Rowdies Highlights vs Montreal Impact - Feb 17, 2018

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=490onpJfpEU

Rowdies Highlights vs Montreal Impact - Feb 17, 2018

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on Feb 17, 2018

Highlights of Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Montreal Impact in the Rowdies Suncoast Invitational, including Jochen Graf's first goal as a member of the Rowdies.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMRdol12KMI

2018 Rowdies Suncoast Invitational - Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Montreal Impact

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Streamed live on Feb 17, 2018

Rowdies Suncoast Invitational 2018

Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Montreal Impact

Feb 17, 2018

Al Lang Stadium, St. Petersburg

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7ysiyw/cole_i_should_have_come_to_the_united_states/

Cole: I should have come to the United States instead of Liverpool (goal.com)

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http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/cole-i-should-have-come-to-the-united-states-instead-of/1vuhkiolfitih1p1t0i854avrh

Cole: I should have come to the United States instead of Liverpool

The midfielder has been pleased with his time with the Tampa Bay Rowdies and says he should have gone across the pond after leaving Chelsea

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http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/joe-cole-i-should-ve-snubbed-liverpool-for-united-states-move-4220720

Joe Cole: I should've snubbed Liverpool for United States move

Joe Cole has revealed he regrets joining Liverpool from Chelsea in 2010.

The former England international signed with Chelsea from West Ham United in 2003 and went on to win three Premier League titles during his seven seasons at Stamford Bridge.

After signing with Liverpool, Cole's career fell off dramatically. He made just 26 Premier League appearances for the Reds in 18 months. He then spent time at Lille, West Ham, Aston Villa and Coventry before arriving at Tampa Bay Rowdies in 2016.

And Cole has stated his regret at not moving to the States when he left Chelsea.

"I'm still loving playing and it's a great lifestyle out there," Cole told Chelsea's website.

"It was a really good decision and I wish I'd gone when I left Chelsea.

"Once I'd done my knee I couldn't really keep myself fit for any length of time, apart from when I played in France for a season, and with hindsight I should have done it then."

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http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/888429?referrer_id=2333971

11 Preseason Things – New Cycle Begins

Battery’s victory brings spotlight; Ever ready for San Antonio

6. RIGHT ACTION: The Tampa Bay Rowdies ended up on the short end of a 2-1 defeat to the Montreal Impact on Saturday night at the Suncoast Invitational at Al Lang Stadium, but as in their prior outing against FC Cincinnati, there was a lot to like from the team’s display, particularly a rollicking second half that saw the hosts put their MLS opponents on their heels regularly. For around a 20-minute spell, Tampa Bay created plenty of chances, highlighted by a Junior Flemmings finish that was cleared off the line and a penalty kick by Georgi Hristov that was saved by Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush. The pressure eventually paid off with 15 minutes to go, as Jochen Graf notched his first goal for the club, at which point it looked possible the hosts would go on to earn victory, only for the Impact to quickly take advantage of a defensive lapse to allow Nacho Piatti an opportunity he took well for the winner. As it stands, though, there have been far more positives for the Rowdies than negatives, results notwithstanding.

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https://www.dkpittsburghsports.com/2018/02/19/fun-staff-free-time-bradenton/

Fun with the staff: ‘Free time’ in Bradenton

BRADENTON, Fla. — One question gets asked all the time about covering the Pirates in Florida: “What do you do with your free time at spring training?” It gets asked by friends, it gets asked by readers and it gets asked by anyone who finds out your reason for visiting the ‘Sunshine State.’

Although I’d love to, Lance Lysowski and I don’t use our free time to golf. That’s probably the most popular assumption. We also don’t use it to fish off of one of the beautiful piers we drive by on the way to Pirate City or LECOM Park. In our ‘free time,’ we’re more likely to be found working … or eating.

There’s just not as much time as someone would assume when covering the earliest parts of the baseball season. While it’s true that the portion of the day we spend with the Pirates ends shortly after noon, that’s really when our days are just getting started. From there it’s generally lunch, work, dinner, work, sleep, repeat.

In a rare case, such as Saturday night in my situation, you’re able to experience a little bit extra for a couple of hours. Things have to align perfectly, and they did for me as I was able to take advantage of a shorter day and get my work done in time to see my soccer team, the Philadelphia Union, and college friend Ray Gaddis take on D.C. United at Al Lang Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

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http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/888133?referrer_id=2349190

Rowdies Battle, But Fall to Montreal

Piatti scores winner for Impact after Graf brought Tampa Bay level

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https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/2018/2/17/17024508/impact-wins-again

Impact Wins Again!

