4 key points that will determine Charlotte's MLS future

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http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2017/02/03/4-key-points-that-will-determine-charlottes-mls.html

4 key points that will determine Charlotte's MLS future

Now that the city is officially a candidate for a $150 million team, here are several issues to consider while local government wrestles with a partially completed stadium funding agreement.

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http://www.rcnky.com/articles/2017/02/03/covington-newport-mix-fc-cincinnati-explores-options-stadium

Covington & Newport in Mix as FC Cincinnati Explores Options for Stadium

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http://worldsoccertalk.com/2017/02/02/minnesota-united-enough-competitive-first-mls-season/

Is Minnesota United doing enough to be competitive in their first MLS season?

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http://www.phillyvoice.com/if-youre-still-calling-mls-retirement-league-youre-not-paying-attention/

If you're still calling MLS a 'retirement league,' you're not paying attention

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http://fox2now.com/2017/02/03/board-of-aldermen-vote-on-mls-stadium-scottrade-center-funding/

Board of Aldermen approves MLS stadium funding bill

ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI) – The Board of Aldermen approved the Major League Soccer stadium funding bill. According to our partners at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the proposal passed on a 19-7 vote. The financing plan depends in part on voter approval of a proposed half-cent sales-tax increase on the April ballot.

The new plan calls for taxpayers to contribute $60 million toward the project, while private investors would add nearly $95 million.

St. Louis City Mayor Francis Slay held an emergency bill signing Friday afternoon to move the process forward.

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http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article130554324.html

Could Sacramento's soccer dispute be nearing an end?

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http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2017/02/03/32287122/falcons-or-patriots-landon-donovan-and-mls-players-predict-super-
    
Falcons or Patriots? Landon Donovan and MLS players predict Super Bowl LI

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http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2017/02/03/st-louis-mls-expansion-stadium-vote

Fate for St. Louis's MLS expansion bid stadium to be decided in April vote

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http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/last+holdout+nasl+joins+treating+canadian+players+same/12830572/story.html

MLS last holdout as NASL joins USL in treating Canadian, U.S. players the same

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http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/02/03/two-footballs-how-mls-clubs-work-alongside-2017-nfl-super-bowl-finalists

Two footballs: How MLS clubs work alongside 2017 NFL Super Bowl finalists

The Atlanta Falcons will meet the New England Patriots in the NFL's Super Bowl LI at Houston’s NRG Stadium on Sunday. It’s a meeting of two of the best-run franchises in the NFL, which also happen to feature owners who will be competing head-to-head in MLS beginning this year.

One owner was a founding member of Major League Soccer, while the other is still a month away from making his MLS debut with his club. While each have their own unique relationship with their gridiron sibling, the New England Revolution – operated by the Kraft Sports Group – and Atlanta United FC, the newest addition to Arthur Blank’s AMB Sports + Entertainment, have both benefited in a variety of ways from their connection to the American football team down the hall, starting at the very top of the organizations.

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http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/3053053/st-louis-mls-stadium-plan-will-make-it-to-ballot-to-be-voted-on-in-april

St. Louis MLS stadium plan will make it to ballot to be voted on in April

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http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/chelsea/transfer-talk/news/cesc-fabregas-open-to-mls-move_291041.html

Cesc Fabregas open to future Major League Soccer move

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http://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/ferrari-coin-flip-bizarre-mls-signing-stories-beckham-drogba-dempsey

A Ferrari, a coin flip and 5 other bizarre signing stories you'd only see in MLS

MLS has long made up rules as it went along to place star players with their desired teams. We look at some of the most prominent examples:

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http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article130623094.html

With questions unanswered, county races toward soccer deal

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http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mls/2017/02/03/st-louis-voters-to-decide-whether-to-fund-soccer-stadium/97448884/

St. Louis voters to decide whether to fund soccer stadium

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http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2017/02/03/lawmakers-ok-sales-tax-hike-mls-stadium-city-asks.html

Lawmakers OK sales tax hike, MLS stadium; city asks judge to put measures on ballot

The St. Louis Board of Aldermen on Friday finally passed legislation that would ask voters in April whether to increase the city's sales tax and use a corresponding rise in the local use tax to build a soccer stadium.

