The Rays touted their Montreal plan at Fan Fest. These fans aren’t buying

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https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2020/02/09/the-rays-touted-their-montreal-plan-at-fan-fest-these-fans-arent-buying/

The Rays touted their Montreal plan at Fan Fest. These fans aren’t buying

Many diehards expressed their distaste for the plan at Fan Fest. Others are just trying to focus on the present.

Andrew Katzman, 36 of St. Petersburg, chats with Rays president Brian Auld at the Rays' Fan Fest on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, in St. Petersburg. [LUIS SANTANA | Times]

ST. PETERSBURG — Rays fan Andrew Katzman didn’t care much for the team’s split-season plan to start with. Then came Montreal baseball group leader Stephen Bronfman’s “much nicer city” comment.

Explaini...

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https://ngscsports.com/2020/02/08/tampa-bay-rays-stadium-drama-takes-another-awful-turn/

Tampa Bay Rays: Stadium Drama Takes Another Awful Turn

The Tampa Bay Rays are looking for a third straight 90 plus win season. That should be the focus of the fans. Instead, the focus is on the stadium and a split season. Owner, Stuart Sternberg wants to have a split season because the city of St. Petersburg, FL won’t agree on a new stadium. That also means they will not let the Rays build one in Tampa, FL either. The mayor of St. Petersburg, Rick Kriseman, has put his foot down and said if the Rays want a split season then he will not allow it. The Rays play in Tropicana Field which is under lease until 2027. They can buy out of the lease in 2024 if they choose to. Some more drama started just last week as now the city of St. Petersburg wants to develop the land around the Tropicana Field.

Tropicana Field was originally built for the Tampa Bay Lightning before they moved Tampa where Amalie Arena currently is. The stadium is now what many call an eyesore. The Rays have had winning seasons, but still, have trouble drawing fans. They have the second-lowest attendance in MLB. The funny thing is the team that has the lowest is the Miami Marlins. The Marlins built a new stadium just a few years ago and in the first year the stadium had many sellouts but after that, it has been empty. Sternberg saw this and doesn’t want to put up a lot of money to build a new stadium. He feels that the same thing will happen with the Rays. Many say that with Kriseman warning it will hold the Rays until 2027. The city knows how valuable the land is that Tropicana Field sits on.

The city of St. Petersburg wants to develop the city like Jeff Vinik is doing with the River Walk project in downtown Tampa. Vinik owns the Tampa Bay Lightning which many consider being the best organization in all sports. The ballpark sits on 86 acres of land. Many fans are hoping a new stadium would be built on it. The Rays also, as I said above, had permission to look in Tampa. They found a spot near Ybor City and it looked like the team would stay in the Tampa Bay area. Soon after, the city of St. Petersburg decided they didn’t want the Rays to leave St Pete. The new stadium deal is now a failure. The Rays also bought the Tampa Bay Rowdies which also have a stadium on the waterfront in downtown St. Petersburg. The new stadium would be for both the Rays and Rowdies.

The newest issue is the Rays are entitled to 50% of the cut. In the contract, it states that the city and club are to have an equal share. This has not come into place in the 25 years the contract was drawn up. To this point, Tropicana Field has failed to spur any development closer than 1st avenue. It continues to look like the team and the city is deteriorating. If the city decides to develop the parking areas around Tropicana Field, it will not help fans get to the stadium. With low attendance, they don’t want any more deterrents because it could scare fans away. This doesn’t look good because one or two things are going to happen. One, there will be a split season with St. Petersburg and Montreal. Two, the Rays would be gone permanently. Either way Rays fans need to worry.

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https://www.cltampa.com/food-drink/drinks/article/21114921/ybors-big-easy-bar-lets-bartenders-revamp-the-cocktail-menu

Ybor City's Big Easy Bar lets bartenders revamp the cocktail menu

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https://m.bpt.me/event/4497775

Ybor City at Players Club

Brown Paper Tickets

"Ybor City" is an experience! The original musical, with book by Anita Gonzalez and music and lyrics by Dan Furman, will be performed by a cast of 11 ...

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https://www.90min.com/posts/6554180-neymar-shakes-hands-with-david-beckham-on-inter-miami-deal-but-he-s-not-going-yet

Neymar Shakes Hands With David Beckham on Inter Miami Deal.....But He's Not Going Yet

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https://www.prosoccerusa.com/mls/orlando-city-sc/orlando-city-tops-montreal-impact-1-0-during-first-home-match-of-2020-preseason/

ORLANDO CITY SC

Orlando City tops Montreal Impact 1-0 during first home match of 2020 preseason

Nani scored the decisive goal to lift the team to the win, while new keeper Pedro Gallese held on for a shutout in his first friendly in Orlando.

