Match preview: Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Harrisburg City Islanders

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.brotherlygame.com/2017/8/5/16100608/2017-usl-match-preview-tampa-bay-rowdies-vs-harrisburg-city-islanders-how-to-watch-online-streaming

Match preview: Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Harrisburg City Islanders

The Islanders decided that they liked Florida, so they’re playing another match there

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.firstpost.com/sports/major-league-soccer-to-introduce-video-review-system-video-assistant-refereeing-across-all-matches-3896195.html

Major League Soccer to introduce video review system, Video Assistant Refereeing across all matches

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.southbendtribune.com/sports/professional/mls-gaining-respectability/article_72688f7c-cbed-5596-ac93-819e43550106.html

MLS gaining respectability

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/soccer/ct-real-madrid-mls-fox-sports-univision-20170804-story.html

MLS All-Stars vs. Real Madrid gets boost from Spanish-language viewers

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.wcpo.com/sports/fc-cincinnati/is-major-league-soccer-a-ponzi-scheme-deadspin-writer-wonders

Deadspin writer wonders: Is Major League Soccer a Ponzi scheme?

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.newstribune.com/news/sports/pro/story/2017/aug/05/major-league-soccer-gaining-respectability/685067/

Major League Soccer gaining respectability

(Follow link for full article.)

http://the18.com/soccer-news/soccer-finally-getting-its-shit-together-officiating-game

Soccer Is Finally Getting Its Shit Together Officiating The Game

With VAR and retrospective punishment for floppers, soccer is making sure the game is played fairly.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mls/sporting-kc/article165662392.html

Sporting KC embracing addition of MLS instant replay, but there’s skepticism

(Follow link for full article.)

http://newsok.com/article/5559021

Major League Soccer gaining respectability

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2017/aug/04/mls-gaining-respectability-soccer-league-on-a-good-path/

MLS gaining respectability, soccer league ‘on a good path’

Teams no longer look for quick fixes big names provide

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/news/2017/08/04/alamodome-out-as-long-term-option-for-mls.html

Alamodome out as long-term option for MLS expansion

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.heraldtribune.com/sports/20170804/mls-growing-in-leaps-and-bounds

MLS growing in leaps and bounds

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/5-top-footballers-who-own-football-clubs

5 top footballers who own football clubs

A new trend is emerging with high-profile players taking up ownership of football clubs.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://investmoneyinindia.com/2017/08/05/beckham-moving-closer-to-his-expansion-mls-team-for-miami/

Beckham moving closer to his expansion MLS team for Miami

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.tampabay.com/news/transportation/rick-vs-rick-st-petersburgs-mayors-talk-transportation/2332745

Rick vs. Rick: St. Petersburg's mayors talk transportation

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mls/article165360022.html

Miami FC sues U.S. Soccer, FIFA. Wants promotion and relegation rules in U.S.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2017/aug/04/rangers-interested-in-promotion-delegat/

Rangers interested in promotion/delegation

A team that competes in the National Premier Soccer League filed a claim Thursday with an international sports arbitration court to require the U.S. Soccer Federation to adopt promotion and relegation across all three of its professional divisions.

If such a system were adopted in the U.S., an NPSL team like the Little Rock Rangers could eventually ascend to Major League Soccer if they won enough games.

The claim -- made by the NPSL's Kingston Stockade FC and Miami FC of the North American Soccer League -- contends that U.S. soccer is failing to follow Article 9 of the FIFA rulebook, which states that its members define professional divisions based on performance.

FIFA is the international governing body for soccer.

Every country other than the U.S. and Australia practices promotion and relegation, including in the English Premier League, which in 2016 sent three teams at the bottom of its league standings to its second-division Football League Championship in exchange for three teams at the top of that league's standings.

In the U.S., the 2016 NPSL and NASL champions remained in their lower-tier leagues while the teams at the bottom of superior leagues remained in theirs.

If a promotion and relegation system were implemented in the U.S., teams that belong to lower-tier leagues like the Little Rock Rangers can ascend to higher-tier leagues without having to pay expensive expansion fees or be approved by expansion committees.

"We're taking this action," Miami FC CEO Sean Flynn said in a statement, "because we believe that the benefits of soccer should be shared by the many, not the few, and that soccer's top division should include the best teams, not the teams that pay certain sums of money."

The claim will be heard by the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport, which has resolved disputes in the Olympics, Tour de France and FIFA.

Arkansas was without a high-level soccer team for 20 years before local businessman Jonathan Wardlaw helped found the Little Rock Rangers in the amateur NPSL for $22,500 in October of 2015.