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http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/34423223/visit-tucson-free-mls-publicity-benfitting-city-long-term

Visit Tucson: Free MLS publicity benefiting city long-term

TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) -

Tucson is dominating Major League Soccer's social media accounts these days, and the community is benefiting from the publicity.

Ten teams are in Tucson for the MLS preseason. They're posting photos and videos on their accounts of everything from practice time to recreation in the Arizona sunshine. All of it helps bring more eyes on the city, to go along with the $4 million Visit Tucson said local businesses benefit from the teams alone.

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http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/02/03/st-louis-stadium-funding-proposal-moves-ahead-will-go-voters-april

St. Louis stadium funding proposal moves ahead, will go to voters in April

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http://www.soccerwire.com/news/clubs/youth-boys/total-of-72-super-y-league-players-named-for-2017-usl-experience/

List of 72 Super Y League players named for 2017 USL Experience

TAMPA, Fla. (Via Super Y League) – A total of 72 Super Y League players are ready to take part in the 2017 USL Experience, hosted by San Antonio FC, from March 30-April 2 in San Antonio, Texas.

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http://www.news4jax.com/sports/armada-release-preseason-schedule

Armada release preseason schedule

Club will open preseason Feb. 18

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Jacksonville Armada preseason schedule includes college and professional teams, including a matchup with Orlando City B.

The club opens their third season with an intra-squad scrimmage on Feb. 18 at Patton Park. The first pre-season match is set for Feb. 25 at 4 p.m. at Patton Park against Flagler College.

The Armada will play five matches in March before the North American Soccer League (NASL) season begins on March 25.

The Armada play at Jacksonville University on March 1 at 6 p.m., then host Montverde Academy on March 4 at Patton Park at 4 p.m.

A trip across town to play UNF at Hodges Field follows on March 8 at 10 a.m. On March 11, the club faces the first of two United Soccer League (USL) opponents when they host the Tampa Bay Rowdies at 2 p.m. at Patton Park. The Rowdies left the NASL after the 2016 season for the USL. Finally, the Armada's preseason schedule concludes with a matchup with Orlando City B, the USL affiliate of Orlando City's MLS squad. That match is scheduled for March 18 at 7p.m. at Patton Park.

The Armada have not announced their NASL regular season schedule, but the league has announced the the season will begin on March 25.

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http://www.socceramerica.com/article/72197/u-17-stars-leave-residency-for-mls-four-newcomers.html

U-17 stars leave residency for MLS; Four newcomers head to Bradenton

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http://midfieldpress.com/2017/02/03/little-rock-rangers-draw-big-support-only-getting-started/

Little Rock Rangers Draw Big Support, Only Getting Started

XI Questions With… Little Rock Rangers

Like much of the South, Little Rock, Arkansas is in the heart of SEC football country.  The Razorbacks play most of their home games 2 and a half hours away in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where the University is located.  Typically once per year, the NCAA team will come down to Little Rock and play in War Memorial Stadium, located in the center of the state’s most populated city. Other than that, the stadium is without a high profile primary tenant.  This vacancy created an opportunity that the Little Rock Rangers of the National Premier Soccer League filled.

Despite being a metropolitan area of over 700,000 people, Little Rock has very limited sports entertainment options.  The Arkansas Travelers minor league baseball team, which plays in the Double-A Texas League, is pretty much the only competition directly in town.

The Little Rock area has a vibrant youth soccer community, and Jonathan Wardlaw’s intentions around starting the Rangers were to give a higher level option of play to the area’s older soccer players while providing role models for the younger players within the central Arkansas area.

