St. Pete reacts to Rays announcement: We're moving forward

http://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/st-pete-reacts-to-rays-announcement-were-moving-forward/67-516799081

St. Pete reacts to Rays announcement: We're moving forward

St. Pete says even if the Rays leave, it will redevelop the Tropicana Field site.

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http://wfla.com/2018/02/09/business-owners-along-central-ave-worried-if-rays-leave/

Rays’ threat to leave worries St. Pete business owners

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http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/baybuzz/2018/02/09/reaction-to-rays-news-mixed-in-st-pete/

In St. Petersburg, mixed reaction to Rays’ picking Tampa

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http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/os-sp-tampa-bay-rays-ybor-city-stadium-0209-story.html

Rays set to announce preferred stadium location in Ybor City, commissioner says

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http://expressnewsline.com/2018/02/10/rays-owner-wants-to-make-tampa-the-teams-home.html

Rays' owner wants to make Tampa the team's home

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http://www.rowdiessoccer.com/printablesched?camefrom=EMCL_2098124_87612611

2018 Printable USL Schedule

DOWNLOAD THE 2018 SCHEDULE TO YOUR PHONE

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http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/884841?referrer_id=2333971

Preseason Notes – Gorskie Happy in Florida

New beginnings and beeps mark a busy training week

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – After spending his offseason back in his native New York, Hunter Gorskie was very happy to be back in Florida with the Tampa Bay Rowdies for the beginning of preseason. With temperatures in the mid-60s the Rowdies are enjoying training in the sun, something that has seen other USL clubs make the trip to the Sunshine State, including FC Cincinnati, who the Rowdies will face on Saturday.

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http://cincinnatisoccertalk.com/2018/02/09/fc-cincinnati-vs-tampa-bay-rowdies-preseason-5-things-to-know

FC Cincinnati vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies: Preseason – 5 Things to Know

FC Cincinnati kicks off their second match of the 2018 preseason campaign on Saturday afternoon vs. USL-foe the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The match will be the second of three down at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL before the club returns back to the Queen City in mid-February. FC Cincinnati started off with a 1-1 draw against the New England Revolution on Tuesday and look to continue their preseason on a good note vs. the Rowdies. Check out our 5 Things to Know in the lead-up to FC Cincinnati’s third season in the USL.

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http://www.fccincinnati.com/news_article/show/885326?referrer_id=2584136

Preseason Preview: 2/10 vs Tampa Bay

Out to make the most of their time in Florida, FC Cincinnati makes a quick return to the pitch on Saturday for the club's second preseason match of the year and second in their last five days in Bradenton. And while the opponents on Tuesday were new, this weekend's match sees the Orange & Blue face familiar foes in USL rivals Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Kicking off at 3:30pm at IMG Academy's soccer stadium, supporters who didn't make the trip down to watch in-person will be delighted to hear that -- after Tuesday's game went without coverage -- there will be a stream of the action to watch Koch's team for the first time in 2018.

A Little Background

Though we have faced the Rowdies already in both league play and in the U.S. Open Cup, this is the first time we'll play them when the result doesn't matter. That's a good thing for two reasons.

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https://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/news/2018/02/09/san-antonio-mayor-seeks-to-reset-mls-expansion.html

San Antonio mayor seeks to reset MLS expansion talks

Local leaders are hopeful the Alamo City doesn't lose out in a waiting game with Austin.

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http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mls/article199489139.html

Miami Beach resident Carlos Cordeiro becomes first Hispanic president of U.S. soccer

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https://communityimpact.com/austin/central-austin/development-construction/2018/02/10/why-relocating-the-columbus-crew-might-be-austins-best-shot-at-major-league-soccer-and-more-context-on-a-complex-issue/

Why relocating the Columbus Crew might be Austin’s best shot at Major League Soccer

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http://thestatetimes.com/2018/02/09/miami-gets-an-mls-team/

Miami Gets An MLS Team

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https://sports.yahoo.com/carlos-cordeiro-formerly-sunil-gulatis-vp-elected-new-u-s-soccer-president-163409087.html

Carlos Cordeiro, formerly Sunil Gulati's VP, elected new U.S. Soccer president

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http://www.bradenton.com/sports/article199487909.html