Wardlaw said in May that the team is "just not there financially" to make a jump to the professional Division III level, which would require a buy-in that ranges from $300,000 to $500,000 and an owner worth $10 million to own 35 percent of the team.

A promotion and relegation system could allow the Rangers to ascend without such an investment.

"Who knows what could happen?" Wardlaw said. "I'm just interested to see how this all shakes out."

A switch to a promotion and relegation system in America would disrupt a current structure that relies on financial viability.

The current buy-in rate for an MLS franchise is over $140 million, and the success of the league, according to Wardlaw, is dependent on the stability of each team and how well each team cultivates their individual markets for ticket sales and commercial deals.

"They're driven by their huge markets," Wardlaw said. "The New Yorks, the LA's -- that's where they're getting their fan bases. What the other leagues are seeking: Why don't we just get a ton of Little Rock sized cities, get them together and take that approach."

If a promotion and relegation system were in place, a team based in Little Rock could eventually overtake a team based in New York City, which could remove a significant market from the highest stage.

"A lot of it comes to what the fan demands," Wardlaw said. "Which [system] do the fans pay attention to more? It's going to get into the TV and sponsorship money, and it go away with the current [buy-in] requirements if there's enough sponsorship money. It's going to be really interesting."

The possible toppling of large markets has not hurt the British Premier League, which signed a $7.8 billion British TV rights deal for the 2016-2019 seasons. The MLS signed a $750 million deal with ESPN, FOX and Univsion for the 2015-2022 seasons.

The gap is largely due to the disparity of soccer's popularity in the two cultures, but a switch to the European model could positively influence the popularity of the game in the U.S.

At a glance

SOCCER RELEGATION

• Here's where the Rangers would stand in a promotion and relegation system, if they compete at the Division III level, and how they would advance in such a model if it were based on what is done in the British Premier League.

DIVISION I

(MLS)

Bottom three in Major League Soccer standings would go to Division II, making room for the top three from Division II

DIVISION II

(NASL, USL)

Top three teams in Division II standings would replace lowest three teams in the Division I standings. Bottom three teams would descend to Division III.

NOTE NASL denotes North American Soccer League; USL denotes United Soccer league.

DIVISION III

(NISA, 2018; USL, 2019)

Top three teams in the Division III standings would replace lowest three teams in the Division II standings.

NOTE NISA (National Independent Soccer Association); and a second USL (United States League) scheduled to kick off.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://thefloridasqueeze.com/2017/08/05/mario-noriega-charting-course-in-south-florida-soccer-despite-fort-lauderdale-strikers-purchase-falling-through/amp/

Mario Noriega charting course in south Florida soccer despite Fort Lauderdale Strikers purchase falling through

The trip to Sweden came not long after Noriega withdrew from attempting to purchase the Strikers, leaving the club’s trademark and branding in the hands of Tampa Bay Rowdies owner Bill Edwards.

When the first bid logged by Noriega in partnership with existing majority owner Paulo Cesso was rejected by NASL’s board, it meant the Strikers would not compete during the 2017 league campaign. Noriega regrouped and as sole owner submitted a “competitive bid” which was being heavily scrutinized by the league. NASL notified Noriega’s attorney’s of some of the concerns and rather than keep going through the process given NASL’s rejection of previous bids (the Cesso/Noriega bid and a bid from the FC Miami City PDL club).  “I believe we had strong plans for them but we didn’t convince the league for whatever reason. We decided to just drop it,” Noriega told us.

As far as continuing his pursuit of pro soccer in the local market and maybe teaming up with Bill Edwards, Noriega said, “We have not yet had any conversations with Bill Edwards but it’s soon, they just got control of the club.” “if it is possible to have a team working with Bill Edwards and taking the club to a different league it’s a possibility, hopes are not dead yet.

With the development pyramid having been set up at Miramar, it could be linked to the Strikers pro team. Fort Lauderdale previously had affiliations with West Pines United in 2012 and Fort Lauderdale Select FC in 2016.

Noriega is figure that bears watching locally as he is committed to growing the sport in the area and might just take a stab at pro soccer or reviving the Strikers in the near future.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://napavalleyregister.com/sports/college-and-pro/mls-gaining-respectability-soccer-league-on-a-good-path/article_68ef127d-bf2e-5e5d-b121-e0af5f3e801e.html

MLS gaining respectability, soccer league 'on a good path'

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.mantecabulletin.com/section/154/article/145557/
           
MLS gaining respect, soccer league ‘on a good path’

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/college/vanderbilt/2017/08/05/vanderbilt-football-fans-say-no-off-campus-stadium-mls/530874001/

Vanderbilt football, MLS share off-campus stadium? Commodore fans say no way

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.goal.com/en-in/news/video-var-rules-out-fc-dallas-goal/1ktw9ytdti2jz1jr2gbnfex77i