Given the relative lack of sports entertainment competition and the enthusiasm for youth soccer, perhaps it should be less of a surprise that when Wardlaw organized the Little Rock Rangers first match versus Memphis City FC, attendance outstripped expectations, reaching an estimated 4,000.  An average attendance of 1,000 is strong for the NPSL, so a 4,000 debut and regular crowds over 3,000 put Little Rock in its first season into territory only seen by Chattanooga, Detroit City, Tulsa and Grand Rapids.  As the Rangers enter their second year, Wardlaw looks to Chattanooga FC’s sustained success in a similar market as the model for Little Rock.

Midfield Press was able to speak with Jonathan Wardlaw, President of the Little Rock Rangers to discuss the club’s past, present and future.

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http://www.lakenewsonline.com/sports/20170203/st-louis-san-diego-bidding-for-mls-expansion-teams

St. Louis, San Diego bidding for MLS expansion teams

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https://therealdeal.com/miami/2017/02/02/beckhams-miami-stadium-is-still-in-the-works-mls-says/

Beckham’s Miami stadium is still in the works, MLS says

Beckham plans to build a $150M, 25,000-seat stadium in Overtown

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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/02/03/nasl-turns-super-bowl-executive-keith-bruce-help-kickstart-future/

NASL turns to Super Bowl executive Keith Bruce to help kickstart its future

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http://theprovince.com/sports/soccer/mls/mls-last-holdout-as-nasl-joins-usl-in-treating-canadian-and-american-players-the-same

MLS last holdout as NASL joins USL in treating Canadian and American players the same

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http://www.yorkregion.com/sports-story/7100129-nasl-to-treat-u-s-canada-players-the-same/

NASL to treat U.S., Canada players the same

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http://brooklynreporter.com/story/soccer-team-new-york-cosmos-moving-brooklyn/

Soccer team New York Cosmos is moving to Brooklyn

By Jaime DeJesus

Thursday, February 2, 2017 / 12:18 PM

Soccer is coming to Coney for good.

After playing their first match in Brooklyn in May of 2015 and having a strong community presence in the borough, the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League (NASL) will be leaving Hofstra, where they played their home games, to make Coney Island’s MCU Park their new home.

The team, which is the reigning NASL champion, will host 16 regular season matches this season, beginning with the home opener on Saturday, April 1.

“During the Cosmos’ inaugural season in 1971, the team played at Yankee Stadium,” said Cosmos Chairperson Rocco Commisso. “With our move to MCU Park in Brooklyn, we are not only able to offer fans easy access to a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience, but we are also reconnecting the club to its original New York City roots. Adding the excitement of Cosmos’ games to Coney Island’s already vibrant atmosphere will be a win-win for our club and soccer enthusiasts throughout the metropolitan area.”

“We are thrilled to showcase MCU Park as a multi-purpose venue and welcome the Cosmos, a storied franchise in American soccer history,” added New York Mets Chief Operating Officer Jeff Wilpon.  “All New York area soccer fans will enjoy watching the Cosmos make their mark in Brooklyn.”

The team also played at MCU Park during the NASL Championship Semifinals back in November of 2015.

Chairperson of the National Premier Soccer League Joe Barone, a Dyker Heights resident, discussed the possibility of the move in 2015. “I would hope that the Cosmos could eventually play full time here in Brooklyn. (General Manager of MCU Park) Steve Cohen and I have worked on this for many years,” he said at the time.

Elected officials are excited about the move.

“With the Cosmos coming to Brooklyn, we’re adding a world class franchise to New York City’s proud soccer tradition,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.  “We couldn’t be more proud to welcome the New York Cosmos to the five boroughs.”

“This historic Brooklyn neighborhood’s remarkable renaissance will hopefully accelerate even further with the move of the New York Cosmos to MCU Park,” said Borough President Eric Adams.

“The New York Cosmos are back where they belong: New York City,” said Councilmember Vincent Gentile.  “Cementing themselves in Brooklyn at MCU Park in Coney Island with a passionate fan base dating back to the 1970s, the Cosmos will attract soccer fans and casual fans of the beautiful game alike.”

