http://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/771880
Tampa Bay Rowdies Announce Youth Development Affiliation with Tampa Bay United
By Rowdies Communications, 03/20/17, 12:30PM EDT
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (March 20, 2017) — The two largest soccer presences in Tampa Bay have come together, marking a significant moment for the future of the world’s game right here at home with the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Tampa Bay United announcing a milestone partnership.
Tampa Bay United is the largest youth soccer club in the Tampa Bay area and will rebrand as the TBU Rowdies beginning this season. The TBU Rowdies’ highest-level teams will wear the Rowdies’ familiar green and gold hooped jerseys on the field, expanding the visibility of the Rowdies throughout the region.
This partnership brings into focus the Rowdies’ goal of being the backbone of soccer in the Tampa Bay community and developing elite players both through the US Soccer Development Academy on the boys’ side and the Elite Clubs National League on the girls’ side.
“Over the last several years, the Rowdies’ focus has been to create a successful business model for both the first team players on the field and the stadium experience for the fans,” Rowdies COO Lee Cohen said. “We feel as if we are now prepared to focus on the next steps of our soccer evolution in the Tampa Bay Area. Partnering with TBU and making that club part of our family as the TBU Rowdies was, in our minds, the most logical next step.”
The TBU Rowdies are sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation as an official Boys Development Academy club, meaning TBU Rowdies teams compete at the highest level for their age groups. The Boys Development Academy clubs receive direction directly from the United States Soccer Federation on training regimens and environments to ensure the highest quality.
“We are honored to be working with such a highly esteemed team,” said Tampa Bay United CEO Charlie Slagle. “The value they bring in terms of expertise and opportunities supports our mission of developing youth talent as a long-term goal. It is not about winning one game, it is about developing what you need each year to continue for the long haul. Last year, we had a record number of TBU players sign on to play at the collegiate level, and this affiliation enhances our ability to be the top level club for youth soccer in the state of Florida.”
Heading the collaboration between the Rowdies and TBU is Keith Fulk, a pillar of the Tampa Bay soccer community. Fulk has been a part of three national championship teams at the University of Tampa, as a player in 1981, as an assistant coach in 1994 and as head coach in 2001. He spent the last six seasons as head coach at St. Leo University, leading the Lions to two Sunshine State Conference championships. He previously spent eight years as an assistant coach for the United States Under-17 national team, including four FIFA Youth World Cups.
“TBU has a long history of great success on the field in this market,” Cohen said. “The addition of Charlie Slagle to the TBU leadership and the successful model he created at CASL (Capital Area Soccer League, Raleigh, N.C.) made this opportunity extremely attractive. Adding Keith Fulk to the mix solidified this partnership. There are not two better guys that we can be working with to help our club achieve its goals both on and off the field in the youth development landscape.”
The partnership with TBU is yet another positive step towards bringing Major League Soccer to Tampa Bay. By coming together, the Rowdies and TBU have established a defined path from youth soccer to professional soccer and secured the future of the game in Tampa Bay for years to come. With the addition of the Rowdies U23 team, which will compete in the fully-amateur USL PDL beginning in May, the path from youth soccer to the Rowdies’ professional team is now complete.
About Tampa Bay United Soccer Club (TBU)
Tampa Bay United Soccer Club is one of the top soccer clubs in the state of Florida and is dedicated to the development of the sport of soccer for the youth player by offering opportunities to participate and advance in the sport for recreational and competitive players. In partnership with U.S. Soccer, the TBU Development Academy recognizes the elite soccer athlete, pairing them with expert coaches, to create the next generation of National Team players. TBU is also a member of the ECNL, a league that enhances the development of the female soccer athlete, and has four club locations (Waters Avenue, Ed Radice, Palm Harbor, Belcher Road (Largo), and Monroe in South Tampa). For more information, please visit http://www.tbusc.com
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https://www.facebook.com/TampaBayRowdies/photos/a.442996013834.230638.109366663834/10155894311013835/?type=3&theater
Tampa Bay Rowdies
March 20
BREAKING: The #RowdiesFamily has grown again as the Tampa Bay Rowdies have partnered with Tampa Bay United Soccer Club to form a clear path from youth soccer to the professional game! Tampa Bay United's highest-level teams will play matches as the Tampa Bay United Rowdies wearing the Rowdies' familiar green and gold hooped jerseys.
Read more: http://tinyurl.com/TBURowdies
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https://www.facebook.com/TampaBayRowdies/videos/10155894019603835/
Tampa Bay Rowdies
March 20 at 6:00pm ·
The 2017 USL home opener is less than a week away! Join us as we host Orlando City B on Saturday at 7:30 pm.
TIX: tinyurl.com/TBRvORLB
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http://www1.ticketmaster.com/tampa-bay-rowdies-vs-orlando-city-st-petersburg-florida-03-25-2017/event/0D005246F771AE23?artistid=1420961&majorcatid=10004&minorcatid=11&f_tmol_checkout=true&ab=m_efeat4517v2Control
Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Orlando City B
Sat 3/25 @ 7:30pm
Al Lang Stadium, St Petersburg, FL
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https://www.facebook.com/USLSoccer/videos/1347144332034730/
USL
#USLKickoff is here! Tampa Bay Rowdies take on old rivals Orlando City B in their #USL debut of 2017.
Time to #RaiseYourGame
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/60sahh/al_lang_is_sooooooo_close_to_a_sellout/
Al Lang is sooooooo close to a sellout (i.imgur.com)
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http://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/772441
Collins Set For Another Season With Trusty Shin Guards
By Rowdies Communications, 03/22/17, 2:45PM EDT
Neill Collins' shin guards, originally purchased in 2001 and worn in 552 competitive matches
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (March 22, 2017) — The long, distinguished career of Tampa Bay Rowdies defender Neill Collins features some truly eye-popping numbers.
Since making his debut for Scotland’s Queen’s Park on March 24, 2001 (16 years ago this week) at the age of 17, Collins has played in 552 competitive club matches. He’s represented 10 different clubs, including 212 appearances for England’s Sheffield United and 24 appearances for the Rowdies last season in his first year with the club.
His career has seen him play in 112 different stadiums across the United Kingdom and North America, from Al Lang Stadium to Manchester United’s vaunted Old Trafford and the home of English soccer, Wembley Stadium.
But upon a detailed inspection, perhaps the most astonishing number of Collins’ career is one...
As in one pair of shin guards.
One solitary, trusty set of hardened plastic shin guards that has carried Collins through all 552 games in 112 stadiums. Collins purchased his shin guards in the Spring of 2001 and has worn them in every match he’s ever played, plus innumerable training sessions, friendlies and scrimmages in the 16 years since.
“They’ve seen a lot of highs and a lot of lows. I’ve worn them twice at Wembley, two of the biggest games of my career and two of the biggest disappointments. It’s quite funny when you put the map together and see that they’ve been with me right from the very start when I was trying to make a career of this and they went to the heights of my career with me. If they could talk, they’d have a few good stories.”
No stadium has hosted the shin guards more often that Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane, where Collins has played 108 matches. Wolves’ Molineux is second with 50 matches. Thirty-three stadiums have hosted just once, including Old Trafford, Aston Villa’s Villa Park, West Ham’s former home at Upton Park and Fulham’s Craven Cottage. See the full list of stadiums and how many times Collins has played in each below.
Neill Collins Full Stadium List
“I would be so disappointed if I lost them,” Collins said. “My boots can be replaced anytime, I’ve worn lots of boots in my career, but my shin pads are something that I take the most care of. They’ve been with me every club I’ve been at. There have been times where I’ve wondered where they are and my stomach has gone, but I’ve always found them.”
Map of all 112 stadiums in which Neill Collins has played
As a youngster playing in Scotland, Collins had seen that the shin guards professionals wore didn’t much resemble the bulky shin guards with ankle protectors he wore at the time. So he and a teammate went to JJB Sports in Glasgow between training sessions and purchased the pair he wears to this day.
Collins said they’ve actually held up well considering some of the stresses they’ve been put through.
“They’re still in really good shape,” Collins said. “They’ve got the plastic shell and there’s a cushioning bit where you can see, and I can remember, certain tackles that have taken a bit of the cushioning. They’re in good shape overall. Adidas should be proud of themselves.”
While the shin guards might still be in good physical condition, they’re not necessarily something you want to get too close to.
“Recently, I had to take my own gear to a game and I had pretty new boots, but the car smelled dreadful,” Collins said. “I realized it was because my shin pads had been in there overnight on a warm day. My wife had been in the car with the kids and she wasn’t happy.”
Collins' shin guards could make their 14th appearance at Al Lang Stadium when the Rowdies open the 2017 United Soccer League season against Orlando City B on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. For tickets, call (727) 222-2000 or click here.
http://www1.ticketmaster.com/tampa-bay-rowdies-vs-orlando-city-st-petersburg-florida-03-25-2017/event/0D005246F771AE23?artistid=1420961&majorcatid=10004&minorcatid=11&f_tmol_checkout=true&ab=m_efeat4517v2Control
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https://www.instagram.com/p/BR6bmSaAwBA/
tampabayrowdiesRowdies midfielders Joe Cole & @marcelschaefer4 will be at the @tblightning game tonight as #BoltsSocial Captains! We're bringing some gifts with us. See you soon @heds77!
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http://www.twincities.com/2017/03/22/didier-drogba-linked-to-continuing-illustrious-pro-career-with-a-usl-club/
Didier Drogba linked to continuing illustrious pro career with a USL club
Former English Premier League star forward Didier Drogba is believed to be close to signing a contract with the Phoenix Rising of the United Soccer League, according to a source. The Ivory Coast native would take an international spot on the Arizona club in the 30-team, lower division of U.S. soccer.
Drogba, 39, played for Chelsea from 2004-2012 and in 2014-15, and he helped lead the London-based Blues to four Premier League titles. He played the past two seasons with the Montreal Impact of Major League Soccer, scoring 21 goals in 33 games before his MLS contract expired at the end of the 2016 season.
With Phoenix in USL, Drogba would join Shaun Wright-Phillips, an English midfielder who played alongside Drogba at Chelsea from 2005-08. Drogba started his pro career in France in 1998 and also has played in China and Turkey.
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http://www.thenational.ae/sport/mls/manchester-uniteds-bastian-schweingsteiger-finds-a-new-home-in-mls-with-chicago-fire
Manchester United’s Bastian Schweingsteiger finds a new home in MLS with Chicago Fire
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http://kplr11.com/2017/03/21/supporters-to-announce-community-benefits-agreement-for-mls-stadium/
Supporters to announce community benefits agreement for MLS stadium
ST. LOUIS (KPLR) - Supporters of a new Major League Soccer stadium in downtown St. Louis are sweetening the deal. St. Louis voters will decide April 4 on whether or not to approve about $60 million for the new stadium near Union Station.
Supporters say it would almost insure St. Louis would get an MLS franchise. City leaders and backers of the MLS franchise bid are set to announce today a community benefits agreement, a guaranteed part of the stadium deal.
The announcement is at the Herbert Hoover Boys and Girls Club in north St. Louis and features representatives of the Urban League, the St. Patrick Center, and the Demetrious Johnson Charitable Foundation.
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http://www.newsx.com/sports/59233-bastian-schweinsteiger-to-join-mls-club-chicago-fire-confirm-manchester-united
Bastian Schweinsteiger to join MLS club Chicago Fire, confirm Manchester United
Schweinsteiger joined United in 2015 after a 13-year trophy-laden spell at Bayern Munich. He won eight Bundesliga titles for the Bavarian giants and a Champions League in the 2012-13 season.
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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/schweinsteiger-fitness-will-be-tested-in-mls-ex-fire-star/articleshow/57767275.cms
Schweinsteiger fitness will be tested in MLS: Ex-Fire star
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http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/mls-commissioner-visits-st-louis-monday/article_55adeaf8-4135-5946-a8c6-ec0926d52402.html
MLS commissioner to visit St. Louis Monday
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http://www.sanantoniomag.com/April-2017/San-Antonio-FCs-Loft-Goals/
San Antonio FC's Loft Goals
San Antonio FC aims for more than a spot in the playoffs during its second season
San Antonio FC goalkeeper Matt Cardone is exactly the type of player the United Soccer League (USL) team hopes to cultivate as it vies to become one of Major League Soccer’s (MLS) coveted expansion teams.
The Alamo City native played at MacArthur High School and Trinity University before joining the USL team during its first season last year. In 2016, he became the first San Antonio FC player to earn USL Player of the Week honors following a game during which he netted seven saves, including a penalty kick stop that led the squad to a win.
Coach Darren Powell says Cardone brings some crucial skills and increasing maturity as a player to the field. Nearly as crucial for the success of the team in its second season, which began March 26, is the fact that Cardone and a few other players—including new recruit Devin Vega, an 18-year-old who spent the last two seasons training with the FC Dallas Academy—bring deep San Antonio roots.
The local ties have helped to bolster fan support—a key component to the team’s case for landing an MLS expansion spot (two of which are being announced later this year). For evidence, fans need look no farther than the James Harden–esque “Fear the Beard” cult that formed in 2016 in support of Cardone (and his full beard). The group showed up at every game and kept the energy at Toyota Field high with their cheers.
Avid fan support is, of course, just one aspect needed to land an MLS team. Powell says winning on the field will be another vital piece. And after missing postseason play by just three points last year, he says they’re ready for more success in their sophomore season. “Coming in January (last year), starting preseason in February, and then beginning the season in March meant there was a short time frame to get a team together and get everyone on the same page,” he says. “During preseason last year we were looking at various players, trying to assess their talent and characteristics, but this year we can be very selective in that regard.”
Under the leadership of Spurs Sports & Entertainment, San Antonio FC also has partnered with the MLS New York City FC to provide player development as well as opportunities for team executives to learn about MLS best practices.
San Antonio certainly has competition in its race for a major league team, including from Detroit, San Diego and St. Louis, but Cardone says there’s no reason the Alamo City can’t rise to the top. “San Antonio has a really great shot,” he says. “The city is behind it, the club is behind it and the players are behind it.” And the beard is behind it, too.
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http://mlsmultiplex.com/2017/03/22/video-assistant-referee-system-to-expanding-in-usl-and-mls-in-2017/
Video Assistant Referee system to expand in USL and MLS in 2017
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http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2017/03/22/confirmed-here-are-the-premier-league-teams-that.html
Confirmed: Here are the Premier League teams that will play in Nashville this summer
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http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/36759/schweinsteiger-makes-mls-move/
Schweinsteiger makes MLS move
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http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Galaxy-to-Take-On-ManU-in-Summer-Exhibition-Game-416839053.html
Galaxy to Take On ManU in Summer Exhibition Game
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http://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/atlanta-united-fc/2017/3/22/15013474/atlanta-united-mls-cup-us-open-cup-concacaf-champions-league-fifa-club-world-cup-competitions
An explainer of every competition that involves Atlanta United and MLS clubs
It seems like a lot, but it will all make sense in the end.
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http://www.abc15.com/sports/sports-blogs-local/phoenix-rising-fc-offering-free-tickets-to-arizona-state-grand-canyon-students
Phoenix Rising FC offering free tickets to Arizona State, Grand Canyon students
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http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2017/03/22/landon-donovan-san-diego-mls-expansion
Landon Donovan finds his post-playing passion in San Diego's MLS expansion bid
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http://kplr11.com/2017/03/21/st-louis-soccer-ownership-group-unveils-community-benefits-agreement/
St. Louis soccer ownership group unveils ‘Community Benefits Agreement’
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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/03/22/manchester-united-play-real-salt-lake-la-galaxy-summer
Manchester United to play Real Salt Lake, LA Galaxy this summer
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http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/773035
Cincinnati Unveils Expanded TV Deal
Partnership with WKRC Cincinnati, WSTR, CW adds road contests in 2017
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http://www.stpetebeachtoday.com/historic-don-cesar-hotel-sold-202-6-million/
The Historic Don CeSar Hotel Sold for $202.6 Million
St. Pete Beach Today
March 21, 2017
That’s right, the Historic Don CeSar hotel on St. Pete Beach, Florida sold for a total of $202.6 Million to an affiliate of Host Hotels & Resorts. The sale of the 277-room hotel and the 70-room Beach House Suites, was confirmed back in January but was not finalized until recently.