After two closed matches against the Tampa Bay Rowdies and D.C. United, the team will play another preseason match open to the public against KR Reykjavík on Feb. 18.

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https://www.breitbart.com/news/mls-agrees-five-year-deal-with-players-union-2/

MLS agrees five-year deal with players union

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https://www.tampabay.com/arts-entertainment/2020/02/05/top-things-to-do-in-tampa-bay-this-weekend-feb-7-9/

Top things to do in Tampa Bay this weekend: Feb. 7-9

One more Gasparilla parade (this time at night), the free Rays Fan Fest, the world’s biggest bounce house and more.

People wave and yell for beads from an Ybor City balcony during the Krewe of the Knights of Sant' Yago Illuminated Knight Parade in 2013. [Tampa Bay Times (2013)]

GASPARILLA: ILLUMINATED KNIGHT PARADE

The last of the Gasparilla parades is the most glittery. The Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago Illuminated Knight Parade brings an array of illuminated floats down Ybor City’s main drag. WWE star Titus O’Neil serves as grand marshal and fan f...

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https://www.ringsidenews.com/2020/02/05/titus-oneil-set-to-grand-marshal-tampa-bay-parade/

WWE NEWS

TITUS O’NEIL SET TO GRAND MARSHAL TAMPA BAY PARADE

WWE Superstars get a lot of pretty cool opportunities. Titus O’Neil lives in Tampa, Florida and his city is set to give him a big honor.

Titus O’Neil is set to be the grand marshal at the Gasparilla parade on Saturday, February 7th. The Tampa Bay Times reports that Titus O’Neil won’t be the only celebrity on the parade. Jerry Springer is set to appear on a float as well.

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https://www.wtsp.com/article/entertainment/television/great-day-tb/yborknightparade-basic/67-4074cf1c-5782-40a6-808c-04b5b7b97ac6

Ybor City Knight Parade this weekend

Tune into “Great Day Live” weekdays from 9 to 10 a.m. on WTSP-TV.

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https://www.mor-tv.com/article/73rd-annual-ybor-fiesta-day/30783696

73rd Annual Ybor Fiesta Day

Historic Ybor City will celebrate its heritages with an all-day street festival, Saturday February 22!

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https://hoodline.com/2020/02/4-top-spots-for-desserts-in-tampa

4 top spots for desserts in Tampa

La Segunda Central Bakery | On Swann | Eddie & Sam's NY Pizza | The Dessert Spot at Toffee to Go

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https://photos.cltampa.com/photos-from-new-world-brewerys-new-location-in-sulphur-springs/?slide=1&1-3-3

Photos from New World Brewery’s new location in Sulphur Springs

Two years after closing in Ybor City, beloved Tampa Bay music venue, restaurant and bar New World Brewery is opening at its new location in Tampa’s Sulphur Springs neighborhood. The first day open is Feb. 12, and a concert from the Love Doctors happens on Feb. 14. Two weeks before opening day, CL Tampa Bay visited the new location to see progress on the outdoor courtyard (which is home to a grassy knoll stage that’ll host free concerts), restaurant and bar area, plus the still-unopened 300-capacity music hall. Get more info on the opening happenings via cltampa.com/music.

Posted Feb. 6, 2020 & filed under MUSIC. HOME » MUSIC » PHOTOS FROM NEW WORLD BREWERY’S NEW LOCATION IN SULPHUR SPRINGS

Tags: live music, New World Brewery, Sulphur Springs, Tampa

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https://theminaretonline.com/2020/02/06/unique-and-promising-finds-in-ybor/

Unique and promising finds in Ybor

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https://patch.com/florida/southtampa/tampa-bay-area-architects-predict-strong-economic-growth

Tampa Bay area architects predict strong economic growth

An economic downturn in real estate development and activity isn't on the architects' radar screen for the next few years

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https://wflanews.iheart.com/featured/pm-tampa-bay-with-ryan-gorman/content/2020-02-06-fair-food-and-knights-take-over-tampa-bay-this-weekend/

Fair Food and Knights Take Over Tampa Bay This Weekend

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https://www.tampabay.com/arts-entertainment/music/2020/02/06/tampas-new-world-brewery-reopening-in-new-location-next-week/

Tampa’s New World Brewery reopening in new location next week

The beloved music scene hangout will feature much more space, a separate concert venue and an expanded food menu.

