FREE ADMISSION TO BUNDESLIGA FRIENDLY WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8

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https://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/1075077

FREE ADMISSION TO BUNDESLIGA FRIENDLY WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8

An incredible opportunity to watch Bundesliga soccer awaits fans in Tampa Bay next week when Eintracht Frankfurt and Hertha Berlin contest a winter friendly at Al Lang Stadium on Wednesday, January 8.

The two German giants will square off against one another at 7 p.m. with free entry to everyone. No ticket is required. Gates will open at 6 p.m. Parking in Lot A at Al Lang Stadium is available for $10.

Eintracht Frankfurt

Eintracht Frankfurt arrives in St. Petersburg in 13th place in the Bundesliga with a record of 5-9-3 (W-L-T) at the midway point of the campaign. Frankfurt finished 7th last season and is still active in the Europa League having finished second in Group A behind Arsenal.

Frankfurt returns to Bundesliga action January 18 against Hoffenheim. Frankfurt picks up European action February 20 in the Europa League Round of 32 against Red Bull Salzburg.

Eintracht Frankfurt is managed by Austrian coach Adi Hütter. The squad includes American defender Timmy Chandler, who has made 29 appearances for the U.S. He was on the final American roster for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Portuguese forward Gonçalo Paciência leads Frankfurt in scoring with seven goals this season.

Hertha Berlin

Hertha Berlin arrives in St. Petersburg just above Eintracht Frankfurt in 12th place in the Bundesliga with a record of 5-8-4 (W-L-T) this season. Hertha finished in 11th place last season.

Following this visit to Florida, Hertha will resume the Bundesliga season January 19 at home against Bayern Munich.

It's been a tumultuous season so far for Hertha Berlin, with former USA manager Jurgen Klinsmann taking over following the departure of former coach Ante Čović in late November. Klinsmann managed the USA from 2011-2016, including a trip to the Round of 16 at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Dodi Lukebakio and Vedad Ibišević are the club's joint top scorers with five goals each this season.

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/elabjt/hope_to_see_you_there/

Hope to see you there!

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https://imgur.com/5yFdIAO

Hope to see you there!

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/elabx8/unleash_the_bantz/

Unleash the bantz!

Smash the pelicans!

Puny little battleducks got nothin. Believe I'm bringing a tire gauge to make sure there is no foolishness!

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https://imgur.com/mw7LjUR

Unleash the bantz!

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/ekyq8t/rowdies_first_3_games_of_2020_announced/

Rowdies first 3 games of 2020 announced

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https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1075640

USL Championship Announces 2020 Home Openers

10TH SEASON TO KICK OFF MARCH 6 WITH 16 GAMES SLATED FOR OPENING WEEKEND

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https://soccer.nbcsports.com/2020/01/06/report-dc-united-holds-talks-with-luka-modric/

Report: DC United holds talks with Luka Modric

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https://sports.yahoo.com/usmnt-likely-play-wales-march-031015755.html

USMNT likely to play at Wales on March 30

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https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jan/07/us-soccer-wants-coaches-its-a-shame-the-feeling-isnt-mutual

US Soccer wants coaches. It's a shame the feeling isn't mutual

Raphael Wicky is the latest coach to defect from a job at US Soccer to MLS. It’s a worrying trend as the federation attempts to rebuild itself

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https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2020/01/06/30415/

SOME HOME COOKING: USL Championship unveils home openers

TAMPA, Fla. – The United Soccer League Monday announced the home openers for all 35 clubs in the USL Championship, with the league’s 10th anniversary season set to kick off on Friday, March 6.

The campaign opens with a Friday doubleheader that will feature three teams that reached the postseason in the Western Conference last season, with Orange County SC set to host El Paso Locomotive FC in the opening game at Championship Stadium in California before Tacoma Defiance takes on Reno 1868 FC at Cheney Stadium.

The first Saturday of the season contains plenty to watch for, too, with perennial playoff contenders North Carolina FC hosting Louisville City FC and the New York Red Bulls II hosting the Tampa Bay Rowdies. In the Western Conference, Real Monarchs SLC will open its title defense on the road against San Antonio FC, while two sides that reached the postseason in their inaugural seasons will kick off their second campaigns when Austin Bold FC hosts New Mexico United.

The weekend’s marquee matchup arrives late on Saturday night when expansion side San Diego Loyal SC, led by Landon Donovan, hosts Las Vegas Lights FC and head coach Eric Wynalda as the former U.S. men’s national team legends square off on the sidelines for the first time.

