Tampa Bay Rowdies enter preseason against MLS opponents

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http://www.cltampa.com/arts-entertainment/sports/article/20852660/tampa-bay-rowdies-enter-preseason-against-mls-opponents

Tampa Bay Rowdies enter preseason against MLS opponents

You gotta show the love if you wanna have an MLS team, guys.

Colin O'Hara

Feb 23, 2017 3 PM

The Tampa Bay Rowdies dropped their first pre-season match against Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union by a score of 1-0 on Saturday night, but there’s no need to worry just yet.

“It’s our first game and everything against a team that’s a couple of weeks ahead of us, I think they’ve already played a couple of games, so I thought the players equipped themselves well,” head coach Stuart Campbell said after the game. “It’s a great testament to our players, playing against an MLS team.”

Campbell started the match with 10 regular starters who fought even evenly matched first half against the MLS side. Rowdies had two scoring chances in the opening 20 minutes from defender Neil Collins and midfielder Leo Fernandes, but came up just short in the end.

The Philadelphia goal came from Derrick Jones in a 1-on-1 situation with the goal keeper late in the second half after Campbell made a slew of personnel changes on the field. Jones left the goalkeeper picking up his pants after working some fancy footwork round him to score the goal. The trialist keeper, who was subbed in the game for starting keeper Matt Pickens, got a healthy dose of the big leagues in a short amount of time on the field.

“When I made that many changes [in players] at the 60-minute mark, it disrupts the flow of the game a little bit. We were playing well and I was tempted to leave [everything as it was], but I’ve got to be sensible. We still have four or five weeks before our season,” Campbell said.

Bottom line is there’s no need to panic. We get it. It’s preseason. The 2008 Detroit Lions ended their preseason record undefeated with four wins, but went on to lose 16 straight in the regular season, completing one of the worst professional sports seasons in history. Let’s hope the Rowdies don’t follow in their footsteps.

While it was a warm-up game for the players, it was certainly a warm up for the fans, too. A lackluster crowd showed for the Saturday evening game. Presumably many were frightened off by wet weather, or just forgot the Rowdies are making a serious push for MLS and need as big of an attendance as they can get (ahem).

Several United States national team players took the field for Philadelphia, including Alejandro Bedoya, which should have been enough of a draw for a crowd, but the attendance remained at NASL levels when we need MLS numbers.

The ever-faithful Ralph’s Mob made themselves heard, but the stadium lacked the atmosphere needed to show the MLS that Tampa Bay is ready to join.

Fortunately, the show will go on, and the Rowdies will continue their preseason at Al Lang Stadium this Saturday and 7:30 against MLS’s Montreal Impact. The fans will have another chance to prove themselves while the boys on the field will have another chance to impress.

“You can see we’ll be a real threat moving forward,” Campbell said. “The more games we get, the more they’ll improve.”

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http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/soccer-fans-support-st-petersburg-stadium-referendum/2314256

Soccer fans support St. Petersburg stadium referendum

Charlie Frago

Thursday, February 23, 2017 12:02pm

ST. PETERSBURG — The City Council chamber had plenty of soccer aficionados outfitted in green and gold show up last week to support the Tampa Bay Rowdies' bid to join Major League Soccer and expand their home at Al Lang Stadium.

Also in attendance was former mayor (and potential 2017 candidate for mayor) Rick Baker, representing Rowdies owner Bill Edwards.

The proposed ordinance would authorize a May 2 referendum that would allow the city to negotiate a long-term lease with the Rowdies contingent upon the team receiving an MLS expansion slot from the United States' premier soccer league.

Edwards has pledged to pay for up to $80 million in stadium improvements and a $150 million MLS franchise fee without asking for any public money.

That stance was applauded by fans and other supporters, including the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Partnership and the Downtown Neighborhood Association. They also argued that bringing the MLS to the city would stimulate economic development, attract a diverse population and help put the city on the map of hip destinations.

The council set a vote for March 2.

Dissenters said the downtown waterfront was ill-prepared for an influx of fans, parking hassles and trash that would be generated by a proposed 18,000-seat stadium.

