(Follow link for full article.)
https://thefloridasqueeze.com/2016/12/29/new-project-florida-soccer-orlando-tampa-bay-and-fort-lauderdale-from-2011-to-2017/
New Project – Florida soccer, Orlando, Tampa Bay and Fort Lauderdale from 2011 to 2017
December 29, 2016 · by Kartik Krishnaiyer · in Fort Lauderdale Strikers FC, Orlando City SC, Tampa Bay Rowdies
Kartik Report LogoMore details to come in the near future but I am launching a project in the next month (subject to legal restrictions) that will compare and contrast the fortunes of the three long-term Florida professional soccer clubs – The Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Orlando City SC and Tampa Bay Rowdies.
In late 2010, the NASL/USL split was formalized and Tampa Bay and Fort Lauderdale choose to play in the designated D2 NASL while Orlando City SC choose to play in the designated D3 USL. All three clubs have had ups and downs since 2011 but Orlando City SC has had the most success. What did they do that Fort Lauderdale and Tampa Bay did not? What did Fort Lauderdale and Tampa Bay get right? Were things done at those two clubs better than Orlando City SC in some instances? What role did ownership changes and league issues play with each club? How did Tampa Bay’s MLS ambitions evolve?
For soccer fans who are focused on the sporting side, this project will give some insight into the board rooms, decision making and politics around the sport.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.facebook.com/RalphsMob/photos/a.384624768950.169766.345399658950/10154238509838951/
We just wanted to send out a friendly reminder that 2017 Season Ticket prices will be changing after December 30!
(Follow link for full article.)
https://twitter.com/JSB_TV/status/814542724066082816
Can confirm that Landon Donovan has also just been offered a deal from an eastern conference team in addition to RSL offer. #MLS
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.insideworldfootball.com/2016/12/29/montagliani-confirms-us-mexico-canada-discuss-world-cup-2026-joint-bid
Montagliani confirms US, Mexico and Canada to discuss World Cup 2026 joint bid
(Follow link for full article.)
https://twitter.com/BrianStraus/status/814508374066860032
Word this morn from 3 sources indicating NASL, Cosmos have "heartbeat". Definitely some optimism. Wish I had more details. News likely soon.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://fiftyfive.one/2016/12/nasl-owners-press-forward-without-bill-peterson/
NASL Owners to Press Forward — Without Bill Peterson
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RJFYnmrs04
Why A Tech Exec Started A Football Club From Scratch
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/738450
Lakeland Native Alex Morrell Joins Rowdies For 2017 Season
(Follow link for full article.)
http://cincinnatisoccertalk.com/2016/12/28/podcast-special-will-real-division-two-please-step/
Podcast Special: Will the Real Division Two Please Step Up
(Follow link for full article.)
http://worldsoccertalk.com/2016/12/28/mls-accounted-7-soccer-tv-viewing-august-december/
MLS accounted for only 7% of soccer TV viewing from August-December
(Follow link for full article.)
https://twitter.com/NipunChopra7/status/814288501906821120
1) Been told that #USSF announcement to be made in the 1st week of January, and is likely to be "positive" for #NASL .
(Follow link for full article.)
https://twitter.com/BrianStraus/status/814509046296432640
USSF would be relieved. Doesnt want to be in position to kill league or pick winners. If NASL survives, expect leadership/front off changes.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.espnfc.com/story/3028042/christian-pulisic-not-ruling-out-premier-league-mls-moves-in-future
Christian Pulisic not ruling out Premier League, MLS moves in future
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/12/29/are-live-sports-a-game-changer-for-amazon-prime.aspx
Are Live Sports a Game Changer for Amazon Prime?
The retail juggernaut is working to make its flagship subscription service as sticky as ever.
More specifically, according to sources who spoke to The Wall Street Journal (may require subscription), Amazon has held talks "in recent months" with the National Basketball Association (NBA), Major League Baseball (MLB), National Football League (NFL), Major League Soccer (MLS), and other soccer, lacrosse, and surfing leagues for the rights to carry live games.
Still in the early innings...
This also shouldn't be entirely surprising. Earlier this year, reports surfaced that Amazon was in talks to acquire streaming rights to several less prominent sports leagues encompassing the likes of tennis, soccer, and auto racing, which all boast limited audiences in the U.S. but simultaneously enjoy enormous appeal to international viewers. In retrospect, that move makes perfect sense considering Amazon only announced two weeks ago that it has officially expanded Prime Video availability to customers in more than 200 countries and territories around the world.
If the latest reports have merit, the difference now is that Amazon appears to be chasing higher-profile sports streaming rights in addition to those niche interests. As such -- while competitors like Twitter are primarily dabbling with limited content such as its 10-game deal with the NFL -- it seems Amazon is more seriously positioning itself as a viable one-stop shop for consumers' sports-viewing desires.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://wunc.org/post/triangle-mls-bid-faces-tough-competition#stream/0
Triangle MLS Bid Faces Tough Competition
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.newstalk.com/NASL-NY-Cosmos-collapse
Failed 'galacticos' model brings New York Cosmos crashing back down to earth
The historic franchise are on the brink of collapse again
(Follow link for full article.)
http://worldsoccertalk.com/2016/12/29/donovan-in-talks-for-mls-return-at-real-salt-lake-reports/
Donovan in talks for MLS return at Real Salt Lake: reports
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/politics-and-government/las-vegas/las-vegas-officials-take-another-shot-getting-major-league
Las Vegas officials to take another shot at getting Major League Soccer team
(Follow link for full article.)
http://saintpetersblog.com/rowdies-add-22-year-old-forward-alex-morrell-roster/
Rowdies add 22-year-old forward Alex Morrell to its roster
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.tbreporter.com/local-news/pinellas/st-petersburg/international-soccer-tournament-coming-st-pete/
International Soccer Tournament Coming to St. Pete
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-nasl-2016-1228-story.html
NASL exploring expansion to San Diego, Orange County
Thursday, December 29, 2016
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
Open Letter: December 26, 2016.
Open Letter: December 26, 2016.
December 26th, 2016
Hello all; this is another in a series of open letters
urging Miami Beckham United (MBU), David Beckham’s project to launch an MLS
club in Miami, to consider talking to Bill Edwards and the other owners of the
Tampa Bay Rowdies, as an alternate backup plan if the Miami situation does not
work out. As I mentioned in my last letter I am documenting some of this letter
writing campaign in my blog (“support
your local football club dot blogspot dot com”). This is my seventh letter;
the first letter was September 7, 2015. As anticipated, Bill Edwards has
recently announced (this past Dec. 6th) his intentions to move the
Tampa Bay Rowdies to MLS, and expand Al Lang Stadium. No word, still, on the
Miami Beckham United situation. I imagine that many things may be decided in a
few months time, or later this year at the latest, that may make this oddball
letter writing campaign of mine obsolete; at this point I am mainly interested
in promoting the Tampa Bay Rowdies move to MLS, and if something happens on the
David Beckham front that might impact this, great, but this quixotic project of
mine is probably nearing its end whatever happens. And now a bit of good news,
and bad news, all in one:
Report: Spring
Referendum on Al Lang Lease Extension a Possibility
A vote to extend
Tampa Bay Rowdies owner Bill Edwards’ lease to manage Al Lang Stadium could be
coming sooner than expected.
Charlie Frago of the
Tampa Bay Times reported on Thursday that St. Petersburg City Council
Chairwoman Darden Rice has scheduled a meeting on January 5 to put the matter
up for a public referendum in late April or early May, with Edwards picking up
the $250,000 price tag for the special election. Edwards is seeking to secure
at least a 20-year lease for the waterfront venue, a necessary step in his
proposal to expand Al Lang to 18,000 seats as part of his bid join Major League
Soccer. [...]
Another interesting
aspect to the report is Rice’s suggestion that the council consider using its
leverage in the lease negotiations to stipulate the Rowdies drop Tampa Bay from
their name and pick up St Pete instead.
I along with other Tampa Bay Rowdies fans must protest this
suggested name change in the strongest possible terms. The Tampa Bay Rowdies
were the very first professional sports team in the Tampa Bay area (1975) and
were so named because they represented the entire Tampa Bay area. Every other
professional sports team in the area with major league ambitions has been named
“Tampa Bay” for the same reason. The name Tampa Bay Rowdies has a proud 41 (going
on 42) year history. The very first Tampa Bay Rowdies game, on Valentine’s Day,
Feb. 14, 1975, was played indoors at the old Bayfront Center in St. Petersburg,
where the Dali Museum stands now. Whether playing in Tampa or in St. Pete, the
Rowdies have always represented both sides of the bay, and the entire Tampa Bay
area, and not just one city. Changing the name of the team would alienate and
antagonize lifelong Tampa Bay Rowdies fans, and undermine Bill Edward’s efforts
to increase ticket sales and season ticket holders throughout the entire area,
especially in Hillsborough County, as part of his efforts to push for an MLS
expansion slot for the Tampa Bay Rowdies. There is no reason to destroy over
four decades of history, identity, and tradition simply because the stadium
happens to be in St. Pete, especially considering that the Tampa Bay Rowdies
name and trademarks had to be bought back from a third party a few years ago.
The Rowdies belong to the entire Tampa Bay area and should keep their proper name.
As the Al Lang Stadium expansion is going to be privately financed, team name
changes really should not be up for discussion. I travel 1,300 miles to St.
Pete to watch the Rowdies (when I can) and I spend money in St. Pete; Rowdies
fans in Hillsborough travel a shorter distance but also spend money in St.
Pete; their opinions should not be disregarded. I hope this was not a serious
proposal; let us hear no more of it.
Turning back to the topic of the Tampa Bay Rowdies bid to
join MLS, and David Beckham’s apparent lack of success so far in Miami, the
following comments by Kartik Krishnaiyer make for interesting reading:
Could the Tampa Bay
Rowdies replace David Beckham’s Miami as MLS Team #24?
On Thursday, Major
League Soccer announced the list of the 10 locales that are in the running for
Major League Soccer clubs 25-28. Miami which was originally slated as team 20
or 21 has slipped to 24 and from the outside view is nowhere closer to securing
a team than they were in 2013 – and rumors persist that David Beckham is close
to pulling the plug on the area.
Tampa Bay was named
among the 10 locales by MLS on Thursday and as we discussed on December 7, the
bid to bring the top soccer league in the United States and Canada to Downtown
St Petersburg is a sure-fire winner. On Thursday Rowdies Chairman & CEO
Bill Edwards said:
“It’s
great to know that less than two weeks after announcing our #MLS2StPete
campaign, Major League Soccer is acknowledging us as one of the potential
expansion cities,” stated Rowdies Chairman and CEO Bill Edwards. “Bringing
Major League Soccer to the Tampa Bay Area by 2020 is my goal.”
The Rowdies formal
bid for an MLS team was announced on December 6, but the side which currently
plays in the lower division United Soccer Leagues has major advantages over
many of the other nine finalists. In Bill Edwards, the Rowdies have an owner
whose net worth probably meets MLS requirements unlike most of the other
interested cities and clubs. The Rowdies have a solid stadium plan which is far
ahead of each of the other potential new MLS markets with the possible
exception of San Antonio. But unlike San Antonio, whose facility is far from
the center of town, the Rowdies Al Lang Stadium is right on Tampa Bay in
Downtown St Petersburg. Finally, the Tampa Bay media market is the largest
single one that does not have an MLS team currently – with the league
increasingly concerned about lagging TV ratings this market makes sense.