“Coney Island and the Cosmos are a perfect fit,” added New York City Councilmember Mark Treyger.  “I welcome the Cosmos to MCU Park and back to New York City, and look forward to seeing a whole new generation enjoy one of our city’s legendary sports clubs.”

Season ticket membership packages for the upcoming 2017 season at MCU Park will go on sale Friday, February 3. For more information, visit www.nycosmos.com.

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http://talkofthetown.ie/former-footballer-who-played-with-pele-recalls-how-he-briefly-played-for-dundalk/

Former footballer who played with Pele recalls how he briefly played for Dundalk

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http://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/move-to-america-was-best-decision-of-my-life-says-former-cheltenham-town-defender/story-30109380-detail/story.html

Move to America was best decision of my life, says former Cheltenham Town defender

By Jon Palmer  |  Posted: February 03, 2017

Two years ago Paul Black took a brave decision after several years of frustration in English football.

He left Cheltenham Town halfway through a one year contract, sacrificing money he could have claimed, and moved to the USA to start a new life on and off the pitch

It has proved to be one of the best choices the Mancunian left-back has ever made.

He spent one year with the Atlanta Silverbacks before joining North Carolina, which whom he has already agreed a deal to stay on for a second season, which kicks off in March.

North Carolina compete in the North American Soccer League (NASL), one tier below Major League Soccer (MLS).

The club is keen to make the step up and Black wants to be a part of it.

"I was frustrated and disillusioned in England and my game time had been very limited," Black said.

"I decided to make the move and took it in my stride, enjoying a good first season and I haven't looked back since.

"I just need to be playing and it's been a lot of fun."

During his time with Atlanta, Black was used as a left-back, a left wing-back and a left sided centre-half.

His coach was Gary Smith, once in charge of Stevenage, who was assisted by former England winger Steve Guppy.

Black's current club North Carolina are managed by Colin Clarke, who played for QPR, Southampton, Portsmouth and Northern Ireland.

Off the field, he has settled in the city of Raleigh with his wife Olivia, who he met in Atlanta.

"Raleigh is a cool, up and coming city with a lot of young people and it's a great place to live," he said.

"The weather is super-hot and after training it's nice to be able to chill by the pool and walk the dog or play golf in the sun. I spent Christmas with my wife's family in Alabama.

"Having played under two managers from the UK, the structure of training is similar to that of an English club."
With his green card due meaning he will not count as an overseas player, Black is hoping to make it to the MLS.

"That's what I came out here to do," he said. "North Carolina are ambitious and so am I, so it's the perfect match and hopefully we can share that journey because it would amazing for the city."

Last season, Black's team mates included former Rangers forward Nacho Novo.

Carolina's main goal threat now is Mexico international striker Omar Bravo.

"Football in the USA is still growing rapidly and they are making an effort to sign players at their peak now, rather than bringing in the big names at the end of their careers like Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard," 27-year-old Black said.

"The travelling is tough and there are two teams we play in Canada, but I have had the chance to play against Raul and got his shirt after the game and Miami are managed by Alessandra Nesta so playing them was another great experience.

"For any young lads who have setbacks in England, I would say stick at it because there are so many opportunities out there."

Looking back on his time with Cheltenham, Black said he had no intention of taking his full entitlement of wages after agreeing to leave midway through the season.

"I came to play football and it wasn't about the money," he said.

"If you can make a living out of the game then great, but if you are not playing there is no point sitting around picking up your wages.

"I wanted to find happiness and wanted to play football so I sacrificed the money I was entitled to at Cheltenham.

"I believed in myself, but didn't get much of an opportunity there and I needed to go back to go forward again.

"If the move to the USA hadn't worked out at least I'd have gone for it, but it's paid off for me."

Black, who has also played for Mansfield Town, Oldham Athletic and Tranmere Rovers, made four starts and one substitute appearance for the Robins, with the highlight being a 5-0 FA Cup first round win over Swindon Town.

