US Soccer “war” temporary truce – how it impacts Florida

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 https://thefloridasqueeze.com/2017/01/07/us-soccer-war-temporary-truce-how-it-impacts-florida/

US Soccer “war” temporary truce – how it impacts Florida

January 7, 2017 · by Kartik Krishnaiyer · in Fort Lauderdale Strikers FC, Jacksonville Armada, Orlando City SC, Tampa Bay Rowdies

Tampa Bay Rowdies

The Rowdies controversial move from NASL to USL helped stimulate this crisis. Rowdies owner Bill Edwards is a controversial figure, but he has grown into the soccer business over the three years he has owned the club. Edwards has been able to turn the Rowdies who were weeks away from folding when he bought the club into one of the success stories in lower-division soccer. But his personality which grates on people and his take-no-prisoners attitude grated on many in NASL, a league who benefited directly from his loaning of money to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers over the course of 2016*.

Edwards launched #MLS2StPete in December, and as a club with a robust supporters base in the biggest exclusive D2 soccer market in the US with a downtown stadium, the club couldn’t be healthier. USL being granted provisional D2 status simply justifies Edwards’ move between the leagues. Ultimately few if any other clubs in American lower division soccer have the combination of the right market, right locale, fan base, willing owner and positive vibe that the Rowdies do currently. The Rowdies hyper-local marketing didn’t jive with the culture of NASL driven by the likes of the New York Cosmos, Fort Lauderdale Strikers and Miami FC to be a global player. But in lower-division soccer local trumps national and international and the Rowdies future appears brighter than ever.

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http://www.tampabay.com/sports/soccer/ex-rowdies-mutiny-coach-rongen-named-head-scout-for-us-mens-team/2308486

Ex-Rowdies, Mutiny coach Rongen named head scout for U.S. men's team

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http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2017/01/05/new-york-cosmos-future-nasl-ownership-rocco-commisso

New potential owner gives Cosmos hope for survival, but their fate is tied to NASL's

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http://www.wralsportsfan.com/ncfc-s-malik-discusses-nasl-sanctioning-odyssey-league-sfuture-plans/16411269/

NCFC's Malik discusses NASL sanctioning odyssey, league's future plans

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https://twitter.com/NYCosmos/status/817763369579118593

Official Club Statement Following USSF Provisional Sanctioning

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http://www.theunsubs.com/wp/2017/01/06/rowdies-fans-launch-petition-to-keep-tampa-bay-in-teams-name/2518

Rowdies Fans Launch Petition to Keep Tampa Bay in Team’s Name

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https://www.change.org/p/st-petersburg-city-council-keep-the-tampa-bay-rowdies-named-for-and-representing-the-tampa-bay-region?recruiter=660141674

Keep the Tampa Bay Rowdies named for and representing the "Tampa Bay" region

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https://www.facebook.com/Unusedsubspod/posts/711188845712498

The Unused Substitutes

Consider signing this petition started by Support Al Lang if you are against the idea of the Tampa Bay Rowdies changing their name to the St Pete Rowdies. Owner Bill Edwards has said he's not interested in the idea, but several members of the St. Pete City Council have suggested they explore the notion in negotiations with the team to extend their lease at Al Lang Stadium.

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http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/teams/cosmos2.php?article_id=46787

THEY WILL BE BACK

Cosmos confirm that they will return to NASL for 2017

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http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/columns/lewis.php?article_id=46788

OFFSIDE REMARKS

Cosmos must sprint to the starting line before they can embark on finishing their 2017 marathon

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http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/leagues/nasl2.php?article_id=46789

FOR SALE

NASL a prospective buyer for Jacksonville Armada

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http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/teams/cosmos2.php?article_id=46791

ALMOST THERE

Source: Commisso could take control of the Cosmos as early as this week

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http://www.thenutmegnews.com/current/2017/1/7/cosmos-ask-for-volunteer-players-who-are-willing-to-play-for-experience

Cosmos Ask For Volunteer Players Who Are Willing To Play For Experience

(humor)

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http://www.socceramerica.com/article/71883/compromise-nasl-and-usl-get-provisional-d2-status.html?edition=16654

Compromise: NASL and USL get provisional D2 status

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http://www.themaneland.com/2017/1/8/14207304/tampa-bay-rowdies-vs-vfl-wolfsburg-florida-cup-2017-final-score-2-0-as-wolfsburg-uses-early-goal

Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. VfL Wolfsburg, Florida Cup 2017: Final Score 2-0 as German Side Rides Early Goal

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http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/742425?referrer_id=2364194-news-archive

Hermann’s Double Leads Wolfsburg past Rowdies

First-half goals give Bundeliga side 2-0 victory in Florida Cup opener

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http://www.tampabay.com/sports/soccer/rowdies-fall-to-wolfsburg-in-florida-cup-exhibition-match/2308898

Rowdies fall to Wolfsburg in Florida Cup exhibition match

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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4095926/David-Beckham-running-time-plans-proposed-Major-League-Soccer-franchise-Miami.html

David Beckham running out of time to see plans through for proposed Major League Soccer franchise in Miami

    David Beckham hopes to launch Major League Soccer franchise in Miami
    However, former England captain is now running out of time to complete plans
    Beckham's aides accept the end of January will be the deadline for the MLS

By Charles Sale for the Daily Mail

Published: 17:40 EST, 6 January 2017 | Updated: 07:54 EST, 7 January 2017

David Beckham is fast running out of time to get his proposed Major League Soccer franchise off the ground in Miami, with the league officials having already granted him leeway in finalising long-delayed plans.

MLS commissioner Don Garber warned the Beckham group last month that the deadline for them to become the 24th team in the MLS was looming, without giving a specific date.

But the end of this month is now accepted by Beckham’s aides as the absolute cut-off for having a signed contract in place with new investors who will help fund the building of a stadium on land already purchased for the project in the Overtown area of Miami.

The talk in Miami is of how little Beckham has been seen in Florida of late. But that is seen as a strategic move, with Beckham not wanting to raise false hopes — after so many setbacks in the last three years over finding a stadium site — until there is concrete news to announce.

But despite leaving it so late, the ownership company Miami Beckham United are still confident of fielding an MLS side in 2018 at a temporary home before their new stadium is ready for the 2019 season.

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http://mlsmultiplex.com/2017/01/07/wayne-rooney-to-mls-scenario-has-multiple-options/

Wayne Rooney to MLS scenario has multiple options

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http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/man-utd-legend-david-beckham-struggling-to-get-miami-fc-franchise-together-4162919

Man Utd legend David Beckham struggling to get Miami FC franchise together

by Paul Vegas

Manchester United legend David Beckham is struggling to put his Miami FC MLS franchise together.

The Daily Mail says Beckham is fast running out of time to get his proposed Major League Soccer franchise off the ground in Miami, with the league officials having already granted him leeway in finalising long-delayed plans.

MLS commissioner Don Garber warned the Beckham group last month that the deadline for them to become the 24th team in the MLS was looming, without giving a specific date.