Since Miami continues
to be a struggle why should Tampa Bay with an existing club, a real stadium
plan and a capable owner step right in? As was written here a little over a
week ago (with some revisions):
It is important to
note while arguments can be made for Miami as an important MLS market, the
Tampa/St Petersburg TV market is actually larger than Miami/Fort Lauderdale. It
is also critical to note that between 1975 and 2016, the Tampa Bay area and
Miami/Fort Lauderdale areas have had pro teams in the same soccer leagues for
25 seasons. In that period only three times did the southeast Florida team
boast higher attendance than the Tampa Bay-based one. This includes four
seasons in Major League Soccer (1998-2001), where Tampa Bay led Miami in
attendance three of the years, and nine seasons in the NASL (1975-1983) when
Tampa Bay led Miami or Fort Lauderdale every single season.
Miami is more of a
global branding opportunity than a soccer-crazed market. Major League Soccer
has survived for years without a Miami team, and now is thriving despite the
debacle taking place under the palm trees in southern Florida. But Tampa Bay’s
stadium plans – a waterfront vista in St Petersburg probably represents
something far more “Florida” than anything Miami can conjure up. This is also
exactly what MLS wanted David Beckham to produce – a waterfront vista, but he
was unable to secure the community and political support for the project.
While the Tampa Bay
market “failed” once before in MLS, that was a different time. A fear about
cannibalization of the audience from Orlando which is nearby could be real, but
the rivalry implications (Orlando City and the Tampa Bay Rowdies already have a
robust rivalry fostered at the lower-division and US Open Cup level) probably
offset those concerns. A “war on I-4” rivalry would be far bigger for MLS then
an organic club like Orlando City battling a manufactured and largely plastic
club like Beckham’s Miami entry promises to be.
MLS has to likely add
a 24th team in 2018 or 2019 before the next round of expansion begins in 2020.
With LAFC entering the league in 2018, the idea of the Tampa Bay Rowdies
replacing Miami as team 24 to begin league play let’s say in 2019 should be
strongly considered.
Players, coaches, and other people involved in pro soccer in
Florida over the past four decades all seem to agree that the Tampa Bay area
has been a much better supporter of pro soccer than Miami has been; comments
from Twitter:
Kartik K @kkfla737:
“If MLS is serious about downtown stadiums, rewarding soccer fans and promoting
clubs they'd drop Miami for St Pete/Tampa in a heartbeat.”
Kartik K @kkfla737:
“@joedratnol long history of supporting American club soccer at all levels
(unlike Miami). Bigger TV market. Willing owner. Better stadium.”
Kartik K @kkfla737:
“I've long said the Tampa Bay market deserves MLS more than Miami. More
American soccer fans, better support. MLS has a choice to make.”
Thomas Rongen
@TRongen: “Having been in both as a player and coach, I have to admit with a
heavy heart that I agree”
Ray Hudson also agreed with comments similar to these
recently on Sirius XM Channel 85, favoring Tampa Bay over Miami as having
better support for pro soccer. Given that Ray Hudson, Thomas Rongen, and Kartik
Krishnaiyer are all pretty much Miami/Ft. Lauderdale/South Florida people, this
is an important observation coming from them.
We won’t know what exactly is going on in Miami, or not
going on, until something definite is announced; I write these letters on the
slim chance that David Beckham, Simon Fuller, Tim Leiweke, etc. could look at
the Tampa Bay Rowdies as their MLS investment opportunity if Miami does not
work out for them. Adding David Beckham’s “brand” to the Tampa Bay Rowdies MLS
bid would be a huge shot in the arm for publicity and marketing for the MLS
Tampa Bay Rowdies and would help the Tampa Bay Rowdies to recapture some of the
magic of the original Rowdies era circa 1975-1984.
I am also writing these letters to do my part to keep the
original Tampa Bay Rowdies legacy alive; I have been a fan since 1975. Preserving
this legacy and identity and tradition is very important; the addition of the
NASL legacy clubs in Cascadia (Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers, Vancouver
Whitecaps) and California (San Jose Earthquakes) have done a lot to give MLS
greater depth of history and tradition and identity, by tying MLS back to these
1970s era teams. The addition of the Tampa Bay Rowdies to MLS would do the
same. American soccer has a long history, going back to the 1880s, but we keep
burying and ignoring our own past, and trying to reinvent soccer in this
country over and over again rather than building on traditions from generation
to generation. We have a chance with the Tampa Bay Rowdies to help correct some
of these past errors. I also helped with the write-in vote to keep the Seattle
Sounders name; this is a principle I believe in across the board and not just
for the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
The recent/ongoing mess with the current NASL is a reminder
of this past. I did not care for a lot of what the owners of the revived New York
Cosmos did, but one thing they did do right (and this is probably a legacy of
Peppe Pinton, who preserved the Cosmos trademarks, history, trophies,
memorabilia, etc.) is have an actual New York Cosmos club historian who
recorded and preserved the history of the New York Cosmos, and kept fans
informed about Cosmos history. For instance the Cosmos club historian reminded
us this past year that the Tampa Bay Rowdies have never defeated the Cosmos at
a Cosmos home game (ie, never defeated the Cosmos in New York or New Jersey).
Unfortunately with the Rowdies change in leagues and the second demise of the
Cosmos, the Rowdies may never have a chance to rectify this injustice! But most
of us wouldn’t even have known about it had the Cosmos not had their own club historian.
Perhaps the Tampa Bay Rowdies could have a club historian
once they are in MLS? It would help current management for instance to remember
which jersey numbers have been “retired”. Personally, I am against retiring
numbers in soccer – especially numbers 1-11, as these were, and still are, to
many fans, the numbers of the actual positions that players play, and can’t
really be retired without damaging the spirit and historical legacy of the
game. Better to retire, say, the jersey as such (the combination of player’s
name and number) and put a plaque up with the shirt number and player name in a
Hall of Fame, but allow the actual number to continue to be used by players
with different names. If you keep retiring numbers, soon 1-11 will be gone and
everyone will be wearing ridiculously high digit numbers; this is not part of
soccer tradition and really makes no sense for a sport with very limited
substitution. A club historian could also be useful in helping to remind
current management to stay true to the legacy of the Tampa Bay Rowdies when
deciding such things as marketing and branding of the team. The green and
yellow hoops (especially on the sleeves and socks) are an important part of the
Tampa Bay Rowdies identity. Too many sports teams nowadays make changes for the
sake of change, and to cash in on sales of jerseys, but in doing so dilute
their own brand identity. The New York Yankees are the gold standard in creating
and sticking to a brand and a consistent look: pinstripes are as essential to
the Yankees identity as their logo is. So also with the Rowdies logo and the
green and yellow hoops. You can change kit design every year or two but it
should be variations on a consistent theme, and not wild changes for the sake
of change (and to sell more jerseys), that make the team look like pretty much
every other soccer team out there, while undermining the team’s brand identity.
Bill Edwards has come under criticism from fans for some of
his decisions over the past year or two, but without him the Tampa Bay Rowdies
probably would not exist today and would certainly not be making a serious bid
for MLS; in my book that makes him the most important Rowdies owner since the
original owner of the Tampa Bay Rowdies, George W. Strawbridge Jr.; Gary
Shelton seems to agree:
Is Tampa Bay’s best
all-time soccer performer … Bill Edwards?
Edwards, a habitually
dissatisfied man, is the George Steinbrenner of his sport. Like Steinbrenner,
filled stadiums and pretty good does not quite cut it. Like Steinbrenner, Edwards
wants his team to be the talk of the town. Like Steinbrenner, he believes in
spending money to make money.
Take Joe Cole. Given
that the Rowdies missed the playoffs this season, you could suggest that Cole –
as wonderful as he was – wasn’t worth the money. But to Edwards, he was. He was
a star, a marquee player, the straw that stirs the drink. You get the feeling
that Edwards wants more Coles, not fewer.
Then there is the
MLS. Edwards might have been happy with the NASL if it had been more functional.
But it wasn’t, and Edwards began to flirt with the MLS. Now, he’s on a 10-team
expansion list. He has media market size in his corner. He has history. He has
a fan base. If he can get Al Lang expanded, he’ll have the stadium. Given that
the 10 media markets that are bigger than Tampa Bay already have MLS, he’s a
good bet.
Ah, and the stadium.
This is where Edwards’ vision is particularly lovely. He sees Al Lang growing
to more than 18,000 season seats, which would indeed make Saturday night a
party and fill downtown. And he sees it with no cost to the taxpayer. If it’s
free, is it for thee?
All of which would
make the Rowdies more vital, and the sport more enjoyable. Who has made a
bigger impact on the game locally than Edwards?
Oh, it will cost him
some cash. Better players would be needed. Stadium improvements. Nicer
restrooms, he has said, demonstrating his attention to detail.
But Edwards sees this
as his legacy, and bully for him that he does. Bully for us, too. Call it Bill
Edward’s golden gold.
Speaking of the stadium plans; I, like many soccer purists,
would like to see the old Al Lang Stadium torn down and the field be reoriented
so that you could get a proper soccer stadium built around it. But, the
recently revealed plans aren’t bad, and I understand that Bill Edwards has
reasons to do things this way. I have practical and aesthetic observations to
make, however. I have sat up in the top of the baseball stands behind 3rd
base (harbor side), and the light poles there block the view of the Mahaffey-end
goal. Ideally there should be no obstructed view seats in the stadium.
Aesthetically, the plans looks like two stadiums (one new and one old), instead
of one, unconnected to each other. Fix both problems, by taking out the light
poles around the old stadium, and adding a roof that matches the roof on the
new stadium, with the lights hung under the roof. That would eliminate the
obstruction of the view and also give the stadium a more unified look. There is
probably enough room to put the new roof over the old concrete roof on the Al
Lang stadium, without having to remove it. Also add seats in the corner between
the old and new stands, and a concourse to connect them, so you really have one
structure instead of two. Also I assume from the renders that the berm will be removed,
to allow the goal line and touch line to be moved closer to the old Al Lang
stadium stands. This is good, but in so doing the roofs of the dugouts would
probably interfere with the sightlines. It might be a good idea to remove the dugout
roofs and fill in the dugouts with more seats, except for the tunnels. The
tunnels could still be useful and could remain. Well that’s all for now. #COYR
#MLS2StPete #MLS2TampaBay #Rowdies2MLS
How Bill Edwards plans to get St. Pete voters to support $80M waterfront stadium upgrade
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2016/12/27/how-bill-edwards-plans-to-get-st-pete-voters-to.html
How Bill Edwards plans to get St. Pete voters to support $80M waterfront stadium upgrade
Dec 27, 2016, 2:48pm EST Updated Dec 28, 2016, 11:22am EST
Tampa Bay Rowdies owner Bill Edwards wants to bring Major League Soccer to St. Petersburg, and he tells the Tampa Bay Business Journal he's got a plan to make it happen.
Still, it’s quite a feat. The owner and prominent St. Pete developer not only has to convince the league to award a franchise, he’ll have to convince voters to revamp the stadium.
Part of Edwards’ plan to win rights to purchase a Major League Soccer franchise includes $80 million worth of upgrades to Al Lang Stadium that would increase fan capacity from less than 8,000 to 18,000. But because the stadium sits on city-owned downtown waterfront property, voters have to give it approval.
Given other city controversies — like redevelopment of the pier and the Tropicana Field site — Edwards could be in for a fight.
Many residents are annoyed with ongoing changes to plans for a new municipal pier. The amenities proposed in early renderings were cut from the plan to keep within budget, and now Mayor Rick Kriseman is proposing spending an additional $14 million to put some of those axed features back in.
Other St. Pete voters could push back because of stadium fatigue. City leaders are taking baby steps toward wooing the Tampa Bay Rays to stay in the city, a plan that would include a new stadium and require some public funding.
But that’s not the case with Edwards’ plan. The entire project would be funded privately. He’s building an investment group to fund those improvements, as well as the $200 million potential price tag for an MLS franchise. Edwards wouldn’t say who those investors are, but said he would reimburse the city for the $250,000 cost of a special election to approve changes to Al Lang stadium.