US Soccer reboots, elects Carlos Cordeiro president

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https://www.sltrib.com/sports/2018/02/10/us-soccer-reboots-elects-carlos-cordeiro-as-new-president/

U.S. Soccer reboots, elects Carlos Cordeiro as new president

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2018/02/10/carlos-cordeiro-elected-president-of-the-u-s-soccer-federation/?utm_term=.3412eda91a40

Carlos Cordeiro, U.S. soccer’s new president, was labeled the insider but won the players’ vote

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http://www.espn.com/soccer/club/united-states/660/blog/post/3379008/athlete-council-support-keys-cordeiros-election-as-us-soccer-president

Athlete Council key to Cordeiro's election as U.S. Soccer president

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http://www.espn.co.uk/football/united-states/story/3376575/carlos-cordeiro-elected-new-president-of-us-soccer-federation

Carlos Cordeiro elected new president of U.S. Soccer Federation

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https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2018/02/10/carlos-cordeiro-elected-president-u-s-soccer/326233002/

Carlos Cordeiro elected president of U.S. Soccer

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https://www.sunherald.com/sports/article199487909.html

US Soccer reboots, elects Carlos Cordeiro president

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http://www.sanluisobispo.com/sports/article199487909.html

US Soccer reboots, elects Carlos Cordeiro president

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http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/885569?referrer_id=2349190

Sellout Crowd Welcomes Nashville to Pro Ranks

Mensah scores first goal for NSC before 9,059 fans against Atlanta

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http://www.espn.com/soccer/united-states/story/3376575/carlos-cordeiro-elected-new-president-of-us-soccer-federation

Carlos Cordeiro elected new president of U.S. Soccer Federation

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https://www.lmtonline.com/sports/dynamo/article/Carlos-Cordeiro-elected-president-of-US-Soccer-on-12603893.php

Carlos Cordeiro elected president of US Soccer Federation

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https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/279303-us-soccer-set-to-choose-new-chief

US soccer set to choose new chief

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http://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-us-soccer-election-20180210-story.html

For Carlos Cordeiro, the real work starts after winning U.S. Soccer presidency

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http://gkmen.com/2018/02/10/u-s-soccer-elects-carlos-cordeiro-as-next-president/

U.S. soccer elects Carlos Cordeiro as next president

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http://www.fox35orlando.com/news/rays-we-want-to-be-playing-baseball-in-ybor

Rays: 'We want to be playing baseball' in Ybor

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https://ballparkdigest.com/2018/02/10/early-reaction-to-rays-ybor-city-plan-positive/

Early Reaction to Rays’ Ybor City Plan: Positive

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http://www.fccincinnati.com/news_article/show/885547?referrer_id=2584136

First Win of Preseason Comes Against Rowdies

BRADENTON, FL -- Playing their second preseason match in just four days, FC Cincinnati earned a 1-0 win over USL rivals Tampa Bay Rowdies at IMG Academy.

On short rest and facing high heat and strong winds, Coach Alan Koch once again opted for a split-squad -- with different sides in each match -- similarly to the strategy deployed in his team's 1-1 draw with MLS outfit New England Revolution on Tuesday. However, as he detailed in his pre-match comments, Koch took a slightly different approach with today's match.

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https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/2018/02/09/nashville-sc-has-instant-credibility-gary-smith-sideline-mls/309438002/

Nashville SC has instant credibility with Gary Smith on the sideline

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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/02/09/commentary-nashville-sc-makes-field-debut-atlanta-provide-path

Commentary: As Nashville SC makes on-field debut, Atlanta provide the path

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https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2018/02/09/mls-will-make-an-announcement-today-but-it-s-still.html

MLS will make an announcement today, but it’s still not the one we’re waiting for

Major League Soccer will make an announcement on Friday about the league’s future, but it’s not expected to be directly related to FC Cincinnati.

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http://kxan.com/2018/02/09/protester-urges-fairness-as-chambers-support-mls-in-austin/

Protester urges fairness as Chambers support MLS in Austin

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Shortly after the two Austin chambers announced support for Major League Soccer in Austin, a whistle blew.

“I want to call a foul here today,” a woman said. “I’m with the community and I want to make it clear we like soccer but we do not want it on public land.”