But the end of this month is now accepted by Beckham's aides as the absolute cut-off for having a signed contract in place with new investors who will help fund the building of a stadium on land already purchased for the project in the Overtown area of Miami.

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http://www.thejournal.ie/pulse-nightclub-tribute-3170943-Jan2017/

Orlando's soccer club dedicates part of stadium to Pulse nightclub victims

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http://insidestl.com/st-louis-stadium-bill-sponsor-doesnt-see-path-forward-for-mls-expansion-team/1984231

St. Louis stadium bill sponsor doesn’t “see path forward” for MLS expansion team

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http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article124734829.html

Charlotte’s Memorial Stadium would be demolished for Major League Soccer facility

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http://www.fox9.com/sports/227316553-story

Minnesota United bringing two former stars to MLS

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http://www.inquisitr.com/3857888/mls-in-st-louis-future-of-expansion-team-in-doubt-after-greitens-comments/

MLS In St. Louis: Future of Expansion Team In Doubt After Greiten's Comments

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http://fjmaduri.sportsblog.com/posts/31594588/st--louis-mls-expansion-hopes-hit-a-snag.html

St. Louis MLS Expansion Hopes Hit A Snag

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https://spectator.org/the-price-of-doing-business/

Free Market Accountability

The ‘Price’ of Doing Business

January 6, 2017, 12:05 am

A little bit of economics for politicos and crony capitalists.

As someone who ran his own business for many years, I am aware of the difference between cost and price, even if it is something that eludes many political leaders and more than a few businesspeople with their noses in the public trough.

Cost is the expense that a business incurs in making a product or performing a service. Price is the amount of money that a customer pays for the product or service. The difference between the two is the business’s profit or loss. In a competitive marketplace, profitability is the acid test that separates winners from losers.

In an article that appeared in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Dec. 24, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon spoke in favor of awarding $120 million in subsidies to a group of wealthy businessmen who want to build a brand-new stadium and bring a Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise to downtown Saint Louis.

“It’s the price of doing business,” Nixon said, adding: “Folks may want to anguish a little bit” over the ladling out of such a large sum of public money to underwrite a private venture but not to worry — because, “quite frankly,” this is a necessary and “cost-effective” way of putting a new business (the MLS franchise) on its feet.

The suggestion here is that the city of St. Louis and the state of Missouri must be willing to part with $120 million — that being the price demanded by the group of businessmen (with the enthusiastic support of MLS Commissioner Don Garber) — in order to have a good chance of landing the soccer franchise.

But wait a minute.

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http://www.socceramerica.com/article/71866/mls-moves-minnesota-reunites-superhero-duo.html

MLS Moves: Minnesota reunites superhero duo

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http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2017/01/05/closer-look-debating-charlottes-mls-stadium-pitch.html

Closer look: Debating Charlotte's MLS stadium pitch

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http://www.wbtv.com/story/34195045/charlottes-memorial-stadium-would-be-demolished-for-major-league-soccer-facility

Charlotte’s Memorial Stadium would be demolished for Major League Soccer facility

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http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/behind-headlines-bayer-monsanto-acquisition-mls-stadium-funding-and-scottrade-center-upgrades#stream/0

Behind the Headlines: Bayer-Monsanto acquisition, MLS stadium funding and Scottrade Center upgrades

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http://www.coloradohometownweekly.com/sports/ci_30708520/soccer-fc-boulder-set-embark-first-pdl-season

Soccer: FC Boulder set to embark on first PDL season this summer

Former Skyline High and CU star Nikki Marshall is the team's GM

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http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/01/06/las-vegas-city-council-votes-make-new-push-mls-team

Las Vegas city council votes to make new push for MLS team

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http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/2017/01/06/indy-elevens-league-survives-but-how-long/96271574/

Indy Eleven's league survives — but for how long?

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http://www.journalnow.com/news/state_region/charlotte-considers-offering-to-attract-major-league-soccer/article_8c412da0-2328-54e8-877f-239255d6f4c2.html

Charlotte considers offering to attract Major League Soccer

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http://www.charlotteobserver.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article125044054.html

Memorial Stadium is wrong place for Major League Soccer

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http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/01/07/chicharito-rumored-go-sale-mls-still-possibility

Chicharito rumored to go up for sale -- MLS still a possibility?Chicharito rumored to go up for sale -- MLS still a possibility?

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http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/leagues/npsl2.php?article_id=46793
   
NATIONAL PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE
   
CASTING A PAUL

Caligiuri named head coach NPSL's Orange County FC

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http://www.themaneland.com/2017/1/8/14199842/orlando-city-b-will-see-impact-of-usl-status-change

Orlando City B Will See Impact of USL Status Change

The U.S Soccer Federation’s decision to make USL a division two league will benefit Orlando City B.

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2017/01/08/heres-the-state-of-american-soccer-as-2017-begins/

Here’s the state of American soccer as 2017 begins

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http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/soccer/2017/01/06/report-wny-flash-sold-and-relocate-nc/96236206/

WNY Flash moving to North Carolina, report says

The Western New York Flash are on the brink of finalizing the sale of the team and relocating to Cary, North Carolina, according to a report.

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http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/leagues/nasl2.php?article_id=46778

TODAY IS D-DAY
 
U.S. Soccer expected to make a decision on Division 2 sanctioning for NASL, USL, determining Cosmos' fate

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http://www.whas11.com/sports/stadium-needed-for-long-term-success-of-soccer-in-louisville/383130312

Stadium needed for long-term success of soccer in Louisville

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http://www.newson6.com/story/34205126/united-soccer-league-granted-us-soccer-federation-provisional-division-ii-status

United Soccer League Granted U.S. Soccer Federation Provisional Division II Status

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http://www.dailycamera.com/sports/ci_30708520/soccer-fc-boulder-set-embark-first-pdl-season

Soccer: FC Boulder set to embark on first PDL season this summer

Former Skyline High and CU star Nikki Marshall is the team's GM

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http://www.wthr.com/article/ussf-gives-both-nasl-and-usl-provisional-division-ii-status

USSF gives both NASL and USL provisional Division II status

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https://www.kawowo.com/2017/01/07/usl-kalungis-league-us-elevated-division-two/

USL: Kalungi’s league in US elevated to Division Two

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http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/01/07/us-soccer-grants-provisional-division-ii-status-usl-nasl

US Soccer grants provisional Division II status to USL & NASL

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http://insiderlouisville.com/business/loucitys-soccer-league-granted-division-ii-status/

Louisville City FC’s soccer league granted Division II status

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http://www.ibj.com/articles/61963-indy-elevens-league-granted-extension-for-2017-season-by-soccers-governing-body

Indy Eleven's league granted extension for 2017 season by soccer's governing body

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http://www.kktv.com/content/sports/United-Soccer-League-Granted-US-Soccer-Federation-Provisional-Division-2-Status-409998035.html

United Soccer League Granted U.S. Soccer Federation Provisional Division 2 Status

