Even Garber was expressing some skepticism about Miami this past October; however there seems to have been some kind of behind the scenes agreement between MLS and MBU this past November/December. MBU is now operating against a hard deadline (allegedly) but we don't know when that deadline is.
In exchange, MLS and MBU continue their happy talk, in public, i.e. the talk about the "real soon now" success of MBU doing a deal to get Miami into MLS. Ergo, things like the tweet below. We shall see what happens.
Based on past experience I expect nothing to happen: no new billionaire investors, no deal with Miami-Dade County for the remaining property in Overtown. If so, then at some point the MLS deadline kicks in and we will see how things fall out.
MBU really should talk to TBR and Bill Edwards. It's the reason I created this blog and letter writing campaign in the first place. Come on David Beckham, Simon Fuller, etc.; say it with me: #MLS2StPete.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/5wqeiw/beckham_pr_agency_miami_beckham_united_is_100/
Beckham PR Agency: "Miami Beckham United is 100% committed to Miami...we're making progress toward our goal of fielding a team in 2019." (twitter.com)
(Follow link for full article.)
https://twitter.com/SchwartzMedia/status/836658048466829314
Schwartz Media PR @SchwartzMedia
Miami Beckham United is 100% committed to Miami:
2.28.17 Statement from Miami Beckham United:
Miami Beckham United is 100 percent committed to Miami, and we will continue working with Major League Soccer and Commissioner Garber as we finalize the launch of our world-class club. We have long viewed South Florida as prime territory for MLS expansion, and we see a tremendous opportunity to build our club's brand in this market while attracting top talent from around the world. We're making progress toward our goal of fielding a team in 2019, and we appreciate the strong support of our fans as our kick-off draws closer.
11:23 AM - 28 Feb 2017
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/5wk02n/video_i_made_during_the_soccer_tours_stop_in_st/
Video I made during The Soccer Tour's stop in St. Pete, featuring r/TampaBayRowdies moderator u/phat7deuce (OC) (youtube.com)
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rs8x5F4DU6M
My Club: Tampa Bay Rowdies
The Soccer Tour
Published on Feb 27, 2017
In the first installment of the "My Club" miniseries, Tampa Bay Rowdies supporter Mike Pendleton talks to The Soccer Tour about his club, its history, fans, and major league ambitions.
Footage shot by Steven Bernasconi from the Rowdies 2-1 win over Montreal Impact at the Suncoast Invitational on Saturday, Februrary 25, 2017.
More info: www.thesoccertour.com
@TheSoccerTour
Become a patron: www.patreon.com/thesoccertour
Music: Corey Martin
Category
People & Blogs
License
Standard YouTube License
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/5w11fx/the_soccer_tour_al_lang_stadium/
The Soccer Tour: Al Lang Stadium (youtu.be)
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxtzAY52vd8
Al Lang Stadium
The Soccer Tour
Published on Feb 24, 2017
Steven Bernasconi checks out the side of historic Al Lang Stadium in St. Pete -- home of the Tampa Bay Rowdies -- that isn't open to the public on the first leg of his eight month journey, The Soccer Tour.
Learn more: thesoccertour.com
@TheSoccerTour
Music: Corey Martin
www.coreymartinmusic.com
Category
People & Blogs
License
Standard YouTube License
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/5vx0cg/looks_like_our_home_jersey_isnt_changing_much/
Looks like our home jersey isn't changing much (facebook.com)
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/5vrgqf/tbt_11271979_tampa_bay_rowdies_at_ft_lauderdale/
#TBT: 11/27/1979 - Tampa Bay Rowdies at Ft. Lauderdale Strikers [Indoor, Highlights] (youtu.be)
Here's another installment of the on-again off-again Tampa Bay soccer history series.
This was the season opener for the Rowdies for the 1979-80 Indoor season, which they went on to win against the Memphis Rogues.
Really solid team for the Green & Gold, including:
Perry van der Beck
Steve Wegerle
"Iron" Mike Connell
Oscar Fabbiani
Wes MacLeod
Peter Anderson
and Zeljko Bilecki in goal
And yes, I did pick an indoor game on purpose today. The Florida Tropics have a make-or-break playoffs-or-bust do-or-die 3 games in 3 days road trip this weekend. Friday & Saturday they'll play the Harrisburg Heat before wrapping up the regular season Sunday against the Syracuse Silver Knights.
If the Trops win 2-of-3 they're a lock for the second Eastern Division playoff spot (AS AN EXPANSION TEAM!!!). Tune in as always on MASLtv's Youtube channel or - even better - come out to Winner's Circle Bar & Grill in Lakeland on Friday for the team's first-ever watch party.
FUN FACT!: The Rowdies have beaten the Strikers at FIFTEEN (15) different venues! That number jumps to 17 if you include the Mutiny/Fusion.