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http://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/2017/2/23/14706450/atlanta-soccer-2018-stonecrest-dekalb-sports-complex

New Atlanta soccer website teases big announcement, two franchises

Oh...this is interesting...

by Rob Usry

Feb 23, 2017, 2:55pm EST

On Wednesday, plans for a brand new 200-acre sports complex in DeKalb County were unveiled during a press conference. Those plans also called for a possible addition of two new professional soccer teams to the Atlanta area.

Two professional soccer teams could move in to the area over the next couple of years, said Trey Brantley, CEO of First Team SC. A men’s team could move there in 2018, and he hopes for a women’s team in 2019. - via AJC

Soon after the press conference concluded, a website called atl2018.com popped up with some interesting things. The first thing you see when the website loads is a male and a female wearing gym attire with the caption “We are coming” in bold letters. Just below that some info is given.

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http://midfieldpress.com/2017/02/23/exclusive-orange-county-group-closes-in-on-nasl-expansion/

Exclusive: Orange County Group Closes In On NASL Expansion

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http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/mls-expansion-prospective-cities-bids-28-teams?xid=socialflow_twitter_si

MLS expansion: An in-depth look at the many bids for the league's next four clubs

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http://www.newsday.com/sports/soccer/new-cosmos-owner-rocco-commisso-says-franchise-is-ok-entering-upcoming-season-1.13157911

New Cosmos owner Rocco Commisso says franchise is ‘OK’ entering upcoming season

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http://us6.campaign-archive2.com/?u=68aa1285e6&id=3226e8c4ca&e=1d32e81d4d

ONE WEEK LEFT: 2017 Membership Packages

PREORDERS DUE MARCH 1st!

There is only one week left to get in your 2017 Membership preorders via our online store!  Memberships help to fund our all of our activities throughout the year including: creating tifo, banners and flags; maintaining drums and equipment; and putting on events/coordinating travel.  Purchasing a Ralph’s Mob Membership allows you the ability to purchase 2017 Ralph’s Mob section Season Tickets, away travel and more!

Like in past years we have multiple tiers to choose from featuring our 2017 Member Shirt and Scarf.  We are also bringing back our “Mini-Mobster” Membership for kids!

To avoid shipping charges, be sure to select "pickup" on the checkout screen. Pickup and shipping orders will both be available at the time of the regular season opener on Saturday, March 25th.  Packages that include shirts will be available via preorder only!

Click on the image above to place your preorder and secure your membership today!

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http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/mls-to-allow-championship-stars-on-sounders-replica-jerseys-after-supporter-protest/

MLS to allow championship stars on Sounders’ replica jerseys after supporter protest

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http://www.cm-life.com/article/2017/02/detroit-doesnt-need-mls-its-the-other-way-aroundtaxpayers-will-pay-the-price-on-and-off-the-field

COLUMN: Detroit doesn't need MLS — the city already has its team

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http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/mls-expansion-detroit-gores-gilbert-stadium-jail-022317

MLS expansion city profile: Detroit

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https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2017/02/23/phoenix-rising-fc-makes-its-case-for-mls-expansion/

Phoenix Rising FC makes its case for MLS expansion

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https://www.soccernation.com/details-revealed-for-fs-investors-plan-for-mission-valley/

Details Revealed for FS Investors’ Plan for Soccer City San Diego

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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/02/23/la-galaxy-bring-american-dream-england-open-trials/

LA Galaxy bring American dream to England with open trials

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http://www.tampabay.com/incoming/afternoon-update-chad-oulsons-widow-says-curtis-reeves-was-rude-angry/2314294

Afternoon update: Chad Oulson's widow says Curtis Reeves was 'rude,' 'angry,' 'demanding' before firing; Trump's action on transgender restroom rules changes nothing locally; Gasparilla race will be one of final stops for fabled distance runner; Hotel Bar offers famous cocktails

SOCCER FANS SUPPORT ST. PETERSBURG STADIUM REFERENDUM

The St. Petersburg City Council chamber had plenty of soccer aficionados outfitted in green and gold show up last week to support the Tampa Bay Rowdies' bid to join Major League Soccer and expand their home at Al Lang Stadium. The proposed ordinance would authorize a May 2 referendum that would allow the city to negotiate a long-term lease with the Rowdies contingent upon the team receiving an MLS expansion slot from the United States' premier soccer league.