Did you know…
The Don CeSar was built by Thomas Rowe, it opened its doors in regal splendor on January 10, 1928. Rowe started construction in 1926, but after many revisions to the original plan, by mid-1927 he was running short of funds. Pass-a-Grille industrialist Warren Webster loaned him the dollars to furnish the hotel and on January 10, the first guests checked in. An elaborate formal opening was staged on January 16, 1928. In those days dinner cost $2.50 and a room on the European plan went for $24 per night!
Interested in learning more about the history of the Don CeSar? CLICK HERE for more fun facts!
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http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/772965
2017 USL Preview: Tulsa Roughnecks FC
Vaudreuil brings new vision to club as it looks to climb standings
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http://www.waxahachietx.com/sports/20170322/new-national-standards-changing-landscape-of-ellis-county-youth-soccer
New national standards changing landscape of Ellis County youth soccer
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http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2017/03/22/rowdies-team-up-with-youth-soccer-group-as-next.html
Rowdies team up with youth soccer group as next step in MLS bid
The Tampa Bay Rowdies are extending their brand to the Tampa Bay United Soccer Club, a youth soccer group, as the team works to become the next expansion team for Major League Soccer.
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http://www.stlamerican.com/news/columnists/guest_columnists/mls-is-an-opportunity-for-st-louis/article_8b7e2710-0f62-11e7-9174-63b6c407a322.html
MLS is an opportunity for St. Louis
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http://www.stl.news/mls-ownership-group-promises-bring-5-million-jobs-youth-programs/10116/
MLS ownership group promises to bring $5 million in jobs & youth programs
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http://www.espn.co.uk/football/major-league-soccer/story/3087448/sir-alex-ferguson-says-major-league-soccer-is-definitely-improving
Sir Alex Ferguson says Major League Soccer is 'definitely improving'
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http://www.keyt.com/sports/ema-boatengs-journey-to-mls-included-several-strong-years-in-santa-barbara-area/409769823
Ema Boateng's journey to MLS included several strong years in Santa Barbara area
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http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/sky-blue-fc-announces-corporate-partnership-with-anthonys-coal-fired-pizza/n-5242931
Sky Blue FC Announces Corporate Partnership with Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza
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http://supportyourlocalfootballclub.blogspot.com/2017/03/mls2stpeteand-why-failure-of-mutiny.html
#MLS2StPete — And why the failure of the Mutiny doesn’t matter
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http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article47939140.html
December 4, 2015 10:33 AM
Beckham announces Overtown site for soccer stadium
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http://www.stltoday.com/news/opinion/mailbag/support-soccer-stadium-which-will-add-to-city-s-revenue/article_68b45686-e265-5598-aa0f-4f926a5c756f.html
Support soccer stadium, which will add to city's revenue
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http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/mls-commissioner-to-visit-st-louis-monday/article_55adeaf8-4135-5946-a8c6-ec0926d52402.html
MLS commissioner to visit St. Louis Monday
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https://www.socceramerica.com/article/72758/mls-expansion-garber-headed-to-st-louis-on-monda.html
MLS Expansion: Garber headed to St. Louis on Monday
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http://portlandtribune.com/pt/12-sports/351069-229321-soccer-too-as-timbers-2-season-gets-underway
Soccer, too, as Timbers 2 season gets underway
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http://www.gulftoday.ae/portal/9c8b5ecb-c76a-46c9-b254-f007df4ac547.aspx
‘Schweinsteiger fitness will be tested in MLS’
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