“Everything I’ve done here in town I’ve done with private funds,” Edwards said, noting he believes there's no reason for voters to think that promise might be broken.
“When we started designing this, we kept our neighbors in mind,” he said. “It’s about the same height as Mahaffey Theater. It doesn’t encumber real estate. There’s nothing to cause anguish over our waterfront.”
Edwards also made plans to accommodate the popular Saturday Morning Market, which is held in the Al Lang Stadium parking lot from October through May.
“It’s not foolproof, but I think he gets it passed,” predicted former Mayor Bill Foster.
Foster has some experience with changing the downtown waterfront. He sat in the mayor’s office at City Hall when the design known as the Lens crashed and burned at the ballot box, sending plans for a new pier back to the drawing board.
Conversations surrounding both the failed Lens design and the existing one were rife with vitriol. Foster offers Edwards a piece of advice: “Be transparent, be honest, do your bidding in the sunshine. Once you stop doing that, people do lose trust.”
Despite potential challenges, Edwards has the current mayor in his corner.
“The mayor thinks St. Pete is a major league city,” said spokesperson Ben Kirby. “St. Pete is growing and changing. There’s a lot happening here and this just helps that, helps further put St. Pete on the map.”
St. Pete City Council will discuss putting a referendum on the ballot during a committee meeting on Jan. 5. If that moves forward, the city has to issue a 35-day notice to businesses near Al Lang Stadium. Council would then have two public meetings in February in order to approve a ballot measure. The Supervisor of Elections office would then schedule an exact date for a special election, likely in the spring.
For his part, Edwards is finalizing his proposal to MLS and plans to submit by the end of January. From there it’s up to the league to determine whether or not he can nab himself an expansion team. There are currently 20 teams in the league. Four will be added by 2018, but locations for those teams have already been identified. Another four are expected beyond 2018.
If all goes as planned, Edwards hopes to have an MLS team take the field in 2019.
“The fans have to prove to me and everyone else that they want this,” Edwards said. “If the fans from both sides of the bay don’t get on board, there’s no point in me spending any money.”
Current Rowdies season ticket holders will get first dibs on tickets if St. Pete does field an MLS team.
The league has a list of priorities, including strong financial resources, dedicated local ownership, access to a strong media market and proven fan commitment to soccer. The Tampa Bay region matches all of those goals. Orlando currently controls rights to the television market, but Edwards said he believes that could be worked out.
If a referendum is approved, it would include allowing Edwards to enter into a 20-year or more lease, contingent on whether or not the city lands an MLS franchise.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.whio.com/sports/cincinnati-makes-its-pitch-mls-commissioner/o6Yc8wzb2q10L1RoBG6WgM/
FC Cincinnati makes its pitch to MLS commissioner
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2016/12/28/with-debate-over-a-nashville-stadium-looming-a.html
With debate over a Nashville stadium looming, a look around Major League Soccer hints at potential price tag
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2016/12/28/stateside-scot-neill-collins-on-wolves-2009-band-of-brothers-and-his-new-life-in-florida/
PUBLISHED: December 28, 2016 10:53 am
Stateside Scot: Neill Collins on Wolves' 2009 band of brothers - and his new life in Florida
Wolverhampton to Florida – via a stop off in Sheffield – isn’t exactly a well-trodden path.
But it’s a journey that former Wolves defender Neill Collins has taken with great pleasure, writes Wolves correspondent Tim Spiers.
The pale-skinned no-nonsense Scot with a taste for Iron Bru might not be an obvious candidate to settle in seamlessly to life in tropical Florida, with its white sandy beaches, glamorous lifestyle and scorching temperatures. But he couldn’t be happier.
And who wouldn’t enjoy basking in 30C heat this week while Blighty shivers in the festive season?
The 33-year-old is also, most importantly, enjoying his football too. The season has finished now but Collins spent last year playing alongside the likes of England international Joe Cole and ex-Benfica player (and perennial future superstar) Freddy Adu for Tampa Bay Rowdies, a league below the MLS in the North American Soccer League (NASL).
It’s all a far cry from the muck and nettles of League One, where Collins was plying his trade with Sheffield United.
In the middle of a busy day looking after his four young children, Collins graciously granted the Express & Star a phone interview - and we started by talking about just how the Tampa move came about.
http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2016/12/27/how-bill-edwards-plans-to-get-st-pete-voters-to.html
How Bill Edwards plans to get St. Pete voters to support $80M waterfront stadium upgrade
Dec 27, 2016, 2:48pm EST Updated Dec 28, 2016, 11:22am EST
Tampa Bay Rowdies owner Bill Edwards wants to bring Major League Soccer to St. Petersburg, and he tells the Tampa Bay Business Journal he's got a plan to make it happen.
Still, it’s quite a feat. The owner and prominent St. Pete developer not only has to convince the league to award a franchise, he’ll have to convince voters to revamp the stadium.
Part of Edwards’ plan to win rights to purchase a Major League Soccer franchise includes $80 million worth of upgrades to Al Lang Stadium that would increase fan capacity from less than 8,000 to 18,000. But because the stadium sits on city-owned downtown waterfront property, voters have to give it approval.
Given other city controversies — like redevelopment of the pier and the Tropicana Field site — Edwards could be in for a fight.
Many residents are annoyed with ongoing changes to plans for a new municipal pier. The amenities proposed in early renderings were cut from the plan to keep within budget, and now Mayor Rick Kriseman is proposing spending an additional $14 million to put some of those axed features back in.
Other St. Pete voters could push back because of stadium fatigue. City leaders are taking baby steps toward wooing the Tampa Bay Rays to stay in the city, a plan that would include a new stadium and require some public funding.
But that’s not the case with Edwards’ plan. The entire project would be funded privately. He’s building an investment group to fund those improvements, as well as the $200 million potential price tag for an MLS franchise. Edwards wouldn’t say who those investors are, but said he would reimburse the city for the $250,000 cost of a special election to approve changes to Al Lang stadium.
“Everything I’ve done here in town I’ve done with private funds,” Edwards said, noting he believes there's no reason for voters to think that promise might be broken.
“When we started designing this, we kept our neighbors in mind,” he said. “It’s about the same height as Mahaffey Theater. It doesn’t encumber real estate. There’s nothing to cause anguish over our waterfront.”
Edwards also made plans to accommodate the popular Saturday Morning Market, which is held in the Al Lang Stadium parking lot from October through May.
“It’s not foolproof, but I think he gets it passed,” predicted former Mayor Bill Foster.
Foster has some experience with changing the downtown waterfront. He sat in the mayor’s office at City Hall when the design known as the Lens crashed and burned at the ballot box, sending plans for a new pier back to the drawing board.
Conversations surrounding both the failed Lens design and the existing one were rife with vitriol. Foster offers Edwards a piece of advice: “Be transparent, be honest, do your bidding in the sunshine. Once you stop doing that, people do lose trust.”
Despite potential challenges, Edwards has the current mayor in his corner.
“The mayor thinks St. Pete is a major league city,” said spokesperson Ben Kirby. “St. Pete is growing and changing. There’s a lot happening here and this just helps that, helps further put St. Pete on the map.”
St. Pete City Council will discuss putting a referendum on the ballot during a committee meeting on Jan. 5. If that moves forward, the city has to issue a 35-day notice to businesses near Al Lang Stadium. Council would then have two public meetings in February in order to approve a ballot measure. The Supervisor of Elections office would then schedule an exact date for a special election, likely in the spring.
For his part, Edwards is finalizing his proposal to MLS and plans to submit by the end of January. From there it’s up to the league to determine whether or not he can nab himself an expansion team. There are currently 20 teams in the league. Four will be added by 2018, but locations for those teams have already been identified. Another four are expected beyond 2018.
If all goes as planned, Edwards hopes to have an MLS team take the field in 2019.
“The fans have to prove to me and everyone else that they want this,” Edwards said. “If the fans from both sides of the bay don’t get on board, there’s no point in me spending any money.”
Current Rowdies season ticket holders will get first dibs on tickets if St. Pete does field an MLS team.
The league has a list of priorities, including strong financial resources, dedicated local ownership, access to a strong media market and proven fan commitment to soccer. The Tampa Bay region matches all of those goals. Orlando currently controls rights to the television market, but Edwards said he believes that could be worked out.
If a referendum is approved, it would include allowing Edwards to enter into a 20-year or more lease, contingent on whether or not the city lands an MLS franchise.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.whio.com/sports/cincinnati-makes-its-pitch-mls-commissioner/o6Yc8wzb2q10L1RoBG6WgM/
FC Cincinnati makes its pitch to MLS commissioner
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http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2016/12/28/with-debate-over-a-nashville-stadium-looming-a.html
With debate over a Nashville stadium looming, a look around Major League Soccer hints at potential price tag
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http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2016/12/28/stateside-scot-neill-collins-on-wolves-2009-band-of-brothers-and-his-new-life-in-florida/
PUBLISHED: December 28, 2016 10:53 am
Stateside Scot: Neill Collins on Wolves' 2009 band of brothers - and his new life in Florida
Wolverhampton to Florida – via a stop off in Sheffield – isn’t exactly a well-trodden path.
But it’s a journey that former Wolves defender Neill Collins has taken with great pleasure, writes Wolves correspondent Tim Spiers.
The pale-skinned no-nonsense Scot with a taste for Iron Bru might not be an obvious candidate to settle in seamlessly to life in tropical Florida, with its white sandy beaches, glamorous lifestyle and scorching temperatures. But he couldn’t be happier.
And who wouldn’t enjoy basking in 30C heat this week while Blighty shivers in the festive season?
The 33-year-old is also, most importantly, enjoying his football too. The season has finished now but Collins spent last year playing alongside the likes of England international Joe Cole and ex-Benfica player (and perennial future superstar) Freddy Adu for Tampa Bay Rowdies, a league below the MLS in the North American Soccer League (NASL).
It’s all a far cry from the muck and nettles of League One, where Collins was plying his trade with Sheffield United.
In the middle of a busy day looking after his four young children, Collins graciously granted the Express & Star a phone interview - and we started by talking about just how the Tampa move came about.
Tampa Bay Rowdies Are Ready To Join Major League Soccer
Things moving along nicely; early vote in St. Pete this spring on the Al Lang Stadium lease. However, message to Darden Rice: get your political hands off of our Tampa Bay Rowdies team name. This is not up for negotiation.
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http://www.sportstalkflorida.com/soccer/tampa-bay-rowdies-mls-ready/
Tampa Bay Rowdies Are Ready To Join Major League Soccer
By James Williams
December 23, 2016
The iconic Tampa Bay Rowdies feel they are ready to join Major League Soccer
The Tampa Bay Rowdies have one the most recognizable brands in the history of soccer in the United States. Earlier this month, the Rowdies unveiled their #MLS2StPete campaign along with a website, mls2stpete.com, to build grassroots support for expansion to the Major League Soccer, to the soccer rich Tampa Bay area.
The league acknowledged ownership groups from 10 markets have publicly expressed interest in securing an MLS expansion team: The Tampa Bay Rowdies, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Detroit, Nashville, Raleigh/Durham, Sacramento, St. Louis, San Antonio, and San Diego.
In the heyday of the old version of the North American Soccer League from their inception in 1975 till the leagues down grading in the early 1980’s Tampa Bay went to three Soccer Bowls and won three Indoor titles before the glory days were gone.
Now and it is about time, there is a very strong and creditable to have the Tampa Bay Rowdies join the Major League Soccer, the top level of soccer played in this country. The timing might just be right because a Miami franchise, that has been approved is having a number of problems. It an effort spearheaded by former soccer super star David Beckham, on very shaky ground at the moment.
