017 roster

Two veteran members of the Tampa Bay Rowdies pro soccer team have just been renewed for the 2017 season, according to a Dec. 21 announcement from the team.

In re-signing defender Tamika Mkandawire and goalkeeper Matt Pickens, the team has 10 players with a combined 24 years of experience with the club.

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http://www.postbulletin.com/sports/localsports/local-sports-notebook-pro-soccer-returning-to-rochester/article_121d38ad-321a-5c4f-a936-1f5bd791afec.html

Local sports notebook: Pro soccer returning to Rochester

Professional soccer is returning to Rochester for the first time since the Rochester Thunder folded in 2010.

The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) announced recently that Rochester has been granted a franchise — the Med City FC.

The Med City FC will play in the Midwest Region's North Conference.

"Minnesota has quickly become a stronghold of the NPSL," NPSL chairman Joe Barone said in a news release. "We are excited to gain new fans and supporters throughout the state. We're expecting big things from Med City FC and all of our teams there. This is another big day for American soccer."

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http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/teams/redbulls2.php?article_id=46717

THE YEAR'S BEST -- NO. 7

Red Bulls II shows how bullish they really are by winning regular-season crown and USL Cup

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http://www.firstcoastnews.com/sports/soccer/armada-fc/decision-on-future-of-jacksonville-armadas-league-on-hold/377254394

Decision on future of Jacksonville Armada's league on hold

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http://www.rhinossoccer.com/news_article/show/737477?referrer_id=2442447

2016 Rochester Rhinos Year in Review

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http://saintpetersblog.com/rowdies-re-sign-tampa-bays-darnell-king-contract/

Rowdies re-sign Tampa Bay’s own Darnell King to contract

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http://www.espnfc.us/major-league-soccer/story/3023545/missouri-governor-elect-calls-st-louis-mls-stadium-plan-welfare-for-millionaires

St. Louis MLS stadium plan 'welfare for millionaires' - Missouri governor-elect

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http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/3024020/st-louis-mls-group-postpones-meeting-over-stadium-funding-plan

St. Louis MLS group postpones meeting over stadium funding plan

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http://reason.com/blog/2016/12/20/missouris-governor-elect-is-that-rare-po

Missouri's Governor-Elect Is That Rare Politician Against Publicly Funded Stadiums

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http://mlsmultiplex.com/2016/12/20/mls-antoine-griezmann-future/

Is Major League Soccer in Antoine Griezmann’s Future?

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http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4735168-155/mls-group-postpones-meeting-over-st

MLS: Group postpones meeting over St. Louis soccer stadium plan

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http://themissouritimes.com/36364/mls-stadium-vote-cancelled-investors-greitens-criticism/

MLS stadium vote cancelled by investors after Greitens’ criticism

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http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/teams/cosmos2.php?article_id=46700

MOVING ON

Cosmos assistant coach Llamosa joins Revs

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http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/sports/2016/12/21/1220-mls-st-louis.html

Soccer | Opposition to stadium proposal slows plan to expand MLS to St. Louis

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http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2016/12/20/greitens-opposition-could-doom-mls-stadium.html

Greitens’ opposition could doom MLS stadium, ownership group says

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http://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2016/12/20/this-first-of-its-kind-standing-room-only-section-at-orlando-citys-new-stadium-will-be-insane

This standing-room only section at Orlando City's new stadium will be insane

Posted By Colin Wolf on Tue, Dec 20, 2016 at 12:06 PM

Orlando City released an image a few days ago of "The Wall," a new massive standing-room only section that will be the first of its kind in any Major League Soccer stadium.

This incredibly steep section is modeled after Borussia Dortmund's Yellow Wall in Germany, which, as you can see in the video below, is absolutely nuts.

So far, the new $155 million stadium is well underway. The first patches of sod were actually planted today.

The stadium is expected to be completed by March of 2017.

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http://www.stltoday.com/sports/shooting-down-the-soccer-stadium/article_e41270e1-ebf7-598b-a364-bf5c7ecd9c9b.html

Shooting down the soccer stadium?

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http://www.fox35orlando.com/sports/orlando-city-soccer-club/224756191-story

Grass installation begins at Orlando City soccer stadium

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http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2016/12/20/businessman-john-ingram-lead-nashvilles-major-league-soccer-bid/95654904/

Businessman John Ingram to lead Nashville’s Major League Soccer bid

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http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/gov--elect-greitens-calls-public-money-for-st-louis/article_f0de564d-0d10-53cc-81f4-4a4b8ee446b6.html

Gov.-elect Greitens calls public money for St. Louis soccer stadium 'welfare for millionaires'

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http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/3024368/john-r-ingram-confirmed-as-lead-investor-for-nashvilles-mls-franchise-bid

John R. Ingram confirmed as lead investor for Nashville's MLS bid

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http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2016/12/21/john-ingram-throws-financial-weight-behind.html

John Ingram throws financial weight behind Nashville’s pro-soccer push

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http://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/mls-expansion-how-big-too-big

How big is too big for MLS' growth?

