Rowdies, MLS Expansion, #MLS2StPete #MLS2TampaBay #TampaBayRowdies #COYR

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http://soccer.nbcsports.com/2016/12/16/joe-cole-talks-mishmash-of-nasl-level-mls-aims-of-tampa-bay/

Joe Cole talks “mishmash” of NASL level, MLS aims of Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay Rowdies man Joe Cole‘s word carries some weight in the English media, and the ex-Three Lions man was asked to assess the quality of the NASL.

Cole posted nine goals and seven assists in 24 matches for the Rowdies this year across their Spring and Fall seasons, and also was asked about the direction of Tampa Bay.

Here are his thoughts, taken from on Sky Sports TV in England…

On the standard: “Every team’s got 5 or 6 international, but they’re all sort of Ecuador, El Salvador. The standard’s okay, but then you’ve got some players who wouldn’t get into a League Two, Conference-style side. It’s a mishmash. There’s some players, you think, He’s got a chance here.”

On Tampa’s ambition: “The plan was always MLS but we couldn’t say that when we went out there. The whole thing the owner wants to do it take the club, cause it’s got a name Tampa Bay Rowdies from the 1970s,  to MLS. Now with all the politics is out of the way they can say, ‘This is what we want to do’ 2018, 19, 20, the stadium is being built so it’s all looking like going to MLS.”

Was it easy? “I loved the home games cause I can stroll down the bay, you get there an hour and a half before kickoff, stroll back stop in a nice restaurant, it’s lovely. But the away games are a nightmare. It’s like a three hour flight, change, hour flight, and you can play on some real bad pitches. Astroturf and things like that.  It’s the same like MLS, you can speak to Frank and Stevie, they are tough physically cause of the travel and the time zones.”

All-in-all, nothing wildly surprising — especially the travel bit — but it is interesting to hear Tampa Bay’s in-house goals were hardline MLS. And what’s wrong with Ecuador, Joe?

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http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/leagues/nasl2.php?article_id=46662

PLANNING AHEAD

Source: NASL hopes to have 8-10 teams in 2017

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http://www.socceramerica.com/article/71651/whos-who-of-the-mls-expansion-race.html

Who's who of the MLS expansion race

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http://www.theunsubs.com/wp/2016/12/15/rowdies-pushing-for-2020-mls-entrance-after-league-sets-expansion-timetable

Rowdies Pushing For 2020 MLS Entrance After League Sets Expansion Timetable

by JAKE NUTTING

A week after officially launching their campaign to gain admittance into Major League Soccer, the Tampa Bay Rowdies have learned the timetable for achieving their goal.

On Thursday, MLS Commissioner Don Garber revealed that the 25th and 26th and teams to enter the league will be announced at some point in the second half of 2017, with the timeline for numbers 27 and 28 to be decided at a later date. It was also announced that the 25th and 26th teams will pay an expansion fee of $150 million and kick off in MLS in 2020.

Despite only recently announcing their MLS ambitions, the Rowdies are pushing hard to beat out a crowded field of potential expansion groups and become one those two new teams in 2020.

Rowdies Owner Bill Edwards laid out his cards in a statement after MLS’ announcement, saying, “I want to be the first of the ten potential cities to earn an MLS franchise.”

Competing with the Rowdies are a number of attractive markets. MLS acknowledged Charlotte, Raleigh, San Antonio, Sacramento, Detroit, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Miami, San Diego and Nashville are the other teams vying to earn a spot in MLS. The league has requested that all interested groups submit a formal expansion application for review by the end of January.

“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,” said Edwards. “Bringing Major League Soccer to the Tampa Bay Area by 2020 is my goal.”

Edwards and the Rowdies likely have a lot of work to do if they wish to make the move to MLS in 2020. The USL’s Sacramento Republic FC has long been considered a favorite for expansion to MLS since announcing their campaign a few years ago. With a stadium plan in place, strong season ticket numbers in the USL and local officials on board, Sacramento would be appear to be a lock.

St. Louis is another formidable contender. The city’s historical ties to the sport in America has kept it high on the list of MLS and fans for many years and they might finally have their way. An investment group that includes the owner of USL side St. Louis FC has unveiled a plan for a stadium in downtown, but the group’s proposal will face a crucial test in April when voters decide if they will award them $80 million for the stadium. Garber told media members that should St. Louis not win the vote, the group would have to decide on how to proceed.

