MLS gets favourable promotion-relegation ruling from CAS

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https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/4049041/mls-gets-favourable-promotion-relegation-ruling-from-cas

MLS gets favourable promotion-relegation ruling from CAS

A long-running lawsuit looking to force promotion and relegation on Major League Soccer has failed.

Lower-tier clubs Miami and Kingston Stockade filed a challenge in 2017 with the Court of Arbitration for Sport against FIFA, North American soccer body CONCACAF and the U.S. Soccer Federation.

Miami owner Riccardo Silva, the former head of media rights agency MP & Silva, sought to disrupt the closed MLS system of new clubs paying franchise fees up to $200 million.

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The clubs' case cited a sub-section of FIFA statutes stating "a club's entitlement to take part in a domestic league championship shall depend principally on sporting merit." The FIFA article also notes participation "may be subject to other criteria."

CAS ruled this week that FIFA never intended the promotion-relegation principle to apply to the U.S. and Australia.

The ruling said that although FIFA may not like closed leagues they can be allowed if a domestic professional championship never had promotion and relegation between divisions.

Closed leagues are the norm in the United States and lawyers for the two clubs "did not argue why such practice could not be maintained in soccer," the ruling stated.

Miami and Kingston Stockade said being unable to "climb the ladder" from lower divisions into the MLS system denied them access to "premium club markets" of international competitions run by CONCACAF and FIFA.

The case was heard in a one-day session in New York last May. It included witness statements from former FIFA secretary general Michel Zen-Ruffinen and former USSF presidents Alan Rothenberg and Sunil Gulati.

The court ordered both clubs to each pay $15,350 toward USSF's legal costs and $7,675 to each of FIFA and CONCACAF.

The ruling was made weeks before the Inter Miami franchise, led by David Beckham, kicks off its debut MLS season.

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/ezlf2p/2020_membership_packages_now_available_for/

2020 Membership Packages Now Available for Preorder!

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https://www.ralphsmob.com/post/2020-membership-packages-now-available-for-preorder

2020 Membership Packages Now Available for Preorder!

We are excited to announce that our 2020 Membership Packages are now available for preorder in our online store!

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/f0bvnh/rowdies_sign_defender_max_lachowecki/

Rowdies Sign Defender Max Lachowecki

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https://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/1084479

ROWDIES SIGN DEFENDER MAX LACHOWECKI

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/f1fw5u/fantastic_first_outing_for_our_annual_footgolf/

Fantastic first outing for our Annual Footgolf Extravaganza!

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https://imgur.com/zNpKMQZ

Fantastic first outing for our Annual Footgolf Extravaganza!

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https://www.republicworld.com/sports-news/football-news/david-beckham-poses-for-selfie-from-inter-miamis-new-stadium.html

David Beckham Poses For Selfie From Inter Miami's New State-of-the-art Lockhart Stadium

FOOTBALL NEWS

Former Manchester United star and Inter Miami's part-owner David Beckham posted a selfie on Instagram. He was posing from inside his club's stadium.

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https://www.cruiseandferry.net/articles/why-choose-anywhere-but-tampa-for-a-cruise

Why choose anywhere but Tampa for a cruise?

Port Tampa Bay is an ideal homeport for cruise lines wanting to offer exciting itineraries and pre- and post-cruise activities

As any itinerary planner knows, cruises provide guests with a unique and wonderful way to explore the world, allowing them to continuously move between beautiful locations and make memories that will last a lifetime. Every port of call on an itinerary plays a vital role in creating an enjoyable cruise experience, but what about the homeport?

Embarkation is as crucial to the overall cruise experience as the ship, its onboard amenities and the itinerary of picturesque ports. A homeport that is easy to get into and out of, and provides a variety of unique and interesting activities just steps from the ship? Now that’s an attractive prospect for guests. And that’s exactly what cruise operators and their itinerary planners will find at Port Tampa Bay on Florida’s West Coast.

Positive impressions start from the moment the cruise guests arrive at the modern, award-winning Tampa International Airport. The airport is a convenient 15-minute drive from the Channelside District in Downtown Tampa, which enables travellers to get a view of the water and soak up the Florida vibe and sunshine before they arrive at one of the three cruise terminals.

But that’s just the beginning. One of the growing trends both cruise lines and their itinerary planners are seeing is an increase in the number of guests who are interested in extending their cruise by enjoying the pre- and post-cruise activities in the homeport city.