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http://www.nashvillepost.com/sports/sports-business/blog/20847429/ingram-will-be-lead-owner-for-citys-mls-bid

Ingram will be lead owner for city's MLS bid

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http://ussoccerplayers.com/2016/12/does-the-bundesliga-or-mls-do-a-better-job-with-the-schedule-soccer.html

Does the Bundesliga or MLS do a better job with the schedule?

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http://www.bigdsoccer.com/2016/12/21/14038336/promotion-relegation-mls-debate

Why I’m grateful we don’t have Promotion and Relegation in MLS

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http://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/nixon-says-state-tax-credits-are-needed-to-clear-st/article_d29262b3-360a-592c-9e4f-3fc6112f1c52.html

Nixon says state tax credits are ideal to clear St. Louis site, with or without a soccer stadium

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http://www.sportspromedia.com/notes_and_insights/americas_bulletin_nba_keeps_the_peace_chargers_weigh_la_move_mls_expansion

Americas Bulletin: NBA keeps the peace; Chargers weigh LA move; MLS expansion plans and more

Elsewhere, Major League Soccer (MLS) has outlined the timeline and terms for its next round of expansion as it continues its push to 28 franchises. Commissioner Don Garber revealed on Thursday that the league’s 25th and 26th teams will begin play in 2020 and will be required to pay US$150 million each for the privilege while two more sides will be added at a later date for an as-yet-undetermined fee. Interested parties have been given a 31st January deadline to submit applications, with a series of in-person meetings set to take place during the first half of 2017.

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http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/mls-expansion-prospective-cities-bids-28-teams

MLS expansion: An in-depth look at the many bids for the league's next four clubs

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http://www.austinchronicle.com/sports/2016-12-23/soccer-watch/

Soccer Watch

By Nick Barbaro, Fri., Dec. 23, 2016

If you have enough interest in soccer that you're reading this column, then you've probably seen a pitch to "participate in a survey about bringing Major League Soccer to Austin." It's being promoted by various local business groups, and it's for real: As the survey introduction states, "Major League Soccer has retained Barrett Sports Group LLC, a nationally recognized sports management consulting firm, to evaluate the potential demand and support for an MLS team in Austin, Texas. As you may know, MLS is currently evaluating a number of potential MLS markets."

By all means, you should participate; the questions ask about stadium location and amenities in some detail, as well as about your personal likelihood to watch, attend, or purchase season tickets or luxury boxes. But lest you get your hopes too high, you should also be aware that last week, MLS Commissioner Don Garber announced some details of its next round of expansion – from 24 teams to 28 in the early 2020s – and Austin is not on his list of 10 cities currently considered front-runners.

Just four years ago, Austin was on the short list of a half-dozen cities being considered for the expansion from 20 teams to 24, but we've slid off the table since then, as there's been no apparent progress toward a viable stadium plan. (The Barrett survey assumes that "a new state-of-the-art soccer stadium is constructed" and offers four intriguing specific location options: "near Mueller development," "near the Domain," "near Circuit of the Americas," and "near Travis County Expo Center.") The buy-in fee is $150 million, apart from the stadium cost, and the proposal deadline is Jan. 31, 2017 – somebody better get cracking! See the survey at barrettsports.az1.qualtrics.com.

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http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2016/12/22/mls-in-austin-league-gauging-interest-but-other.html

MLS in Austin? League gauging interest, but other cities lead expansion list

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http://soccer.nbcsports.com/2016/12/21/mls-expansion-group-postpones-meeting-over-stl-soccer-stadium/

MLS expansion: Group postpones meeting over STL soccer stadium

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http://www.bondbuyer.com/news/regionalnews/state-subsidies-stalled-for-st-louis-soccer-1120948-1.html

State Subsidies Stalled for St. Louis Soccer

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http://newsok.com/article/5531815

OKC Energy ownership will not apply for next month's MLS expansion bid

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http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/12/22/nashville-businessman-john-ingram-lead-mls-expansion-bid

Nashville businessman John Ingram to lead MLS expansion bid

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http://ussoccerplayers.com/2016/12/the-limits-of-the-mls-homegrown-system-major-league-soccer.html

The limits of the MLS Homegrown system

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http://www.wave3.com/story/34118912/louisville-city-fc-talks-new-stadium-mls-expansion