Tampa Bay Rowdies 1-2 Montreal Impact

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https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/feb/18/dc-united-beat-philadelphia-union-2018-preseason-o/

DC United beat Philadelphia Union in 2018 preseason opener

Luciano Acosta’s late goal lifted DC United over Philadelphia Union, 2-1, in the two teams’ opening match of the 2018 Rowdies Suncoast Invitational.

Cory Burke tied the game for Philadelphia in the 88th minute, but Acosta turned around and nailed the deciding goal one minute later.

Darren Mattocks scored the match’s first goal in the 14th minute for United, assisted by Zoltán Stieber.

The match was played at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida. The United Soccer League club Tampa Bay Rowdies are hosting the preseason tournament, and New York City FC and Montreal Impact are also in Florida for the tournament.

Six new signings played in United’s starting 11 against Philadelphia: Mattocks, Yamil Asad, Frédéric Brillant, Oniel Fisher, Júnior Moreno and Ulises Segura.

United will play one more match in the invitational, Wednesday against Jacksonville Armada FC of the North American Soccer League.

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7ysjk0/back_in_time_vancouver_whitecaps_and_the_days_of/

Back In Time: Vancouver Whitecaps and the days of Las Vegas Quicksilvers (aftn.ca)

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http://aftn.ca/back-in-time-vancouver-whitecaps-and-the-days-of-las-vegas-quicksilvers/

Back In Time: Vancouver Whitecaps and the days of Las Vegas Quicksilvers

The 1970’s was a strange decade. The fashion, the fads, and what was with all that brown and orange wallpaper? Then in football you had the North American Soccer League.

There were a lot of weird and wonderful things that went on with the old NASL but 1977 certainly stands out as a particularly bizarre year. It was a year where new markets were tried, and spectacularly failed, seemingly serving as major steer clear lesson for the decades that followed.

Last week, with a Vancouver Whitecaps team set to take to the pitch at Aloha Stadium for the first time in 41 years, we brought you the story of Team Hawaii and the days when the ‘Caps headed to the island to play a league match in 1977. And we’ve got to say, we were delighted to see that the article proved incredibly popular!

So with the ‘Caps set to take on new USL side Las Vegas Lights tonight in a preseason friendly, we just had to take a look at the last time a Whitecaps team played in Sin City as well, as we journey back to the days of the Las Vegas Quicksilvers, when the ‘Caps headed to Vegas to play a league match.

That year? You guessed it. 1977.

I love my football history and the NASL has always fascinated me. Even when I was a kid over in Scotland, I was collecting football programmes (programs to the rest of you reading this!) from visiting NASL teams touring the four corners of the United Kingdom on pre and post season friendlies. And I still have them.

Such exotic names to a kid growing up used to a bunch of Uniteds, Citys, and their ilk. No Aztecs, Earthquakes, or Rowdies for us. The 1977 NASL season saw a couple of names disappear as the teams folded (Boston Minutemen and Philadelphia Atoms) and two others change their names (Hartford Bicentennials became the Connecticut Bicentennials and New York Cosmos dropped their city name to become just the Cosmos).

Three other teams relocated altogether, throwing up three new names for fans. The Miami Toros moved to Fort Lauderdale and became the well known Strikers, and as we talked about last week, the Thunder left San Antonio to become the horribly named Team Hawaii.

Finally, and talking of horrible team names, San Diego Jaws left the sandy beaches behind for the desert sand and became Las Vegas Quicksilvers.

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http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/city-beat/article200762894.html

How much would an MLS snub damage Sacramento Republic FC fan interest?

The temperature was plummeting into the 40s on Thursday night as Republic FC took the pitch at Papa Murphy’s Park. Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders FC were in town for a meaningless preseason friendly with Sacramento. The star attraction of the night – men’s national team star and Sounders forward Clint Dempsey – was sitting on the sidelines in street clothes.

Yet a crowd of around 6,000 fans turned out – an attendance figure that would thrill most other teams in the second division USL. Fans mingled around the concourse sipping craft beer and the Tower Bridge Battalion supporters club cheered from the stands, singing “Republic till I die.”

As Sacramento’s prolonged campaign to join Major League Soccer drags on, will this level of loyalty continue?

