City's Bid For Major League Soccer Moving Fast - Some Say Too Fast

(Follow link for full article.)

http://wfae.org/post/citys-bid-major-league-soccer-moving-fast-some-say-too-fast

City's Bid For Major League Soccer Moving Fast - Some Say Too Fast

A proposal to bring Major League Soccer to Charlotte is moving quickly toward a Jan. 31 deadline set by the league. Both the Mecklenburg County Commission and the Charlotte City Council could vote on a stadium plan this week. But some officials think that's too fast.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/why-nasl-mls-over-saturate-southern-california-pro-soccer-market

How NASL, MLS could over-saturate Southern California pro soccer market

The NASL is reportedly considering expansion to Orange County and San Diego , the latter of which is also courts an MLS franchise. There may not be enough fans to go around for NASL.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://fox2now.com/2017/01/24/deadline-for-mls-stadium-proposal-on-april-ballot-today/

Deadline for MLS stadium proposal on April ballot today

ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI)-It appears that the plan for the city to help fund a new major league soccer stadium downtown won`t make today`s deadline to get on the April 4th ballot. The MLS funding proposal could still get on the ballot but it would need a judge`s approval.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.wcnc.com/sports/soccer/meck-bocc-hears-from-public-on-mls/392180090

Meck BOCC hears from public on MLS

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Mecklenburg County Commissioners heard from the public Tuesday about a proposal to bid on a Major League Soccer franchise and build a new stadium.

There are 10 cities on the list for two spots.

"But we're convinced they want to locate one in the Southeast," said Charlotte Deputy City Manager Ron Kimble. "Which makes our competition pretty stiff."

Those four are Charlotte, of course, Raleigh, Nashville and Tampa. One of the reasons for the city and county's interest: the continued growth of youth soccer in town like at Soccer Shots, a club for 2 to 8-year-olds.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2017/01/24/san-diego-group-unveils-mls-plans-as-stadium-bill.html

San Diego group unveils MLS plans as stadium bill stalls in St. Louis

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article128505129.html
    
If you fund Major League Soccer deal, brace for what's next

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.fox46charlotte.com/news/local-news/231507395-story

City listens to public on possible MLS team

CHARLOTTE, NC (FOX 46) - It was a packed public hearing Tuesday afternoon over the possibility of a future major league soccer team in Charlotte. Tens of millions of taxpayer dollars is on the line as the Mecklenburg County commissioners face a one week deadline to submit a bid.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2017/01/24/david-beckham-returns-psg

David Beckham returns to PSG

David Beckham has returned to visit former club Paris Saint-Germain and meet up with many of his former team-mates.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://outside90.com/david-beckham-psg-is-my-home-209/

David Beckham: PSG is my home

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.rhinossoccer.com/news_article/show/749046

Rochester Rhinos, Capelli Sport Announce Major Partnership

Deal Features Stadium Naming Rights, Capelli Becomes Official Uniform Supplier

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Rochester Rhinos and Capelli Sport, an innovative sportswear and team-wear brand, announced today a major corporate partnership that will align the two brands to enhance the sport of soccer in Rochester and throughout the greater Upstate New York region.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/2017/1/24/14366908/the-daily-dirt-january-24-expansion-jockeying

The Daily Dirt, January 24: Expansion jockeying

Who will be teams 25-28 in MLS?

With the MLS deadline for expansion bids coming up next week, cities are jockeying for position for teams 25-28. This morning, I’ll have Ashley Mahoney of the Charlotte Post and Queen City Football Chronicle on Soccer Down Here Daily to talk about her city’s efforts on the stadium front.

Here’s a snapshot of some of the other cities in the mix:

Tampa Bay: Bill Edwards, owner of the Rowdies, has been very aggressive in chasing after MLS since he announced his intentions. They have a unique stadium option in Al Lang Stadium, a former baseball stadium on the waterfront in St. Petersburg.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.soccernation.com/san-diego-mls-stadium-update/

San Diego MLS Stadium Update

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.themaneland.com/2017/1/23/14343350/was-american-soccer-ahead-of-its-time

Was American Soccer Ahead of Its Time?

FIFA’s suggested new shootout rule is very similar to what was used in the 1980s in American soccer.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.thecharlottepost.com/news/2017/01/24/qcfc/pros-and-cons-of-major-league-soccer-stadium-debated/

Pros and cons of Major League Soccer stadium debated

Passions for and against at public hearing

Charlotteans care about soccer. But, do they care enough for Mecklenburg County to spend $43.75 million to help build a stadium?

On Jan. 31, the Major League Soccer expansion deadline closes. Prior to voting on approving its portion of a private-public collaboration, the county held a public hearing where 40 people signed up to speak for and against the endeavor.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2017/01/24/31929862/is-an-mls-bidding-war-in-la-for-chicharito-looming

Is an MLS bidding war in LA for Chicharito looming?

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/749190 

Battery Announce Partnerships with PDL Clubs

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery announced on Tuesday the club had agreed to formal partnerships with three Premier Development League clubs for the 2017 season, creating a new path for the top players in the amateur ranks to the professional level.

The Battery have partnered with the Myrtle Beach Mutiny, Tri-Cities Otters, and South Georgia Tormenta FC, all of which compete in the PDL’s South Atlantic Division. The Battery had informal partnerships with PDL clubs in the past, but the club’s front office staff viewed the news of the USL’s provisional Division 2 sanctioning in the U.S. Soccer structure as an opportunity to expand on the agreements.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/freddy-adu-trial-portland-timbers-might-able-use-012417

Freddy Adu is on trial with the Portland Timbers, who might be able to use him

Freddy Adu – the former American prodigy who was once hyped as the next Pele – has been bouncing around for the better part of a decade looking for a club where he can reach his potential.

Now, the 27-year-old is on the move again and vying for a spot with the Portland Timbers. Adu is reportedly set to take part in the Timbers preseason camp in Arizona as a trialist.

Whether it will work out is anyone’s guess. After all, lately he’s gotten more attention for his Twitter ads for vacuum cleaners and for frozen meals than his playing career. Adu had been with the Tampa Bay Rowdies, but he won’t return in 2017 since his contract expired, although it hasn’t been made clear whether that was his decision or the club’s. He’s played at 13 clubs in as many years and his stints have never lasted very long.

The Timbers, however, are in full re-build mode after a poor 2016 season and Caleb Porter, who coached Adu on the U.S.’s 2012 Olympic qualifying team, is going to look at every option.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.chicagonasl.com/

Chicago NASL

Chicago NASL is committed to bringing professional soccer back to the city of Chicago. The club is exploring both short-term and long-term stadium options to play inside Chicago’s city limits.

There is no team without its supporters. Chicago NASL aims to weave its fanbase into the fabric of the club through a unique supporter ownership and governance structure.

Chicago NASL is working now to establish grassroots partnerships with local cultural and sporting institutions to develop an inclusive and diverse club that reflects the great city of Chicago.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.indiansportsnews.com/football-news/international/43882-beckham-visits-former-teammates-at-psg

Beckham visits former teammates at PSG