Louisville City FC talks new stadium, MLS expansion

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http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/sports/2016/12/23/bob-hunters-rumblings-column-crew-might-object-to-mls-team-in-cincinnati.html

Rumblings | Crew might object to MLS team in Cincinnati

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http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2016/12/22/7-things-that-need-to-happen-before-st-louis-is.html

7 things that need to happen before St. Louis is awarded an MLS team

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https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/dec/22/city-of-angels-mls-soccer-sting-joe-sumner

Why Sting’s son has gone in search of the new Messi to launch City of Angels FC

Joe Sumner, a Newcastle fan, and Evertonian PJ Harrison are aiming to make American soccer more blue collar with their new club in California

It went largely unnoticed but something unusual occurred this week: two Englishmen became owners of a foreign football club. It is their creation too. The licence has been granted, a long-term business plan and proof of funding vetted and now City of Angels FC – the latest addition to the growing football scene in Los Angeles – has until the start of the National Premier Soccer League season in March to finalise terms on a stadium, appoint a director of football and construct its first team. No one ever said it was going to be easy.

City of Angels FC is the brainchild of PJ Harrison, an Evertonian from St Helens, and Joe Sumner, a Newcastle United fan from London, two LA-based friends who met through the entertainment industry. Harrison is a creative director who has worked with Lauryn Hill while Sumner is a musician and app developer. His father is Sting, hence the Newcastle allegiance and a refusal “to succumb to Spurs or Arsenal” while growing up in north London.

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http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/how-geordie-singer-stings-son-12359008

How Geordie singer Sting's son wants to make a new Newcastle United in the USA

Joe Sumner, founder of America's newest football club, hopes its fans will love it with the passion he feels for the Toon

Joe Sumner, son of world-famous Geordie musician Sting , has always been an NUFC fan, but now his footballing allegiance is being pulled away from the Toon.

That’s because Joe has recently become the co-founder of America’s newest football club — City of Angels FC, based in Los Angeles.

And he hopes the club’s new fans will feel as strongly about their team as he always has about Newcastle .

Now all musician Joe and pal PJ Harrison, an Everton fan from St Helens, have to do is finalise their stadium, appoint a director of football and get their first team together.

The team will start at the bottom of the National Premier Soccer League (NSPL), the fourth-tier in US ‘soccer’.

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http://midfieldpress.com/2016/12/22/tulsa-athletics-prove-an-npsl-team-can-thrive-with-usl-in-town/

Tulsa Athletics Prove An NPSL Team Can Thrive With USL In Town

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http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/teams/cosmos2.php?article_id=46706

DANNY'S A DELTA

Ex-Cosmos midfielder Szetela signs with NASL expansion team San Francisco

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http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/us/mnt.php?article_id=46705

DEEP INTO EXTRATIME

Still no decision on D2 sanctioning for NASL or USL

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http://www.fccincinnati.com/news_article/show/736935

An End of Year Thank You and Update

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http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2016/12/21/mls-expansion-sacramento-republic

MLS expansion city profile: Sacramento

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http://backpagefootball.com/how-to-build-a-soccer-franchise-an-interview-with-charlotte-independence-coo-michael-behrman/112880/

Interview – How to build a franchise, with Charlotte Independence COO Michael Behrman

December 21st, 2016 by Sean Maslin

It is the dream of pretty much every football fan to own or operate their own team.

The opportunity to build a team, a culture, and to scout and sign players is something that countless football fans spend hours upon hours doing from electronically from the comfort of their own home.

But what is it like to build a real team and watch that product grow?

I had a chance to speak with Michael Behrman, the Chief Operating Officer of the Charlotte Independence of the United Soccer League on the challenges of building a franchise from the ground up.

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http://saintpetersblog.com/rowdies-latest-re-signings-include-mikandawire-pickens-17/

Rowdies latest re-signings include Tamika Mikandawire, Matt Pickens for ’17

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http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/736801?referrer_id=2364194-news-archive

Heart of Rowdies’ Defense Stays Intact

Goalkeeper Pickens, defensive captain Mkandawire return for 2017 season

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http://www.miamiherald.com/entertainment/celebrities/article122238399.html

Florida editorial roundup

Recent editorials from Florida newspapers:

Dec. 17

The Miami Herald on Major League Soccer possibly expanding to Miami:

It's nearing fish-or-cut-bait time for David Beckman's Major League Soccer hopes for a Miami team. Yes, it's still kicking around, almost three years after the celebrity soccer star arrived in Miami with much fanfare to announce he would privately build a new stadium for the brand new team.

The announcement made worldwide news back in February 2014. However, where to build the stadium has been a continuing series of disappointments, not to mention stops and starts.