Despite the leagues wanting Beckham’s name and team as part of the league he simply can’t get either ownership partners in place nor can he find stadium funding.
That could open the door to Tampa Bay to join the MLS as soon as the 2018 season or at the latest the 2020 campaign. At present, Major League Soccer has announced plans to expand to 28 teams, with the fee for new entrants jumping from $10 million to $150 million in a decade.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber set a deadline of Jan. 31, 2017 for interested potential owners or ownership groups to apply. So, in a little over a year from today if the Tampa Bay Rowdies want to be in the MLS they will have file the papers, have their financing in place and the stadium renovation at Al Lang set.
MLS is constantly expanding with Atlanta United FC and Minnesota United FC taking the competition to 22 teams when the new season begins in March.
One sticking point could be Orlando City SC, the popular MLS franchise, has the exclusive MLS rights over Tampa Bay. While, any discussion of a new MLS franchise would have to include Orlando City, it not clear they would attempt at blocking the Rowdies entrance to the league.
The league has had two franchises in the same city so while Orlando City could be involved in possible conversations. Their goal is to get a piece of what is likely to be an entry fee of between $100 and $150 million.
If all goes well Tampa Bay could have a great rivalry with Orlando FC and restore the Rowdies to the top U. S. soccer league, where frankly they belong. The first step in the process has begun as Tampa Bay is leaving the North American Soccer League, the countries third division and moving up to the United Soccer League where they will play in 2017.
The Tampa Bay Rowdies push to join the MLS is being driven by their owner Bill Edwards, who carries the impressive title of Chairman, Chief Executive Officer & Governor. The move to the MLS includes, a reported $80 million in renovations to the club’s Al Lang Stadium, which overlooks the bay and would be one of the most beautiful stadiums in the entire MLS.
“We are committed to expanding the world’s game right here in downtown St. Petersburg, and we feel strongly that joining Major League Soccer is the next logical step,” Edwards said in a club statement. “We have met with MLS executives, including Commissioner Don Garber, and it is clear that they are looking at cities that have demonstrated their support for soccer via season ticket memberships, single game ticket sales and sponsorships.”
Edwards’ focus, for the moment is the all-important process of building up the team’s season ticket numbers. The Tampa Bay Rowdies ranked third in the NASL this year with an average attendance of 5,878, but only had 3,600 season ticket holders. In a joint effort to boost season ticket sales and spread support of their MLS push, the Rowdies are asking fans to utilize the hashtag #MLS2StPete on social media.
“Major League Soccer is watched all over the world,” Edwards added. “This move will bring national and international exposure to St. Petersburg, while also boosting tourism in the area. Bringing Major League Soccer to St. Petersburg will be a great economic driver for the entire region, and will serve as another platform to unify fans on both sides of the bay.”‘
The reaction thus far from the MLS has been muted as one might expect since there has not been any formal application for membership in the league filed.
“Major League Soccer has met with Bill Edwards and is aware of the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ campaign to bring an MLS expansion team to the Tampa/St. Petersburg market. There is a rich tradition of professional soccer in the area dating back more than 40 years, and we are impressed with their vision and plans for a world-class soccer stadium on the downtown waterfront in St. Petersburg. We look forward to learning more about their plans in the coming months.”
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/baybuzz/spring-referendum-for-rowdies-mls-bid/2307333
Spring referendum for Rowdies MLS bid?
Charlie Frago
Friday, December 23, 2016 1:33pm
The Tampa Bay Rowdies want to make the jump to Major League Soccer.
And Darden Rice is ready to help. The St. Petersburg City Council chairwoman has scheduled a Jan. 5 meeting to discuss scheduling a spring referendum that would authorize the city to negotiate a 20-year or more lease agreement with Rowdies owner Bill Edwards for the waterfront Al Lang Stadium.
Edwards current lease for Al Lang expires in 2018. The proposed new lease would be contingent on the Rowdies being selected as an MLS expansion team.
If council agrees, the referendum would take place in late April or early May. Edwards will reimburse the city for the estimated $250,000 cost of administering the special election, Rice said.
And reminiscent of former St. Petersburg franchise dramas (St. Pete Rays, anyone?), the possibility might emerge for the Sunshine City to have a franchise named after itself, not a body of water.
"An intriguing thought for the council to think about ---stipulate the team be named for St. Pete," Rice said Friday.
Notice requirements for nearby property owners means that council wouldn't formally consider the referendum until February.
Earlier this month, Edwards announced his intention to vault the Rowdies into American soccer's premier league. Last year, a similar referendum had been contemplated before being scuttled after Orlando City FC asserted its rights to Tampa Bay's market.
Orlando City didn't respond this week to a request for comment about if it would be willing to give up those rights and for what price.
Earlier this month, MLS Commissioner Don Garber announced an expansion fee of $150 million for each of two franchises selected to begin play by 2020. The league eventually plans to expand to 28 teams.
So far, prospective owners in 9 other cities have shown public interest: Charlotte, Cincinnati, Detroit, Nashville, Raleigh/Durham, Sacramento, St. Louis, San Antonio and San Diego.
Interested parties must submit applications by Jan. 31, 2017, according to an MLS news release earlier this month.
Rice said she understands the MLS will decide on its expansion picks by spring, one reason for the expedited schedule for the referendum.
Landing an MLS franchise would be a big plus for the city, said Rice, a longtime Rowdies season ticket holder and self-described "serious fan."
""For St. Pete to land an MLS soccer team is huge. It is undoubtedly positive for our city. Improving the run down Al Lang Stadium for better use is in line with the Downtown Waterfront Master Plan that the community has poured over and discussed. We heard the exciting announcement weeks ago that the Rowdies were seeking MLS status. This referendum would authorize the city to negotiate a longer lease at Al Lang. Then council would still have discretion to discuss and approve that. And all of this is contingent strictly upon Edwards getting an MLS agreement. It absolutely would not extend to a lease extension for anything else. This is a great opportunity," she said in a text message to the Times.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/jose-de-jesus-ortiz/ortiz-st-louis-doesn-t-need-an-mls-team-to/article_d0a338cd-f92d-5716-9c12-da8b23559264.html
Ortiz: St. Louis doesn't need an MLS team to be a 'major league' town
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http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2016/12/27/breaking-orlando-city-soccers-phil-rawlins-steps.html
Breaking: Orlando City Soccer's Phil Rawlins steps down from day-to-day operations
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http://www.wmfe.org/phil-rawlins-steps-down-as-president-of-orlando-city-sc/67834
Phil Rawlins Steps Down As President Of Orlando City SC
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http://ussoccerplayers.com/2016/12/territory-in-mls-soccer-news.html
Territory in MLS
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http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/2016/12/15/rumors-swirl-future-nasl-indy-eleven-remains-unclear/95476594/
US Soccer delays decision on NASL, USL 'through end of the year'
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http://www.stltoday.com/online/rams-leave-mls-is-courted/article_bcf39a95-8375-5ceb-a32c-d332010a2dfb.html
Rams leave; MLS is courted
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http://www.indomitablecitysoccer.com/2016/12/23/14067834/okc-energy-playing-the-long-game-with-regards-to-mls
OKC Energy playing the long game with regards to MLS
OKC’s USL club is bullish on MLS aspirations in the long term, but pragmatic about the work yet to be done.
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http://www.themaneland.com/2016/12/24/14056202/top-10-moments-of-2016-don-garber-watches-as-seat-installation-begins-at-orlando-citys-new-stadium
Top 10 Moments of 2016: Don Garber Watches as Seat Installation Begins at Orlando City’s New Stadium
In our No. 8 “moment” of the year, the Lions hosted MLS Commissioner Don Garber to witness the installation of the first seats in the new stadium.
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http://kokomoperspective.com/nixon-on-public-stadium-spending-it-s-the-price-of/article_cc11761f-7561-5709-ab50-f15444e824d2.html
Nixon on public stadium spending: "It's the price of doing business"
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http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/columns/tony-messenger/messenger-gov-jay-nixon-s-last-stand-does-st-louis/article_fbb5164f-4531-5095-846e-922866025ea8.html
Messenger: Gov. Jay Nixon's last stand: Does St. Louis want to be Major League, or not?
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http://en.as.com/en/2016/12/20/football/1482230739_167787.html
Griezmann: "I'd love to play for Beckham's team in Miami"
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http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/antoine-griezmann-admits-united-states-9489964
Antoine Griezmann admits United States interest and desire to play for David Beckham's Miami team
The French ace is already thinking about life in the future, and is intrigued by life in the United States
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http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11838/10703122/antoine-griezmann-wants-to-join-david-beckham8217s-proposed-mls-team-in-miami
Antoine Griezmann wants to join David Beckham’s proposed MLS team in Miami
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http://www.calciomercato.com/en/news/manchester-united-target-griezmann-expresses-desire-to-play-in-t-38408
Manchester United target Griezmann expresses desire to play in the MLS
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http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/antoine-griezmann-wants-play-u-s-david-beckhams-team-one-day-122016
Antoine Griezmann wants to play in U.S. for David Beckham’s team one day
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http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/antoine-griezmann-mls-miami-david-beckham-122016
Antoine Griezmann eyes a future in MLS, with David Beckham in Miami
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http://www.sport-english.com/en/news/laliga/antoine-griezmann-wanting-play-for-beckhams-miami-team-5702930
Antoine Griezmann on wanting to play for Beckham's Miami team
Griezmann also joked about playing with Usain Bolt, the sprinter who has never hidden his enjoyment of football
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http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/antoine-griezmann-visits-nba-stars-9506095
Antoine Griezmann visits NBA stars in New York days after revealing desire to play in MLS
The Frenchman is keen to link up with David Beckham and his new franchise and has made a trip to the Big Apple
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http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/michelle-kaufman/article122773314.html
Here’s what soccer fans want for Christmas...
Finally, for South Florida soccer fans: An ownership group that can keep the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers afloat. Another great season for Miami FC, a club that did far better — on the field and in the stands — than anybody predicted. And, once and for all, a resolution on David Beckham’s seemingly never-ending quest to bring an MLS team here. In February, it will be three years since the British icon showed up in town with his plan. He was met with VIP parties and much fanfare. Fans here are still waiting while new teams are starting up in Atlanta and Minneapolis in 2017, and in Los Angeles in 2018. Will Beckham and his partners close the Miami deal? Or not? We need to know.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://flbusinessdaily.com/stories/511062312-two-veteran-players-return-to-rowdies-2017-roster
Two veteran players return to Rowdies' 2017 roster
Two veteran members of the Tampa Bay Rowdies pro soccer team have just been renewed for the 2017 season, according to a Dec. 21 announcement from the team.
In re-signing defender Tamika Mkandawire and goalkeeper Matt Pickens, the team has 10 players with a combined 24 years of experience with the club.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.postbulletin.com/sports/localsports/local-sports-notebook-pro-soccer-returning-to-rochester/article_121d38ad-321a-5c4f-a936-1f5bd791afec.html
Local sports notebook: Pro soccer returning to Rochester
Professional soccer is returning to Rochester for the first time since the Rochester Thunder folded in 2010.
The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) announced recently that Rochester has been granted a franchise — the Med City FC.
The Med City FC will play in the Midwest Region's North Conference.
"Minnesota has quickly become a stronghold of the NPSL," NPSL chairman Joe Barone said in a news release. "We are excited to gain new fans and supporters throughout the state. We're expecting big things from Med City FC and all of our teams there. This is another big day for American soccer."