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https://sports.yahoo.com/bayern-arjen-robben-won-t-134539585.html

Bayern’s Arjen Robben won’t rule out future in MLS

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http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/twitter-amazon-youtube-verizon-nfl-streaming-rights

Report: Twitter, Amazon, YouTube and Verizon in contention for NFL streaming rights

Four technology companies bidding for Thursday Night Football slot.

In January, YouTube agreed a deal with Los Angeles Football Club, a Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion franchise due to begin competing in the 2018 season, for exclusive Los Angeles-area broadcast rights.

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http://www.sports360az.com/2018/02/zhang-gives-big-boost-rising-fc-pursuit-mls/

Alex Zheng:Difference Maker for Rising FC

The trajectory of Phoenix Rising FC towards being granted a Major League Soccer club went into a different direction last week when the franchise announced a significant piece to their already stable ownership structure. Before I get into why the addition of Alex Zheng as Director of the Rising FC governing board is so important for fans of the team, let’s back up.

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https://theknow.denverpost.com/2018/02/19/coldest-mls-match-colorado/176935/

Colorado Rapids could play the coldest match ever between MLS teams, giving Commerce City a potential second game for the record books

The CONCACAF Champions League game could break record for low temperature kickoff

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https://worldsoccertalk.com/2018/02/14/carlos-cordeiros-tenure-will-judged-handles-soccer-united-marketing-sum/

Carlos Cordeiro’s tenure will be judged by how he handles Soccer United Marketing (SUM)

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https://www.cnet.com/news/espn-plus-to-stream-mls-live-soccer-matches/

ESPN Plus to stream MLS Live soccer matches

In an exclusive deal, the upcoming $5 per month sports subscription service will carry major league American kicks

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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/02/14/kick-mls-fantasy-back-lagerway-linked-usmnt-soccergrams

Kick Off: MLS Fantasy is back! | Lagerway linked to USMNT | #SoccerGrams

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https://ussoccerplayers.com/2018/02/mls-club-partnerships-history-dallas-bayern-munich.html

MLS club partnerships have an interesting history

By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON DC (Feb 14, 2018) US Soccer Players - MLS clubs partnering with famous European outfits is not a new phenomenon. Attempts to link up with the established elite in Europe has long been part of the chase to advance the MLS version of the game. Before MLS was a decade old, it wasn't unusual to see announcements that teams were linking up with European counterparts to exchange of business and soccer ideas.

These “partnerships”, (the scare quotes are necessary) rarely delivered much. Most came and went without any real reports of their impact on the MLS club. They slipped out of the spotlight almost as soon as the participating clubs issued the obligatory quote-laden press releases. The European club would play up the opportunities to get some of its younger players experience, while the MLS side would express excitement over the chance to learn from the world-class technical staff of the European club. Rinse-and-repeat.

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http://www.ktsa.com/mayor-not-giving-mls/

San Antonio’s mayor not giving up on MLS

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https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2018/02/14/fc-cincinnati-stadium-whos-who-west-end-debate/333315002/

FC Cincinnati stadium: Who's who in West End debate

The drama over the attempt to bring a Major League Soccer stadium to the West End has a lengthy cast of characters that includes some of the most powerful people in Cincinnati and others who have crusaded for decades as advocates for the black community. ...

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https://www.prosoccerusa.com/fc-dallas/fc-bayern-and-fc-dallas-announce-landmark-player-development-partnership/

FC Bayern and FC Dallas announce landmark player development partnership

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https://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/charleston/charleston-battery-hosts-major-league-soccer-teams-at-the-carolina-challenge-cup/Content?oid=15513960

Charleston Battery hosts Major League Soccer teams at the Carolina Challenge Cup

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http://metro.co.uk/2018/02/14/zlatan-ibrahimovic-already-house-hunting-ahead-expected-manchester-united-exit-7313518/

Zlatan Ibrahimovic already house hunting ahead of expected Manchester United exit

Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is looking for a new house in Los Angeles as he prepares to leave the club, reports claim.

The 36-year-old is has been heavily linked with a transfer to Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy when his one-year contract at Old Trafford expires in the summer.

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http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/patriots/the_blitz/2018/02/five_next_boston_sports_droughts_to_end

Five next Boston sports droughts to end

2. New England Revolution to win the MLS Cup

Major League Soccer has only been around since 1996, but the Revolution were in on the ground floor. And, for a while, the franchise owned by the Krafts seemed perhaps destined for the same type of success that it shared Gillette Stadium with. However, the Revolution could not quite get over the hump. They made it to the MLS Cup final in 2002, then three consecutive seasons from 2005-2007. The Revolution made another run at it in 2014 only to fall short to the Los Angeles Galaxy. Since then, the Revolution have yet to approach that same level.