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http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/usl-granted-provisional-division-status-by-u-s-soccer-federation/article_d9f8d9e2-e3fe-5bac-b3ae-8cb14cb29d69.html

USL granted provisional Division 2 status by U.S. Soccer Federation

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https://www.thestandard.co.zw/2017/01/08/doctrine-holy-trinity-fact-fallacy/

Grobbelaar extends Ottawa Fury deal

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http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/741882

USL Club Leaders Hail USSF Sanctioning Decision

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http://www.soundersfc.com/post/2017/01/07/us-soccer-grants-provisional-division-ii-status-usl-nasl

US Soccer grants provisional Division II status to USL & NASL

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http://staugustine.com/sports-local-sports/2017-01-08/nasl-armada-retain-us-soccer-second-level-status

NASL, Armada retain U.S. Soccer second-level status

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http://jacksonville.com/sports/2017-01-07/north-american-soccer-league-taking-over-armada

North American Soccer League taking over Armada

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http://www.newsday.com/sports/soccer/cosmos-say-they-will-return-to-nasl-this-year-1.12887131

Cosmos say they will return to NASL this year

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http://www.news4jax.com/sports/soccer/armada/nasl-takes-over-ownership-of-armada

NASL taking over ownership of Armada

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http://www.themaneland.com/2017/1/7/14193522/forever-a-lion-luke-boden-signs-with-tampa-bay-but-hell-always-be-remembered-in-orlando

Forever A Lion: Luke Boden Signs with Tampa Bay but He’ll Always be Remembered in Orlando

Defender Luke Boden’s time in Orlando may be over, but he will forever be remembered as a Lion.

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http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/55/cmain/2017/01/07/31252952/florida-cup-wolfsburg-trains-to-face-rowdies
    
Florida Cup: Wolfsburg trains to face Rowdies

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http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/741877?referrer_id=2364194-news-archive

Florida Cup Preview: Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. VfL Wolfsburg

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http://www.themaneland.com/2017/1/7/14197330/pawedcast-episode-73-interview-with-orlando-city-head-coach-jason-kreis

PawedCast Episode 73: Interview with Orlando City Head Coach Jason Kreis
We’re joined by the Lions’ boss for an interview about the club’s off-season doings and where exactly he’s been since the season ended.

0:12- Dave and I discuss the Will Johnson and PC signings, finally being satisfied with the club’s fullback situation, Stewart Kerr’s defection to the Vancouver Whitecaps, Luke Boden’s move to Tampa Bay, and more.

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http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/soccer/edmonton+back+business+with+nasl+division+designation/12664373/story.html

FC Edmonton back in business with NASL Division 2 designation

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http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/soccer/fc-cincinnati/2017/01/06/usl-granted-division-ii-status-us-soccer-federation/96275186/

USL granted Division II status by US Soccer Federation

Your professional soccer team is no longer third-tier, Cincinnati. At least for now.

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http://www.indomitablecitysoccer.com/2017/1/6/14194728/why-ussf-divisions-matter

Why USSF Divisions Matter

For every argument by a league executive that divisions are important, there are a thousand fans who say they aren’t. Here’s what you need to know.

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http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/741882?referrer_id=2364194-news-archive

USL Club Leaders Hail USSF Sanctioning Decision

Sacramento’s Smith, OKC’s Funk elated after league’s elevation to Division 2

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http://www.themaneland.com/2017/1/7/14197074/lion-links-1-7-17

Lion Links: 1/7/17

Orlando City signings, Boden to Tampa is official, Bradley has options, NWSL champs on the move and more.

Boden to Tampa Bay is Official

So long, Luke. We told you in yesterday’s Lion Links about Bodz ending up on the wrong end of I-4, but it became official on Friday. Boden was a class player and person for Orlando City since 2011 and he helped build the success that the Lions enjoyed over their time in the USL and grew up with the club as it advanced to the top flight. But after two seasons in MLS, the club declined Boden’s option and now he stays in the state while returning to the USL. It’s going to be weird having him line up on the other side for the I-4 Derby, but such is soccer. Our Scott Carnevale will look back at Boden’s time in Orlando later this morning.

We may not like Tampa Bay but at least Bodz is going to a team with ambition. The Rowdies have hired a couple of the guys who helped Orlando City get into MLS and they’ve got a plan for their stadium.

USL Gets Division II Status

It was a long wait, but the U.S. Soccer Federation has finally ruled on sanctioning. The USSF has elevated the USL to Division II status but, for now anyway, the NASL is also Division II. So when Orlando City B kicks off this season, it will be in the country’s second division rather than the third.

 "After an exhaustive process working with both leagues, in the best interest of the sport the U.S. Soccer Board of Directors has decided to grant provisional Division II status to the NASL and USL," said U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati. "U.S. Soccer will create an internal working group that will work with each league to set a pathway to meet the full requirements for Division II and allow for the larger goal of creating a sustainable future. We look forward to another productive year for professional soccer in this country."

It’s the perfect solution, really, because nobody is 100% happy.

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http://www.richmond.com/sports/professional/soccer/article_4c509c11-6b81-55dd-b9fc-968709ebb326.html

Kickers' league awarded provisional Division 2 status for 2017

The United Soccer League’s ambitious dreams acquired a new component — legitimacy — when the United States Soccer Federation voted late Friday night to assign provisional Division 2 status to USL and its primary rival, the North American Soccer League.

USL, the league in which the Richmond Kickers compete, has operated previously as a Division 3 entity. NASL has previously carried unconditional Division 2 status.

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http://mlsmultiplex.com/2017/01/07/usmnt-announces-a-new-friendly-match-for-february/

USMNT announces a new friendly match for February

USMNT will host a friendly match vs. Jamaica on February 3 in their first ever appearance in Chatanooga. The match will be Arena’s second in charge.

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http://jacksonville.com/armada-fc/2017-01-06/nasl-armada-retain-us-soccer-second-level-status

NASL, Armada retain U.S. Soccer second-level status

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http://newsok.com/ussf-awards-usl-and-nasl-provisional-division-ii-status/article/5533492

USSF awards USL and NASL provisional Division II status

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http://www.soccerwire.com/news/other/minor-leagues/split-us-soccer-grants-provisional-d2-status-to-both-nasl-usl-for-2017/?loc=mid-atlantic

Split! US Soccer grants provisional D2 status to NASL, USL for 2017

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http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/westernnews/MBU-s-Williams-set-to-move_85786

MBU’s Williams set to move

TUCKER, St James — Montego Bay United’s national striker Dino Williams could get a second chance at the North American Soccer League (NASL) as he is reported to be returning to the Indy XI during this transfer window.

