Record-setting crowd attends Rowdies' opening-day win

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.cltampa.com/arts-entertainment/sports/article/20856203/rowdies-set-attendance-record

Record-setting crowd attends Rowdies' opening-day win

We loved the Rowdies when loving the Rowdies wasn't cool. Just sayin'...

Colin O'Hara

Mar 28, 2017 8 AM

Here it is again. More proof for the nay-sayers that still believe we are not ready to host an MLS club in St. Pete.

Over 7,700 fans packed Al Land Stadium to watch the Tampa Bay Rowdies defeat the Orlando City B team 1-0 Saturday night. It was highest-attended match since the Rowdies started calling Al Lang home beginning in 2011. Oh, and the reported capacity of Al Lang? Between 7,220 and 7,500. Sounds like Bill Edwards was making the fire marshal sweat. It is also the largest crowd to watch the Rowdies since the club’s first game at George Steinbrenner Stadium in Tampa in 2010, which drew 8,082.

“It was unbelievable,” Rowdies’ goal-scorer Georgi Hristov said after the win. “Everyone realizes that everyone in this organization is trying to do something good for Tampa Bay. I really appreciate all the people coming tonight and hope they will help us again next game.”

The Rowdies made their debut in their new league, the United Soccer League, Saturday night,  comprised almost equally of independent clubs, and reserve, or “B” sides of MLS teams. The Rowdies hosted their in-state rival, Orlando City’s B team, which further displayed that the rivalry runs deep. Orlando may be in MLS, but their insecurity forced them to loan seven MLS-team players to the reserve team Saturday night to face the Rowdies. Didn’t make a difference. Despite the meager score line, Rowdies laid waste to hapless Orlando side, and outshot them 21-3.

A bright spot shone for Orlando in the way of goalkeeper Earl Edwards, Jr., who could make even the most ardent Tampa Bay supporter applaud the efforts he made to keep the match close, with several brilliant saves on Hristov and Joe Cole. Edwards is listed as on loan from Orlando City’s MLS team.

Hristov helped himself to the game’s only goal, which he tallied from the penalty spot in the second half. He had several other golden opportunities to make the score 3 or even 4-0, but failed to convert the chances into goals.

“I try to keep high standards for myself and I am not very, very happy with myself,” the Bulgarian said after the match. “But I’m happy to have scored the goal on an important night for the Rowdies. We played really well tonight and should’ve won by more, so I’m proud of the way all my teammates played. There’s things we can do better, but this is a good start.”

This is the first Rowdies win over the Orlando side. Previous meetings between the clubs have often ended in disappointment for Tampa Bay, but have also been marred by fan misconduct and violent incidents.

Several arrests were made the last time Orlando visited Al Lang. Glass bottles were thrown, fights broke out in the stands, flares and other pyrotechnics burned in the bleachers and the ever-present tough guy Facebook trash talk was relentless.

Saturday’s game was different. Either the Rowdies beefed up security and segregation of fans worked, or just as likely, Orlando didn’t just send their B team, they also sent their B supporters group as well.

About 100-150 Orlando fans made the trip via bus and were quarantined off in the far corner of the stadium inside makeshift temporary bleachers. They were not allowed inside the stadium and were served concessions at their bleachers and entered and exited through the on-field gates. There they displayed their pseudo-tough guy supporter culture with ski masks and the tiring use of their phrase “puto Rowdies” before throwing toilet paper on the field minutes before the final whistle. Looks like they had to resort to using their hands on the bus ride home.

Look, I get it. I’m still banned from the national Croatian stadium in Zagreb after attending a match in 2013. Last time I went back, I found I was also banned from their cross-city rival’s stadium too. The game is about passion and sometimes we can get carried away. But wearing ski masks and balaclavas in 80-degree weather at an American soccer game is just trying too hard.

Defender Luke Boden spent five seasons with Orlando before making the jump to Tampa Bay this year. His first-ever start for the Rowdies came at an interesting time, forcing him to face his old club. He was christened a true Rowdie that night, receiving fan abuse from Orlando supporters every time he touched the ball.

“It was good,” Boden said. “I’ve still got a lot of friends at the club and we like to give each other friendly banter, but at the end of the day, we are professional footballers and we want to win games.”