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/teams/redbulls2.php?article_id=46717
THE YEAR'S BEST -- NO. 7
Red Bulls II shows how bullish they really are by winning regular-season crown and USL Cup
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http://www.firstcoastnews.com/sports/soccer/armada-fc/decision-on-future-of-jacksonville-armadas-league-on-hold/377254394
Decision on future of Jacksonville Armada's league on hold
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http://www.rhinossoccer.com/news_article/show/737477?referrer_id=2442447
2016 Rochester Rhinos Year in Review
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http://saintpetersblog.com/rowdies-re-sign-tampa-bays-darnell-king-contract/
Rowdies re-sign Tampa Bay’s own Darnell King to contract
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http://www.espnfc.us/major-league-soccer/story/3023545/missouri-governor-elect-calls-st-louis-mls-stadium-plan-welfare-for-millionaires
St. Louis MLS stadium plan 'welfare for millionaires' - Missouri governor-elect
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http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/3024020/st-louis-mls-group-postpones-meeting-over-stadium-funding-plan
St. Louis MLS group postpones meeting over stadium funding plan
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http://reason.com/blog/2016/12/20/missouris-governor-elect-is-that-rare-po
Missouri's Governor-Elect Is That Rare Politician Against Publicly Funded Stadiums
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http://mlsmultiplex.com/2016/12/20/mls-antoine-griezmann-future/
Is Major League Soccer in Antoine Griezmann’s Future?
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http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4735168-155/mls-group-postpones-meeting-over-st
MLS: Group postpones meeting over St. Louis soccer stadium plan
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http://themissouritimes.com/36364/mls-stadium-vote-cancelled-investors-greitens-criticism/
MLS stadium vote cancelled by investors after Greitens’ criticism
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http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/teams/cosmos2.php?article_id=46700
MOVING ON
Cosmos assistant coach Llamosa joins Revs
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http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/sports/2016/12/21/1220-mls-st-louis.html
Soccer | Opposition to stadium proposal slows plan to expand MLS to St. Louis
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http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2016/12/20/greitens-opposition-could-doom-mls-stadium.html
Greitens’ opposition could doom MLS stadium, ownership group says
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http://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2016/12/20/this-first-of-its-kind-standing-room-only-section-at-orlando-citys-new-stadium-will-be-insane
This standing-room only section at Orlando City's new stadium will be insane
Posted By Colin Wolf on Tue, Dec 20, 2016 at 12:06 PM
Orlando City released an image a few days ago of "The Wall," a new massive standing-room only section that will be the first of its kind in any Major League Soccer stadium.
This incredibly steep section is modeled after Borussia Dortmund's Yellow Wall in Germany, which, as you can see in the video below, is absolutely nuts.
So far, the new $155 million stadium is well underway. The first patches of sod were actually planted today.
The stadium is expected to be completed by March of 2017.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/shooting-down-the-soccer-stadium/article_e41270e1-ebf7-598b-a364-bf5c7ecd9c9b.html
Shooting down the soccer stadium?
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http://www.fox35orlando.com/sports/orlando-city-soccer-club/224756191-story
Grass installation begins at Orlando City soccer stadium
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http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2016/12/20/businessman-john-ingram-lead-nashvilles-major-league-soccer-bid/95654904/
Businessman John Ingram to lead Nashville’s Major League Soccer bid
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http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/gov--elect-greitens-calls-public-money-for-st-louis/article_f0de564d-0d10-53cc-81f4-4a4b8ee446b6.html
Gov.-elect Greitens calls public money for St. Louis soccer stadium 'welfare for millionaires'
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http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/3024368/john-r-ingram-confirmed-as-lead-investor-for-nashvilles-mls-franchise-bid
John R. Ingram confirmed as lead investor for Nashville's MLS bid
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http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2016/12/21/john-ingram-throws-financial-weight-behind.html
John Ingram throws financial weight behind Nashville’s pro-soccer push
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http://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/mls-expansion-how-big-too-big
How big is too big for MLS' growth?
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http://www.nashvillepost.com/sports/sports-business/blog/20847429/ingram-will-be-lead-owner-for-citys-mls-bid
Ingram will be lead owner for city's MLS bid
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http://ussoccerplayers.com/2016/12/does-the-bundesliga-or-mls-do-a-better-job-with-the-schedule-soccer.html
Does the Bundesliga or MLS do a better job with the schedule?
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http://www.bigdsoccer.com/2016/12/21/14038336/promotion-relegation-mls-debate
Why I’m grateful we don’t have Promotion and Relegation in MLS
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http://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/nixon-says-state-tax-credits-are-needed-to-clear-st/article_d29262b3-360a-592c-9e4f-3fc6112f1c52.html
Nixon says state tax credits are ideal to clear St. Louis site, with or without a soccer stadium
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http://www.sportspromedia.com/notes_and_insights/americas_bulletin_nba_keeps_the_peace_chargers_weigh_la_move_mls_expansion
Americas Bulletin: NBA keeps the peace; Chargers weigh LA move; MLS expansion plans and more
Elsewhere, Major League Soccer (MLS) has outlined the timeline and terms for its next round of expansion as it continues its push to 28 franchises. Commissioner Don Garber revealed on Thursday that the league’s 25th and 26th teams will begin play in 2020 and will be required to pay US$150 million each for the privilege while two more sides will be added at a later date for an as-yet-undetermined fee. Interested parties have been given a 31st January deadline to submit applications, with a series of in-person meetings set to take place during the first half of 2017.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/mls-expansion-prospective-cities-bids-28-teams
MLS expansion: An in-depth look at the many bids for the league's next four clubs
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http://www.austinchronicle.com/sports/2016-12-23/soccer-watch/
Soccer Watch
By Nick Barbaro, Fri., Dec. 23, 2016
If you have enough interest in soccer that you're reading this column, then you've probably seen a pitch to "participate in a survey about bringing Major League Soccer to Austin." It's being promoted by various local business groups, and it's for real: As the survey introduction states, "Major League Soccer has retained Barrett Sports Group LLC, a nationally recognized sports management consulting firm, to evaluate the potential demand and support for an MLS team in Austin, Texas. As you may know, MLS is currently evaluating a number of potential MLS markets."
By all means, you should participate; the questions ask about stadium location and amenities in some detail, as well as about your personal likelihood to watch, attend, or purchase season tickets or luxury boxes. But lest you get your hopes too high, you should also be aware that last week, MLS Commissioner Don Garber announced some details of its next round of expansion – from 24 teams to 28 in the early 2020s – and Austin is not on his list of 10 cities currently considered front-runners.
Just four years ago, Austin was on the short list of a half-dozen cities being considered for the expansion from 20 teams to 24, but we've slid off the table since then, as there's been no apparent progress toward a viable stadium plan. (The Barrett survey assumes that "a new state-of-the-art soccer stadium is constructed" and offers four intriguing specific location options: "near Mueller development," "near the Domain," "near Circuit of the Americas," and "near Travis County Expo Center.") The buy-in fee is $150 million, apart from the stadium cost, and the proposal deadline is Jan. 31, 2017 – somebody better get cracking! See the survey at barrettsports.az1.qualtrics.com.
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http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2016/12/22/mls-in-austin-league-gauging-interest-but-other.html
MLS in Austin? League gauging interest, but other cities lead expansion list
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http://soccer.nbcsports.com/2016/12/21/mls-expansion-group-postpones-meeting-over-stl-soccer-stadium/
MLS expansion: Group postpones meeting over STL soccer stadium
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http://www.bondbuyer.com/news/regionalnews/state-subsidies-stalled-for-st-louis-soccer-1120948-1.html
State Subsidies Stalled for St. Louis Soccer
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http://newsok.com/article/5531815
OKC Energy ownership will not apply for next month's MLS expansion bid
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http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/12/22/nashville-businessman-john-ingram-lead-mls-expansion-bid
Nashville businessman John Ingram to lead MLS expansion bid
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http://ussoccerplayers.com/2016/12/the-limits-of-the-mls-homegrown-system-major-league-soccer.html
The limits of the MLS Homegrown system
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http://www.wave3.com/story/34118912/louisville-city-fc-talks-new-stadium-mls-expansion
Louisville City FC talks new stadium, MLS expansion
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http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/sports/2016/12/23/bob-hunters-rumblings-column-crew-might-object-to-mls-team-in-cincinnati.html
Rumblings | Crew might object to MLS team in Cincinnati
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http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2016/12/22/7-things-that-need-to-happen-before-st-louis-is.html
7 things that need to happen before St. Louis is awarded an MLS team
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https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/dec/22/city-of-angels-mls-soccer-sting-joe-sumner
Why Sting’s son has gone in search of the new Messi to launch City of Angels FC
Joe Sumner, a Newcastle fan, and Evertonian PJ Harrison are aiming to make American soccer more blue collar with their new club in California
It went largely unnoticed but something unusual occurred this week: two Englishmen became owners of a foreign football club. It is their creation too. The licence has been granted, a long-term business plan and proof of funding vetted and now City of Angels FC – the latest addition to the growing football scene in Los Angeles – has until the start of the National Premier Soccer League season in March to finalise terms on a stadium, appoint a director of football and construct its first team. No one ever said it was going to be easy.
City of Angels FC is the brainchild of PJ Harrison, an Evertonian from St Helens, and Joe Sumner, a Newcastle United fan from London, two LA-based friends who met through the entertainment industry. Harrison is a creative director who has worked with Lauryn Hill while Sumner is a musician and app developer. His father is Sting, hence the Newcastle allegiance and a refusal “to succumb to Spurs or Arsenal” while growing up in north London.
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http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/how-geordie-singer-stings-son-12359008
How Geordie singer Sting's son wants to make a new Newcastle United in the USA
Joe Sumner, founder of America's newest football club, hopes its fans will love it with the passion he feels for the Toon
Joe Sumner, son of world-famous Geordie musician Sting , has always been an NUFC fan, but now his footballing allegiance is being pulled away from the Toon.
That’s because Joe has recently become the co-founder of America’s newest football club — City of Angels FC, based in Los Angeles.
And he hopes the club’s new fans will feel as strongly about their team as he always has about Newcastle .
Now all musician Joe and pal PJ Harrison, an Everton fan from St Helens, have to do is finalise their stadium, appoint a director of football and get their first team together.
The team will start at the bottom of the National Premier Soccer League (NSPL), the fourth-tier in US ‘soccer’.
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http://midfieldpress.com/2016/12/22/tulsa-athletics-prove-an-npsl-team-can-thrive-with-usl-in-town/
Tulsa Athletics Prove An NPSL Team Can Thrive With USL In Town
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http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/teams/cosmos2.php?article_id=46706
DANNY'S A DELTA
Ex-Cosmos midfielder Szetela signs with NASL expansion team San Francisco
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http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/us/mnt.php?article_id=46705
DEEP INTO EXTRATIME
Still no decision on D2 sanctioning for NASL or USL
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http://www.fccincinnati.com/news_article/show/736935
An End of Year Thank You and Update
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http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2016/12/21/mls-expansion-sacramento-republic
MLS expansion city profile: Sacramento
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http://backpagefootball.com/how-to-build-a-soccer-franchise-an-interview-with-charlotte-independence-coo-michael-behrman/112880/
Interview – How to build a franchise, with Charlotte Independence COO Michael Behrman
December 21st, 2016 by Sean Maslin
It is the dream of pretty much every football fan to own or operate their own team.
The opportunity to build a team, a culture, and to scout and sign players is something that countless football fans spend hours upon hours doing from electronically from the comfort of their own home.
But what is it like to build a real team and watch that product grow?
I had a chance to speak with Michael Behrman, the Chief Operating Officer of the Charlotte Independence of the United Soccer League on the challenges of building a franchise from the ground up.