A wrinkle to the whole expansion process is David Beckham’s long-gestating quest to bring MLS to Miami. Garber reaffirmed that MLS has not wavered from its goal of making Miami its 24th team. However, Garber admitted that the time for a final decision on Miami is approaching quickly after years of stagnation.

“We are very focused on Miami being our 24th team and we’ll continue to work to try to achieve that,” said Garber. “I think I’m more optimistic than I was in the past … but I’ve learned not everything you want to do gets done and sometimes you have to step back and if you can’t get it done, you move on. That’s not something that’s driving any energy on this to a conclusion. Much more, it’s just about everybody needs to understand, including David and his partner and the league and everybody else, that we’ve worked hard and it’s time for us to reach a conclusion.”

A decision on Miami is seemingly guaranteed before MLS makes a decision on teams 25 and 26. If Beckham’s bid were to fall apart, it would potentially open up a vacuum for another expansion group to slide in. Garber declined to provide insight on how a failure in Miami would impact the expansion process.

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http://www.tampabay.com/sports/soccer/rowdies-among-10-finalists-for-mls-expansion-spot/2306522

Rowdies among 10 finalists for MLS expansion spot

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http://wfla.com/2016/12/15/major-league-soccer-considers-st-petes-rowdies-as-possible-expansion-team/

Major League Soccer considers St. Pete’s Rowdies as possible expansion team

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http://www.theunsubs.com/wp/2016/12/16/former-tampa-bay-mutiny-star-steve-ralston-backs-rowdies-mls-campaign/2470

Former Tampa Bay Mutiny Star Steve Ralston Backs Rowdies’ MLS Campaign

by JAKE NUTTING

The Tampa Bay Rowdies have received some backing in their effort to earn an expansion spot in Major League Soccer from someone well acquainted with the league’s first foray into the market in the mid 1990s

Former Tampa Bay Mutiny star and current San Jose Earth Quakes assistant coach Steve Ralston voiced his support for the Rowides MLS push in a recent interview with Jason Davis on SiriusXM FC.

Having represented the Mutiny in all six seasons of their stint in MLS from 1996 to 2001, Ralston is in a unique position to speak on the viability of the area getting another shot in the top division.

“I thought it had ups and downs,” Ralston told Davis. “We had some great crowds, we had a great fanbase and the loyal ones who showed up all the time. There’s a lot to do in Florida and Tampa and it’s a new league and a new sport and we struggled at times, but I think it’s different now. If they were to get a MLS team I think it would survive and I think it would do well. I think where we are as a league, and if you look at the markets and the cities and everyone wanting a piece of it, I think [Tampa Bay] would do well and I’m hoping they get another opportunity.”

The Mutiny came out of the gate strong in 1996, claiming the league’s Supporters’ Shield and averaging 11,679 in the the stands at Tampa Stadium. Like many MLS markets, though, the Mutiny’s attendance began to dip five years in and the axe finally came down after the 2001 season when MLS failed to secure local ownership for the team.

This time around, Tampa Bay has the local owner willing to invest in Bill Edwards, but Ralston believes the history and recognition that comes a long with the Rowdies name should also go along way toward getting more fans engaged in an MLS team.

“Well, I think the Rowdies have us,” he said. “They were there a lot longer than we were, they were there first and I think that name has more appeal in the city. When we came there as the Mutiny, everyone still talked about the Kick in the Grass and the whole Rowdies thing, so I think they’ve got us in the naming rights.”

Ralston’s perspective is a common one. Many involved with the Mutiny mention the lasting impact the Rowdies had in the area even after the glory days of the original NASL had come and gone. Unlike many of the teams from the NASL, the Rowdies name stayed alive in one form or another in various leagues until 1993.

The fact that the Mutiny were living in the shadow of the Rowdies was something Ralston was well aware of. In his 177 appearances for the Mutiny, Ralston earned plenty of respect with the fans and even won individual hardware with Rookie of the Year honors in the team’s debut season. However, he admits guys like Rodney Marsh and others were in a league of their own.