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http://www.mystatesman.com/sports/soccer/mls-austin-soccer-tabled-thursday-council-meeting/iNKM5Hlv2pQnKT63Q1LljP/

MLS to Austin: Soccer to be tabled at Thursday’s council meeting

Soccer will not be part of the conversation when the Austin City Council meets Thursday.

Item 19, which involves discussion and possible action on Major League Soccer stadium sites, remains on the agenda but will be postponed, according to the mayor’s office.

The city staff has withdrawn the soccer agenda item, and Mayor Steve Adler will announce that at the beginning of the meeting, said Jason Stanford, Adler’s communications director. “No chance of it coming up for discussion that we can see,” Stanford said.

Precourt Sports Ventures, owners of Columbus Crew SC, is not ready to have that discussion since it has yet to identify stadium site preferences to the city after its scuttled pursuit of Butler Shores Metropolitan Park.

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https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/espn-strikes-deal-mls-exclusive-streaming-rights/

ESPN+ Strikes a Deal with MLS For Exclusive Streaming Rights

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http://triblive.com/business/headlines/13303841-74/a-tv-station-just-made-a-first-of-its-kind-sports-streaming-deal

A TV station just made a first-of-its-kind sports streaming deal

 LOS ANGELES — A television station in Salt Lake City has struck a first-of-its-kind deal: It is going to livestream a professional sports team's games without also carrying them over the air.

KSL, an NBC affiliate, is charging into the digital future by securing the local rights to livestream the games of Major League Soccer franchise Real Salt Lake to viewers in the Salt Lake City area. The deal announced Tuesday is the first such agreement between a U.S. local TV station and a pro sports team.

The agreement reflects how viewers - who have increasingly made a habit of watching shows and live sporting events on their digital devices - are changing the way broadcasters are looking at their business. And it could pave the way for other local broadcasters to strike similar deals.

Real Salt Lake already has an over-the-air TV outlet: Its games are shown on Sinclair Broadcasting's KYMU. But KSL - owned by Bonneville International Corp., which itself is owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - pursued the streaming rights separately as it looks for local content to reach audiences who have migrated to digital devices.

Another MLS team, the Los Angeles Football Club, has an exclusive deal with a streaming service, bypassing local TV completely. The team sold the rights for 18 games to Alphabet Inc.'s YouTubeTV, which will make them available to subscribers of the over-the-top streaming service in Southern California for an additional fee.

On a national basis, Walt Disney Co.'s ESPN is launching a subscription streaming service, offering live events not shown on its cable channels. It's a way to reach - and get revenue from - people who don't want to pay for cable or satellite TV.

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http://www.espn.co.uk/football/soccer-transfers/story/3383397/zlatan-ibrahimovic-eyeing-homes-in-los-angeles-amid-galaxy-links-sources

Zlatan Ibrahimovic eyeing homes in Los Angeles amid Galaxy link - sources

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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/02/14/stejskal-tam-closing-mls-liga-mx-gap-will-it-show-ccl

Stejskal: TAM closing the MLS-Liga MX gap, but will it show in CCL?

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http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/espn-plus-mls-streaming-package

ESPN Plus picks up MLS streaming package

New OTT service to show US soccer league fixtures.

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http://theprovince.com/sports/soccer/mls/vancouver-whitecaps/mls-live-to-close-up-shop-as-u-s-streaming-rights-land-with-espn-so-what-about-canada

MLS Live to close up shop as U.S. streaming rights land with ESPN. So what about Canada?

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http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/city-beat/article200400399.html

A whale on the way? Republic FC in talks with ‘several’ potential billionaire investors

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https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/soccer/fc-cincinnati/2018/02/15/sacramento-republic-fc-gaining-ground-mls-expansion-race/343723002/

Is Sacramento Republic FC gaining ground on FC Cincinnati in MLS expansion race?

The appearance locally of Major League Soccer's expansion race is that it's been a one-horse competition with Futbol Club Cincinnati leading, but that's far from the case....

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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/02/15/stejskal-despite-ending-holdout-lee-nguyen-still-wants-out-new-england

Stejskal: Despite ending holdout, Lee Nguyen still wants out of New England

The impasse between Lee Nguyen and the New England Revolution remains on.