She was the latest voice to urge the city to keep parkland from a list of possible venues. At the beginning of February, activists gathered at Roy Guerrero Metro Park, one of the spots highlighted for a potential soccer stadium if the Columbus Crew, owned by Precourt Sports Ventures, make the move to Austin. Initially, Butler Shores was an option as well. Despite Precourt Sports Ventures originally saying the downtown space near Lady Bird Lake was “virtually perfect” for a soccer stadium, the location was taken off the list.

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https://communityimpact.com/austin/central-austin/city-county/2018/02/09/austin-chamber-urges-austin-city-council-to-work-toward-bringing-major-league-scocer-to-city/

‘Limited window of time to act’: Austin chambers urge Austin City Council to work toward bringing Major League Soccer to city

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https://luxoraleader.com/ohio-officials-pressure-mls-to-decide-on-fc-cincinnati/684238/

Ohio officers stress MLS to determine on FC Cincinnati

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http://www.statesman.com/sports/soccer/austin-chamber-event-adds-voices-major-league-soccer-movement/OUdCwtPaXeuL8sveYiegLL/

Austin Chamber event adds voices to Major League Soccer movement

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http://www.dispatch.com/sports/20180209/crew-cuts-austin-chamber-of-commerce-voices-support-for-possible-austin-mls-team

Crew Cuts: Austin Chamber of Commerce voices support for possible Austin MLS team

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http://www.spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/austin/news/2018/02/09/austin-business-groups-back-major-league-soccer

Austin business groups back Major League Soccer

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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5371665/LA-Galaxy-refuse-rule-Zlatan-Ibrahimovic.html

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's switch to LA Galaxy gathers pace with boss Sigi Schmid refusing to rule out move for Manchester United striker

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https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/5546272/manchester-city-kevin-de-bruyne-quit-mls/

American dream Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne reveals plan to quit the club… to play in the MLS

De Bruyne penned £300,000-a-week deal last month keeping him at the Etihad until 2023, but will then leave for the US

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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/02/10/carlos-cordeiro-elected-new-president-us-soccer-federation

Carlos Cordeiro elected new president of US Soccer Federation

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http://worldsoccertalk.com/2018/02/10/us-soccer-elects-vice-president-cordeiro-as-new-chief/

US soccer elects vice-president Cordeiro as new chief

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http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/article199487909.html

US Soccer reboots, elects Carlos Cordeiro president

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http://www.theeagle.com/sports/us-soccer-reboots-elects-carlos-cordeiro-president/article_7a21f151-9484-5da0-ae6d-1547373150e1.html

US Soccer reboots, elects Carlos Cordeiro president

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https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/2018/02/10/nashville-sc-should-follow-atlanta-united-fc-model/326515002/

Nashville SC should follow Atlanta United FC model

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https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2018/02/10/soccer-elects-carlos-cordeiro-its-new-president/LUyPbhig2QVIL0DR68N2NI/story.html

US Soccer elects Carlos Cordeiro as its new president

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http://www.macombdaily.com/sports/20180210/soccer-reboots-elects-carlos-cordeiro-president

Soccer reboots, elects Carlos Cordeiro president

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https://www.chron.com/sports/dynamo/article/Carlos-Cordeiro-outpolls-MLS-s-Kathy-Carter-for-12604423.php

Carlos Cordeiro outpolls MLS's Kathy Carter for president of U.S. Soccer Federation

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https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2018/02/10/carlos-cordeiro-elected-president-u-s-soccer/326233002/

Carlos Cordeiro elected president of U.S. Soccer

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https://www.si.com/soccer/2018/02/08/nasl-us-soccer-board-directors-lawsuit-election

How NASL's New Lawsuit vs. U.S. Soccer Compares, Contrasts to Federal One

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http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/20180208/armada-signs-two-as-top-scorer-blake-exits

Armada signs two as top scorer Blake exits

Midfielder Jack Blake joined the United Soccer League’s Tampa Bay Rowdies on a one-year loan deal for 2018, while the Armada signed midfielders Conor Doyle and Yuma from the North American Soccer League’s Puerto Rico FC.

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https://www.news4jax.com/sports/armada-sending-jack-blake-on-season-long-loan-to-tampa-bay-rowdies

Armada sending Jack Blake on season-long loan to Tampa Bay Rowdies

23-year-old led Jacksonville with nine goals in 2017

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7wg6d4/new_rowdies_preseason_kits/

NEW Rowdies Preseason Kits!!!!! (twitter.com)

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https://twitter.com/TampaBayRowdies/status/962050960989159425

Tampa Bay Rowdies

‏Verified account

@TampaBayRowdies

So fresh and so clean clean in our preseason ⚪️!

This will debut against @fccincinnati tomorrow and be available in stores and online.

11:49 AM - 9 Feb 2018

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7wp4us/match_synopsis_rowdiessoccercom/

Match Synopsis: RowdiesSoccer.com (rowdiessoccer.com)

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http://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/885525?referrer_id=2824806

Rowdies Fall 1-0 To FC Cincinnati In Preseason Opener

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7wn9hz/preseason_match_preview_rowdies_vs_fc_cincinnati/

Preseason Match Preview: Rowdies vs FC Cincinnati (rowdiessoccer.com)

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http://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/885187

Match Preview: Rowdies vs FC Cincinnati

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7wnqoo/match_thread_stream_link_tampa_bay_rowdies_vs_fc/

Match Thread & Stream Link: Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. FC Cincinnati [2/10] (youtube.com)

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inhL-u8TruE

FC Cincinnati vs Tampa Bay Rowdies Presented by Bradenton Area Vistor & Convention Bureau

IMG Academy

Streamed live 11 hours ago

Learn more about Visit Bradenton! Check out https://www.bradentongulfislands.com/


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https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2018/02/10/13/58/20180210-news-new-us-soccer-president-carlos-cordeiro-elected-annual-general-meeting

Carlos Cordeiro Elected as 32nd U.S. Soccer President

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https://www.prosoccerusa.com/orlando-city-sc/pierre-da-silva-orlando-city-minnesota/

Pierre Da Silva works to impress as Orlando City tops Minnesota in unofficial scrimmage

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https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/7wln6q/phoenix_mls_expansion_bid_adds_billionaire_owner/

Phoenix MLS expansion bid adds billionaire owner (si.com)

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https://www.si.com/soccer/2018/02/10/phoenix-mls-expansion-bid-ownership-group-alex-zheng

Phoenix MLS Expansion Bid Adds Wealthy OGC Nice Owner Zheng to Investor Group

Much of the MLS expansion focus is on which of the three remaining finalists for the first round of growth gets the remaining bid, but the cities on the outside waiting for the following round are still mobilizing for their own chances.

MLS recently admitted Nashville and Miami to go to 25 teams and said it will choose one of Sacramento, Cincinnati and Detroit for its 26th franchise. But two more bids will follow after that to take the league to 28 teams, and USL's Phoenix Rising isn't sitting quietly. One of the 12 original bids when the latest expansion process began a little more than a year ago, the club padded its bid by adding Chinese billionaire and hotel magnate Alex Zheng and his Advantage Sports Union company to its investor group on Saturday.

Zheng, who also is part of the ownership group for Ligue 1's OGC Nice, adds significant financial clout to Phoenix Rising's MLS profile–which has proven to be important in the selection process. With expansion fees rising to at least $150 million and operating costs piling on from there, financial largesse and stability are necessities for any successful bid.

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http://cincinnatisoccertalk.com/2018/02/10/match-report-fc-cincinnati-vs-tampa-bay-rowdies

Match Report: FC Cincinnati vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies

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http://www.goal.com/en-qa/news/lookman-sancho-paving-a-new-path-for-englands-youth-abroad/gobr0m2ou9ss1vff1my7rwer3

Lookman & Sancho paving a new path for England's youth abroad

In his autobiography Sam Allardyce credits his brief stint in America with the Tampa Bay Rowdies for changing how he saw the game, helping him develop into the renowned football manager he is today.

Therefore, it was unusual to hear his incredulity as England Under-21 international Ademola Lookman decided to reject a loan move to Championship club Derby County in favour of Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.

“It's one of the most unusual situations I've been in,” Allardyce said. “We got some deals for him but he was adamant he chose Germany. His stubbornness means he got his own way in the end."

Allardyce played just 11 times in the North American Soccer League in the 1983 season before returning to England, but getting out of his natural surroundings shaped the rest of his playing career and birthed his managerial career.

When an English player decides to move abroad in 2018, it is seen as an anomaly. Established figures of the game such as Allardyce are bewildered: why would a young English player leave England?