Other notable home openers include the first game at home for defending champion Real Monarchs SLC, which welcomes 2019 Regular Season Title-Winner Phoenix Rising FC to Zions Bank Stadium on Saturday, March 14, while Miami FC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies will meet for the first time in the USL Championship on Friday, March 13 at Riccardo Silva Stadium.

Louisville City FC will be the visitor for two early 2019 Eastern Conference playoff rematches as it visits Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC on Saturday, March 21 at Highmark Stadium and then takes on Indy Eleven on April 4 at Lucas Oil Stadium. The two-time champion will then open its new 11,700-seat Lynn Family Stadium on Saturday, April 11 as it plays host to Birmingham Legion FC, kicking off a new era for the club as it aims to reach the USL Championship Final for an unprecedented fourth consecutive season.

2020 USL Championship home openers
March 6
Orange County SC vs. El Paso Locomotive FC
Tacoma Defiance vs. Reno 1868 FC

March 7
Austin Bold FC vs. New Mexico United
Memphis 901 FC vs. Indy Eleven
New York Red Bulls II vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies
North Carolina FC vs. Louisville City FC
OKC Energy FC vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
Philadelphia Union II vs. Loudoun United FC
Phoenix Rising FC vs. Portland Timbers 2
Sacramento Republic FC vs. FC Tulsa
Saint Louis FC vs. Miami FC
San Antonio FC vs. Real Monarchs SLC
San Diego Loyal SC vs. Las Vegas Lights FC

March 8
ATL UTD 2 vs. Charleston Battery
Rio Grande Valley FC vs. LA Galaxy II
Sporting Kansas City II vs. Charlotte Independence

March 13
LA Galaxy II vs. Austin Bold FC
Miami FC vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies

March 14
Charlotte Independence vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. San Antonio FC
El Paso Locomotive FC vs. Portland Timbers 2
FC Tulsa vs. New Mexico United
Las Vegas Lights FC vs. Sacramento Republic FC
Real Monarchs SLC vs. Phoenix Rising FC
Reno 1868 FC vs. OKC Energy FC

March 15
Birmingham Legion FC vs. Charleston Battery

March 21
Hartford Athletic vs. Charleston Battery
New Mexico United vs. El Paso Locomotive FC
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC vs. Louisville City FC
Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. North Carolina FC

March 22
Portland Timbers 2 vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC

March 28
Charleston Battery vs. Philadelphia Union II

April 4
Indy Eleven vs. Louisville City FC

April 11
Louisville City FC vs. Birmingham Legion FC

May 6
Loudoun United FC vs. Charlotte Independence

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https://www.blackandredunited.com/2020/1/6/21050018/loudoun-united-bethlehem-steel-charlotte-independence

Loudoun United season opens March 7 at Philadelphia, home opener in May

Loudoun will host Charlotte after another mini road trip.

However, the roster has not been without movement; last week fullback Hunter Gorskie signed with San Antonio FC, but before Christmas, leading goalscorer and team captain Kyle Murphy signed with the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The only incoming signing known thus far is Jake Dengler, a 6 foot 5 defender who played with Pipeline Soccer and Baltimore Armour as a youth, and recently completed two years of college at the University of Connecticut after transferring from Loyola University. Roster decisions and announcements should be expected soon.

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https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/real-madrid-find-buyer-gareth-21227190

Real Madrid 'find buyer' for Gareth Bale, with David Beckham's Inter Miami linked

Gareth Bale may finally be set to leave Real Madrid, with two MLS sides said to be interested in the forward

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https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/5-most-famous-footballers-to-have-played-in-the-mls

5 Most famous footballers to have played in the MLS

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https://www.espn.com/soccer/soccer-transfers/story/4028788/real-madrids-modric-approached-by-dc-united-inter-miami-atlanta-sources

Real Madrid's Modric approached by D.C. United, Inter Miami, Atlanta - sources

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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/01/07/charlotte-mls-appoint-marc-nicholls-technical-director

Charlotte MLS appoint Marc Nicholls as technical director

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https://mlsmultiplex.com/2020/01/07/d-c-united-luka-modric-not-learned-anything/

D.C. United and Luka Modric: Have we not learned anything?