Nguyen ended his training camp holdout last week, but sources have told MLSsoccer.com that the veteran attacker still wants to be traded by New England.

As first reported by MLSsoccer.com on Jan. 11, Nguyen asked the Revs for a trade shortly after the end of the 2017 season, then re-iterated his request after Brad Friedel was hired as head coach in November. Friedel told MLSsoccer.com at the MLS Combine on Jan. 17 that the club would not trade Nguyen, who is under contract through 2018 with two club option years in 2019 and 2020. The 31-year-old did not report for the start of New England’s preseason training camp on Jan. 23, holding out for over two weeks before re-joining the Revs last Friday.

Despite his desire to be traded, the sources said New England are still not entertaining offers for Nguyen. Paul Tenorio reported on Feb. 1 that Chicago and Montreal were interested in the attacker.

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http://www.kcra.com/article/talks-between-sacramento-republic-fc-potential-mls-investors-get-very-serious/18205440

Talks between Sacramento Republic FC, potential MLS investors get ‘very serious’

Team hopes to become next expansion team to join Major League Soccer

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https://mlsmultiplex.com/2018/02/16/ranking-the-top-10-stadiums-in-major-league-soccer/

Ranking the top 10 stadiums in Major League Soccer

Heading into the 2018 MLS Season, we rank the top 10 stadiums in Major League Soccer. The league has assembled an impressive collection.

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https://www.prosoccerusa.com/mls/mls-parity-compared-using-gini-coefficient/

A look at MLS parity compared to other leagues using the Gini coefficient

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https://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/news/2018/02/16/more-riding-on-spurs-ownership-than-san-antonios.html

More riding on Spurs ownership than San Antonio's NBA future

The city's pursuit of Major League Soccer is also at stake.

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https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/Michael-Essien-set-to-join-MLS-side-D-C-United-626886

Michael Essien set to join MLS side D.C United

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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/2018/02/16/detroit-major-league-soccer-expansion-2020/345569002/

MLS expansion: League's radio silence bad sign for Detroit's 2020 bid

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https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2018/02/16/charlotte-independence-sale-completed.html

It's official: Charlotte Independence have a new owner

Former Nucor CEO Dan DiMicco this week completed his purchase of controlling interest in the Charlotte Independence.

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https://flixed.io/soccers-shifting-sands-streaming-services/

Soccer’s Shifting Sands of Streaming Services

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http://www.startribune.com/mls-teams-have-better-shot-in-champions-league-soccer-tourney/474353673/

MLS teams have better shot in Champions League soccer tourney

Five MLS teams, including champion Toronto, are in the field.

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http://www.trifectanetworksports.com/new-england-revolution-looking-emls-representative/

New England Revolution Looking For eMLS Representative

on February 16, 2018

 The New England Revolution are on the lookout for the best EA Sports FIFA gamer in the City of Boston. The team is looking for an gamer to represent the club at the official eMLS Cup competition.

Major League Soccer and EA SPORTS debuted a new competitive gaming league for EA SPORTS FIFA 18. A total of 19 MLS clubs will recruit and sign representatives to participate in the inaugural eMLS Cup,

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http://www.espn.com/soccer/soccer-transfers/story/3386250/arjen-robbens-bayern-munich-considering-mls-china-or-qatar-move

Arjen Robben's Bayern Munich considering MLS, China or Qatar move

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http://www.tucsonsentinel.com/sports/report/021718_mls-preseason/friedel-revs-search-1st-preseason-win-against-san-antonio/

Friedel, Revs search for 1st preseason win against San Antonio

U.S. soccer hero takes on challenge of struggling Revs side

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https://nesn.com/2018/02/bayern-munichs-arjen-robben-considers-mls-transfer-heres-potential-timetable/

Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben Considers MLS Transfer; Here’s Potential Timetable

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http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/20180216/armada-opens-store-releases-2018-schedule-amid-league-transition

Armada opens store, releases 2018 schedule amid league transition

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7xz5ps/rowdies_flemmings_hitting_the_ground_hard/

Rowdies, Flemmings Hitting the Ground Hard (uslsoccer.com)

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http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/887664?referrer_id=2333971

Rowdies, Flemmings Hitting the Ground Hard

Tampa Bay set for test from Impact at Suncoast Invitational on Saturday

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https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2018/02/16/as-kriseman-looks-to-redevelop-the-trop-site-rays.html

As Kriseman looks to redevelop the Trop site, Rays remind city they retain some property rights

In a letter this week, the team clarified that last week's announcement means they will exclusively pursue stadium opportunities in Tampa but doesn’t mean the team will definitely move.