Tampa is ideally suited for catering to this trend, given that it is located between some of the world’s most popular theme parks (including Busch Gardens in Tampa) and acclaimed beaches with crystal-clear waters in the cities of Clearwater and St. Pete Beach. In addition, guests are just steps from the sights, sounds and experiences of Downtown Tampa. The district is a destination in itself, thanks to attractions like the Florida Aquarium, Sparkman Wharf, the unique Ybor City (Tampa’s Latin Quarter) and Downtown Tampa’s Riverwalk, which has spectacular views and is close to eateries and nightlife.

Port Tampa Bay and the city’s tight network of forward-thinking tourism organisations work together to provide cruise lines’ itinerary planners with the high-quality services they need to help their guests make the most of these tourist attractions during their time in Tampa. For example, Visit Tampa Bay (the city’s tourism agency) collaborates closely with Port Tampa Bay and Tampa International Airport to assist itinerary planners with transportation options that can handle all sizes of guest groups.

Multiple cruise lines have already reaped the benefits of homeporting their ships at Port Tampa Bay and 2020 will be no different. Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Paradise and Carnival Miracle, Royal Caribbean International’s Brilliance of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas, and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Dawn will all sail out of the city, enabling cruise travellers to explore multiple destinations across the Caribbean and Central America.

Joining these ships is Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Constellation, which will operate 10- and 11-night roundtrips from Tampa beginning November 2020. Following a 14-night transatlantic crossing from Barcelona, Spain, Celebrity Constellation will begin sailing three unique itineraries, including a 10-night Eastern Caribbean escape that calls at San Juan, Puerto Rico; Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and Samana, Dominican Republic. The vessel will also provide 11-night Southern Caribbean voyages with visits to Key West, Florida; Kralendijk, Bonaire; Oranjestad, Aruba; Willemstad, Curacao; and George Town, Grand Cayman. Alternatively, guests can opt for an 11-night ‘Touch Canal’ itinerary that will take them to explore Cozumel, Mexico; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; the Panama Canal; Colon, Panama; Cartagena, Colombia; and George Town.

MSC Cruises has added Port Tampa Bay to its winter 2020 cruise itineraries too. For the first time, MSC Armonia will sail from the port, providing year-round voyages to breathtaking destinations, including Progreso, Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico, as well as Key West in Florida and the brand’s new Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas.

Port Tampa Bay’s long-time cruise partner Holland America Line will also be returning to homeport in the city after a one-year hiatus. Throughout winter 2020, Veendam will sail 7- and 14-day itineraries to Key West; Samana; San Juan; St. Thomas; St. John; George Town; Willemstad; Oranjestad; Costa Maya; Castries, St Lucia; Banana Coast and Mahogany Bay, Honduras; Santo Tomas de Castilla, Guatemala; Belize City, Belize; Philipsburg, St Maarten; and Basseterre, The Bahamas.

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https://www.wsmv.com/news/davidson_county/supporters-of-mls-stadium-wants-answer-from-mayor-cooper/article_288a82c6-480c-11ea-ac36-67a20b0c1b11.html

Supporters of MLS stadium wants answer from Mayor Cooper

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https://en.as.com/en/2020/02/04/football/1580848564_873385.html

MLS

David Beckham teases Inter Miami fans with a selfie in the new stadium

The owner of the new franchise of the Major League Soccer gave everyone a glimpse of what the new stadium looks like ahead of their debut.

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https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/new-york-city-fc-makes-significant-progress-towards-soccer-specific-stadium/

New York City FC cites ‘significant progress’ towards soccer-specific stadium

Major League Soccer’s New York City FC has made “significant progress” towards building a soccer-specific stadium in the Bronx, the club’s chief executive Brad Sims has claimed.

Last week, the New York Times reported that NYCFC’s owners, a group of local developers, the New York City Economic Development Corporation, and various other bodies were nearing a deal that would allow the club to build a privately financed, 25,000-seat stadium in the South Bronx.

The planned facility would be part of a $1bn mixed-use development project that would also include a school, hotel, retail stores, a waterfront park and affordable housing units near Yankee Stadium, the team’s venue since joining MLS in 2015.

According to the report, the earliest NYCFC could move into the new stadium would be 2024. However, no deal has been reached and discussions are continuing. “Nothing has been finalized,” Sims told NYCFC fans in an open letter over the weekend.