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http://www.kduz.com/2017/01/06/united-gets-ramirez-and-ibarra-back/

United gets Ramirez and Ibarra back

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http://www.tampabay.com/sports/soccer/ex-rowdies-mutiny-coach-rongen-named-head-scout-for-us-mens-team/2308486

Ex-Rowdies, Mutiny coach Rongen named head scout for U.S. men's team

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http://www.forbes.com/sites/prishe/2017/01/05/sports-entertainment-tourism-in-missouri-will-suffer-without-adequate-public-financing-support/#1b38d2876b42

Sports, Entertainment Tourism In Missouri Will Suffer Without Adequate Public Financing Support

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http://sbisoccer.com/2017/01/nasl-parts-ways-with-bill-peterson

NASL parts ways with Bill Peterson

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http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/742742

USL Announces 2017 Conference Alignment

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http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/pro_soccer_coming_to_town/

Pro Soccer Coming To Town

The Nighthawks and the Ravens may have long since flown from New Haven, but now the Elm City Express is returning pro sports to town.

The Elm City Express is a new team joining the Atlantic Conference of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL).

The owner of the team — an offshoot of a team called Clube Atlético Tubarão that plays in Brazil — publicly announced the new New Haven squad Monday afternoon.

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https://soundcloud.com/user-190061117/north-americas-second-division-crisis-averted

North America's Second Division - Crisis Averted

The crisis in the second division of North American soccer is over - for now. Neil Morris, Kartik Krishnaiyer, Jonathan Tannenwald and Dave Martinez join Simon to analyse how the worst was averted and where the NASL and USL stand now

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http://saintpetersblog.com/others-see-tampa-bay-rowdies-silent-assassins-mls-expansion-race/

Others see Tampa Bay Rowdies as ‘silent assassins’ in MLS expansion race

Peter Schorsch

Among industry insiders, the Tampa Bay Rowdies are known as “silent assassins” in the race for the next Major League Soccer expansion team.

While the Rowdies are relative newcomers to the MLS expansion conversation, after formally throwing their hat in the ring December, Patrick Brennan of Cincinnati.com warns that it shouldn’t be misinterpreted as a “hurried and premature” MLS pitch.

The Rowdies’ announcement is a result of years of behind-the-scenes work and investment by both the team and owner Bill Edwards.

“At the end of the day, I think it’s hands down that we belong in MLS and probably ahead of a lot of the guys that are on the list,” Edwards told The Cincinnati Enquirer.

The Rowdies shouldn’t be dismissed easily in the MLS expansion race, Brennan says, and what’s happening on the St. Petersburg waterfront should come as a reminder to Futbol Club Cincinnati, Sacramento Republic FC and others involved in the expansion application process.

While each team is desperately fighting for the same prize, winners will eventually be “moneyed contenders with compelling pitches.” And the strongest parts of Edwards’ pitch are plans for a privately-funded, $80 million expansion of Al Lang Stadium, the iconic baseball field already transformed into a soccer venue that Brennan says is “essentially ready-made for the expansion, which would upgrade the facility and increase capacity from 7,200-plus to about 18,000.”

Edwards also believes the expanded site will be operational by 2019.

Al Lang is also several steps ahead of the game, with $4 million in newly remodeled soccer amenities such as upgraded locker rooms, an in-stadium production studio for match broadcast with up to 13 cameras available. Few baseball-specific features remain at the historic waterfront stadium.

“The biggest day of my life is when I took the batter’s eye out of that place,” Edwards joked. “Everything you could possibly imagine that you could do with that stadium, we did it.”

Remodeling has already brought the stadium up to international playing standards, Brennan writes.

Boosting the Rowdies’ chances is a new report from Missouri governor-elect Eric Greitens ruling out public funding for stadiums, which raise doubts about an expansion slot for St. Louis – one of nine other cities vying for an MLS team.

“We have a lot of people in this town that are very wealthy of their own right and I’m working on putting together a local group of people rather than going to Wall Street. Rather than going to other institutional people,” Edwards told The Enquirer. “Now, I’m not waving them off. I’ll take their money, but in the same instance, if we can put together all the money here, we will.

“The people we pick will be the best people we want to be in our league and in our team. You know, I’m not going to bring people in that I’m not going to get along with … I’m a shoot-from-the-hip kind of guy that gets things done.”

“Then again, this is a competition, isn’t it?” Edwards added. “There’s great people in Ohio … but you can’t beat Florida – it doesn’t snow in Florida.”

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/nasl-introduces-new-direction-in-2017/n-5226923

NASL Introduces New Direction in 2017

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http://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/2016/12/28/14095558/arthur-blank-already-making-waves-in-soccer-world 

Arthur Blank already making waves in soccer world

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http://fiftyfive.one/2017/01/state-of-the-art-mls-training-facility-planned-for-minnesota-united/

Minnesota United Plans for State of the Art MLS Training Facility

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http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/12/29/los-angeles-fc-release-new-renderings-banc-california-stadium

Los Angeles FC release new renderings for Banc of California Stadium

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http://www.socceramerica.com/article/71890/nasl-is-off-life-support-but-major-questions-li.html

NASL is off life support -- but major questions linger

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http://ussoccerplayers.com/2017/01/minor-league-soccer-in-america-usl-nasl.html

Minor league soccer in America

By J Hutcherson (Jan 9, 2016) US Soccer Players - First off, there is something strange about a battle over league designations in minor league American soccer. What difference it makes to teams and clubs whether or not they're officially division one, two, or three isn't likely to keep a lot of people up at night. US Soccer did the smart thing by letting the North American Soccer League and the United Soccer League both call themselves division two. Neither of them meet US Soccer's standards, so both are operating on waivers. That should be enough to call those standards into question.

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http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/mls-expansion-city-tampa-bay-rowdies-st-petersburg-010917?cmpid=feed:-sports-CQ-RSS-Feed

Here’s a closer look at Tampa Bay’s MLS expansion bid

Brian Straus/Sports Illustrated via Planet Futbol

Jan 9, 2017 at 5:19p ET

Market Analysis

Is there a symbol that sums up Major League Soccer’s early years better than that outer-space video game mutant bat thing? Nonsense names, loud colors and incongruous branding were just the beginning as top-tier soccer returned to the U.S. in 1996. There were the cavernous NFL stadiums, the aging foreigners, the unheralded American journeymen, lean times and lots of unpredictability. And shootouts. And 1990s soccer hair.

The Tampa Bay Mutiny had it all, from their incomprehensible logo and neon/puke green jerseys to the stylish Carlos Valderrama-inspired soccer inside the original Big Sombrero. But like MLS 1.0, the Mutiny didn’t last. The club was unable to find an investor, attendance dipped into the four digits and at the end of the 2001 season, it was contracted along with the Miami Fusion.

A lot has changed since MLS 1.0, and a lot has changed in Tampa and St. Petersburg. And so the Bay is back on the league’s expansion radar. Led by flamboyant local real estate developer Bill Edwards, the bid is anchored by the reborn Tampa Bay Rowdies, who will play this year in the USL after spending six seasons in the NASL. The Rowdies’ Al Lang Stadium, a converted waterfront baseball park, is their current and future home. It’s located in the St. Pete half of the country’s 11th largest media market and 18th-most populous metro area (around 3 million).