The courtyard of New World Brewery, 810 E Skagway Ave. in Tampa, on Feb. 6. The beloved concert venue shut down in Ybor City in September 2017. [JAY CRIDLIN | Tampa Bay Times]

It has been two and a half years since beloved concert venue New World Brewery shut down in Ybor City — an eternity for Tampa Bay music lovers.

Finally, the wait is nearly over.

New World Brewery plans ...

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https://www.brooklynpaper.com/five-things-to-do-in-brooklyn-feb-7-14/

FIVE THINGS TO DO IN BROOKLYN, FEB. 7-14

They see me rollin': The play "Ybor City," playing on Feb. 12, follows union efforts in a Florida cigar-rolling factory.

Wednesday, Feb. 12

Strike out

The dilemma: You want to see a musical, but you also want to go out drinking. Now you can combine the two, at the immersive musical “Ybor City,” playing tonight at Rustik Tavern in Bedford-Stuyvesant! The play uses union rally songs, Latin music, and choral music to tell a story about labor organizing among cigar factory workers in 1918 Florida.

7 pm at Rustik Tavern [471 Dekalb Ave. between Kent and Franklin avenues in Bedford-Stuyvesant, (718) 213–8885, www.yborcitythemusical.com]. Free ($20 reserved seating).

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https://www.cltampa.com/food-drink/openings-closings/article/21114735/cephas-hot-shops-new-location-opens-on-seventh-avenue-in-ybor-city

Cephas Hot Shop’s new location opens on Seventh Avenue in Ybor City

He’s starting with aloe shakes, turmeric and powerhouse tea.

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https://www.tampabay.com/arts-entertainment/2020/02/07/ybors-knight-parade-once-gasparillas-wild-child-cleans-up-image/

Ybor’s Knight parade, once Gasparilla’s wild child, cleans up image

The nighttime parade was known for flesh and flash, but efforts to crack down on Gasparilla’s excess have extended to Ybor City.

Thousands of people line up to view the Gasparilla Knight Parade as it marches down Seventh Avenue in Ybor City in 2017. Once known for its rowdy party atmosphere, police said they haven't made an arrest at the Knight parade in several years. [Tampa Bay Times (2017)]

Like so much of Gasparilla, Saturday’s Krewe of Sant’ Yago Illuminated Knight Parade is steeped in historical license, noteworthy names and a heaping helping of naughtiness. Jerry Springer will be the...

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https://www.tpr.org/post/musical-collaborations-and-pulitzer-prize-winning-play-your-weekend-here

Musical Collaborations And A Pulitzer Prize-Winning Play: Your Weekend Is Here

Explore the lives of immigrant Cuban cigar rollers. Enjoy the music from some of the best movies ever made. And use a concert at the Women's Club to introduce a friend to classical music. The weekend is here, and the fun awaits.

First off, the Classic Theater's Kelly Roush recommends their production of Anna In The Tropics.

"We open Anna in the Tropics tonight (Friday). It is a Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Nilo Cruz, about a Cuban immigrant family who rolls cigars," she said.

Josey Porras, Joshua Segovia
CREDIT SIGGI RAGNAR

Set in 1920s Ybor City, outside Tampa — just listen to what this cigar factory does for its workers.

"They bring in a lector, to read to them literature while they roll cigars all day," Roush said.

In this production, the lector is reading Anna Karenina to them.

"We watch how the story affects each of them and pulls them apart in some ways, and pulls them together, in many ways,” she said. “It's really lovely and intimate."

Roush says back then Cubans arrived confident in what they had to offer the new world.

"The Cuban immigrants came over saying 'We have our hands. We are bringing industry to you,' and made Tampa as affluent as it was," Roush said.

The industry changed over time though, and mechanization brought the lector's time to a close.

"Lectors were gone from the factories by 1931, because you couldn't hear them over the machines," she said.

Set piece from Anna In The Tropics
CREDIT JACK MORGAN

But you can get a glimpse of their time here through Anna in the Tropics on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through March 1.