Sims added: “In the coming months, we will take further steps to formalize our participation in the public approval process which will include engaging in meaningful public dialogue with community residents, civic leaders, supporters, and local elected officials to obtain critical feedback on the details of this proposal so that we can ensure the project meets the needs of the community and New York City as a whole.”

The stadium update came shortly after it was confirmed that NYCFC would be forced to play a Concacaf Champions League game later this month at Red Bull Arena, the home of MLS rivals New York Red Bulls due to scheduling issues at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field.

NYCFC said it would give season-ticket holders a free ticket to the game against Costa Rican side AD San Carlos on February 26 in Harrison, New Jersey, for the “inconvenience of playing outside of the five boroughs.” NYCFC is reportedly paying rent to the Red Bulls for the use of the venue.

NYCFC’s supporters’ groups said in a statement that playing a home game at Red Bull Arena was “unacceptable” to them and that they are considering boycotting the match or making in-game demonstrations.

This is not the first time that NYCFC has been forced to play games outside of Yankee Stadium, due to scheduling issues with Major League Baseball’s New York Yankees, the team’s co-owners and primary tenants of Yankee Stadium. In December, it was announced that NYCFC decided to move four regular season games to Citi Field, the home of MLB’s New York Mets, in 2020.

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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/02/09/new-york-city-fc-ceo-brad-sims-significant-progress-made-stadium-project

New York City FC CEO Brad Sims: "Significant progress" made in stadium project

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https://www.tennessean.com/story/opinion/2020/02/09/nashville-mayor-john-cooper-mls-soccer-stadium/4685303002/

Nashville Mayor John Cooper: I want a stadium deal that works for everyone | Opinion

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https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/2020/02/08/nashville-sc-soccer-stadium-fairgrounds-demolition-contract-ordinance-approval/4696099002/

Proposed legislation would allow demolition for Nashville SC stadium at fairgrounds to begin immediately

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https://www.forbes.com/sites/ianquillen/2020/02/08/mls-players-finally-got-what-they-wanted-in-a-new-cba--but-why-now/#539f114b12d4

MLS Players Finally Got What They Wanted In A New CBA — But Why Now?

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https://www.newschannel5.com/news/mayors-office-says-progress-being-made-in-soccer-stadium-talks-offers-no-details

Soccer owners file motion to intervene, sets new construction deadline

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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/02/08/mls-safe-standing-sections-four-more-stadiums-join-party-2020

MLS safe standing sections: Four more stadiums join the party in 2020

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https://www.si.com/soccer/2020/02/07/promotion-relegation-lawsuit-cas-riccardo-silva-us-soccer-mls

CAS Rules Against Lawsuit Looking to Compel U.S. Soccer to Adopt Promotion and Relegation

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https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/lawsuit-pushing-promotion-relegation-mls-fails/

Lawsuit pushing for promotion-relegation in MLS fails

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https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20200207/sports/302079957

Soccer clubs lose case to force promotion-relegation on MLS

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https://www.mysuncoast.com/2020/02/08/here-is-latest-florida-sports-news-associated-press/

Here is the latest Florida sports news from The Associated Press

GENEVA (AP) — A long-running lawsuit looking to force promotion and relegation on to Major League Soccer has failed. Lower-tier clubs Miami and Kingston Stockade filed a challenge in 2017 with the Court of Arbitration for Sport against FIFA, North American soccer body CONCACAF and the U.S. Soccer Federation. Miami owner Riccardo Silva sought to disrupt the closed MLS system of new clubs paying franchise fees up to $200 million. Inter Miami kicks off its debut MLS season next month. The clubs' case cited a sub-section of FIFA statutes stating entitlement to take part in a domestic championship shall depend principally on sporting merit.