Now that Atlanta United is ready to take the field, it’s significant that Tampa Bay is the largest media market in the U.S. without an MLS team. Yes, it ranks higher than Miami, Detroit and Phoenix. And that’ll turn heads at MLS headquarters, where boosting TV ratings is paramount. It’s also worth noting, and Edwards did so when speaking with SI.com, that the Bay no longer is “God’s Waiting Room.” Residents aged 20-34—the Millennials MLS covets—now comprises around 19% of the region’s population, according to a 2015 study, and that’s expected to rise more than 10 points in the next five years. The region was home to only four Fortune 500 companies as of 2015.
Ownership Group

Edwards had never seen a soccer game when he purchased the Rowdies in 2013.

“The community seemed to love [the team]. It was in trouble. My background is taking things that are broken and fixing them,” Edwards said. “I feel in love with the sport. I got hooked on it … I fell for the sport and I understand it. I understand the players. I understand the coaches. I understand a lot of things. I’m a hands-on owner. I’m the guy sitting behind the bench watching the game. I’m the guy on the field giving the sweaty guys a hug, saying ‘Good job! Good hustle!’ I love the game. I love the people in it.”

Edwards, 71, is all in. He was raised in Massachusetts, was wounded while serving in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, and eventually entered the mortgage business. He’s now one of the Bay Area’s most prominent businessmen thanks to his significant real estate holdings and involvement in high-profile projects, the arts and now sports.

Edwards said he’s interesting in bringing aboard additional investors—“the more the merrier,” he stressed—but he has every intention of remaining majority owner.

“There’s a lot of wealth in this town, and we all know each other pretty much. There are a lot of conversations going on,” he said. “This isn’t a job for me. This is a great experience and I’m really enjoying it after working my butt off for so long, to have some fun. I’m having a lot of fun with it and this is great way to give back to the city and the community.”

Beyond the ownership group, Edwards made news last week with the hiring of former MLS and U.S. Soccer Federation executives Brett Lashbrook and Forrest Eber, who are highly regarded for their work overseeing Orlando City’s transition from USL to MLS.
Stadium Plan

The Rowdies have one of the simplest, cheapest stadium plans among the expansion hopefuls. They already have refurbished seats, the video board, locker rooms and more at Al Lang, which sits on the downtown St. Petersburg waterfront. Now Edwards is committed to putting $80 million (plus cost overruns) into expanding the stadium from around 7,200 seats to 18,000. He told SI.com that he intends to ask for no public money and that the city will be on the hook only for some infrastructure upgrades such as sewage.

Working with ICON Venue and Populous, both of which have been involved in the construction and/or renovation of numerous MLS stadiums, Edwards and the Rowdies intend to turn Al Lang into a facility with a unique configuration that leaves one corner open toward the Bay and the other toward the city skyline. Edwards has purchased a nearby parking garage to boost the number of spots and said he is financing a special local election this spring, which is required when there’s any significant construction or lease agreement on the city’s waterfront property. Edwards said he expects to operate the stadium under a use or lease agreement with St. Petersburg.

Al Lang is next to the Mahaffey Theater, the venue that relies on support from The Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts, and the Salvador Dalí museum and is a few blocks from St. Petersburg’s downtown dining and nightlife district on and around Central Ave.
Sports and Soccer Scene

When the original Rowdies kicked off in 1975, the Tampa Bay area had no teams in any of the country’s major sports leagues. It now has three—the NFL’s Buccaneers, NHL’s Lightning and MLB’s Rays. Each has had periods of success and struggle, and at the moment the Lightning are the most consistent winners and play to capacity in Tampa’s Amalie Arena. But down the street from Al Lang, the Rays have the worst attendance in baseball. The Bucs drew an average of 60,624 this season to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.

It’s an unpredictable, eclectic sports town(s). The population is there, support wavers at times, but success is rewarded. It’s also an event town(s). Four Super Bowls, three Final Fours (one men’s, two women’s), a Frozen Four and Monday’s College Football Playoff final, among others, have been staged in Tampa or St. Pete.

Like other sports, soccer’s results in the area have varied. The original Rowdies debuted in ’75 and immediately won the NASL championship. Average attendance broke 10,000 that year and peaked above 28,000 in 1980. Then the decline began, the NASL folded in ’84 and the Rowdies spent several more years as a minor league and indoor team before finally shutting down 10 years later.

In 1996, MLS and the Mutiny came to town. Again, things started well. Valderrama and Co. won the Supporters’ Shield that first season and advanced to the Eastern Conference finals. But average attendance never broke 14,000 and the league was unable to find an investor to operate the team. The financial losses continued through the 2001 season, after which MLS shut down the club. Malcolm Glazer, who owned the Bucs and soon would take over Manchester United, negotiated with the league but ultimately declined to save the team.

The Rowdies were resurrected in 2010 and joined the NASL the following season. Despite winning a championship in 2012, attendance was below 4,000 per game. Then Edwards stepped in, put some money into the club and stadium and plotted his entry into MLS. This season, the Rowdies averaged 5,878 at Al Lang, which ranked third in the league.

The U.S. men’s national team has played six times in the Tampa Bay area, most recently in 2012, when it defeated Antigua & Barbuda in a World Cup qualifier. Average attendance for the six games staged from 1985 through ’12 is 22,508. Raymond James Stadium will host the U.S. as part of a CONCACAF Gold Cup doubleheader in July. The area’s other national team tie sits a few miles south in Bradenton, which is home to U.S. Soccer’s U-17 residency program.
MLS Pros

The size of the market and Edwards’ stadium plan are huge plusses. MLS wants ratings and a population base, and the fact that the Rowdies would play in a downtown, waterfront venue that will cost half as much as many other grounds is unique and extremely appealing. Edwards’s wealth, enthusiasm and commitment are notable.

Tampa Bay would have an obvious rivalry with Orlando City, which has been heated at times even though they’ve never played in the same league. There have been preseason matchups and one U.S. Open Cup meeting, a 2014 affair won by Orlando. The enmity extends beyond the soccer field.

Edwards said sponsorship won’t be a problem.

“The biggest problem I’ve had in this town is not being in MLS,” he said.

Also, there are the Rowdies’ amazing green-and-yellow hooped jerseys. MLS needs those.
MLS Cons

Orlando’s proximity also could be a negative, especially if City objects to an MLS team a little more than 100 miles away. The Lions reportedly have the rights to the Tampa Bay TV market, and that’s not necessarily something they’d be willing to cede without compensation. The two metro areas combined have a population of around 5.3 million, roughly equivalent to a city like Atlanta or Boston.

Then there’s Edwards himself, whose tendency to make waves could make for interesting times in an MLS boardroom that prefers things slow, steady and conservative. Edwards is outspoken, ambitious and no stranger to courting controversy, either in the media or in actual courts. Edwards is well-known for his philanthropy. He’s also no stranger to the witness stand. He’s a larger-than-life figure hoping to join a league influenced heavily by the stoic and/or quiet Phil Anschutz, Clark Hunt, and Robert and Jonathan Kraft.