The Tampa Bay Rays want to move to Ybor City but they’re not ready to dump St. Petersburg just yet.

In a letter this week to City Attorney Jackie Kovilaritch, the team clarified that last week's announcement means they will exclusively pursue stadium opportunities in Tampa but doesn’t mean the team will definitely move. That’s despite a major marketing campaign supporting an Ybor stadium including a new slogan, “RaYbor City,” and an advocacy group called Rays 2020 supporting the move.

It also means St. Pete isn’t quite free to start developing the Tropicana Field site.

Rays General Counsel John Higgins wrote that while the Rays stadium evaluation activities would be focused solely on the Ybor City site, a “decision notice” was still several months out. That notice would serve as the official document expressing the Rays' intent to break the team's use agreement to play ball at Tropicana Field through 2027.

A spokeswoman for the Rays declined comment, but the Higgins letter lays out how the team has maintained its contractual obligations under the memorandum of understanding approved by both the team and the city that allows the Rays to explore alternative stadium sites.

That document preserves the Rays’ right to half of all development proceeds on the Tropicana Field site through the duration of the team’s contract. The “decision notice” Higgins referenced in his letter would trigger provisions in the MOU including fees for breaking the contract and loss of development rights.

Even though it’s not a done deal, St. Pete officials are preparing for an eventual Rays exodus. Mayor Rick Kriseman said after the Rays announcement that he plans to move forward with updating a site master plan that currently centers on the inclusion of Major League Baseball to one that develops the 81-acre site in a way that complements the city without the Rays.

Alan DeLisle, the city’s development administrator, told the Tampa Bay Business Journal the city is working with HKS Architects, the firm that created the original Tropicana Field site master plan, to update the vision.

“It’s not exactly back to the drawing board,” DeLisle said. “The principles that were identified in that plan are outstanding with or without the stadium.”

Some carryovers from the old plan will likely include incorporating Booker Creek into public park space and building affordable housing. DeLisle said the plan will also include retail, hospitality and office space.

One feature missing from the original site plan was a convention center. During initial conversations about the site, there were mixed opinions about whether downtown St. Pete could support a convention center; the answer to that now is “no.” But an entirely new development with the possibility of adding downtown hotel space could support one.

“I think that is on the table,” DeLisle said. “We will reach out to [Visit St. Pete Clearwater] and explore that idea. The idea would be to learn more about what the market might be calling for and whether that could be a good place for [a convention center].”

One of the features going away in the old master plan is “Rays Way.” It was envisioned as a point of entry to a new stadium on the northeast corner of the Tropicana Field site and a way to engage both fans and non-fans in a way that would encourage game attendance.

Instead, DeLisle said there could be something akin to a main street with public art, a commitment to sustainability and an “entrepreneurial” element.

Another possibility is whether or not the void left by Major League Baseball could be filled by professional soccer.

Tampa Bay Rowdies owner Bill Edwards said this week he's looking to sell a stake in the team. He had been trying to earn an expansion spot in Major League Soccerat Al Lang Stadium where the team currently plays. It’s unclear whether that MLS push could carry over to new team ownership, but a new stadium could grab the attention of MLS Commissioner Don Garber.

DeLisle didn’t say whether the Rowdies MLS vision could be a part of the Tropicana Field site’s future but didn’t rule out the possibility either.

“I don’t think anything is off the table,” he said.

Whatever plans may come, development may not be that far off. Per the MOU, the Rays have until the end of the year to make a decision about whether to leave Tropicana Field. The only catch: The city would have to replace parking spaces lost by any development conducted before the Rays leave town.

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https://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/2018/2/15/17018994/report-carlos-bocanegra-withdraws-name-from-u-s-soccer-gm-role

Report: Carlos Bocanegra withdraws name from U.S. Soccer GM role

That rumor lasted all of 24 hours.