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https://www.insidemnsoccer.com/mls/david-beckham-shows-off-inter-miamis-new-stadium

David Beckham Shows Off Inter Miami’s New Stadium

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http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/mls-agrees-to-five-year-deal-with-players-union_186628?profile=1511

MLS agrees to five-year deal with players' union

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https://kmox.radio.com/articles/news/mls-stadium-proposal-introduced-in-board-of-aldermen

MLS stadium proposal comes before Board of Aldermen

Unlike previous stadium ideas, this puts most of the risk on the ownership group

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https://qconline.com/sports/soccer-clubs-lose-case-to-force-promotion-relegation-on-mls/article_107e8c2d-2538-54bb-9f82-dd382aa8a28d.html

Soccer clubs lose case to force promotion-relegation on MLS

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http://www.insideworldfootball.com/2020/02/07/silva-loses-cas-bid-force-us-end-closed-league-mls-structure/

Silva loses at CAS in bid to force US to end closed league MLS structure

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https://bingepost.com/new-york-city-fc-is-working-to-win-public-approval-for-a-soccer-stadium/21977/

New York City FC is working to win public approval for a football arena

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https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/sale-of-rampage-prompts-questions-about-spurs-future-in-san-antonio

Sale of Rampage prompts questions about Spurs future in San Antonio

The Spurs' decision to sell the Rampage - their minor league hockey team - could have significant implications for pro sports in San Antonio, according to local fans and power brokers.

Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff called the move "an economic one."

"When you only have about 5,000 people coming to a game, and you're sitting in an 18,000-seat arena, it's a difficult thing and expensive to do," he says. "I think they want to concentrate on the Spurs."

Wolff says the Spurs have another decade to go on their lease at the AT&T Center, which was upgraded five years ago with over $100 million in improvements. He's not worried about them leaving.

"The Spurs are our team. The Holts (the team's owners) have said numerous times to everybody they are committed to San Antonio. They want to build that franchise. I think that's our major goal, support them as they do that," he says. " We can't thank them enough for the quality basketball they have brought here."

Another expert on the San Antonio sports scene echoed those sentiments.

"I honestly don’t’ see that happening (the Spurs leaving) because of the broad-based ownership group, he said. "If it was just money, I'd cash out as quickly as I could. The team is at a crossroads, but that changes on a dime. R.C.(Buford) and Pop (Gregg Popovich) know their business."

Fans though, worry about what might happen next. They wonder if the sale of the Rampage might be an omen.

"Welcome to capitalism. I'm all for it," says Nigel Harris about the Rampage sale, before adding "I love my Spurs."

"What's going to happen if they don't have the support from locals?" says Seraphin Vigil, another local sports enthusiast. "In the end, it's all business. They've still got to get paid. They've got to make money one way or another.

"Go and support your team, Vigil adds. "Buy tickets. Attend the games."

The Spurs have now unloaded two of their minor-league teams in recent years. The WNBA Stars also moved to Las Vegas, in October of 2017.

"There's a lot of illicit, ill-gained gold in Las Vegas," Wolff says. "We've already seen the NFL go there and get enticed by it. I think it's horrible. They're going to be dangling money in front of everybody."

Adam Rogers, who used to live in Las Vegas, predicts the Spurs - valued at $1.6 billion by Forbes - won't leave San Antonio for Nevada.

"No way. Are you kidding me? The city wouldn't let that go. It's a money maker," he says. "It wouldn't make sense to move. It would take a lot of money to move to Vegas."

Wolff hopes the city can use the loss of the minor-league teams in recent years to build momentum for a new Triple A ballpark for the Missions.

"I would hope it would wake up people," he says. "You've got to have the right venue to reain a sport."

He also has another request of the Spurs, who still own San Antonio FC, a minor league soccer team.

"I've asked them to really make that break with the U.S. Soccer Federation," he says, setting his sights south of the border. "With (the) Mexican League, where we could have a franchise here."

He has no interest in rekindling talks with Major League Soccer.

"They're untrustworthy people," Wolff says of MLS executives. "They don't deserve to be in San Antonio."

The Spurs, who are three games into the annual Rodeo Road Trip, declined requests for interviews today.

The question of whether they will eventually look elsewhere remains unanswered for now. Fans seem unified in at least one respect.

"I think basketball is pretty strong here," says Luis Flores.

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https://respect-mag.com/2020/02/new-era-cap-releases-2020-collection-for-mls-fans/

FASHION STYLE

New Era Cap Releases 2020 Collection for MLS Fans

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http://americansoccernow.com/articles/jay-berhalter-to-leave-u-s-soccer-mls-agrees-to-new-cba-amp-fc-dallas-goalazzos

Jay Berhalter to leave U.S. Soccer, MLS agrees to new CBA, & FC Dallas goalazzos

U.S. Soccer is continuing to evolve after recent years saw the creation of the GM and Sporting Director positions. Now the CEO seach will have to expand with the departure of Jay Berhalter from the federation. In MLS we have the breakdown of the new CBA. Then, on the field, FC Dallas entertains in a preseason match.