Edwards ultimately left the NASL because he said he couldn’t find common ground with his fellow owners. But he made no friends with stunts like July’s team-produced video highlighting officiating mistakes and a press release that called referees “inconsistent, incompetent and unprofessional.” It seemed very un-major league. At the same time, he demonstrated what an asset he can be through his renovations at Al Lang and the signing of a player like English veteran Joe Cole.

Can his passion be channeled?

Edwards acknowledged he’s “not a typical owner,” but he stressed that his respect for MLS’s growth leaves him with little incentive to rock the boat.

“Why would I question MLS and what they do? They’ve got the road map to being successful,” he said. “They’ve got their act together. When I deal with idiots, I let them know I think they’re idiots. But when you’re talking to people who are versed in these things and know what they’re doing, I take advantage of it. I want to be with people who are smarter than me, who have more experience, who have their act together. Than I can invest my money wisely … I’m three years in. They’re 20. That’s why I’m taking my hard-earned cash and putting it in the right place.”
Commissioner’s Thoughts

“We love what Bill has been able to do. Al Lang Stadium is super cool. You can’t get a better environment, right on the waterfront. This is the largest market that we’re not in. If you look at the top 15-18 DMAs, this is the largest of those where we don’t have a team in, so that’s intriguing to us,” Don Garber said at a University of South Florida lecture in October.

“We’ve shown that we’re more successful in New York with two teams in New York. The rivalry between Red Bulls and New York City FC has helped the league and has certainly helped both clubs. And I think we’re going to see this thing just explode in LA with two teams in Los Angeles. In Orlando’s case, I’m convinced that at the time that we decide that we want to come back into this region, we’ll sit down and have a conversation with the owners there and figure out a way to make that work as we’ve done throughout the expanded rollout of our league.”

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/provisional-division-ii-status-best-possible-scenario-nasl-usl 

Provisional Division II status the best possible scenario for NASL, USL

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http://www.insideworldfootball.com/2017/01/09/nasl-usl-given-equal-ranking-d2-leagues-us-ny-cosmos-commit-play/

NASL and USL given equal ranking as D2 leagues in US as NY Cosmos commit to play

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http://saintpetersblog.com/bill-edwards-entertained-idea-partnership-rowdies-david-beckham/

Bill Edwards ‘more than entertained’ idea of partnership between Rowdies, David Beckham

Peter Schorsch

For David Beckham, the clock may be running down on a Miami stadium deal for his long-awaited Major League Soccer franchise.

But, as Empire of Soccer’s Jake Nutting says, another option may be on the table – a partnership with the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

“Only a little under a month into formally launching their campaign to bring the league back to Tampa Bay,” Nutting writes, “the Rowdies say they have contacted David Beckham a few times to gauge his interest in checking out what they’ve built on the west coast of the state.”

In an interview, Rowdies owner Bill Edwards said he’d “more than entertained” the suggestion to call Beckham over his trouble finalizing the Miami stadium deal – even going as far as dialing up the English soccer superstar.

“That’s come up so many times and there have been so many letters saying ‘Why doesn’t Beckham come to St Petersburg?” Edwards told EoS. “The answer is yes, we have. We’ve tried to reach out to no avail, but [Beckham] should just come visit and take a look.”

To contact Beckham, Edwards also enlisted the help of another past England national team star — Rowdies midfielder and former Premier League champion Joe Cole.

“We’ve got one of [Beckham’s] former teammates here — Joe Cole,” Edwards explained. “They played for years together. Joe’s reached out. They’re old friends. I can’t tell you what Joe and he said to each another, but we do know that Joe has done that.”

Last month, MLS Commissioner Don Garber put a time limit on a prospective MLS stadium in Miami.

“There is a deadline on the Miami deal,” Garber said to reporters after a meeting in Toronto. If Beckham fails to meet that as-yet-unspecified deadline, MLS owners may have to turn to an alternative for an expansion franchise to become the league’s 24th team.

Edwards acknowledged that he is not sure if Beckham’s franchise rights are transferable, or if the bid is exclusively for South Florida. Nevertheless, he is certainly interested in pursuing the idea further.

“We’d love to see him come on over and say hello,” Edwards said. “Even if he didn’t join us.”

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/soccer/ex-rowdies-mutiny-coach-rongen-named-head-scout-for-us-mens-team/2308486

Ex-Rowdies, Mutiny coach Rongen named head scout for U.S. men's team

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http://www.themaneland.com/2017/1/5/14169070/lion-links-1-5-17

Lion Links: 1/5/17

MLS SuperDraft, four Pride players make USWNT camp, Rowdies contact David Beckham, USMNT names coaching staff, and more!

Rowdies Contact David Beckham

The Tampa Bay Rowdies want to be in Major League Soccer. Recently, the Rowdies organization released details in a campaign to help bring MLS to Tampa Bay. Apparently the next step of that plan is to capitalize on David Beckham’s failed attempts to land a franchise in Miami.

The Rowdies have been contacting David Beckham in order to help move along the process of earning a golden ticket into MLS.

“That’s come up so many times and there have been so many letters saying ‘Why doesn’t Beckham come to St. Petersburg?” Edwards said. “The answer is yes, we have. We’ve tried to reach out to no avail, but [Beckham] should just come visit and take a look.”

Do you think this would be a good move for David Beckham?

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http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-football-title-game-another-big-moment-for-tampa-bay/2308589

Editorial: Football title game another big moment for Tampa Bay

The Super Bowls, Gasparilla pirate invasions and road races that have defined Tampa for years have exploded into a far broader horizon, showcasing the entire bay area and bringing the region to realize that its future lies in working together. It took regional cooperation to land the Republican National Convention in 2012, the Bollywood Oscars in 2014, new flights to Panama and Cuba and a cross-bay ferry that connects the downtowns of St. Petersburg and Tampa. While St. Petersburg has been recognized for decades as a place of the arts, the Grand Prix has grown into a signature event for both IndyCar and the region. And the Tampa Bay Rowdies have announced their ambition to join the top tier of professional American soccer, proposing to build a compact, modern soccer stadium on the downtown St. Petersburg waterfront.

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http://web.tampabay.com/news/growth/council-wants-rowdies-future-to-avoid-pitfalls-of-rays-past/2308609

Council wants Rowdies' future to avoid pitfalls of Rays' past

Glad that council members are excited for this, but it must be the TAMPA BAY Rowdies.  As a St. Pete resident I love this city, but forcing the name change would do far more harm to the MLS bid than it would help it...

TAMPA BAY Rowdies. PERIOD. Stop this nonsense. Also the constant comparison to the Rays and their stadium woes is absolute apples to oranges here. Stop it. The Rowdies are here, Al Lang is our home, let's make this happen!

The name is Tampa Bay Rowdies. Not up for negotiation.