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https://www.brewbound.com/news/cigar-city-brewing-adds-fancy-papers-hazy-ipa-to-seasonal-line-up

Cigar City Brewing Adds Fancy Papers Hazy IPA to Seasonal Line-Up

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https://www.wfla.com/news/local-news/santyago-knight-parade-returns-to-ybor-city/

Sant’Yago Knight Parade returns to Ybor City

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https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/ken-shamrock-max-bretos-do-commentary-josh-barnett-s-bloodsport-iii

Ken Shamrock & Max Bretos To Do Commentary For Josh Barnett's Bloodsport III

Josh Barnett's Bloodsport III is part of GCW The Collective and will take place at the Cuban Club in Ybor City. Bloodsport is a mix of wrestling and MMA where matches take place in a ring with no ropes and end via (T)KO or submission.

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https://411mania.com/wrestling/ken-shamrock-and-max-bretos-to-call-josh-barnetts-bloodsport-iii/

Ken Shamrock and Max Bretos To Call Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport III

Josh Barnett announced on ESPN Sportscenter today that Ken Shamrock and Max Bretos will provide commentary for his upcoming Bloodsport III event. He later confirmed it on Twitter. The event happens on April 2 at the courtyard in The Cuban Club in Ybor City.

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https://www.cltampa.com/music/music-news/article/21114358/tampa-music-venue-new-world-brewery-opens-its-new-location-next-week

Beloved Tampa music venue New World Brewery opens its new location next week

The bar and outdoor area of New World will be home to no-cover shows on a stage facing a grassy knoll.

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https://photos.cltampa.com/photos-from-new-world-brewerys-new-location-in-sulphur-springs/?slide=1&1-3-3

Photos from New World Brewery’s new location in Sulphur Springs

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https://fox17.com/news/local/mayor-cooper-says-he-is-doing-whats-best-for-taxpayers-regarding-mls-deal-at-fairgrounds

Mayor Cooper says he is doing what's best for taxpayers regarding MLS deal at fairgrounds

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https://www.argus-press.com/world_sports/article_bf21cd1a-c475-597d-a3ee-120b955f5867.html

MLS players take off: charter flights, sharing media rights

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https://www.fcdallas.com/post/2020/02/09/preseason-reggie-cannon-scrimmage-against-austin-bold-usmnt-camp?autoplay=true

PRESEASON: Reggie Cannon on Scrimmage Against Austin Bold; USMNT Camp

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https://infosurhoy.com/news/soccer-clubs-lose-case-to-force-promotion-relegation-on/

Soccer clubs lose case to force promotion-relegation on…

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https://calltothepen.com/2020/02/07/tampa-bay-rays-montreal-plan-first-step-relocation/

Tampa Bay Rays: Montreal plan first step to relocation

Rob Manfred claims that allowing the Tampa Bay Rays to play a portion of their schedule in Montreal is the best way to keep the team in Florida. Instead, it is the first step to relocation.

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https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2020/02/06/mlb-montreal-sharing-plan-100-percent-best-way-to-keep-rays-in-tampa-bay/

MLB: Montreal sharing plan ’100 percent’ best way to keep Rays in Tampa Bay

Commissioner Rob Manfred said there is “significant receptivity” among owners for the unprecedented plan.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred addressed reporters on a number of topics Thursday in Orlando. [MARC TOPKIN | Tampa Bay Times]

ORLANDO — Major League Baseball officials and owners now see the season-sharing plan with Montreal proposed by the Rays as the best way — “100 percent” — to keep a team, albeit part time, in the Tampa...

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https://www.tampabay.com/news/st-petersburg/2020/02/06/a-peek-into-trop-negotiations-as-rays-st-petersburg-play-hardball/

A peek into Trop negotiations as Rays, St. Petersburg play hardball

Mayor Rick Kriseman held private meetings with City Council members. Here’s what they talked about.

St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman held private meetings with council members about his negotiations with the Tampa Bay Rays. [Times (2017)]

ST. PETERSBURG — When it comes to keeping the Tampa Bay Rays, are St. Petersburg and Tampa partners or at odds?

It may depend on whether the goal is to keep the team in the Sunshine City or in the Tamp...

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https://www.abcactionnews.com/sports/baseball/rays/montreal-a-much-nicer-city-to-be-in-than-st-petersburg-prospective-rays-partner-says

Montreal a 'much nicer city to be in than St. Petersburg,' prospective Rays partner says

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https://photos.cltampa.com/everyone-we-saw-at-tampas-krew-of-sant-yago-knight-parade/?slide=1&ej7a1900_7128

Everyone we saw at Tampa’s Krew of Sant’ Yago Knight Parade

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https://www.prowrestling.com/commentary-team-revealed-for-josh-barnetts-bloodsport-iii/

Commentary Team Revealed For Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport III

The build for Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport III has continued this week, with the commentary team for the show being announced.