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http://saintpetersblog.com/rowdies-latest-re-signings-include-mikandawire-pickens-17/
Rowdies latest re-signings include Tamika Mikandawire, Matt Pickens for ’17
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http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/736801?referrer_id=2364194-news-archive
Heart of Rowdies’ Defense Stays Intact
Goalkeeper Pickens, defensive captain Mkandawire return for 2017 season
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http://www.miamiherald.com/entertainment/celebrities/article122238399.html
Florida editorial roundup
Recent editorials from Florida newspapers:
Dec. 17
The Miami Herald on Major League Soccer possibly expanding to Miami:
It's nearing fish-or-cut-bait time for David Beckman's Major League Soccer hopes for a Miami team. Yes, it's still kicking around, almost three years after the celebrity soccer star arrived in Miami with much fanfare to announce he would privately build a new stadium for the brand new team.
The announcement made worldwide news back in February 2014. However, where to build the stadium has been a continuing series of disappointments, not to mention stops and starts.
First, Mr. Beckman desperately wanted a waterfront stadium on Biscayne Bay. Unfortunately, the downtown Miami site he coveted was adjacent to the Royal Caribbean Cruises' headquarters. The cruise line balked, and Mr. Beckman and his investors were shooed away from their dream spot.
Since then, the project has bounced around the county like a nomad.
Last week, the head of Major League Soccer gently, but firmly, gave the Beckham team of investors an ultimatum: Seal the deal, or move on.
As painful as that might be, it's wise advice.
"Everybody needs to understand, including David and his partners, that we've worked hard, and it's time for us to reach a conclusion," Don Garber said of the proposed Miami team during a conference call with reporters to discuss the 20-team league's future expansion.
Many in Miami-Dade, including private-sector parties, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez, Miami-Dade and School Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, at different times have stepped up to try to find a suitable home for Mr. Beckham's stadium.
It's obvious the league really wants a Miami franchise. With our large Latin American and Caribbean population, it rightly sees the team as a gateway to drawing hardcore international fans.
Mr. Beckham also wants the team in Miami. He is a wonderful fan of the area and has made it clear he's not interested in other cities.
But time is no longer on Mr. Beckham's side.
He and his partners appear to be taking a long time in coming up with what they believe is the perfect group of investors for the $150 million stadium, and they are still negotiating for that final piece of county-owned land.
Earlier this year, Mr. Beckham's ownership group paid $19 million for six acres of private land in Overtown, the bulk of what's needed for a 25,000-seat stadium.
But the group, Miami Beckham United, still needs three acres of adjoining land owned by Miami-Dade County.
The county is ready to sell, but Mr. Beckham's representatives have delayed negotiations over what they say is a need for more investors in the MLS deal.
After waiting more than 30 months, it's hard to say the league has not bent over backwards, but at some point in the not-too-distant future, it will move on without Miami if a deal can't get done. That would be a shame.
Mr. Beckham should impose a deadline on his own project. And here's why: When projects like this go on too long without culmination, they acquire a sense of desperation, a bad karma, one that could tarnish the very cool component Mr. Beckham's participation brought to the project.
A deadline should be set and, if not met, maybe we sadly say goodbye to our MLS expansion team — and the charming Mr. Beckham.
We hope, however, it won't come to that.
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http://www.heraldtribune.com/sports/20161219/girls-soccer-virgilio-guy-at-lakewood-ranch
GIRLS SOCCER: Virgilio the guy at Lakewood Ranch
Virgilio started playing soccer when he was 6 years old. He came to the United States with his family in 1973, when he was 16. "My parents brought me here for better opportunities," he said. "I felt like they sacrificed a lot for me."
The Tampa area was a good destination for soccer players in the 1970s. University of South Florida had fielded a men's team since 1965 and the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the North American Soccer League routinely drew 20,000 fans to Tampa Stadium. The Rowdies won the league title during their first season in 1975.
Virgilio took full advantage, playing for the Bulls from 1977-81 before trying out for the Rowdies. The timing, however, wasn't so great, as the NASL was in decline from its late-70s heyday.
"The league was kind of going under. There was no money," Virgilio said.
Though he didn't make the team, Virgilio received some sage advice from Rowdies manager Eddie Firmani, a native of South Africa who competed internationally for Italy.
"Coach looked at me and he told me, 'Son, this league is not going anywhere,' " Virgilio said. " 'You need to go to work.' "
Firmani proved prophetic - the NASL folded in 1984. So Virgilio transitioned into coaching, and after working with local club teams for five years, became Lakewood Ranch's first, and thus far only, coach of the girls team. Under Virgilio, who also served as an assistant at Southeast High in 1991, the Mustangs have won 12 district championships while making three trips to the state final four.
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http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/736407
Rowdies Midfield Duo of Chavez, Savage Returns
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http://midfieldpress.com/2016/12/20/dayton-dynamo-look-to-tap-into-ohios-soccer-renaissance-with-downtown-stadium-move/
Dayton Dynamo Look To Tap Into Ohio's Soccer Renaissance With Downtown Stadium Move
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http://ussoccerplayers.com/2016/12/changing-mls-for-the-better-major-league-soccer.html
Changing MLS for the better
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http://www.empireofsoccer.com/sources-deltas-looking-to-add-former-cosmos-mid-szetela-56463/
Sources: Deltas looking to add former Cosmos mid Szetela
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http://www.newyorkredbulls.com/post/2016/12/19/mls-commissioner-don-garber-becomes-nyrb-ii-s-first-season-ticket-holder-0
MLS Commissioner Don Garber Becomes NYRB II’s First Season Ticket Holder
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http://www.sportstalkflorida.com/soccer/tampa-bay-rowdies-mls-ready/
Tampa Bay Rowdies Are Ready To Join Major League Soccer
By James Williams
December 23, 2016
The iconic Tampa Bay Rowdies feel they are ready to join Major League Soccer
The Tampa Bay Rowdies have one the most recognizable brands in the history of soccer in the United States. Earlier this month, the Rowdies unveiled their #MLS2StPete campaign along with a website, mls2stpete.com, to build grassroots support for expansion to the Major League Soccer, to the soccer rich Tampa Bay area.
The league acknowledged ownership groups from 10 markets have publicly expressed interest in securing an MLS expansion team: The Tampa Bay Rowdies, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Detroit, Nashville, Raleigh/Durham, Sacramento, St. Louis, San Antonio, and San Diego.
In the heyday of the old version of the North American Soccer League from their inception in 1975 till the leagues down grading in the early 1980’s Tampa Bay went to three Soccer Bowls and won three Indoor titles before the glory days were gone.
Now and it is about time, there is a very strong and creditable to have the Tampa Bay Rowdies join the Major League Soccer, the top level of soccer played in this country. The timing might just be right because a Miami franchise, that has been approved is having a number of problems. It an effort spearheaded by former soccer super star David Beckham, on very shaky ground at the moment.
Despite the leagues wanting Beckham’s name and team as part of the league he simply can’t get either ownership partners in place nor can he find stadium funding.
That could open the door to Tampa Bay to join the MLS as soon as the 2018 season or at the latest the 2020 campaign. At present, Major League Soccer has announced plans to expand to 28 teams, with the fee for new entrants jumping from $10 million to $150 million in a decade.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber set a deadline of Jan. 31, 2017 for interested potential owners or ownership groups to apply. So, in a little over a year from today if the Tampa Bay Rowdies want to be in the MLS they will have file the papers, have their financing in place and the stadium renovation at Al Lang set.
MLS is constantly expanding with Atlanta United FC and Minnesota United FC taking the competition to 22 teams when the new season begins in March.
One sticking point could be Orlando City SC, the popular MLS franchise, has the exclusive MLS rights over Tampa Bay. While, any discussion of a new MLS franchise would have to include Orlando City, it not clear they would attempt at blocking the Rowdies entrance to the league.
The league has had two franchises in the same city so while Orlando City could be involved in possible conversations. Their goal is to get a piece of what is likely to be an entry fee of between $100 and $150 million.
If all goes well Tampa Bay could have a great rivalry with Orlando FC and restore the Rowdies to the top U. S. soccer league, where frankly they belong. The first step in the process has begun as Tampa Bay is leaving the North American Soccer League, the countries third division and moving up to the United Soccer League where they will play in 2017.
The Tampa Bay Rowdies push to join the MLS is being driven by their owner Bill Edwards, who carries the impressive title of Chairman, Chief Executive Officer & Governor. The move to the MLS includes, a reported $80 million in renovations to the club’s Al Lang Stadium, which overlooks the bay and would be one of the most beautiful stadiums in the entire MLS.
“We are committed to expanding the world’s game right here in downtown St. Petersburg, and we feel strongly that joining Major League Soccer is the next logical step,” Edwards said in a club statement. “We have met with MLS executives, including Commissioner Don Garber, and it is clear that they are looking at cities that have demonstrated their support for soccer via season ticket memberships, single game ticket sales and sponsorships.”
Edwards’ focus, for the moment is the all-important process of building up the team’s season ticket numbers. The Tampa Bay Rowdies ranked third in the NASL this year with an average attendance of 5,878, but only had 3,600 season ticket holders. In a joint effort to boost season ticket sales and spread support of their MLS push, the Rowdies are asking fans to utilize the hashtag #MLS2StPete on social media.
“Major League Soccer is watched all over the world,” Edwards added. “This move will bring national and international exposure to St. Petersburg, while also boosting tourism in the area. Bringing Major League Soccer to St. Petersburg will be a great economic driver for the entire region, and will serve as another platform to unify fans on both sides of the bay.”‘
The reaction thus far from the MLS has been muted as one might expect since there has not been any formal application for membership in the league filed.
“Major League Soccer has met with Bill Edwards and is aware of the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ campaign to bring an MLS expansion team to the Tampa/St. Petersburg market. There is a rich tradition of professional soccer in the area dating back more than 40 years, and we are impressed with their vision and plans for a world-class soccer stadium on the downtown waterfront in St. Petersburg. We look forward to learning more about their plans in the coming months.”
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http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/baybuzz/spring-referendum-for-rowdies-mls-bid/2307333
Spring referendum for Rowdies MLS bid?
Charlie Frago
Friday, December 23, 2016 1:33pm
The Tampa Bay Rowdies want to make the jump to Major League Soccer.
And Darden Rice is ready to help. The St. Petersburg City Council chairwoman has scheduled a Jan. 5 meeting to discuss scheduling a spring referendum that would authorize the city to negotiate a 20-year or more lease agreement with Rowdies owner Bill Edwards for the waterfront Al Lang Stadium.
Edwards current lease for Al Lang expires in 2018. The proposed new lease would be contingent on the Rowdies being selected as an MLS expansion team.
If council agrees, the referendum would take place in late April or early May. Edwards will reimburse the city for the estimated $250,000 cost of administering the special election, Rice said.
And reminiscent of former St. Petersburg franchise dramas (St. Pete Rays, anyone?), the possibility might emerge for the Sunshine City to have a franchise named after itself, not a body of water.
"An intriguing thought for the council to think about ---stipulate the team be named for St. Pete," Rice said Friday.
Notice requirements for nearby property owners means that council wouldn't formally consider the referendum until February.
Earlier this month, Edwards announced his intention to vault the Rowdies into American soccer's premier league. Last year, a similar referendum had been contemplated before being scuttled after Orlando City FC asserted its rights to Tampa Bay's market.
Orlando City didn't respond this week to a request for comment about if it would be willing to give up those rights and for what price.
Earlier this month, MLS Commissioner Don Garber announced an expansion fee of $150 million for each of two franchises selected to begin play by 2020. The league eventually plans to expand to 28 teams.
So far, prospective owners in 9 other cities have shown public interest: Charlotte, Cincinnati, Detroit, Nashville, Raleigh/Durham, Sacramento, St. Louis, San Antonio and San Diego.
Interested parties must submit applications by Jan. 31, 2017, according to an MLS news release earlier this month.
Rice said she understands the MLS will decide on its expansion picks by spring, one reason for the expedited schedule for the referendum.
Landing an MLS franchise would be a big plus for the city, said Rice, a longtime Rowdies season ticket holder and self-described "serious fan."