If the City of St Petersburg forces the Tampa Bay Rowdies into a rebranding of the team's name reflecting St Petersburg and not all of the Tampa Bay area, then there will be a huge loss in the current fan base. Why the City of St. Petersburg would risk alienating so many members within the fan base is beyond me. Most of those thousands of seats to be filled in the future Al Lang Stadium will be by fans outside of St. Pete. It is very naive, short sighted and a rather provincial way of thinking to assume there is no value in this team's name and history in the annals of North American soccer. The name "TAMPA BAY ROWDIES" is widely recognized throughput the U.S., Canada and well beyond. The name connotes a very special soccer team heralding back to the mid-1970's. To simply toss the team into the trash would be absolutely unforgivable. The City of St Petersburg not only risks alienating the vast majority of fans, but also risks the loss of MLS (Major League Soccer) coming to play in the form of anything but the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Without enough fans, MLS will not award the franchise to the current ownership.

Please for the love of things all good and great, just stop with the St Pete Rowdies crap!  Tampa Bay Rowdies is who we are.  Rather not have the team at all if we are stuck with the St Pete name ruining tradition. 

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/741240?referrer_id=2364194-news-archive

Rowdies Add Experienced Defender Boden
'
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http://saintpetersblog.com/rick-kriseman-hand-rick-baker-major-victory-rowdies-referendum/

Rick Kriseman could hand Rick Baker a major victory with Rowdies referendum

Peter Schorsch

On Thursday, Rick Kriseman announced he would like another four years as St. Petersburg’s mayor.

The announcement was so low-key that, at first, the Kriseman campaign did not even send the press release about the announcement to the Tampa Bay Times reporter who covers City Hall.

Of course, there’s never been any doubt that Kriseman would seek re-election. Some might take issue with it (although I don’t), but Kriseman has transformed the mayor’s office into an adjunct of his political campaign — and vice versa. Kriseman’s top campaign adviser, Kevin King, became his chief of staff; a prominent campaign volunteer, Benjamin Kirby, became the city’s spokesman.

(It will be interesting to see how King and Kirby not give the appearance of campaigning for Kriseman on the city’s dime, although I am sure both men will be very careful about such things. In the meantime, it appears Tom Alte and Megan Salisbury of Blue Ticket Consulting will be minding the shop while the K-men are running the city.)

I was under the impression Kriseman’s roll-out would have come in a little later in the month as many residents are still taking down their Christmas lights or getting their kids back to school. But I guess the thinking in Kriseman’s camp was, ‘Why wait?’

Especially with you-know-who lurking in the wings.

That would be ‘the other Rick.’ As in Baker, the former mayor half the city wants to see run again.

For its part, Kriseman’s camp is not taking Baker lightly, nor is it intimidated by him. The first question some close to Kriseman ask is, Why does he want to do this again? He had his eight years, they say. He built a fine legacy, they acknowledge. Why take a chance at smudging the halo?

The second question the Kriseman folks wonder aloud is, Doesn’t he want to run for governor in 2018? If Baker does get in against Kriseman, you’ll hear this question plenty of times on the campaign trail.

Another point I think Kriseman’s camp wants to make is, ‘We ain’t Kathleen Ford or Ed Helm,’ meaning Baker’s never had to run against an opponent whose mental capacity was not occasionally in doubt. Kriseman will raise a lot of money. And his team knows how to use it. It also knows how to throw a punch.

There is and there won’t be for a while any word from Baker about his plans for 2017. Personally, I peg the chances of him running at about 40 percent, which is actually up from last year — and before the city’s sewage system crisis — when I thought there was only a one-in-four chance Baker would challenge Kriseman.

But what’s interesting about the timing of all this is how a proposed referendum letting the Tampa Bay Rowdies control the land underneath Al Lang Stadium for up to 25 years, as the team is seeking as part of its effort to join Major League Soccer.

On Thursday, St. Pete City Councilmembers discussed the steps necessary for both a referendum and a possible agreement. If all goes as planned, the vote will be held May 2 to ask voters’ permission to strike a deal to lease Al Lang to the Rowdies.

Voters must also approve the lease, or some other agreement.

And if approved, a deal could be signed by mid- to late May, just in time for Major League Soccer to make its decision.

And — and this is the kicker — just in time for Baker to make a decision about running for mayor.

Candidate qualifying to run for mayor begins June 8, which means Baker could celebrate the referendum passing on his way to dropping off his candidacy paperwork at City Hall.

Baker’s media consultant, Adam Goodman, can write the TV ad now: “With St. Petersburg facing so many big decisions…” — images of the Pier and Tropicana Stadium flash on the screen — “…we need a mayor who has won big victories.”

Kriseman, King and Co. are smart enough to realize all of this and, to their credit, they are still backing the plan for the Rowdies. It would be no surprise that they are playing some version of three dimensional chess I’m not smart enough to see.

Maybe Kriseman thinks if he gives Edwards and Baker a stadium for their Major League Soccer plans, they’ll forget about wanting to take over City Hall, too.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/proposal-long-term-deal-between-st-pete-rowdies-likely-go-voters

Proposal for long-term deal between St. Pete, Rowdies likely to go before voters

January 5, 2017 - 8:08pm

The Tampa Bay Rowdies are ready for the big leagues, and it appears their shot will be coming sooner than later.

Major League Soccer announced last month that the Rowdies and St. Petersburg will be one of 10 cities under consideration for an expansion team.

Before that happens — representing a considerable boost for both the team and St. Petersburg — the Rowdies will need to show, among other things, a comprehensive stadium plan that ensures the club will provide proper support for fans and players, while also serving as a soccer destination in the community.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://saintpetersblog.com/proposal-long-term-deal-st-pete-rowdies-likely-go-voters/

Proposal for long-term deal between St. Pete, Rowdies likely to go before voters

Anne Lindberg

The Tampa Bay Rowdies are ready for the big leagues, and it appears their shot will be coming sooner than later.

Major League Soccer announced last month that the Rowdies and St. Petersburg will be one of 10 cities under consideration for an expansion team.

Before that happens — representing a considerable boost for both the team and St. Petersburg — the Rowdies will need to show, among other things, a comprehensive stadium plan that ensures the club will provide proper support for fans and players, while also serving as a soccer destination in the community.

For that to happen, the Rowdies would first need a long-term lease with the city, which owns Al Lang Stadium.

But before realizing such an agreement, St. Petersburg voters must step in and approve the deal.

On Thursday, St. Pete City Council members discussed the steps necessary for both a referendum and a possible agreement. If all goes as planned, the vote will be held May 2 to ask voters’ permission to strike a deal to lease Al Lang to the Rowdies for up to 25 years.

Voters must also approve the lease, or some other agreement.

And if approved, a deal could be signed by mid- to late May, just time for Major League Soccer to make its decision.

The Rowdies, ready move ahead on this new phase in their history, agreed to take up all costs associated with the referendum, as well as that of getting the expansion and making improvements to Al Lang.

However, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman gave a caveat. The referendum “doesn’t commit us,” he said.