The Rowdies’ record-setting crowd created an atmosphere found in no other sport. The intimate setting and over-capacity crowd left the stadium feeling like it would collapse with sound and left your ears ringing with chants. Sure, more people made the beer lines longer, and left me with the slight feeling like I needed to let everyone know I liked the Rowdies before it was cool, but nothing can out-do the passion and chorus of song

The Rowdies will continue wanting to win games, starting again this Saturday, April 1 at home where they face Toronto FC’s “B” team. No word yet on how insecure they are, but we are expecting only reserve players for this one.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hahahaha the B team brought their B fans!!!!! Love it! Great article! Creative Loafing needs a local sports section!

With English Premier League champion Joe Cole and Bundesliga champion Marcel Schäfer leading a very talented team, the Rowdies should have a very successful year on the field. Additionally, Al Lang has been turned into a first-class soccer stadium with Ralph's Mob giving a fun, high-energy feel to the whole game experience. 50+ bars and restaurants within easy walking distance of the stadium for pre- or post-game libations and eats makes for a perfect night out.

Great stuff, Colin!

It's easy to fill a stadium when you're selling tickets 2 for 1.

I feel I have to point out that I knew Colin before he was cool. Nice write up! COYR

Great article on my team. That other print media bearly even knows​ that the game is being played. Keep up the good work and thank you Colin. COYR #MLS2STPETE

Anyone notice that? That's massive levels of insecurity coming from OC$C fans trying to trash the Rowdies because they offered BOGO. People in glass houses should not throw stones, you fans of "bought not built" OC$C: your attendance figures in USL were grossly inflated with give-away tickets. But if the Rowdies do that once (with BOGO, not with thousands of free tickets handed out to local youth soccer leagues) somehow we aren't legitimate. Yeah, we see who the insecure ones are. If you really cared about supporting local soccer you would be congratulating us, not trying to undermine us. Tampa Bay Rowdies would be a much better rival in MLS for OC$C than Miami Beckham United would ever be. Try to grow up and look at the bigger picture for once.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/dal-museum-s-fascinating-frida-kahlo-exhibit-shows-her-enduring-n732671

Dalí Museum’s Fascinating Frida Kahlo Exhibit Shows Her Enduring Power

by Ana Sofía Peláez

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Museum exhibitions are planned well in advance so it's almost impossible to anticipate the effect they may have. But in the case of Frida Kahlo at The Dalí, the solo exhibition of the revered Mexican artist and feminist icon on display at Florida's Dalí Museum, it could not have come at a better moment.

 The small but impactful exhibit, running until April 17, includes paintings, drawings, and personal photographs that touch upon her now well-known biography — a terrible bus accident and its brutal aftermath, her turbulent marriage to artist Diego Rivera, the personally challenging and professionally successful years in the United States, her notorious love affairs and uncompromising political activism and a body ravaged by illness.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/didier-drogba-reportely-signs-with-phoenix-rising-in-the-second-tier-usl-171421892.html

Didier Drogba reportely signs with Phoenix Rising in the second-tier USL

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2017/03/28/orlando-city-b-opens-home-schedule-against-louisville-fc

Orlando City B Opens Home Schedule Against Louisville FC

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.mansionglobal.com/articles/58226-will-miami-mansion-price-cut-entice-the-beckhams

Will Miami Mansion Price Cut Entice the Beckhams?

The duo’s reps toured the Star Island house in the fall

By Kathryn Hopkins Originally published on March 28, 2017

In November, the Beckhams had their reps tour a $16.5 million mansion on Miami’s celeb-filled Star Island where residents include Sean “Diddy” Combs and Gloria Estefan.

However, it appears that the duo decided against the purchase since it’s still for sale. But perhaps a hefty price chop this week will lead the Spice Girl-turned-high-end-fashion-designer Victoria Beckham and her ex-soccer star husband David Beckham to a change of heart.

The property’s owners—"Real Housewives of Miami" star Lea Black and her criminal defense attorney husband, Roy Black—have just cut the price again to $14.9 million, according to listing records.

They bought the 10,636-square-foot house in 2011 for $7.1 million as a second home through an LLC, records showed. It was put up for sale for $17.99 million in October 2015, but the asking price has been reduced three times since.

According to the listing, the 10,500 square-foot-estate has a seven-bedroom main house, a two-bedroom guest house and a pool, and approximately 190 feet of water frontage. The listing noted, however, that this would also be a good opportunity for those who wanted to start from scratch.