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http://clicklancashire.com/2018/02/16/u-s-announces-friendly-vs-paraguay-in-north-carolina.html

U.S. announces friendly vs. Paraguay in North Carolina

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https://www.news4jax.com/sports/armada-owner-may-change-face-of-soccer-in-america

Armada owner may change face of soccer in America

Robert Palmer's 'Division Zero' approach could change the sport's structure

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http://www.thehoya.com/sewall-president-seeks-new-path-u-s-soccer-federation/

SEWALL | President Seeks New Path for US Soccer Federation

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https://www.nashvillepost.com/sports/nashville-sc/blog/20992924/nashville-sc-announces-television-deal

Nashville SC announces television deal

Twenty-seven of the club's 34 games during inaugural USL season will air live on Ch. 30

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http://www.monroecopost.com/news/20180214/rochester-lancers-lady-lancers-to-play-at-capelli-stadium

Rochester Lancers, Lady Lancers to play at Capelli Stadium

The Rochester Lancers and Lady Lancers signed a contract with Dworkins to play all home games at Capelli Stadium for the 2018 season.

“Aquinas was a great venue last season, but the school will be updating their facility this spring and we are unable to use the stadium there,” said Ashley Maria King, vice president of operations.

Doug Miller will return as head coach for the Rochester Lancers 2018 season in the National Premier Soccer League. Miller led the team to a 6-4-2 record in 2017, and missed the NPSL playoffs by one point.

Sal Galvano will return as head coach of the Lady Lancers in United Women’s Soccer. Galvano serves as head coach for the Monroe Community College Lady Tribunes, who he led to a 13-3 record in 2017.

Kayla Klark Kent-Moreira will return to the Rochester Lancers as director of soccer operations. She worked for the indoor Lancers for four seasons, WNY Flash of the NWSL for two seasons and WNY Flash of the UWS in 2017.

“Soccer is an important part of the Rochester community, and we are excited to host the Lancers and Lady Lancers at Capelli Sport Stadium in 2018,” said David Dworkin, co-owner of Rochester Rhinos and owner of Capelli Sport Stadium.

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7xithl/more_preseason_kits_released_green_and_gold/

More Preseason Kits Released! (Green and gold) (twitter.com)

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https://twitter.com/TampaBayRowdies/status/963797594592997376

Tampa Bay Rowdies‏

Verified account

@TampaBayRowdies

👀 New preseason 🔥 just in time for the Rowdies Suncoast Invitational! We’ll debut these Saturday night against @impactmontreal.

7:30 AM - 14 Feb 2018

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7xla0g/tampa_bay_rowdies_2018_season_preview/

Tampa Bay Rowdies 2018 Season Preview (medium.com)

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https://medium.com/j-king-s-labratory-project/now-or-never-tampa-bay-rowdies-2018-season-preview-ce842545d255

Now or Never: Tampa Bay Rowdies 2018 Season Preview

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7xte18/four_days_left_to_preorder_your_2018_ralphs_mob/

FOUR DAYS LEFT to PRE-ORDER your 2018 Ralph's Mob Memberships!!! (mailchi.mp)

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https://mailchi.mp/3ba36db47762/w3qrz9uzki-1342477?e=[UNIQID]

2018 Membership Packages

ONE WEEK LEFT!

There is only one week left to get your 2018 Ralph's Mob Membership preorder in our online store!  Memberships help to fund our all of our activities throughout the year including: creating tifo, banners and flags; maintaining drums and equipment; and putting on events/coordinating travel.  Purchasing a Ralph’s Mob Membership allows you the ability to purchase 2018 Ralph’s Mob section Season Tickets, away travel, and more!

Like in past years we have multiple tiers to choose from featuring our 2018 Member Shirt and Scarf.  We are also bringing back a "Sons of Pirates" Package and our “Mini-Mobster” Membership for kids!  T-Shirts this year are a higher quality Next Level T-Shirt - not a DriFit style shirt like the past few years.  (For size guides, check out these: Next Level Men's Size Guides; Next Level Women's Size Guides).

To avoid shipping charges, be sure to select "pickup" on the checkout screen. Pickup and shipping orders will both be available at the time of the regular season opener (Saturday, March 24th).  Packages that include shirts will be available via preorder only.  All shirt preorders packages are due by February 19th!

Click on the image above to place your preorder and secure your membership today!

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7y0o6z/lets_play_two_tropics_tangle_with_san_diego/

Let's play two! Tropics tangle with San Diego Sockers for home weekend doubleheader [STREAM LINKS IN COMMENTS] (fltropics.com)

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http://www.fltropics.com/news/let-s-play-two-tropics-tangle-with-san-diego-socke

Let's play two! Tropics tangle with San Diego Sockers for home weekend doubleheader

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7y143c/tbu_coach_edmundo_rodriquez_will_be_part_of/

TBU Coach Edmundo Rodriquez will be part of Rowdies broadcast team (twitter.com)

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https://twitter.com/tbusoccer/status/964476019561426945

tbusoccer‏

@tbusoccer

Great news! Edmundo Rodriguez the current coach of the ECNL 00 Composite team and the U14G Premier will call the TV analysis for all the Rowdies home games this season. Eddie has worked for ESPN3 doing youth soccer for a while and now jumps to the pros!  Congrats to Eddie!