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https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/Soccer/2020/01/07/Three-MLS-teams-linked-to-Real-Madrids-Luka-Modric/5561578413771/

Three MLS teams linked to Real Madrid's Luka Modric

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https://www.sportingkc.com/post/2020/01/07/sporting-face-real-salt-lake-phoenix-rising-fc-and-new-york-red-bulls-visit-tucson

Sporting to face Real Salt Lake, Phoenix Rising FC and New York Red Bulls in Visit Tucson Sun Cup

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https://ussoccerplayers.com/2020/01/expansion-isnt-the-biggest-story-for-mls-in-2020.html

EXPANSION ISN’T THE BIGGEST STORY FOR MLS IN 2020

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https://www.wfae.org/post/charlotte-talks-mike-and-mayor-strategies-reduce-violence-mls-excelsior-club-sale#stream/0

Charlotte Talks 'Mike and the Mayor:' Strategies To Reduce Violence; MLS; Excelsior Club Sale

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http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001095191/article/exeagles-rb-jay-ajayi-signs-with-mls-esports-team

Ex-Eagles RB Jay Ajayi signs with MLS e-sports team

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https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1076066

PRESEASON SLATE: Rising FC to Host Three MLS Clubs

CREW SC, SPORTING KANSAS CITY, REAL SALT LAKE TO VISIT AS PART OF 2020 VISIT TUCSON SUN CUP

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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/01/07/what-could-real-madrid-superstar-luka-modric-bring-mls

What could Real Madrid superstar Luka Modric bring to MLS?

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https://www.prosoccerusa.com/mls/expansion/charlotte/charlotte-mls-expansion-technical-director-marc-nicholls-seattle-sounders-2020/

Charlotte’s MLS expansion team hires Seattle Sounders veteran as technical director

Marc Nicholls is Charlotte’s second hire to the unnamed expansion team’s technical staff.

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https://www.lowellsun.com/2020/01/07/lowells-malango-will-join-revolution-affiliate/

Lowell’s Malango will join Revolution affiliate

FOXBORO — Lowell resident Mayele Malango’s soccer journey has taken him from Lowell High to Salem State University and to UMass Lowell.

But on Tuesday, his journey continued — to the third level in the U.S. soccer pyramid.

Malango, a midfielder who helped LHS win back-to-back Merrimack Valley Conference titles, will join the New England Revolution II club pending league and federation approval.

Revs II is the brand new third-level side of Major League Soccer original New England Revolution, which launched the new squad in October 2019. Revs II will take part in the United Soccer League’s League One. MLS is the first division, with the USL Championship — which includes a team in nearby Hartford — on the second division.

As a freshman with Salem State in 2017, the 21-year-old Malango led the MASCAC with 17 goals and 43 points in 19 games, earning MASCAC Player and Rookie of the Year honors. In 2018, he transferred to UMass Lowell, where he appeared in all of the team’s 18 games and submitted one goal and two assists.

Malango, a native of Kinshasa, Congo, attended Lowell High School. He was a two-time Lowell Sun Player of the Year and led the Red Raiders to consecutive Merrimack Valley Championships.

In 2019, he spent time training with the Revolution’s first team.

He is one of four initial signings for this second team, and is one of two Massachusetts residents: Attleboro’s Nick Woodruff is the other.

In addition, forward Connor Presley and defender Collin Verfurth played with Loudoun United FC under Revs’ assistant coach Richie Williams.

“Welcoming these four talented players as the first Revolution II signings marks an exciting milestone for the club as we continue to enhance the development pathway in New England,” club Technical Director Curt Onalfo said. “Identifying and securing promising young players is one key part of our multifaceted approach to constructing the second team roster, and we look forward to making more additions in the weeks to come.”

“As we continue making strides in the build up to our inaugural season, we are proud and excited to welcome these four young players onto Revolution II,” head coach Clint Peay said. “We are pleased to be adding players from a variety of backgrounds, which we hope will help each of the players on our roster develop and grow.”

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https://www.davisenterprise.com/sports/fc-davis-secures-historic-u-s-open-cup-bid/

FC Davis secures historic U.S. Open Cup bid

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https://www.riverbender.com/articles/details/granite-city-native-trittschuh-named-head-coach-of-saint-louis-fc-38936.cfm

Granite City Native Trittschuh Named Head Coach Of Saint Louis FC

Trittschuh then played in the final year for the original St. Louis Steamers in the Major Indoor Soccer League in 1987-88, leaving when the team folded in the spring of 1988. After being signed by the United States Soccer Federation to play for the USMNT, Trittschuh played for the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the old American Soccer League, then for the USMNT when they qualified for the 1990 World Cup. He only appeared in one game, a 5-1 loss to Czechoslovakia, but was signed to play for Sparta Prague in the Czech first division after the World Cup. He played only one season for Sparta, scoring one goal, but helped the team to the league championship, and was also the first American to play in the UEFA European Cup, the forerunner of today's UEFA Champions League.