He is still in touch with his former Robins team mate Jason Taylor, who has been to visit him in the USA.

"There have been a lot of changes at Cheltenham since I left and Asa Hall is the only player left from those days," he said.

"It was nice to see him return from injury and do well last season and great to see Cheltenham go straight back up to the Football League.

"I loved my time living in the town and I wish the club all the best."

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http://www.nasl.com/news/2017/02/02/nasl-announces-rule-change-regarding-canadian-players

NASL Announces Rule Change Regarding Canadian Players

Canadian players will now count as domestic on rosters of American clubs

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http://kbia.org/post/long-strange-trip-tax-measures-april-ballot-almost-complete#stream/0

Long, strange trip of tax measures to April ballot is almost complete

Mayor Francis Slay has signed legislation that could lead to funding for both MetroLink expansion and a stadium for Major League Soccer.

One bill signed by the mayor on Friday asks voters to approve a half-cent sales tax increase, which is intended to partially fund a north-south MetroLink line, as well as neighborhood and workforce development initiatives. The second measure, also signed on Friday, asks voters if revenue from the resulting increase in the use tax should be directed to the new stadium just west of Union Station.

In remarks at the signing, Slay was very careful to emphasize the sales tax increase.

"This is my number-one priority at this point in my 16 years," he said. "And it’s something I’m hoping to leave to whomever takes my place as mayor of the city of St. Louis. This is a big deal. This is something that will impact our entire city."

But, he added, the stadium has benefits as well.

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http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/section/175/article/121726/

Gainesville based Lanier Soccer Assocation added to US Soccer Federation membership

One of Georgia’s most accredited soccer entities is now on the national map.

Starting this fall, the Lanier Soccer Association, based in Gainesville, will be an added member of the United States Soccer Federation. This association, based out the of Allen Creek Soccer Complex, went through a four-month application process in order to have its Development Academy recognized before being approved last week by the USSF, according to LSA Director of Coaching Jonathan Cueva.

“The application is a really lengthy, complicated ordeal because it requires a little bit of soccer knowledge as well as a little bit of philosophical background,” Cueva said.

Only a handful of teams across the country are recognized by the USSF, based on a club’s ability to lead, follow and execute the soccer operation standards of the federation says Cueva. And of the 100-plus soccer clubs in Georgia, there’s now six in the state with USSF status with the addition of the Lanier Soccer Association.

The LSA’s addition to the USSF has Cueva optimistic in the continued growth of the sport in Hall County.

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http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/what-do-the-uswnts-big-changes-to-their-representation-mean-for-cba-negotiations-020317

What do the USWNT’s big changes to their representation mean for CBA negotiations?

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http://fox2now.com/2017/02/03/st-louis-sales-tax-increase-closer-to-april-ballot-after-board-of-alderman-approval/

St. Louis sales tax increase closer to April ballot after Board of Alderman approval

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http://fox2now.com/2017/02/03/fate-of-major-league-soccer-in-st-louis-depends-on-voters/

Fate of Major League Soccer in St. Louis depends on voters

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http://www.indomitablecitysoccer.com/2017/2/3/14499480/mark-abbott-bullish-on-srfc-nagle-partnership-warren-smith-darrell-steinberg

Mark Abbott bullish on SRFC-Nagle partnership

Much ado about nothing? MLS President Mark Abbott appears to throw cold water on the simmering kerfluffle around Sacramento Republic and Kevin Nagle.

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http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4899546-155/us-womens-soccer-team-federation-hope

Soccer: US women’s team, federation hope for new CBA by April

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http://sports.yahoo.com/news/us-womens-soccer-resumes-labor-talks-lawyer-224100047--mls.html

US women's soccer team, federation hope for new CBA by April

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http://thecomeback.com/soccer/uswnt-restructures-union-in-hopes-of-getting-new-cba-done.html

USWNT restructures union in hopes of getting new CBA done