VIDEO: VAR rules out MLS goal for the first time

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/3173385/video-review-debuts-in-mls-rules-out-goal-in-fc-dallas-loss-to-philadelphia

Video review debuts in MLS, rules out goal in Dallas' first-ever loss to Union

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/greg-cote/article165712047.html

Tannehill calamity, Taylor in Canton, Beckham’s progress star in week’s Hot Button Top 5

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.mdjonline.com/sports/mls-gaining-in-respectability-on-international-basis/article_1ca6275c-7984-11e7-b9c4-9328516d477e.html

MLS gaining in respectability on international basis

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/820654

Rowdies Pull Away from City Islanders

Early goal paves way to 3-0 victory for Tampa Bay

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/soccer/pickens-sharp-in-100th-rowdies-appearance/2332815
    
Matt Pickens sharp in 100th Rowdies appearance, a 3-0 victory

Rowdies offense catches up to defense

ST. PETERSBURG — Tampa Bay took control from the very beginning of Saturday's match against Harrisburg and never let up, scoring an early goal after one of many first-half corner kicks. What seemed mercilessly out of reach for much of the game, though, was the insurance goal that the Rowdies have grown accustomed to scoring.

Against a squad that hasn't won since July 15, the Rowdies had five shots in the box and seven corner kicks before the break. But it wasn't until Martin Paterson headed a Marcel Schafer cross into the net in the 73rd minute that the Rowdies could breathe a little easier, and Walter Restrepo scored another in the final minutes to help the Rowdies cruise to a 3-0 victory.

The shutout was the third straight for the Rowdies, and it gave the crowd of 5,619 at Al Lang Stadium one more reason to celebrate goalkeeper Matt Pickens, who made his 100th appearance.

"The guys made it easy for us, and we're just turning in the right direction," Pickens said. "We don't want to count our chickens before they hatch, but we're doing all the things right. We're playing very clean games right now, and we're just trying to keep it going."

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/soccer/fc-cincinnati/2017/08/05/fc-cincy-finishes-its-biggest-week-late-fireworks-and-off-pitch/543203001/

FC Cincy finishes biggest week with late fireworks, on and off the pitch

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/opinion/columns/story/2017/aug/06/kennedy-soccer-invasihappening-now/441818/

Kennedy: Soccer invasion is happening now

(Follow link for full article.)

http://worldsoccertalk.com/2017/08/06/video-review-makes-inpact-in-mls-debut/

Video review makes inpact in MLS debut

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.bendbulletin.com/sports/5496468-151/slowly-us-growth-has-the-worlds-attention

Slowly, U.S. growth has the world’s attention

(Follow link for full article.)

https://fansided.com/2017/08/06/didier-drogba-unleashes-thunderbolt-usl-match-video/

Didier Drogba unleashes thunderbolt in USL match (Video)

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/watch-drogba-scores-stunning-free-kick-phoenix-rising

WATCH: Drogba scores stunning free-kick for Phoenix Rising

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/6rvq0j/post_match_thread_tampa_bay_rowdies_vs_harrisburg/

POST MATCH THREAD: Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Harrisburg City Islanders [8/5] (self.TampaBayRowdies)

Tampa Bay Rowdies 3, Harrisburg City Islanders 0

USL Match Center

The switch to the new formation has done wonders for this team, they look fantastic out there. There isn't even really that much for me to say other than Schafer has just completely torn apart teams lately. We really look like we are one of the best teams in the conference now.

This brings us in a tie for second on points...need to keep this streak rolling...

Hope the Cole injury ends up not being serious...

Stu said it was a back injury. No timeline or anything, but Matt said he saw him walking around fine on his own later.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-ZIcvdWUSQ

HIGHLIGHTS: #TBRvHAR 8/5/17

United Soccer League

Published on Aug 5, 2017

The Rowdies continued their dominance at Al Lang Stadium as Martin Paterson and Marcel Schäfer led a 3-0 win over Harrisburg.

http://uslsoccer.com/

Keep up with the latest news and subscribe!

https://twitter.com/USL
https://www.facebook.com/USL
http://instagram.com/usl/

#USL

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/6rvqwy/ralphs_mob_pickens_100th_game_tifo/

Ralph's Mob - Pickens 100th Game Tifo (streamable.com)

(Follow link for full article.)

https://streamable.com/jnxba

(Follow link for full article.)

https://twitter.com/ralphsmob/status/893990185175830528

Ralph's Mob‏

@RalphsMob

Tifo from tonight

5:20 PM - 5 Aug 2017

(Follow link for full article.)

https://imgur.com/gallery/Q41aY