He then played for the Rowdies for two seasons before signing with Dutch club SVV Dordrecht, but when the club went bankrupt, Trittschuh returned to Tampa Bay, then played in the indoor National Professional Soccer League, winning a title with the St. Louis Ambush in 1994-95. He joined the Montreal Impact in the forerunner to the USL Championship, the American Professional Soccer League.

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https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/84665/datebook-usl-championship-will-kick-off-2020-seas.html

Datebook: USL Championship will kick off 2020 season on March 6

Soccer America

... in the NPSL and NISA, will play its first home game in the USL on March 13 when it hosts the Tampa Bay Rowdies at Riccardo Silva Stadium.

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https://www.blackandredunited.com/2020/1/7/21055007/dc-united-ted-ku-dipietro-loudoun-united-new-england-revolution

Academy player Ku-DiPietro signs contract with Loudoun

D.C.’s USL team will bring back 7 faces for 2020.

Doue appeared in 23 games (starting 20) and played 1,757 minutes, though suffered injuries during the year. Doue’s minutes were sixth-most for Loudoun players, though with Collin Verfurth and Connor Presley signing with the New England Revolution II today, Kyle Murphy signing with the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Antonio Bustamante exploring pro offers elsewhere, Doue would appear to be primed for an elevated on-field leadership role in 2020.

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https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/joe-cole-signs-coventry-city-11297053

'Great memories' - Why Coventry City will always be special to former England star

Coventry City nostalgia | It's four years ago today since former Chelsea and England star Joe Cole joined Coventry City on a permanent deal

The former England international made 22 appearances for City before joining North American Soccer League side Tampa Bay Rowdies in the following summer.

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https://infosurhoy.com/news/real-madrid-find-buyer-for-gareth-bale-with-david-beckhams-inter-miami-linked/

Real Madrid ‘find buyer’ for Gareth Bale, with David Beckham’s Inter Miami linked

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https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2020/01/06/staying-home-bardic-turns-down-offers-wants-to-remain-with-the-cosmos/

STAYING HOME: Bardic turns down offers, wants to remain with the Cosmos

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https://www.tampabay.com/arts-entertainment/2020/01/07/wwes-titus-oneil-is-the-gasparilla-knight-parade-grand-marshal/

WWE’s Titus O’Neil is the Gasparilla Knight Parade grand marshal

Fan favorite Jerry Springer will also attend the Ybor City tradition in February.

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https://patch.com/florida/southtampa/wwe-star-titus-o-neil-named-knight-parade-grand-marshal

WWE star Titus O'Neil named Knight Parade Grand Marshal

Fan favorite Jerry Springer returns to the Feb. 8 parade as a special guest

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https://thatssotampa.com/catrinas-tacos-tequila-bar-announces-2020-opening-in-west-tampa/

Catrina’s Tacos & Tequila Bar announces 2020 opening in West Tampa

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https://patch.com/florida/southtampa/michelle-faedo-opening-new-location-downtown-tampa-january-8th

Michelle Faedo opening new location in Downtown Tampa January 8th

The new location will be located inside the Hillsborough County Building on Kennedy Boulevard.

Faedo's Famous Traditional Cuban Sandwich (Carlos Hernandez | CarlosEats.com)

Michelle Faedo's second location is set to open in Downtown Tampa on Wednesday, January 8th at the Hillsborough County Building.

"I feel blessed, humbled, and very thankful," said owner Michelle Faedo about her new restaurant location opening.

Faedo is an award-winner who has been recognized in the past for her popular Cuban Sandwich at the National Cuban Sandwich Festival held annually in Ybor City. Faedo is originally from Tampa and many of the dishes on the menu pay homage to Tampa's history.

Her signature garlic butter topping on La Segunda Bread has won the hearts and stomachs of many in Tampa.

As Miami and Tampa fought over who originally created the Cuban Sandwich, Faedo whipped out hundreds of sandwiches on a daily basis all over Tampa on her gourmet food truck, Faedo's on the Go, that eventually led to her restaurant at the ENCORE! building. That location will stay open as she expands further into Downtown.

City of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor is expected to be at the location at around 1PM on opening date.