""For St. Pete to land an MLS soccer team is huge. It is undoubtedly positive for our city. Improving the run down Al Lang Stadium for better use is in line with the Downtown Waterfront Master Plan that the community has poured over and discussed. We heard the exciting announcement weeks ago that the Rowdies were seeking MLS status. This referendum would authorize the city to negotiate a longer lease at Al Lang. Then council would still have discretion to discuss and approve that. And all of this is contingent strictly upon Edwards getting an MLS agreement. It absolutely would not extend to a lease extension for anything else. This is a great opportunity," she said in a text message to the Times.
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http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/jose-de-jesus-ortiz/ortiz-st-louis-doesn-t-need-an-mls-team-to/article_d0a338cd-f92d-5716-9c12-da8b23559264.html
Ortiz: St. Louis doesn't need an MLS team to be a 'major league' town
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http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2016/12/27/breaking-orlando-city-soccers-phil-rawlins-steps.html
Breaking: Orlando City Soccer's Phil Rawlins steps down from day-to-day operations
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http://www.wmfe.org/phil-rawlins-steps-down-as-president-of-orlando-city-sc/67834
Phil Rawlins Steps Down As President Of Orlando City SC
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http://ussoccerplayers.com/2016/12/territory-in-mls-soccer-news.html
Territory in MLS
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http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/2016/12/15/rumors-swirl-future-nasl-indy-eleven-remains-unclear/95476594/
US Soccer delays decision on NASL, USL 'through end of the year'
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http://www.stltoday.com/online/rams-leave-mls-is-courted/article_bcf39a95-8375-5ceb-a32c-d332010a2dfb.html
Rams leave; MLS is courted
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http://www.indomitablecitysoccer.com/2016/12/23/14067834/okc-energy-playing-the-long-game-with-regards-to-mls
OKC Energy playing the long game with regards to MLS
OKC’s USL club is bullish on MLS aspirations in the long term, but pragmatic about the work yet to be done.
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http://www.themaneland.com/2016/12/24/14056202/top-10-moments-of-2016-don-garber-watches-as-seat-installation-begins-at-orlando-citys-new-stadium
Top 10 Moments of 2016: Don Garber Watches as Seat Installation Begins at Orlando City’s New Stadium
In our No. 8 “moment” of the year, the Lions hosted MLS Commissioner Don Garber to witness the installation of the first seats in the new stadium.
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http://kokomoperspective.com/nixon-on-public-stadium-spending-it-s-the-price-of/article_cc11761f-7561-5709-ab50-f15444e824d2.html
Nixon on public stadium spending: "It's the price of doing business"
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http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/columns/tony-messenger/messenger-gov-jay-nixon-s-last-stand-does-st-louis/article_fbb5164f-4531-5095-846e-922866025ea8.html
Messenger: Gov. Jay Nixon's last stand: Does St. Louis want to be Major League, or not?
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http://en.as.com/en/2016/12/20/football/1482230739_167787.html
Griezmann: "I'd love to play for Beckham's team in Miami"
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http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/antoine-griezmann-admits-united-states-9489964
Antoine Griezmann admits United States interest and desire to play for David Beckham's Miami team
The French ace is already thinking about life in the future, and is intrigued by life in the United States
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http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11838/10703122/antoine-griezmann-wants-to-join-david-beckham8217s-proposed-mls-team-in-miami
Antoine Griezmann wants to join David Beckham’s proposed MLS team in Miami
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http://www.calciomercato.com/en/news/manchester-united-target-griezmann-expresses-desire-to-play-in-t-38408
Manchester United target Griezmann expresses desire to play in the MLS
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http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/antoine-griezmann-wants-play-u-s-david-beckhams-team-one-day-122016
Antoine Griezmann wants to play in U.S. for David Beckham’s team one day
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http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/antoine-griezmann-mls-miami-david-beckham-122016
Antoine Griezmann eyes a future in MLS, with David Beckham in Miami
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http://www.sport-english.com/en/news/laliga/antoine-griezmann-wanting-play-for-beckhams-miami-team-5702930
Antoine Griezmann on wanting to play for Beckham's Miami team
Griezmann also joked about playing with Usain Bolt, the sprinter who has never hidden his enjoyment of football
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http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/antoine-griezmann-visits-nba-stars-9506095
Antoine Griezmann visits NBA stars in New York days after revealing desire to play in MLS
The Frenchman is keen to link up with David Beckham and his new franchise and has made a trip to the Big Apple
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http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/michelle-kaufman/article122773314.html
Here’s what soccer fans want for Christmas...
Finally, for South Florida soccer fans: An ownership group that can keep the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers afloat. Another great season for Miami FC, a club that did far better — on the field and in the stands — than anybody predicted. And, once and for all, a resolution on David Beckham’s seemingly never-ending quest to bring an MLS team here. In February, it will be three years since the British icon showed up in town with his plan. He was met with VIP parties and much fanfare. Fans here are still waiting while new teams are starting up in Atlanta and Minneapolis in 2017, and in Los Angeles in 2018. Will Beckham and his partners close the Miami deal? Or not? We need to know.
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http://flbusinessdaily.com/stories/511062312-two-veteran-players-return-to-rowdies-2017-roster
Two veteran players return to Rowdies' 2017 roster
Two veteran members of the Tampa Bay Rowdies pro soccer team have just been renewed for the 2017 season, according to a Dec. 21 announcement from the team.
In re-signing defender Tamika Mkandawire and goalkeeper Matt Pickens, the team has 10 players with a combined 24 years of experience with the club.
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http://www.postbulletin.com/sports/localsports/local-sports-notebook-pro-soccer-returning-to-rochester/article_121d38ad-321a-5c4f-a936-1f5bd791afec.html
Local sports notebook: Pro soccer returning to Rochester
Professional soccer is returning to Rochester for the first time since the Rochester Thunder folded in 2010.
The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) announced recently that Rochester has been granted a franchise — the Med City FC.
The Med City FC will play in the Midwest Region's North Conference.
"Minnesota has quickly become a stronghold of the NPSL," NPSL chairman Joe Barone said in a news release. "We are excited to gain new fans and supporters throughout the state. We're expecting big things from Med City FC and all of our teams there. This is another big day for American soccer."
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http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/teams/redbulls2.php?article_id=46717
THE YEAR'S BEST -- NO. 7
Red Bulls II shows how bullish they really are by winning regular-season crown and USL Cup
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http://www.firstcoastnews.com/sports/soccer/armada-fc/decision-on-future-of-jacksonville-armadas-league-on-hold/377254394
Decision on future of Jacksonville Armada's league on hold
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http://www.rhinossoccer.com/news_article/show/737477?referrer_id=2442447
2016 Rochester Rhinos Year in Review
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http://saintpetersblog.com/rowdies-re-sign-tampa-bays-darnell-king-contract/
Rowdies re-sign Tampa Bay’s own Darnell King to contract
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http://www.espnfc.us/major-league-soccer/story/3023545/missouri-governor-elect-calls-st-louis-mls-stadium-plan-welfare-for-millionaires
St. Louis MLS stadium plan 'welfare for millionaires' - Missouri governor-elect
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http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/3024020/st-louis-mls-group-postpones-meeting-over-stadium-funding-plan
St. Louis MLS group postpones meeting over stadium funding plan
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http://reason.com/blog/2016/12/20/missouris-governor-elect-is-that-rare-po
Missouri's Governor-Elect Is That Rare Politician Against Publicly Funded Stadiums
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http://mlsmultiplex.com/2016/12/20/mls-antoine-griezmann-future/
Is Major League Soccer in Antoine Griezmann’s Future?
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http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4735168-155/mls-group-postpones-meeting-over-st
MLS: Group postpones meeting over St. Louis soccer stadium plan
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http://themissouritimes.com/36364/mls-stadium-vote-cancelled-investors-greitens-criticism/
MLS stadium vote cancelled by investors after Greitens’ criticism
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http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/teams/cosmos2.php?article_id=46700
MOVING ON
Cosmos assistant coach Llamosa joins Revs
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http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/sports/2016/12/21/1220-mls-st-louis.html
Soccer | Opposition to stadium proposal slows plan to expand MLS to St. Louis
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http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2016/12/20/greitens-opposition-could-doom-mls-stadium.html
Greitens’ opposition could doom MLS stadium, ownership group says
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http://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2016/12/20/this-first-of-its-kind-standing-room-only-section-at-orlando-citys-new-stadium-will-be-insane
This standing-room only section at Orlando City's new stadium will be insane
Posted By Colin Wolf on Tue, Dec 20, 2016 at 12:06 PM
Orlando City released an image a few days ago of "The Wall," a new massive standing-room only section that will be the first of its kind in any Major League Soccer stadium.
This incredibly steep section is modeled after Borussia Dortmund's Yellow Wall in Germany, which, as you can see in the video below, is absolutely nuts.
So far, the new $155 million stadium is well underway. The first patches of sod were actually planted today.
The stadium is expected to be completed by March of 2017.
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http://www.stltoday.com/sports/shooting-down-the-soccer-stadium/article_e41270e1-ebf7-598b-a364-bf5c7ecd9c9b.html
Shooting down the soccer stadium?
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http://www.fox35orlando.com/sports/orlando-city-soccer-club/224756191-story
Grass installation begins at Orlando City soccer stadium
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http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2016/12/20/businessman-john-ingram-lead-nashvilles-major-league-soccer-bid/95654904/
Businessman John Ingram to lead Nashville’s Major League Soccer bid
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http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/gov--elect-greitens-calls-public-money-for-st-louis/article_f0de564d-0d10-53cc-81f4-4a4b8ee446b6.html
Gov.-elect Greitens calls public money for St. Louis soccer stadium 'welfare for millionaires'
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http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/3024368/john-r-ingram-confirmed-as-lead-investor-for-nashvilles-mls-franchise-bid
John R. Ingram confirmed as lead investor for Nashville's MLS bid
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http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2016/12/21/john-ingram-throws-financial-weight-behind.html
John Ingram throws financial weight behind Nashville’s pro-soccer push
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http://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/mls-expansion-how-big-too-big
How big is too big for MLS' growth?
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http://www.nashvillepost.com/sports/sports-business/blog/20847429/ingram-will-be-lead-owner-for-citys-mls-bid
Ingram will be lead owner for city's MLS bid
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http://ussoccerplayers.com/2016/12/does-the-bundesliga-or-mls-do-a-better-job-with-the-schedule-soccer.html
Does the Bundesliga or MLS do a better job with the schedule?
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http://www.bigdsoccer.com/2016/12/21/14038336/promotion-relegation-mls-debate
Why I’m grateful we don’t have Promotion and Relegation in MLS
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http://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/nixon-says-state-tax-credits-are-needed-to-clear-st/article_d29262b3-360a-592c-9e4f-3fc6112f1c52.html
Nixon says state tax credits are ideal to clear St. Louis site, with or without a soccer stadium
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http://www.sportspromedia.com/notes_and_insights/americas_bulletin_nba_keeps_the_peace_chargers_weigh_la_move_mls_expansion
Americas Bulletin: NBA keeps the peace; Chargers weigh LA move; MLS expansion plans and more
Elsewhere, Major League Soccer (MLS) has outlined the timeline and terms for its next round of expansion as it continues its push to 28 franchises. Commissioner Don Garber revealed on Thursday that the league’s 25th and 26th teams will begin play in 2020 and will be required to pay US$150 million each for the privilege while two more sides will be added at a later date for an as-yet-undetermined fee. Interested parties have been given a 31st January deadline to submit applications, with a series of in-person meetings set to take place during the first half of 2017.