First, Mr. Beckman desperately wanted a waterfront stadium on Biscayne Bay. Unfortunately, the downtown Miami site he coveted was adjacent to the Royal Caribbean Cruises' headquarters. The cruise line balked, and Mr. Beckman and his investors were shooed away from their dream spot.

Since then, the project has bounced around the county like a nomad.

Last week, the head of Major League Soccer gently, but firmly, gave the Beckham team of investors an ultimatum: Seal the deal, or move on.

As painful as that might be, it's wise advice.

"Everybody needs to understand, including David and his partners, that we've worked hard, and it's time for us to reach a conclusion," Don Garber said of the proposed Miami team during a conference call with reporters to discuss the 20-team league's future expansion.

Many in Miami-Dade, including private-sector parties, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez, Miami-Dade and School Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, at different times have stepped up to try to find a suitable home for Mr. Beckham's stadium.

It's obvious the league really wants a Miami franchise. With our large Latin American and Caribbean population, it rightly sees the team as a gateway to drawing hardcore international fans.

Mr. Beckham also wants the team in Miami. He is a wonderful fan of the area and has made it clear he's not interested in other cities.

But time is no longer on Mr. Beckham's side.

He and his partners appear to be taking a long time in coming up with what they believe is the perfect group of investors for the $150 million stadium, and they are still negotiating for that final piece of county-owned land.

Earlier this year, Mr. Beckham's ownership group paid $19 million for six acres of private land in Overtown, the bulk of what's needed for a 25,000-seat stadium.

But the group, Miami Beckham United, still needs three acres of adjoining land owned by Miami-Dade County.

The county is ready to sell, but Mr. Beckham's representatives have delayed negotiations over what they say is a need for more investors in the MLS deal.

After waiting more than 30 months, it's hard to say the league has not bent over backwards, but at some point in the not-too-distant future, it will move on without Miami if a deal can't get done. That would be a shame.

Mr. Beckham should impose a deadline on his own project. And here's why: When projects like this go on too long without culmination, they acquire a sense of desperation, a bad karma, one that could tarnish the very cool component Mr. Beckham's participation brought to the project.

A deadline should be set and, if not met, maybe we sadly say goodbye to our MLS expansion team — and the charming Mr. Beckham.

We hope, however, it won't come to that.

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http://www.heraldtribune.com/sports/20161219/girls-soccer-virgilio-guy-at-lakewood-ranch

GIRLS SOCCER: Virgilio the guy at Lakewood Ranch

Virgilio started playing soccer when he was 6 years old. He came to the United States with his family in 1973, when he was 16. "My parents brought me here for better opportunities," he said. "I felt like they sacrificed a lot for me."

The Tampa area was a good destination for soccer players in the 1970s. University of South Florida had fielded a men's team since 1965 and the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the North American Soccer League routinely drew 20,000 fans to Tampa Stadium. The Rowdies won the league title during their first season in 1975.

Virgilio took full advantage, playing for the Bulls from 1977-81 before trying out for the Rowdies. The timing, however, wasn't so great, as the NASL was in decline from its late-70s heyday.

"The league was kind of going under. There was no money," Virgilio said.

Though he didn't make the team, Virgilio received some sage advice from Rowdies manager Eddie Firmani, a native of South Africa who competed internationally for Italy.

"Coach looked at me and he told me, 'Son, this league is not going anywhere,' " Virgilio said. " 'You need to go to work.' "

Firmani proved prophetic - the NASL folded in 1984. So Virgilio transitioned into coaching, and after working with local club teams for five years, became Lakewood Ranch's first, and thus far only, coach of the girls team. Under Virgilio, who also served as an assistant at Southeast High in 1991, the Mustangs have won 12 district championships while making three trips to the state final four.

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http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/736407

Rowdies Midfield Duo of Chavez, Savage Returns

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http://midfieldpress.com/2016/12/20/dayton-dynamo-look-to-tap-into-ohios-soccer-renaissance-with-downtown-stadium-move/

Dayton Dynamo Look To Tap Into Ohio's Soccer Renaissance With Downtown Stadium Move

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http://ussoccerplayers.com/2016/12/changing-mls-for-the-better-major-league-soccer.html

Changing MLS for the better

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http://www.empireofsoccer.com/sources-deltas-looking-to-add-former-cosmos-mid-szetela-56463/

Sources: Deltas looking to add former Cosmos mid Szetela

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http://www.newyorkredbulls.com/post/2016/12/19/mls-commissioner-don-garber-becomes-nyrb-ii-s-first-season-ticket-holder-0

MLS Commissioner Don Garber Becomes NYRB II’s First Season Ticket Holder