Miami Orange Bowl
Tampa Stadium (Old Sombrero)
Tamiami Park
Lockhart Stadium
Camping World Stadium (then the Florida Citrus Bowl)
Bayfront Center
West Palm Beach Auditorium
Hollywood Sportatorium
Expo Square Pavilion (then the Tulsa Fairgrounds Pavilion)
Lakeland Center (then the Lakeland Civic Center, current home of the Tropics)
Pompano Beach Memorial Stadium
USF Soccer Stadium (not Corbett, now Track & Field Stadium)
Steinbrenner Field
Al Lang Stadium
Central Broward Stadium
Land O'Lakes Recreation Complex (Mutiny)
Raymond James Stadium (Mutiny)
Also, the Rowdies are 11-1 all-time against the Strikers in indoor games.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAvcQBo-YLc
NASL Indoor: Tampa Bay Rowdies at Ft. Lauderdale Strikers 11/27/1979
thecelebratedmisterk
Uploaded on Jan 28, 2011
Highlights of a North American Soccer League indoor game between the Florida rivals the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Ft. Lauderdale Strikers played at the West Palm Beach Auditorium on November 27, 1979 and televised on WTOG-TV 44.
Category
Sports
License
Standard YouTube License
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/5vfdfa/seat_map_for_the_home_opener_notice_anything_that/
Seat map for the home opener. Notice anything that isn't usually there? (i.imgur.com)
(Follow link for full article.)
http://futebolcidade.com/chicharito-major-league-soccer-far-done/
Chicharito to Major League Soccer is Far from being a Done Deal
(Follow link for full article.)
http://firstteampod.com/cosmos-linked-to-two-serie-a-players/
Cosmos Linked to Two Serie A Players
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/soccer/louisville-city-fc/2017/03/01/loucity-enter-us-open-cup-2nd-round/98601172/
LouCity to enter U.S. Open Cup in 2nd round
(Follow link for full article.)
http://worldsoccertalk.com/2017/03/01/no-limit-on-mls-potential-commissioner-garber/
No limit on MLS potential: Commissioner Garber
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xZ2NxMp7N0
Four best cities for MLS expansion based on TV markets: World Soccer Talk Podcast (Episode 12)
World Soccer Talk
Published on Feb 2, 2017
http://www.worldsoccertalk.com World Soccer Talk is the weekly soccer podcast from Kartik
Krishnaiyer and Christopher Harris on the topic of watching soccer on TV, online and apps.
In the NEW episode, number 12, we cover a range of topics including:
• Evaluating the 12 MLS expansion cities through the lens of future TV contracts,
• NWSL's new TV deal and where soccer fans can watch the games this year,
• Our thoughts on the FA Cup and Bundesliga coverage from this past weekend,
• What NBC Sports did this week that infuriated us,
• Plus questions from YOU, the listeners!
Category
Sports
License
Standard YouTube License
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.dailyfreeman.com/sports/20170301/soccer-kingston-stockade-fc-to-open-season-at-home-on-may-6-open-tryouts-this-weekend
Soccer: Kingston Stockade FC to open season at home on May 6; open tryouts this weekend
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.mlive.com/sports/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2017/03/incredibly_exciting_as_grand_r.html
'Incredibly exciting' as Grand Rapids FC will play in U.S. Open Cup
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.syracuse.com/sports/index.ssf/2017/03/new_pro_soccer_team_in_syracuse_announces_2017_schedule.html
New pro soccer team in Syracuse announces 2017 schedule
Syracuse FC has announced the schedule for its first season in the National Premier Soccer League.
Syracuse FC will host defending NPSL champion AFC Cleveland in its home opener at Onondaga Community College's David W. Murphy Field on May 20. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Syracuse FC is the seventh and newest team in the East Conference of the NPSL's Midwest Region. Twelve of the regular season games will be against East Conference rivals, with an additional two or more out-of-Conference games to be announced at a later date.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/mls-best-xi-vs-nasl-team-of-all-time-legends
Legendary XIs, NASL vs. MLS: Who had the bigger stars?
(Follow link for full article.)
http://worldsoccertalk.com/2017/02/01/evaluating-12-mls-expansion-cities-lens-future-tv-contracts/
Evaluating the 12 MLS expansion cities through the lens of future TV contracts
(Follow link for full article.)
http://worldsoccertalk.com/2017/01/25/mls-tv-schedule-ditches-parity-focus-super-clubs-national-broadcasts/
MLS TV schedule ditches parity to focus on super clubs for national broadcasts
(Follow link for full article.)
http://worldsoccertalk.com/2016/12/15/mls-faces-uphill-battle-trying-improve-lagging-tv-ratings/
MLS faces uphill battle trying to improve lagging TV ratings
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/12096/10786498/commissioner-don-garber-confident-over-mls-expansion-to-28-teams
Commissioner Don Garber confident over MLS' expansion to 28 teams
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.angelsonparade.com/2017/3/1/14781690/don-garber-on-mls-expansion-chase-san-diego-looking-good
Don Garber on MLS expansion chase: “San Diego’s looking good”
Off the cuff, but maybe that’s the most honest of all.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://soccer.nbcsports.com/2017/03/01/don-garber-discusses-mls-growth-promotionrelegation/
Don Garber on MLS expansion; promotion/relegation
(Follow link for full article.)
http://theprovince.com/sports/soccer/mls/vancouver-whitecaps/iain-macintyre-the-chance-is-here-for-a-whitecaps-franchise-reset
Iain MacIntyre: The chance is here for a Whitecaps franchise reset
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/592810/MLS-former-Premier-League-stars-Major-League-Soccer-sportgalleries
Can you name the 23 former Premier League stars playing in MLS this season?