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http://flbusinessdaily.com/stories/511082710-tampa-bay-rowdies-pen-deal-with-goalkeeper

Tampa Bay Rowdies pen deal with goalkeeper

The Tampa Bay Rowdies recently said they have signed goalkeeper Nico Campbell, pending league and federation approval.

The Rowdies said this will be the first professional soccer contract for Campbell, a 22-year-old native of Kingston, Jamaica, who played at Valparaiso University in Indiana from 2013 until this past fall, the team said in a news release.

Campbell completed a trial with the team in January and played 45 minutes in each of the Rowdies’ Florida Cup matches, the release said.

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http://www.prweb.com/releases/2017/02/prweb14092897.htm

Dunn&Co. Leads All Agencies at the 2017 Tampa Bay American Advertising Federation Awards
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Tampa agency wins 18 Awards at the AAF’s Annual ADDY® Gala

Tampa, Fla. (PRWEB) February 24, 2017

Dunn&Co, a leading full-service advertising agency and production company, today announced it won 18 total ADDY awards, more than any other participating agency, at the recent AAF Tampa Bay (American Advertising Federation of Tampa Bay) 2017 ADDY® Awards, held in Tampa Thursday evening, the 16th. The awards haul included two Best of Bay awards (Best of Print category for its Child Safety print ad for ISC2 and a Best of Radio category for its Give you the bird radio spot for Tijuana Flats). Of the 18 awards, eight were awarded either Gold or Best of Show in their respective categories.

The award-winning work was created for a variety of media, including TV broadcast, radio broadcast, print, packaging, digital/web, outdoor, video and illustration. The ADDYs recognized the agency’s work on behalf of clients: Tampa Bay Lightning, Tijuana Flats, ISC2, Knockmore Irish Whiskey, St. Petersburg Distillery, Dress for Success and Ralph’s Mob.

“I’m so proud of our team that does this for us year after year,” said Dunn&Co. President and CCO Troy Dunn. “Making content for our clients that rises above the fray and is consistently recognized as some of the best work made is quite an accomplishment. And again, winning in so many categories and in so many different media is a testament to our range and the talents we have under our roof.”

The AAF ADDY Awards is the nation’s largest advertising competition, with more than 60,000 entries annually. The ADDY Awards is the only creative awards program administered by the advertising industry for the industry. The AAF Tampa Bay serves advertising professionals from the Tampa Bay community, including Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Citrus and Hernando Counties.

Dunn&Co.’s winning pieces will now move on to compete at the district level competition for a chance to be forwarded to the national stage of the American Advertising Federation Awards in New Orleans, LA.

About Dunn&Co.
Dunn&Co. (http://www.dunn-co.com) is a full-service advertising and marketing communications firm housed in a century-old former cigar factory near Tampa’s historic Ybor City. Dunn&Co. provides award-winning creative solutions for clients worldwide, including GE Healthcare, The Tampa Bay Lightning, Ahold USA, Tijuana Flats, Baxter Healthcare, Monin, Checkers, Kitchen Crafted, Civco, Sabal Trust, St. Petersburg Distillery, Hexa watches, Tampa Bay Rowdies, Sempermed USA, ATG, and The Untied Way. Dunn&Co. also provides pro-bono services to the ALS Association Florida Chapter to help fight Lou Gehrig’s disease.

About AAF – Tampa Bay
The American Advertising Federation – Tampa Bay exists to support its members, the community and the advertising industry. Its mission is to promote fellowship, education and career enhancement among members of the advertising community; foster and recognize excellence in advertising; champion public service causes; build an understanding of the role and benefits of advertising at all levels; and encourage advertising self-regulation and continuous improvement to raise industry benchmarks.