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http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/mls-expansion-prospective-cities-bids-28-teams
MLS expansion: An in-depth look at the many bids for the league's next four clubs
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http://www.austinchronicle.com/sports/2016-12-23/soccer-watch/
Soccer Watch
By Nick Barbaro, Fri., Dec. 23, 2016
If you have enough interest in soccer that you're reading this column, then you've probably seen a pitch to "participate in a survey about bringing Major League Soccer to Austin." It's being promoted by various local business groups, and it's for real: As the survey introduction states, "Major League Soccer has retained Barrett Sports Group LLC, a nationally recognized sports management consulting firm, to evaluate the potential demand and support for an MLS team in Austin, Texas. As you may know, MLS is currently evaluating a number of potential MLS markets."
By all means, you should participate; the questions ask about stadium location and amenities in some detail, as well as about your personal likelihood to watch, attend, or purchase season tickets or luxury boxes. But lest you get your hopes too high, you should also be aware that last week, MLS Commissioner Don Garber announced some details of its next round of expansion – from 24 teams to 28 in the early 2020s – and Austin is not on his list of 10 cities currently considered front-runners.
Just four years ago, Austin was on the short list of a half-dozen cities being considered for the expansion from 20 teams to 24, but we've slid off the table since then, as there's been no apparent progress toward a viable stadium plan. (The Barrett survey assumes that "a new state-of-the-art soccer stadium is constructed" and offers four intriguing specific location options: "near Mueller development," "near the Domain," "near Circuit of the Americas," and "near Travis County Expo Center.") The buy-in fee is $150 million, apart from the stadium cost, and the proposal deadline is Jan. 31, 2017 – somebody better get cracking! See the survey at barrettsports.az1.qualtrics.com.
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http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2016/12/22/mls-in-austin-league-gauging-interest-but-other.html
MLS in Austin? League gauging interest, but other cities lead expansion list
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http://soccer.nbcsports.com/2016/12/21/mls-expansion-group-postpones-meeting-over-stl-soccer-stadium/
MLS expansion: Group postpones meeting over STL soccer stadium
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http://www.bondbuyer.com/news/regionalnews/state-subsidies-stalled-for-st-louis-soccer-1120948-1.html
State Subsidies Stalled for St. Louis Soccer
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http://newsok.com/article/5531815
OKC Energy ownership will not apply for next month's MLS expansion bid
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http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/12/22/nashville-businessman-john-ingram-lead-mls-expansion-bid
Nashville businessman John Ingram to lead MLS expansion bid
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http://ussoccerplayers.com/2016/12/the-limits-of-the-mls-homegrown-system-major-league-soccer.html
The limits of the MLS Homegrown system
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http://www.wave3.com/story/34118912/louisville-city-fc-talks-new-stadium-mls-expansion
Louisville City FC talks new stadium, MLS expansion
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http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/sports/2016/12/23/bob-hunters-rumblings-column-crew-might-object-to-mls-team-in-cincinnati.html
Rumblings | Crew might object to MLS team in Cincinnati
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http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2016/12/22/7-things-that-need-to-happen-before-st-louis-is.html
7 things that need to happen before St. Louis is awarded an MLS team
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https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/dec/22/city-of-angels-mls-soccer-sting-joe-sumner
Why Sting’s son has gone in search of the new Messi to launch City of Angels FC
Joe Sumner, a Newcastle fan, and Evertonian PJ Harrison are aiming to make American soccer more blue collar with their new club in California
It went largely unnoticed but something unusual occurred this week: two Englishmen became owners of a foreign football club. It is their creation too. The licence has been granted, a long-term business plan and proof of funding vetted and now City of Angels FC – the latest addition to the growing football scene in Los Angeles – has until the start of the National Premier Soccer League season in March to finalise terms on a stadium, appoint a director of football and construct its first team. No one ever said it was going to be easy.
City of Angels FC is the brainchild of PJ Harrison, an Evertonian from St Helens, and Joe Sumner, a Newcastle United fan from London, two LA-based friends who met through the entertainment industry. Harrison is a creative director who has worked with Lauryn Hill while Sumner is a musician and app developer. His father is Sting, hence the Newcastle allegiance and a refusal “to succumb to Spurs or Arsenal” while growing up in north London.
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http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/how-geordie-singer-stings-son-12359008
How Geordie singer Sting's son wants to make a new Newcastle United in the USA
Joe Sumner, founder of America's newest football club, hopes its fans will love it with the passion he feels for the Toon
Joe Sumner, son of world-famous Geordie musician Sting , has always been an NUFC fan, but now his footballing allegiance is being pulled away from the Toon.
That’s because Joe has recently become the co-founder of America’s newest football club — City of Angels FC, based in Los Angeles.
And he hopes the club’s new fans will feel as strongly about their team as he always has about Newcastle .
Now all musician Joe and pal PJ Harrison, an Everton fan from St Helens, have to do is finalise their stadium, appoint a director of football and get their first team together.
The team will start at the bottom of the National Premier Soccer League (NSPL), the fourth-tier in US ‘soccer’.
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http://midfieldpress.com/2016/12/22/tulsa-athletics-prove-an-npsl-team-can-thrive-with-usl-in-town/
Tulsa Athletics Prove An NPSL Team Can Thrive With USL In Town
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http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/teams/cosmos2.php?article_id=46706
DANNY'S A DELTA
Ex-Cosmos midfielder Szetela signs with NASL expansion team San Francisco
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http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/us/mnt.php?article_id=46705
DEEP INTO EXTRATIME
Still no decision on D2 sanctioning for NASL or USL
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http://www.fccincinnati.com/news_article/show/736935
An End of Year Thank You and Update
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http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2016/12/21/mls-expansion-sacramento-republic
MLS expansion city profile: Sacramento
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http://backpagefootball.com/how-to-build-a-soccer-franchise-an-interview-with-charlotte-independence-coo-michael-behrman/112880/
Interview – How to build a franchise, with Charlotte Independence COO Michael Behrman
December 21st, 2016 by Sean Maslin
It is the dream of pretty much every football fan to own or operate their own team.
The opportunity to build a team, a culture, and to scout and sign players is something that countless football fans spend hours upon hours doing from electronically from the comfort of their own home.
But what is it like to build a real team and watch that product grow?
I had a chance to speak with Michael Behrman, the Chief Operating Officer of the Charlotte Independence of the United Soccer League on the challenges of building a franchise from the ground up.
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http://saintpetersblog.com/rowdies-latest-re-signings-include-mikandawire-pickens-17/
Rowdies latest re-signings include Tamika Mikandawire, Matt Pickens for ’17
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http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/736801?referrer_id=2364194-news-archive
Heart of Rowdies’ Defense Stays Intact
Goalkeeper Pickens, defensive captain Mkandawire return for 2017 season
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http://www.miamiherald.com/entertainment/celebrities/article122238399.html
Florida editorial roundup
Recent editorials from Florida newspapers:
Dec. 17
The Miami Herald on Major League Soccer possibly expanding to Miami:
It's nearing fish-or-cut-bait time for David Beckman's Major League Soccer hopes for a Miami team. Yes, it's still kicking around, almost three years after the celebrity soccer star arrived in Miami with much fanfare to announce he would privately build a new stadium for the brand new team.
The announcement made worldwide news back in February 2014. However, where to build the stadium has been a continuing series of disappointments, not to mention stops and starts.
First, Mr. Beckman desperately wanted a waterfront stadium on Biscayne Bay. Unfortunately, the downtown Miami site he coveted was adjacent to the Royal Caribbean Cruises' headquarters. The cruise line balked, and Mr. Beckman and his investors were shooed away from their dream spot.
Since then, the project has bounced around the county like a nomad.
Last week, the head of Major League Soccer gently, but firmly, gave the Beckham team of investors an ultimatum: Seal the deal, or move on.
As painful as that might be, it's wise advice.
"Everybody needs to understand, including David and his partners, that we've worked hard, and it's time for us to reach a conclusion," Don Garber said of the proposed Miami team during a conference call with reporters to discuss the 20-team league's future expansion.
Many in Miami-Dade, including private-sector parties, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez, Miami-Dade and School Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, at different times have stepped up to try to find a suitable home for Mr. Beckham's stadium.
It's obvious the league really wants a Miami franchise. With our large Latin American and Caribbean population, it rightly sees the team as a gateway to drawing hardcore international fans.
Mr. Beckham also wants the team in Miami. He is a wonderful fan of the area and has made it clear he's not interested in other cities.
But time is no longer on Mr. Beckham's side.
He and his partners appear to be taking a long time in coming up with what they believe is the perfect group of investors for the $150 million stadium, and they are still negotiating for that final piece of county-owned land.
Earlier this year, Mr. Beckham's ownership group paid $19 million for six acres of private land in Overtown, the bulk of what's needed for a 25,000-seat stadium.
But the group, Miami Beckham United, still needs three acres of adjoining land owned by Miami-Dade County.
The county is ready to sell, but Mr. Beckham's representatives have delayed negotiations over what they say is a need for more investors in the MLS deal.
After waiting more than 30 months, it's hard to say the league has not bent over backwards, but at some point in the not-too-distant future, it will move on without Miami if a deal can't get done. That would be a shame.
Mr. Beckham should impose a deadline on his own project. And here's why: When projects like this go on too long without culmination, they acquire a sense of desperation, a bad karma, one that could tarnish the very cool component Mr. Beckham's participation brought to the project.
A deadline should be set and, if not met, maybe we sadly say goodbye to our MLS expansion team — and the charming Mr. Beckham.
We hope, however, it won't come to that.
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http://www.heraldtribune.com/sports/20161219/girls-soccer-virgilio-guy-at-lakewood-ranch
GIRLS SOCCER: Virgilio the guy at Lakewood Ranch
Virgilio started playing soccer when he was 6 years old. He came to the United States with his family in 1973, when he was 16. "My parents brought me here for better opportunities," he said. "I felt like they sacrificed a lot for me."
The Tampa area was a good destination for soccer players in the 1970s. University of South Florida had fielded a men's team since 1965 and the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the North American Soccer League routinely drew 20,000 fans to Tampa Stadium. The Rowdies won the league title during their first season in 1975.
Virgilio took full advantage, playing for the Bulls from 1977-81 before trying out for the Rowdies. The timing, however, wasn't so great, as the NASL was in decline from its late-70s heyday.
"The league was kind of going under. There was no money," Virgilio said.
Though he didn't make the team, Virgilio received some sage advice from Rowdies manager Eddie Firmani, a native of South Africa who competed internationally for Italy.
"Coach looked at me and he told me, 'Son, this league is not going anywhere,' " Virgilio said. " 'You need to go to work.' "
Firmani proved prophetic - the NASL folded in 1984. So Virgilio transitioned into coaching, and after working with local club teams for five years, became Lakewood Ranch's first, and thus far only, coach of the girls team. Under Virgilio, who also served as an assistant at Southeast High in 1991, the Mustangs have won 12 district championships while making three trips to the state final four.
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http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/736407
Rowdies Midfield Duo of Chavez, Savage Returns
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http://midfieldpress.com/2016/12/20/dayton-dynamo-look-to-tap-into-ohios-soccer-renaissance-with-downtown-stadium-move/
Dayton Dynamo Look To Tap Into Ohio's Soccer Renaissance With Downtown Stadium Move
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http://ussoccerplayers.com/2016/12/changing-mls-for-the-better-major-league-soccer.html
Changing MLS for the better
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http://www.empireofsoccer.com/sources-deltas-looking-to-add-former-cosmos-mid-szetela-56463/
Sources: Deltas looking to add former Cosmos mid Szetela
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http://www.newyorkredbulls.com/post/2016/12/19/mls-commissioner-don-garber-becomes-nyrb-ii-s-first-season-ticket-holder-0
MLS Commissioner Don Garber Becomes NYRB II’s First Season Ticket Holder
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