THE MLS 2017 season gets underway this weekend, but which Premier League old boys are involved?
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.90min.com/posts/4652156-mls-outfit-made-favourites-to-sign-chelsea-defender-at-conclusion-of-premier-league-season
MLS Outfit Made Favourites to Sign Chelsea Defender at Conclusion of Premier League Season
John Terry could be set to follow a host of English big names to wind down their career in Major League Soccer by joining LA Galaxy at the end of the season, according to the Sun.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.espnfc.com/story/3071910/tampa-bay-rowdies-sign-wolfsburg-legend-marcel-schafer
Tampa Bay Rowdies sign Wolfsburg legend Marcel Schafer
The Tampa Bay Rowdies have signed Wolfsburg legend Marcel Schafer ahead of the side's United Soccer League's debut, the club announced on Wednesday.
The 32-year-old spent 10 seasons with the Bundesliga outfit, setting the club record for most league appearances by a field player and scoring 13 league goals with 39 assists.
Schafer said he was looking forward to the challenge.
"After a 14-year career in Germany, I am very excited to take a new step in my life," he said. "The Tampa Bay Rowdies is a great project, and it is an honor to be a part of this club."
The left-back will compete for a spot in the midfield, the club said.
"We're delighted to bring in a player of Marcel's caliber and expertise to our squad," Rowdies coach Stuart Campbell said. "His career speaks for itself. He's played at a high level for a long time and we think he'll adapt to our club and our league pretty quickly."
Schafer made eight appearances for the Germany national team from 2008 to 2010.
Tampa Bay kicks off the 2017 season at home on March 25 against Orlando City B.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://floridapolitics.com/archives/232988-easy-call-st-pete-cty-council-set-al-lang-referendum
Easy call: St. Pete Cty Council to set Al Lang referendum
Joe Henderson
If all issues before the St. Petersburg City Council were as easy as the once members will consider Thursday morning, anyone could do the job.
The Council has a vote scheduled to set a referendum on a plan to privately renovate Al Lang Stadium. That’s so a bid by Tampa Bay Rowdies’ owner Bill Edwards to obtain a Major League Soccer franchise for the city can continue.
If the vote is anything but yes, the Council will have lost an opportunity that likely will never come again. A “no” vote also would prove members have lost their minds.
Even though Edwards would pay the $80 million stadium renovation, the city wisely requires voter approval of anything on this scale that goes along St. Petersburg’s lovely waterfront.
(For what it’s worth, Edwards also has said he will pay the cost of the proposed May 2 special referendum).
There is no risk for voters.
The Rowdies already play at Al Lang as members of the United Soccer League. Edwards’ plan to renovate Al Lang into an 18,000-seat stadium worthy of the much more prestigious MLS hinges on the Rowdies becoming one of four expansion teams the league plans to add as soon as August. His plan wouldn’t even enlarge the downtown stadium footprint that already exists.
If the city’s bid is not successful, there will be no renovation.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber has said cities interested in expansion must meet three key criteria:
— A strong local ownership group that has the money to invest in infrastructure and build the sport in their market. Edwards certainly checks that box.
— A market that has shown strong fan support for soccer and located in a desirable spot. That box gets checked with a giant Magic Marker.
— A stadium plan that league calls “a proper home for their fans and players while also serving as a destination for the sport in the community.”
Check. Check. Check.
While St. Petersburg has struggled to support the Tampa Bay Rays, this is a different animal. MLS teams play only a 34-game season, which means 17 home games versus 81 for the Rays. That makes individual games more of an event than a single baseball game.
The Rowdies were third last year in attendance among 12 North American Soccer League teams, averaging about 5,800 fans per game. Edwards already has sounded the bugle charge to the business community and others about greatly increasing that total if the MLS lands here.
I believe the support will be there.
I believe St. Petersburg is a perfect spot for an MLS team and Edwards has a strong plan to make it happen.
All that Council members need to do is say yes to keep this moving forward.
Easy call.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/mar/02/mls-season-soccer-march-december
Why does the MLS season last so long?
The new season kicks off on Friday and doesn’t end until December. It’s partly down to travel, and partly to geography – but TV complicates matters too
(Follow link for full article.)
http://xeniagazette.com/sports/16185/sports-digest-90
Sports Digest
Professional
Dynamo announce 2017 schedule
DAYTON — The Dayton Dynamo FC, of the National Premier Soccer League, will play 10 home matches. Six of these will be NPSL regular season matches against Midwest East Conference opponents. The four other home dates will be exhibition matches, including one against FC Cincinnati of the United Soccer League.
Season tickets packages are currently on sale through DaytonDynamo.com
No comments:
Post a Comment