The mayor explained that what the referendum does is only give the city permission to negotiate a long-term agreement. And it all that rests on the Rowdies becoming an MLS expansion team. If the team doesn’t get the distinction, it would void the deal with St. Pete.

Councilmember Karl Nurse remains optimistic, though: “If we can make this work, it’s a big deal.”

While the Rowdies and St. Pete are one of the cities under consideration, there are others: Cincinnati, Ohio; Detroit, Nashville, Tennessee; Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina; Sacramento, California; St. Louis, San Antonio, Texas; and San Diego, California.

Interested expansion owners must submit applications by Jan. 31.

Qualified applicants will submit documentation that focuses on the following three areas: 1) Ownership — Structure and financial information; 2) Stadium — details on proposed site, financing, approvals and support; and 3) Financial Projections, Corporate Support and Soccer Support — a business plan, projections and commitment letters for naming rights and a jersey-front sponsor, along with an overview of support from the soccer community.

Three key aspects are considered top priorities when reviewing candidates:

A committed local ownership group that has a passion for the sport, a deep belief in Major League Soccer and the resources to invest in the infrastructure to build the sport in their respective market.

A market that has a history of strong fan support for soccer matches and other sporting events, is located in a desirable geographic location and is attractive to corporate sponsors and television partners.

A comprehensive stadium plan that ensures the club will have a proper home for their fans and players while also serving as a destination for the sport in the community.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/01/06/tampa-bay-rowdies-unveil-details-potential-mls-stadium

Tampa Bay Rowdies unveil details for potential MLS stadium

January 6, 201712:28PM EST

Sam Stejskal
       
The Tampa Bay Rowdies recently threw their hat into the ring for potential MLS expansion, and now details are emerging about their plan to upgrade Al Lang Stadium to meet the league’s standards.

The Rowdies, who are moving from the NASL to USL ahead of the 2017 season, have played at Al Lang Stadium in downtown St. Petersburg since 2011. The venue currently seats approximately 7,500, but Rowdies ownership plan on expanding the stadium to hold 18,000 if the club moves to MLS.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, Rowdies owner Bill Edwards plans to spend up to $80 million to upgrade the waterfront facility. The renovations would remain within Al Lang Stadium’s existing footprint, which would create fewer parking issues and eliminate any environmental concerns about potential dredging in Tampa Bay to expand the site. 

The St. Petersburg City Council met on Thursday to discuss the plan, which would be entirely privately financed by Edwards and would need to be approved in a referendum. The Times reported that the plan would move forward only if the Rowdies are selected for MLS expansion.

The City Council will vote on the plan on May 2. If the referendum is approved, the city will be authorized to negotiate a 20-year lease for Al Lang Stadium with Edwards. The City Council would then have to approve a final agreement.

If the Rowdies MLS bid doesn’t go through, the plan will not move forward.

Tampa/St. Petersburg was acknowledged by the league last month as one of 10 markets currently vying for four expansion spots. The league will select two new expansion clubs during the second or third quarter of 2017, with those teams set to begin MLS play by 2020. Two more teams, taking the league to 28 total clubs, will be announced at a later date. Interested owners must submit expansion applications to the league by Jan. 31.

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http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-city-lions/on-the-pitch/os-sp-florida-cup-0107-story.html

Tampa Bay Rowdies eager to make most Florida Cup opportunity

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http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/741582?referrer_id=2364194-news-archive

Rowdies’ Hristov Remains Grounded After Success

Offseason travels took forward home to Bulgaria, and to Stamford Bridge

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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4095926/David-Beckham-running-time-plans-proposed-Major-League-Soccer-franchise-Miami.html

David Beckham running out of time to see plans through for proposed Major League Soccer franchise in Miami

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http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2017/01/05/new-york-cosmos-future-nasl-ownership-rocco-commisso

New potential owner gives Cosmos hope for survival, but their fate is tied to NASL's

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http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/teams/cosmos2.php?article_id=46774

A SAVIOR

Columbia alumnus, cable company magnate Commisso negotiates to buy Cosmos to save NASL

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http://newsok.com/article/5533300

USL owners frustrated with USFF sanctioning delay

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http://midfieldpress.com/2017/01/05/boston-city-fc-building-a-community-team-in-one-of-americas-biggest-cities/

Boston City FC: Building A Community Team In One of America’s Biggest Cities

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https://www.railengineer.uk/2017/01/05/edinburghs-new-gateway/

Edinburgh's new Gateway

Its 303 square metre concourse is covered by a lightweight ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) roof system, that was also used at Haymarket. ETFE is a high transparency, recyclable material with a 30-year life. It belongs to the same fluoropolymer family as PTFE – or Teflon as it is more commonly known.

This roof system uses ETFE pillows filled with dehumidified air from an air pump that cycles as necessary. It offers significantly reduced weight compared with conventional roofing systems and is also sacrificial in the event of an incident. It was used at the Beijing Olympics and Glasgow’s new Hydro Arena, as well as for the atrium roof of the rebuilt Birmingham New Street station.

Eight metres below the station are four tram tracks. Two of these are the tram line between the city and the airport whilst the other two lead to the nearby tram depot. The Gateway tram station is situated between these two pairs of tracks. It also has an ETFE roof. Between the depot tracks and the Gateway station is a 130-metre long retaining wall that was built as part of the Edinburgh tram project.

Over two days in one May weekend, the 40-tonne main link bridge between the rail and tram stations and 115 tonnes of steel framework were lifted into place using a 130 and a 500 tonne crane. In total, the station required 470 tonnes of steel and 2,040 cubic metres of concrete. Roger explained the lightweight cladding and the ETFE roof reduced the amount of steel required for the framework and also cut the station project’s carbon footprint, a key consideration of the station design.

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http://www.empireofsoccer.com/report-mediacoms-rocco-commisso-in-line-to-buy-cosmos-56776/

Report: Mediacom’s Rocco Commisso In Line To Buy Cosmos

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http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/others-see-tampa-bay-rowdies-%E2%80%98silent-assassins%E2%80%99-mls-expansion-race

Others see Tampa Bay Rowdies as ‘silent assassins’ in MLS expansion race

January 9, 2017 - 3:40pm

Among industry insiders, the Tampa Bay Rowdies are known as “silent assassins” in the race for the next Major League Soccer expansion team.

Comments below from redditors about the Tampa Bay Rowdies reaching out to David Beckham. As expected there is understandable skepticism about Beckham agreeing to team up with the "unfashionable, unglamorous" Tampa Bay area, but, Beckham is running out of options. And as usual there's a lot of the typical disinformation out there about the Tampa Bay market.

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https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/5lz7u8/rowdies_contacted_david_beckham_about_possibly/

 Rowdies Contacted David Beckham About Possibly Partnering in Tampa Bay

phat7deuce

Note to David Beckham,

    You wanted a downtown waterfront stadium. We have a downtown waterfront stadium.
    You need money. We have money.
    You wanted the support of local politicians. We have the support of local politicians.

Now bring that sweet little golden ticket on over here and let's sign Zlatan.