More info: http://carloseats.com/2020/01/07/news-michelle-faedos-2nd-location-opening-january-8th-in-downtown-tampa/

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https://news.yahoo.com/tampa-host-variety-food-drink-121239067.html

Tampa to host a variety of food and drink deals this week

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https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2020/01/07/janet-echelmans-pier-sculpture-will-be-taken-down-and-reinstalled/

Janet Echelman’s Pier sculpture will be taken down and reinstalled

The internationally famous artist says adjustments must be made to the billowing net sculpture

A look down at Bending Arc as cranes begin to raise the net-like structure over the new St. Pete Pier on Friday, Jan. 3, 2020 in St. Petersburg. The $1.5 million sculpture from artist Janet Echelman, is scheduled to be complete in February with the Pier scheduled to open this spring. Echelman's sculpture will measure about the length of a football field, and will be suspended from 65-foot pylons. The structure will move with the wind and be illuminated at night. [DIRK SHADD | Tampa Bay Times]

ST. PETERSBURG — There was great excitement a few days ago as world-renowned artist Janet Echelman’s aerial net sculpture rose above the city’s new Pier District.

Mayor Rick Kriseman, a major champion...

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https://infosurhoy.com/sports/david-beckham-makes-anthony-pulis-tonys-son-part-of-the-coaching-staff-at-inter-miami/

David Beckham ‘makes Anthony Pulis, Tony’s son, part of the coaching staff at Inter Miami’

David Beckham is ready to appoint Tony Pulis’ son, Anthony, as assistant coach at Inter Miami according to the Telegraph.

Beckham’s new side play their first MLS match against Los Angeles on March 1.

And Pulis, who began his coaching career at Orlando City B before joining Saint Louis as head coach in 2017, will be among the backroom team.

The former midfielder played for a number of English clubs including Portsmouth, Stoke and Plymouth before moving to the States in 2012.

Pulis will be assistant to former Uruguay international Diego Alonso who has been appointed the manager of Beckham’s MLS side.

Beckham was trying to hire Patrick Vieira and Carlo Ancelotti but they turned him down.

Pulis has been in charge at Sant Louis for two years in American soccer’s second tier and is now earning a promotion.

He established an excellent reputation in the States with Saint Louis and has been rewarded after agreeing a compensation fee on Friday.

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https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/5140295/3-40pm-transfer-news-live-dembele-likes-liverpool-kit-post-man-city-and-barcelona-want-70m-traore-from-wolves/

GET YOUR GOSS 11pm Transfer news LIVE: Man City to replace Silva with Isco, Real Madrid’s Modric to DC United, Neymar to Barcelona

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https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2020/01/07/signing-with-the-big-club-nyrbiis-standouts-stroud-lema-agreement-to-contracts-with-red-bulls/

SIGNING WITH THE BIG CLUB: NYRBII’s standouts Stroud, Lema agree to contracts with Red Bulls

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https://valleycentral.com/sports/vipers-toros/utrgvs-kyle-edwards-signs-with-rio-grande-valley-fc-toros

UTRGV's Kyle Edwards signs with Rio Grande Valley FC Toros

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https://www.thesunchronicle.com/sports/local_sports/attleboro-s-woodruff-signs-with-revolution-ii-usl-squad/article_505862ac-52e2-576f-a026-ba7b7d232c8a.html

Attleboro's Woodruff signs with Revolution II USL squad

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https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/entertainment/2020/01/08/ott-krewe-of-sant-yago-announces-grand-marshal-for-2020-parade

On the Town: Krewe of Sant' Yago Announces Grand Marshal for 2020 Knight Parade

YBOR CITY, Fla. — WWE Superstar Titus O’Neil will be the grand Marshal for the for the Krewe of Sant’ Yago Knight Parade in Ybor City this year.

“It's my first time being involved in a Knight Parade in any capacity and I’ve been living here in Tampa since ’04, so for me to be able to experience it as the Grand Marshal is very cool,” O’Neil said.

In case you're new to the area or you've never been to a Krewe of Sant' Yago Knight Parade, there's a little background:

The Krewe of the Knights of Sant' Yago, who host the parade, were founded in 1972

The Krewe's mission year-round is to preserve Tampa's Hispanic heritage

The Parade first marched in Ybor City in 1974 as a celebration of heritage and civic pride

This year's parade will march on February 8 at 7 p.m. in Ybor City

To learn more, watch the video above and visit https://krewesantyago.org.