Kriseman Expands on Tropicana Field Speculation

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http://www.theunsubs.com/wp/2017/08/18/kriseman-expands-on-tropicana-field-speculation/3202

Kriseman Expands on Tropicana Field Speculation

St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman ruffled some feathers two weeks ago in Tampa Bay and even with the Tampa Bay Rowdies when he, unprompted, mentioned in a radio interview with WDAE 620-AM that Major League Soccer was “intrigued” by the idea of a new stadium for the Rowdies where Tropicana Field currently sits.

The suggestion understandably miffed Rowdies Owner Bill Edwards, who quickly released a statement reaffirming his commitment to expanding Al Lang Stadium up to MLS standards using private money. Edwards has spent many months and a lot of money selling the local community and MLS on the idea of Al Lang as the home of a potential Rowdies MLS franchise. He doesn’t just want to be one of the four expansion groups to make it into MLS, he wants to be one of the two groups announced at the end of this year. To do that, Edwards’ group has been focused on demonstrating confidence in a single plan and location.

Kriseman’s comments also drew the attention of local media, spawning Tampa Bay Times columns from Tom Jones and John Romano. Both columns threw cold water on the idea of the Rowdies moving to the Tropicana site and, without much compelling evidence, cast doubt on the viability of the Rowdies’ MLS bid.

Below is a portion of Unused Substitute’s interview with Kriseman this week in which he expands on the Tropicana Field speculation. He explained how the Tropicana Field site came up in his talks with MLS, gave some insight on the league’s feelings toward the Al Lang expansion plan, and offered up why he believes the idea of two potential sites for the Rowdies wouldn’t be a deal-breaker for MLS.

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http://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/commissioner-pushes-for-memorial-stadium-renovation-after-city-turns-down-deed/594614550

Commissioner pushes for Memorial Stadium renovation after city turns down deed

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Mecklenburg County Commissioner Jim Puckett wants to revisit renovating Memorial Stadium after Charlotte City Council turned down the deed.

The economic committee declined the deed, which was gifted by the county because it included a contingency that the Memorial Stadium must be used for Major League Soccer.

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https://sherbrooktimes.com/mls-an-additional-substitution-will-be-permitted/28180

MLS : an additional substitution will be permitted

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http://www.wbt.com/articles/erik-spanberg-mls-soccer-clt-maybe

Erik Spanberg: MLS Soccer in CLT? Maybe

Erik Spanberg, Senior Staff Writer, Charlotte Business Journal talks with Bo. If a Major League Soccer team comes to Charlotte, it won’t be playing at Memorial Stadium— or in a new stadium built on the county-owned land where Memorial Stadium is located.

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https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2017/08/18/here-s-how-much-fc-cincinnati-s-potential-mls.html

Here’s how much FC Cincinnati’s potential MLS franchise could be worth

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https://www.sounderatheart.com/2017/8/18/16167748/mls-adds-fourth-extra-time-substitution-playoffs

Major Link Soccer: MLS adds fourth extra-time substitution

We’ll see how strategies change in the playoffs. DeAndre Yedlin returns to the training field. David Beckham makes risotto.

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http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/824348

USL Top Five – #FearTheBeard

Which of the league’s bearded players commands the greatest respect?