Josh Barnett revealed that they’re stepping up every single aspect of the show this year, and they have announced a tremendous commentary team. ESPN’s Max Bretos will be joined by wrestling and MMA legend, Ken Shamrock to call all the action at this year’s show.

𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖂𝖆𝖗𝖒𝖆𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖗
✔
@JoshLBarnett
 This year we're stepping up the show in every aspect.

We are proud to announce that we will have ESPN's Max Bretos along with "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock on color.

There's only ONE Josh Barnett's: Bloodsport.@MaxBretosSports@ShamrockKen @GCWrestling_

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Bloodsport III will be taking place during WWE WrestleMania 36 week on April 2 at the courtyard in the Cuban Club in Ybor City. Josh Barnett will be competing against Jon Moxley on the show in the main event.

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https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/10905160/david-beckhams-inter-miami-away-kit-fans/

PINK ANNOYED David Beckham’s Inter Miami release first ever pink and black away kit… but fans are NOT happy with design

DAVID BECKHAM'S Inter Miami have released their first-ever away kit... but fans are NOT happy with the £104 pink and black design.

The former England captain's MLS side finally kick-off next month in Los Angeles even though their squad and stadium are still being built.

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https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1084296

NUMBER CRUNCHING: Rising FC FiveThirtyEight.com’s 2020 Title Favorite

PROJECTIONS PLACE MIAMI FC AS BEST CHANCE TO REPRESENT EASTERN CONFERENCE IN CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

After a record-setting campain last season, Phoenix Rising FC is fivethirtyeight.com's preseason favorite to lift the trophy at the 2020 USL Championship Final. | Photo courtesy Phoenix Rising FC

There should be no surprise as to which side fivethirtyeight.com has installed as favorite to claim victory in the 2020 USL Championship Final.

Returning most of the key players from a record-setting season, Phoenix Rising FC sits head-and-shoulders above the field as a 21 percent chance to be celebrating in November. Phoenix’s 38.7 overall rating places it at No. 331 in the world, above a group of sides from Major League Soccer including Minnesota United FC, Columbus Crew SC and Sporting Kansas City.

As for the side rated most likely to face Phoenix from the Eastern Conference? Well, that might raise some eyebrows.

Newcomer The Miami FC rates a 19 percent chance to reach the USL Championship Final according to the analytics-based predictive website, giving it a three-percent edge on Florida rival the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Indy Eleven as the preseason gets underway.

As for Louisville City FC, which will be looking to reach its fourth consecutive USL Championship Final and become the first team to lift the trophy three times? It’s sitting at 12 percent despite returning much of the roster that continued the side’s success in 2019.

Other notable data from the initial 2020 season ratings includes good news for San Antonio FC and Saint Louis FC fans, with both clubs predicted for bounce-back campaigns after missing the postseason last year. SAFC is rated an 83 percent chance to reach the postseason – good for third-best in the Western Conference behind Phoenix and Orange County SC – while STLFC is rated a 75 percent chance to see playoff action for the second time in its history, putting it seventh-best in the East.

Meanwhile, the Championship’s other newcomer, San Diego Loyal SC, comes in at a 55 percent chance to reach the postseason in its inaugural season with a projected total of 46 points. SD Loyal fans should be able to take heart from last year’s projections, which placed then-expansion side New Mexico United outside the playoff picture, only for NMU to reach the postseason at its first time of asking.

As for teams that are going to have to prove it on the field, FC Tulsa’s offseason overhaul hasn’t quite moved the needle for the computers, which gives Head Coach Michael Nsien’s side a 24 percent chance at the postseason, while both Hartford Athletic (36 percent) and Las Vegas Lights FC (22 percent) are also facing an uphill climb according to the projections.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mls/inter-miami/article239984278.html

Inter Miami finally reveals its inaugural away jersey. Here’s what it looks like.

The team will remain in the St. Petersburg/Tampa area until Feb. 22, when it plays a friendly match against the USL Tampa Bay Rowdies at Al Lang Stadium. That match is also open and free to the public.

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https://www.tsn.ca/montreal-impact-lose-1-0-to-philadelphia-union-in-mls-pre-season-game-1.1438498

Impact lose to Union in pre-season game

The Impact next play Orlando City on Saturday, then cap their exhibition schedule with two games next week against Nashville SC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies.