St. Pete Prepares To Transform Streets Into Grand Prix Raceway

(Follow link for full article.)

https://patch.com/florida/stpete/st-pete-prepares-transform-streets-grand-prix-raceway

St. Pete Prepares To Transform Streets Into Grand Prix Raceway

For the 14th year, St. Petersburg will transform its streets into a raceway for the Firestone Grand Prix March 9-11.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Whether you're an avid race fan or are just curious to see flashy Formula race cars speed through the streets of downtown St. Petersburg, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is the place to be March 9-11.

For the 14th year, St. Petersburg will transform its streets into a raceway where drivers from the Verizon

IndyCar Series, the Pirelli World Challenge and the Mazda Road to Indy ladder series will compete in 11 races over three days.

Instead of waving a checkered flag, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman will kick off the event with a flag-raising ceremony Thursday, March 8 at 10 a.m. on the northwest lawn of City Hall, 175, 5th St. N., with St. Pete resident and 2017 race winner Sebastien Bourdais in attendance. Kriseman will present Bourdais with a special champion's memento during the opening ceremonies. Also on hand will be drivers Josef Newgarden and Helio Castroneves, this year's honorary grand marshals of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

Afterward, the streets of downtown St. Petersburg will be transformed into a scenic waterfront race course starting Friday, March 9 at 7:55 a.m. with the USF 2000 Race 1 qualifying race followed by the Pirelli World Challenge GT-GTA-GT Cup qualifying races at 10:05 a.m.

Also on tap Friday are the Pirelli World Challenge GTS Race 1 at 12:15 p.m., the Pro Mazda Race 1 qualifying at 1:30 p.m. and the Indy Lights Race 1 qualifying at 2:15 p.m.

In between, spectators will be treated to practice races as well as an autograph session in the IndyCar fan village at 4:30 p.m.

Friday night, visitors are invited to get into the spirit of the event during the Fast Friday party at North Straub Park. The event will feature music, arts and crafts and entertainment starting at 5:30 p.m.

Children are invited to build their own race cars at the crafts booth and then watch a free screening of the movie, "Cars 3" at the park as soon as it gets dark.

The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg 5K run will get underway at 6:15 p.m. Presented by Modern Business Associates, athletes of all ages and abilities will run along the 1.8-mile, 14-turn race course. Advance registration is $35 with proceeds benefiting the Police Athletic League of St. Petersburg.

Racing will resume Saturday at 7:30 a.m. with the Pro Mazda Race 2 qualifying followed by the Indy Lights Race 2 qualifying.

Saturday's races also will include the Pirelli World Challenge GTS Race 2, the USF 2000 Race 2, Stadium Super Trucks Race 1 and Indy Lights Race 1.

On Sunday, following the Indy Lights Race 2 and the Stadium Super Trucks Race 2, the starting flag for the much-anticipated IndyCar Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will drop at 12:30 p.m. The race will be broadcast nationally on ABC.

The racing events will wind up Sunday afternoon with the Pirelli World Challenge GT-GTA-GT Cup Race 2 at 3:15 p.m. and the Pro Mazda Race 2 at 4:30 p.m.

Tickets range from $20 for general admission Friday to $135 for three-day reserved seats.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.myajc.com/sports/atlanta-united-owner-arthur-blank-talks-about-variety-topics/ebPdDsITH0PfCu0BApjj2I/

Atlanta United: Owner Arthur Blank talks about a variety of topics

Atlanta United owner Arthur Blank didn’t seem too concerned on Monday, two days after the team’s worst performance in a short history filled mostly with positives.

The owner of the MLS team and the NFL’s Falcons said he was as surprised as anyone by the 4-0 defeat, but expressed confidence that the team will be competitive and if everyone involved with the franchise does things the right way it’s possible to bring the MLS Cup to Atlanta.

“That’s certainly our goal, but you can’t think about that before every match,” he said. “That’s a bad mistake.”

Blank spoke to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Monday, touching on everything from the season-opening loss to Houston, to his role in the signing of Ezequiel Barco for a league-record fee, to what MLS needs to do continue its growth.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://cincinnatisoccertalk.com/2018/03/05/nasl-situation-hits-home-for-fc-cincinnati-newcomers

NASL Situation Hits Home for FC Cincinnati Newcomers

When FCC first began play in 2016, the USL was Division III and the NASL Division II — where it had been since its inception in 2011 — in the United States Soccer Federation pyramid. Before last season, the USSF granted both the USL and NASL provisional Division II status, saying neither league met all Division II requirements. One of those requirements is to have a minimum of 12 teams.

The NASL sat at 12 members in 2016, and the Deltas were set to begin play in 2017. But Minnesota United began play as a Major League Soccer expansion side, and the Ottawa Fury and Tampa Bay Rowdies left for the USL. The Fort Lauderdale Strikers and Rayo OKC folded. This left the NASL with eight teams.

During the 2017 season, the USSF revoked NASL’s Division II status, and the league responded with an antitrust lawsuit against the USSF.

NASL filed the lawsuit in September. The month before, Blake Smith was at Miami FC, battling FCC in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals, a match Smith’s side lost as FCC continued its Open Cup run. Smith enjoyed his time in the NASL, learning from coach Alessandro Nesta. “It was a really cool and unique experience to be taught from one of the defenders in the world,” Smith said. But there was also plenty of uncertainty.

“When it all started going downhill and teams started jumping ship and going to the USL, it created stress among the players,” Smith said. “I just wasn’t sure what was going to happen with Miami at the time with the league. I thought (coming to FCC) was the best solution for the longevity of my career. It was a great opportunity. It was too good to pass up. I was very thankful to have Alan and his staff seeking me so heavily.”

In the offseason, things got worse. Indy Eleven and North Carolina FC joined the USL. FC Edmonton folded, as did the Deltas. The NASL is now down to just four teams: Jacksonville Armada FC, Miami, New York Cosmos and Puerto Rico FC.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/mls-streaming-deals-canada-china

MLS lands streaming deals in Canada and China

DAZN and China Sports Media to show coverage of US soccer league.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.prosoccerusa.com/mls/american-forward-charlie-davies-retires-soccer-31/

American forward Charlie Davies retires from soccer at 31

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.elpasoinc.com/news/local_news/el-paso-lands-soccer-what-s-next/article_6740aec0-1fee-11e8-9a46-9f285e1f9bf4.html

El Paso lands soccer. What’s next?

MountainStar Sports Group has landed a deal to bring professional soccer to El Paso and now has a year to hire a coach and assemble a team before the season starts.

“We’ve got to name the team, come up with the team colors, find a manager, a coach and bring on some players,” MountainStar CEO Josh Hunt said. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s also a lot of fun.”

Last Wednesday, MountainStar Sports Group, which owns the Chihuahuas baseball team and is an owner of the FC Juárez Bravos, announced they have secured a spot in the United Soccer League’s expansion efforts. The USL is considered a second-tier professional league under Major League Soccer, or MLS.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2018/03/seattle-sounders-fc-lafc-delivers-best-overnight-espn-mls-season-opening-telecast-three-years/

Seattle Sounders FC-LAFC Delivers Best Overnight for ESPN MLS Season Opening Telecast in Three Years

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.prosoccerusa.com/columbus-crew-sc/ohio-sues-precourt-to-keep-crew-sc-in-columbus/

Ohio sues Crew SC owner Precourt to keep MLS team in Columbus

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.statesman.com/sports/soccer/ohio-columbus-file-lawsuit-aimed-stop-columbus-crew-move-austin/lDN52MGHzjDZzWgnHm3WJL/

Ohio, Columbus file lawsuit aimed to stop Columbus Crew move to Austin

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.espn.com/soccer/columbus-crew-sc/story/3408098/ohio-agcolumbus-sue-mls-and-crew-sc-over-plans-to-move

Ohio AG, city of Columbus sue MLS and Crew SC over plans to move

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.richlandsource.com/sports/ohio-attorney-general-files-lawsuit-to-savethecrew/article_b49cfbec-20b6-11e8-9842-3337a5a85933.html

Ohio Attorney General files lawsuit to #SaveTheCrew

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2018/03/05/here-s-how-fc-cincinnati-s-merchandise-sales-stack.html

Here’s how FC Cincinnati’s merchandise sales stack up

It has been well publicized that FC Cincinnati’s attendance is among the best in all of U.S. soccer, but far fewer people would know that its merchandise sales also stack up with the best in the country.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://twitter.com/MLSist/status/970460691395170305

Pablo Maurer

‏Verified account @MLSist

Nothing but respect for this hero who wore a random @TampaBayRowdies jersey to this Whitecaps/Impact match.

4:47 PM - 4 Mar 2018

(Follow link for full article.)

https://twitter.com/TampaBayRowdies/status/970672037646798848

Tampa Bay Rowdies

‏Verified account

@TampaBayRowdies

This and much more in @jackblake_18's new YouTube​ channel!

Jack Blake's second episode of "The Life of a Professional Soccer Player" has dropped!

WATCH: http://youtu.be/Agz9iBI6TaA

6:47 AM - 5 Mar 2018

(Follow link for full article.)

https://twitter.com/TampaBayRowdies/status/970738491062673408

Tampa Bay Rowdies

‏Verified account

@TampaBayRowdies

Tickets to our March 24 home opener vs @BSteelFC are on sale!

TIX: 727-222-2000 / http://bit.ly/18HOFB

11:11 AM - 5 Mar 2018

(Follow link for full article.)

https://twitter.com/TampaBayRowdies/status/970744964438110208

Tampa Bay Rowdies

‏Verified account

@TampaBayRowdies

.@MAX_sWELLy spoke about the importance of this past Saturday's intrasquad scrimmage🎙️

11:36 AM - 5 Mar 2018

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.facebook.com/TampaBayRowdies/photos/a.442996013834.230638.109366663834/10157162355918835/?type=3&theater

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Tickets to our March 24 home opener against Bethlehem Steel FC are on sale! Don't miss it!

TIX: 727-222-2000 / http://bit.ly/18HOFB

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www1.ticketmaster.com/tampa-bay-rowdies-vs-bethlehem-steel-st-petersburg-florida-03-24-2018/event/0D005438A35DC688?artistid=1420961&majorcatid=10004&minorcatid=11&brand=tbrowdies

Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Bethlehem Steel F.C.

Sat 3/24 @ 7:30pm

Al Lang Stadium, St Petersburg, FL

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2018/03/05/short-on-details-experts-question-soccer-team.html

Short on details, experts question soccer team owner's touted impact of Austin MLS stadium

Precourt Sports Ventures CEO Anthony Precourt recently said that a privately financed Major League Soccer stadium on public parkland could bring $400 million in community benefits to Austin over 25 years. But some experts question how those estimates were calculated, saying that more information needs to be known about a stadium's site and financing before broader economic and community benefits are projected.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2018/3/5/17082248/columbus-crew-sued-ohio-attorney-general-savethecrew-anthony-precourt

Ohio sues MLS, Columbus Crew owners to stop the team from relocating

Ohio’s attorney general wants to see if the “Art Modell Law” will stand up in court.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2018/03/05/fc-cincinnati-oakley-traffic-study-mls-stadium-possible-expanded-intersections/395843002/

FC Cincinnati stadium can work in Oakley with expanded intersections, team-funded study says

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/crime/crime-and-courts/2018/03/05/state-steps-try-keep-major-league-soccer-team-columbus/396791002/

State steps in to try to keep Major League Soccer team in Columbus

(Follow link for full article.)

http://radio.wosu.org/post/ohio-attorney-general-sues-columbus-crew-owners-over-potential-move

Ohio Attorney General Sues Columbus Crew Owners Over Potential Move

(Follow link for full article.)

http://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/ohio-ag-city-of-columbus-sue-crew-sc-owner-to-prevent-possible-relocation

Ohio AG, City of Columbus sue Crew SC owner to prevent possible relocation

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.jacksonville.com/zz/news/20180305/ohio-columbus-suing-to-keep-crew-sc-from-moving-to-austin

Ohio, Columbus suing to keep Crew SC from moving to Austin

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.dispatch.com/news/20180305/ohio-columbus-suing-to-keep-crew-sc-from-moving-to-austin

Ohio, Columbus suing to keep Crew SC from moving to Austin

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1091894.shtml

LAFC make MLS debut with 1-0 win in Seattle

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.law360.com/sports/articles/1018720

Ohio, City Seek To Bar Soccer Team's Move To Texas

Law360 (March 5, 2018, 8:06 PM EST) -- The state of Ohio and the city of Columbus are seeking a declaratory judgment and injunction against the owners of the Columbus Crew soccer team in an attempt to bar the team from moving to Austin, Texas, without providing Columbus and its residents a chance to buy the franchise, according to a complaint filed Monday in Ohio state court.

Precourt Sports Ventures, or PSV, the operator of the Columbus Crew franchise, together with Major League Soccer, are in violation of Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 9.67,...

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.boonevilledemocrat.com/zz/news/20180305/ohio-columbus-suing-to-keep-crew-sc-from-moving-to-austin

Ohio, Columbus suing to keep Crew SC from moving to Austin

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.kingcounty.gov/council/news/2018/March/03-05-fifa.aspx

Seattle’s World Cup Bid Gains County Support

The council gave its unanimous support to the City of Seattle’s bid to be a host city of the 2026 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup. The legislation comes on the heels of last month’s action at the Seattle City Council to declare its own support for the effort.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.theprospectordaily.com/2018/03/05/usl-soccer-has-a-home-in-el-paso/

USL soccer has a home in El Paso

(Follow link for full article.)

https://techpoint.ng/2018/03/06/video-assisted-referee-fifa-2018-world-cup/

There will be a video referee at the 2018 World Cup

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.wlwt.com/article/ohio-sues-over-soccer-teams-proposed-move/19124659

Ohio sues over soccer team's proposed move

It was proposed for Columbus Crew to move to Texas, but the state, city are stepping in

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.manilatimes.net/lafc-makes-mls-debut-win-seattle/384328/

LAFC makes MLS debut with win in Seattle

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.wcpo.com/news/government/local-politics/fc-cincinnati-stadium-would-make-oakley-more-walkable-gm-jeff-berding-says

FC Cincinnati stadium would make Oakley more walkable, GM Jeff Berding says