“Those guys, they were kings, they were big, they were outdrawing the Buccaneers probably back in those days. Well, the Bucs weren’t a very good team then, but I think the Rowdies had really implanted themselves in the community and were drawing very well and were a big deal. And those guys, a lot of them stayed in the area and that’s a big part of it as well.”

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http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2016/12/15/mls-expansion-don-garber-timeline-28-teams-fees-miami

MLS sets timetable for expansion to 28 teams, $150M fee for teams No. 25, 26

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http://www.espnfc.us/major-league-soccer/story/3020615/mls-commissioner-don-garber-details-next-round-of-expansion

MLS chief Don Garber outlines criteria for next round of league expansion

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http://www.empireofsoccer.com/garber-lays-out-path-to-28-says-its-time-for-a-conclusion-in-miami-56416/

Garber Lays Out Path to 28, Says it’s Time for a Conclusion in Miami

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http://saintpetersblog.com/tampa-bay-among-10-cities-announced-future-mls-franchise/

Tampa Bay among 10 cities announced for potential MLS franchise

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http://www.empireofsoccer.com/new-big-money-investors-may-tip-scales-in-mls-ownership-divide-56412/

New, big-money investors may tip scales in MLS ownership divide

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https://therivardreport.com/soccer-officials-reveal-san-antonios-potential-path-to-major-league/

Soccer Officials Reveal San Antonio’s Potential Path to Major League

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http://www.athleticbusiness.com/stadium-arena/stadium-a-priority-if-mls-to-seek-cincinnati-expansion.html

Stadium a Priority if MLS to Seek Cincinnati Expansion

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http://ussoccerplayers.com/2016/12/soccer-fandom-in-the-era-of-mls-dominance-major-league-soccer.html

Soccer fandom in the era of MLS dominance

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https://www.soccernation.com/mls-confirms-san-diego-among-10-interested-expansion-markets/

MLS Confirms San Diego Among 10 Interested Expansion Markets

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http://90soccer.com/ussoccer/soccer-is-the-future-in-the-us-with-mls-expansion/

Soccer is the future in the US with MLS expansion

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http://www.themalaymailonline.com/sports/article/with-beckham-club-in-limbo-mls-outlines-expansion-plans

With Beckham club in limbo, MLS outlines expansion plans

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https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2016/12/15/tazawa-marlins-agree-for-over-two-years/X7E541HS7lRgibho5WbwyH/story.html

MLS eyes more teams

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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/with-beckham-club-in-limbo-mls-outlines-expansion-plans/articleshow/56015703.cms

With Beckham club in limbo, MLS outlines expansion plans

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http://www.twcnews.com/nc/charlotte/news/2016/12/16/charlotte-motor-speedway-ceo-bidding-for-mls-team-.html

Charlotte Motor Speedway CEO Bidding for MLS Team

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http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2016/12/16/soccer/mls-announces-expansion-plans/

MLS announces expansion plans

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http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/soccer/article121281283.html

North Carolina FC soccer team would need to pay $150 million to join MLS

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http://www.sportingkc.com/post/2016/12/15/mls-unveils-expansion-process-timeline-and-fee

MLS Unveils Expansion Process, Timeline and Fee

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http://ussoccerplayers.com/2016/12/mls-wants-more-teams-expansion-soccer.html

MLS wants more teams

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http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2016/12/16/150m-price-tag-doesnt-deter-triangles-bid-for.html

$150M price tag doesn't deter Triangle's bid for Major League Soccer

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http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/atlanta-united/news/mls-confirms-expansion-to-28-teams_287485.html

MLS confirms expansion to 28 teams

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http://sleterfc.com/hofstras-holland-mls-combine-invite/

Hofstra’s Holland Gets MLS Combine Invite

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http://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/2016/12/15/nashville-among-10-cities-vying-four-mls-expansion-teams/95210014/

Nashville among 10 cities under consideration for four MLS expansion teams

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http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2016/12/16/5-things-to-know-today-and-this-movie-theater.html

Major League Soccer is planning to select its next two expansion teams within the next year, with Sacramento Republic FC expected to submit a ...