A spokeswoman for Ms. Black and the listing agent, Oren Alexander of Douglas Elliman Real Estate,  did not respond immediately to request for comment.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-city-lions/on-the-pitch/os-sp-orlando-city-news-0329-story.html

Orlando City B offers MLS players chance to prove themselves

Alicia DelGallo

A disappointing result still met a larger goal when Orlando City B lost its United Soccer League season opener 1-0 to the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Yes, OCB wants to win, but its main priority is developing players for the club’s Major League Soccer team. And, eight players with MLS contracts started the match: goalkeeper Earl Edwards, Jr., defenders Kevin Alston, Conor Donovan, Tommy Redding and Victor “PC” Giro, midfielders Danny Deakin and Pierre Da Silva; and forward Richie Laryea.

“The system we play is exactly the same and the expectations are exactly the same, so whether I’m with the MLS or the B team, it doesn't really matter,” said Deakin, who was Orlando City’s only pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft.

“It’s always good to get a game in, but the overriding feeling is, ya know, we lost a big game and I’m not happy about it.”

OCB will play its home opener in Orlando City Stadium against Louisville City FC at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

OCB head coach Anthony Pulis said most of what went wrong against the Rowdies involved basic errors. He also worried nerves affected many young players taking the field in front of an announced sellout crowd of 7,710 people.

“The other thing is, a lot of people said, ‘Well oh, you had eight MLS players,’” Pulis said. “You actually break that down, and six of them haven’t started a game in MLS. So, yes, they have MLS contracts, but to actually call them MLS players is not fair.

“This is where they get to step up and say, ‘Listen, I’m good enough. I can perform at the USL level and then step up and be ready for the MLS level.”

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.tampabay.com/news/transportation/mayor-rick-kriseman-ridership-numbers-show-a-need-for-ferry-service/2318205

Mayor Rick Kriseman: Ridership numbers show a need for ferry service between Tampa and St. Petersburg

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2017/03/28/mls-commissioner-st-louis-must-build-stadium-to.html

MLS commissioner: St. Louis must approve stadium to get soccer team

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/600752/Wayne-Rooney-MLS-David-Beckham-Man-United-Chris-Canetti

EXCLUSIVE: Wayne Rooney told he could flop in MLS - he's not the same as David Beckham

WAYNE ROONEY has been told he could be a flop in America if he joins Major League Soccer. 

(Follow link for full article.)
 
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/mls-commish-confident-st-louis-will-get-a-team-if/article_0b9a2a2c-5085-5b13-b039-0e5fcd5fc6a6.html

MLS commish 'confident' St. Louis will get a team if voters approve stadium funding

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.a-league.com.au/article/major-league-soccer-versus-hyundai-a-league/1bzib64boyatg1svu1n59puztz

MLS versus Hyundai A-League

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/03/28/521810071/footy-mcfooty-face-is-stomping-competition-in-vote-for-mls-team-name

Footy McFooty Face Is Stomping Competition In Vote For MLS Team Name

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/03/28/mls-once-again-most-diverse-league-north-america

MLS once again the most diverse league in North America

With players from 67 different countries featuring on 2017 opening day rosters, Major League Soccer is once again the most diverse league by birthplace in North America.

It’s no surprise that the US is represented more than any other country, with 288 players born in the States currently in the league. Canada is next closest, with 28 players from the Great White North on an MLS roster. Argentina, long a serious producer of MLS talent, is up next with 24 players currently in the league, while England (22 players) and Ghana (16) round out the top-five birth countries of MLS players

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.sportingkc.com/post/2017/03/28/map-where-world-do-mls-players-come

MAP: Where in the world do MLS players come from?

(Follow link for full article.)
 
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/28/sports/soccer/bastian-schweinsteiger-chicago-fire.html

Bastian Schweinsteiger, Trading Manchester United for M.L.S., Maintains His Drive

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2017/03/28/interactive-how-nashvilles-soccer-passion-stacks.html

Interactive: How Nashville's soccer passion stacks up to the competition

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/03/28/bbc-commentator-alan-green-lands-broadcasting-job-mls-side-atlanta/

BBC commentator Alan Green lands broadcasting job at MLS side Atlanta United

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/03/28/kick-wcq-takes-us-panama-everton-eyeing-larin-gil-ocsc

Kick Off: WCQ takes US to Panama | Everton eyeing Larin? | Gil to OCSC?

(Follow link for full article.)

http://citizen.co.za/phakaaathi/phakaaathi-news/1469827/former-pirates-assistant-coach-off-us/

Former Pirates assistant coach off to the US

Former Orlando Pirates and Free State Stars assistant coach Bradley Carnell has been announced as the new assistant to Jesse Marsch at Major League Soccer (MLS) team New York Red Bulls.