4:26 AM - 16 Feb 2018 from Odessa, FL

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7y2d21/whos_on_your_rowdies_rushmore/

Who's on your Rowdies Rushmore? (self.TampaBayRowdies)

Inspired by this twitter post from the Unused Subs: https://twitter.com/UnusedSubsPod/status/964593289071611905

My four are:

Iron Mike Connell

Steve Wegerle

Perry van der Beck

The White Pele, Rodney Marsh

Murderers Row could work:

http://mytampabayrowdies.blogspot.com/2009/06/rowdies-press-photos-1976-murderers-row.html

The 1976 Rowdies scoring machine, that was called "Murderers Row", with Stewart Scullion, Rodney Marsh, Derek Smethurst, and Clyde Best seated.

I agree that "We stand for soccer " is a bit outdated but I don't know how well a Rowdies Roushmore would go. The majority of people don't know any former rowdies players although it is a nice way to pay homage to them.

Hmmm...this is tough.

Marsh, Georgi, Perry, Luke Mulholland, and most importantly Jonny Steele.

...and as u/RumblesUbambaa said, Shane Hill

Oscar Fabbiani also deserves a mention:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%93scar_Fabbiani

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7y3pzv/time_to_update_the_overhang_at_al_lang/

Time to update the overhang at Al Lang (twitter.com)

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https://twitter.com/unusedsubspod/status/964593289071611905

The Unused Substitutes Soccer Show‏

@UnusedSubsPod

Think it might be time for an update to the overhang at Al Lang. This was a fun way to utilize the overhang, but now it feels like an outdated marketing slogan.

May we suggest getting some awesome local artists to paint Rowdies greats on the overhang instead?

12:12 PM - 16 Feb 2018

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7yai02/rowdies_impact_du_montreal_is_live_show_your/

Rowdies / Impact du Montreal is LIVE. Show your colors!! (youtu.be)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey4mkz_KC44&feature=youtu.be

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7ycpkv/three_things_from_the_rowdiesmontreal_fixture/

Three Things from the Rowdies-Montreal Fixture (self.TampaBayRowdies)

Marcel Schafer hasn't missed a step. Had he played longer he was bound for an assist. Schafer to Graf could be Montana to Rice. Hopefully he was taken out just for precaution.

Flemmings looked like an absolute beast out there. Got a little carried away on the ball at times but his speed and control were absolute lunacy.

Defense was disorganized. Both conceded goals were a combo of bad positioning and ball-watching.

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7ye1at/rumor_lakeland_tropics_joining_tucson_and/

[RUMOR] LAKELAND TROPICS JOINING TUCSON AND TORMENTA IN USL D3 (self.USLPRO)

Tropics will be going USL D3 not sure if this means that they will get rid of their indoor team to focus on outdoor soccer

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https://www.reddit.com/r/USLPRO/comments/7ycy13/rumor_lakeland_tropics_joining_tucson_and/

[RUMOR] LAKELAND TROPICS JOINING TUCSON AND TORMENTA IN USL D3 self.USLPRO

Tropics will be going USL D3 not sure if this means that they will get rid of their indoor team to focus on outdoor soccer

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7ylyf4/the_next_step_joe_cole_on_his_pathway_from_child/

THE NEXT STEP | Joe Cole on his pathway from child prodigy to future coach (coachesvoice.com)

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https://www.coachesvoice.com/the-next-step/

Player to Coach

The next step

Joe Cole

Player, Tampa Bay Rowdies, 2016-Present

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https://www.vavel.com/en-us/soccer/mls/881371-game-recap-philadelphia-union-vs-dc-united.html

Philadelphia Union vs. D.C. United Preseason Recap

02-20-2018

In their first game in the Tampa Bay Rowdies' Suncoast Invitational, the Philadelphia Union face off against D.C. United.

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http://www.wpxi.com/sports/at-long-last-beckhams-mls-team-in-miami-is-born/691038334

At long last: Beckham's MLS team in Miami is born