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http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/david-beckhams-mls-franchise-moves-9469046

David Beckham's MLS franchise moves closer as league confirms further expansion

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http://thecomeback.com/soccer/mls-expanding-to-28-teams-ambitious-but-it-can-work.html

MLS expanding to 28 teams is ambitious, but there’s a way it can work

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http://www.the42.ie/major-league-soccer-expansion-3144737-Dec2016/

Major League Soccer continues rapid growth as it's revealed 26 teams will compete by 2020

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http://www.skysports.com/football/news/12096/10697709/major-league-soccer-announces-plans-to-add-four-more-teams

Major League Soccer announces plans to add four more teams

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http://www.sportspromedia.com/opinion/the_long_read_mls_has_come_of_age_now_for_the_growing_pains

The Long Read: MLS has come of age - now for the growing pains

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http://www.pennlive.com/cityislanders/index.ssf/2016/12/lopes_new_islanders_president.html

Harrisburg City Islanders Name Tiago Lopes Club President

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http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/soccer/fc-cincinnati/2016/12/16/alan-koch-fc-cincys-ambitions-match-my-ambitions/95537644/

Alan Koch: FC Cincy's ambitions match my ambitions

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http://www.newstalkflorida.com/featured/craig-sager-one-kind-broadcaster/

Craig Sager was a “One of a kind broadcaster.”

I first met Sager when he covered the old Tampa Bay Rowdies, in the “Golden Days of the North American Soccer League in 1976. I had just graduated from USF, meanwhile, he was working at channel 40 and a radio station in Sarasota, and was just two years out from getting his degree from Northwestern University.

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http://saintpetersblog.com/tampa-bays-best-time-soccer-performer-bill-edwards/

Is Tampa Bay’s best all-time soccer performer … Bill Edwards?

Gary Shelton

He did not grow up on the pitch.

He did score golden goals to break nil-nil ties.

Before it’s all said and done, however, the finest soccer performer in Tampa Bay history might just be a smiling man named Bill Edwards.

With all forgiveness to Rodney Marsh, Derek Smethurst and Oscar Fabbiani, it is Edwards who is the current steward of the sport in Tampa. And it is Edwards who sees a bigger stadium, a better league and larger crowds for his Rowdies.

And isn’t that cool?

Edwards doesn’t have a foot like Joe Cole. He isn’t magnetic like Marsh. Above all, he doesn’t have hair like Carlos Valderrama. But, man, is he a player.

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 part 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.

It’s a fine sport, and it’s a good crowd that enjoys itself. For Tampa Bay, the future looks bright.

On the other hand, the Rowdies could use a few more goals.

Think Edwards can fill it up?

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http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/tampa-bay%E2%80%99s-best-all-time-soccer-performer-%E2%80%A6-bill-edwards

Is Tampa Bay’s best all-time soccer performer … Bill Edwards?

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http://www.hudsonriverblue.com/2016/12/16/13977142/mls-expansion-garber-lafc-miami-cincinnati-sacramento

Major League Soccer details expansion plans for the coming years

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http://www.wcpo.com/sports/fc-cincinnati-has-its-work-cut-out-for-it-joining-mls

FC Cincinnati has its work cut out for it joining MLS

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http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/12/16/kick-mls-reveals-expansion-plans-rsl-icon-set-join-fc-dallas

Kick Off: MLS reveals expansion plans | RSL icon set to join FC Dallas?

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http://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/mls-consider-possible-expansion-to-charlotte/476613501

MLS consider possible expansion to Charlotte

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http://www.wdio.com/sports/amateur-soccer-duluth-fc-joins-npsl/4346373/

Duluth FC Joins National Premier Soccer League

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http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/sports/4181255-local-names-news

Duluth FC joins NPSL

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http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/2016/12/15/rumors-swirl-future-nasl-indy-eleven-remains-unclear/95476594/

Rumors swirl as future of NASL, Indy Eleven remains unclear

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http://sports.yahoo.com/news/beckham-club-limbo-mls-outlines-expansion-plans-233356035--sow.html

With Beckham club in limbo, MLS outlines expansion plans

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http://www.sounderatheart.com/2016/12/16/13979426/sounders-top-attended-usa-matches

Sounders dominate list of top-attended soccer matches in USA