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https://www.ajc.com/sports/larentowicz-calls-mls-cba-good-deal-for-both-sides/UHh2PxdnmaYYacjRnsNmlJ/

Larentowicz calls MLS CBA a good deal for both sides

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https://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20200206/mls-mlspa-agree-on-new-cba-to-run-through-2024-season

MLS, MLSPA agree on new CBA to run through 2024 season

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https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/4049041/mls-gets-favourable-promotion-relegation-ruling-from-cas

MLS gets favourable promotion-relegation ruling from CAS

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https://lastwordonsoccer.com/2020/02/07/atletico-ottawa-is-the-eighth-canadian-premier-league-team/

Atlético Ottawa is the eighth Canadian Premier League Team

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https://www.stl.news/st-louis-news-legislation-relating-to-mls-stadium-build-to-be-introduced-this-friday/309949/

St Louis News: Legislation relating to MLS Stadium build to be introduced this Friday

Board of Aldermen President Lewis Reed will introduce Board Bill 215 and Board Bill 216 relating to the MLS stadium project

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https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellenbecoats/2020/02/07/mls-celebrates-25th-anniversary-with-adidas-jersey-reveal-with-hopes-of-continual-league-growth/#4a9ba5f937b1

MLS Celebrates 25th Anniversary With Adidas Jersey Reveal And Hopes Of Continual League Growth

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https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/4049039/mls-cba-gives-players-big-wins-with-salary-and-free-agency-but-league-still-holds-the-power

MLS CBA gives players big wins with salary and free agency, but league still holds the power

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https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/revolutions-25th-anniversary-jersey-is-a-call-back-to-the-teams-first/2072988/

NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION

Revolution’s 25th-Anniversary Jersey Is a Call Back to the Team’s First

The Revs are one of MLS' nine remaining founding clubs, so the jersey has nine silver stars embroidered on it

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https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2020/02/06/city-aldermen-to-introduce-legislation-to-advance.html

City aldermen to introduce legislation to advance MLS stadium

The proposed MLS stadium will be located north of Market Street near Union Station.

The St. Louis Board of Aldermen on Friday will introduce a pair of bills designed to advance development of the proposed Major League Soccer stadium in Downtown West.

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https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/article240056273.html

Why Major League Soccer’s new CBA is good news for Charlotte’s MLS expansion club

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https://www.al.com/sports/2020/02/a-city-buzzes-for-soccer-match-between-birmingham-legion-fc-and-atlanta-united.html

A city buzzes for soccer match between Birmingham Legion FC and Atlanta United

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https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/07/sports/soccer/nycfc-stadium-bronx-mls.html

N.Y.C.F.C. Is Close to Deal to Build Stadium in the Bronx

A seven-year search for a home for the Major League Soccer team appears set to end right down the street from Yankee Stadium.

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https://ussoccerplayers.com/2020/02/nashvilles-stadium-issue-season-tickets-mls.html

IT DOESN’T LOOK EASY FOR MLS IN NASHVILLE

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https://asumetech.com/inter-miami-highly-interested-in-signing-luka-modric-edinson-cavani/

Inter Miami Highly Interested In Signing Luka Modric, Edinson Cavani

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https://www.republicworld.com/sports-news/football-news/david-beckhams-inter-miami-release-first-ever-pink-and-black-away-kit.html

David Beckham’s Inter Miami Release First Ever Pink And Black Away Kit

FOOTBALL NEWS

David Beckham’s Inter Miami revealed their first-ever away jersey on Thursday. The Inter Miami kit is a perfect blend of black and pink.

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https://mlsmultiplex.com/2020/02/07/inter-miami-cf-2020-preview-basement-battle-ahead/

Inter Miami CF: 2020 Preview – Basement battle ahead?

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https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/10721986/celtic-lewis-morgan-inter-miami-transfer/

GOING STATESIDE Celtic star Lewis Morgan ‘accepts Inter Miami deal’ with winger set to join MLS side

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https://www.caughtoffside.com/2020/02/09/video-david-beckham-gets-neymar-to-agree-to-sign-for-inter-miami-in-the-future/

Video: David Beckham gets Neymar to “agree” to sign for Inter Miami in the future