#MLS2StPete — And why the failure of the Mutiny doesn’t matter

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https://medium.com/@JArnholz/mls2stpete-and-why-the-failure-of-the-mutiny-doesnt-matter-4c0c60b513a9#.l9m491jr6

Jonathan Arnholz

UF Alumnus

Dec 20, 2016

#MLS2StPete — And why the failure of the Mutiny doesn’t matter

Tuesday, December 6th, 2016 marked an exciting, although not overly surprising, moment in Tampa Bay Rowdies history. Team owner, chairman, CEO, GM, and, well, any other title you can think of, Bill Edwards, announced the club’s long-suspected intention to make it to the top tier of American soccer: MLS.

The announcement should surprise nobody who has followed the team relatively closely. Edwards has hinted at making a run at Major League Soccer since he bought the team in 2013. And while Edwards hasn’t exactly rubbed everyone in the soccer community the right way, nobody can deny his investment of effort and money into the Rowdies.

After a long-fought legal battle, he acquiring a lease to the Al Lang Stadium property from the city of St. Petersburg in 2014 and subsequently privately financed some major renovations to the dilapidated yet historic facility — new infrastructure, new chairs, renovated concourses, a new scoreboard, and additional seating. Edwards has also been no stranger to opening his pocketbook for player signings, including bringing in former Premier League champion Joe Cole to the Rowdies’ midfield in 2016.

Now, before even kicking a ball in the USL (after moving over from the unstable NASL this offseason), Edwards has his sights set on another transition.

After the initial thrill of the announcement, many fans and observers both locally and beyond the Bay inevitably asked the question: “Why?”

    Why should Tampa Bay get another MLS team?

The question is a fair one. Tampa Bay, of course, was part of Major League Soccer when the league first began in 1996 — the “Tampa Bay Mutiny” were one of the 10 original MLS clubs. The Mutiny saw success early on, winning the Supporter’s Shield in ’96 on the feet of star players Carlos Valderrama and Roy Lassiter. However, the team folded in 2001. The death of the Mutiny will have many critics asking: if the first round of MLS in Tampa Bay failed, why should the area be given a second chance?

Well, basically Major League Soccer didn’t give Tampa Bay a fair shake. The Mutiny were doomed to fail almost from the beginning, arriving on unstable ground and faced with many subsequent tremors caused by the poor management of the league.

First and foremost, the league elected to create a totally new team identity for the Bay Area in the Mutiny rather than returning to the historic name Rowdies. The Rowdies were Tampa’s first professional team, and the first to begin the local tradition of using the “Tampa Bay” moniker. They won a championship in the ‘70s and had crowds of 50,000+ in Tampa Stadium to see Rodney Marsh and the Rowdies take on Pele and the New York Cosmos, arguably North America’s richest soccer rivalry. Rather than capitalize on the nostalgia and recognition of the established brand, Tampa Bay’s first MLS team was given a new name.

“Mutiny” itself isn’t a bad name for a sports franchise, especially in a city whose history is filled with pirate lore, annually celebrated with a beads-and-booze festival known as Gasparilla, the Floridian version of Mardi Gras. Even the Mutiny’s co-tenants were named the Buccaneers, and the stadium they played in had a gigantic pirate ship that actually fired cannons. But while the name made some sense, the way it was depicted was nothing short of, well… confusing. Rather than portraying a gang of rebellious swashbucklers armed with cutlasses, the team’s logos depicted a bat and some sort of spider monster, both contorted into the shape of an “M.” Huh? Former DC United president Kevin Payne and original Mutiny head coach Thomas Rongen explained in this Sports Illustrated article:

    PAYNE: I told them, “I don’t get this [Tampa Bay] ‘Mutiny’. What’s with the symbol?” They said, “Oh, it’s a mutant bat.” “Okay, what does that have to do with Mutiny?” “You know — Mutiny, mutant.” I said, “Those are two different words with completely different meanings. They just share some letters. What are you doing?”

    RONGEN: What the f — -? A mutant bat? What are we representing? Nike must have had a few guys smoking dope, coming up with the craziest things.

Needless to say, the aesthetic of the infant franchise did little to endear the fans.

Of course, branding can be fluid and changed, and maybe we would have seen a different type of Mutiny eventually if the team survived longer than it did. The bigger reason why the Mutiny failed was the ownership, or lack thereof. MLS owned and operated the Mutiny all 6 years of the club’s existence, hoping to sell the team to a local owner eventually. It never did.

Leagues are inevitably poor at running individual franchises for an extended period of time, and this case was no different. The team soon began racking up major financial losses, reportedly an average annual loss of around $2 million over the team’s six seasons. Operating costs only increased over time, due in large part to the team moving from the old Tampa Stadium to brand-new Raymond James Stadium in 1999. As the team didn’t own either stadium, the Mutiny had to essentially rent it to play there, and moving to the new facility initially increased the lease fee by $10,000 and escalated in subsequent seasons. The rent for stadium office space for team operations also increased by moving to Ray Jay.

The team’s success on the pitch fluctuated. The Mutiny had the most points in the 1996 regular season — the inaugural MLS year — but missed the playoffs in 1998. Partial blame for the drop in performance was the growth of the young league, as the addition of the Chicago Fire and Miami Fusion in 1998 brought an expansion draft which poached players from the league’s established teams and thinned the overall talent pool. The biggest loss was 1996 MLS MVP Carlos Valderrama, who was “traded” to Miami prior to the 1998 season. MLS has an infamous history of unilaterally deciding which players will play for which team, and former Mutiny coach John Kowalski claims that the Valderrama trade was involuntary. The loss of El Pibe was a massive blow to the structure of the team. Without Valderrama around to funnel him assists, 1996 Golden Boot winner Roy Lassiter struggled to score goals and was soon traded as well. With the two centerpieces to the Mutiny’s early success gone, the team finished 12–20 and in 5th place in Eastern Conference. This is what we call the Snowball Effect, and it put the Mutiny in a precarious position.

The situation the league had put the Mutiny in made a purchase of the team unattractive to local businessmen. MLS had ongoing conversations with a reported 6–12 possible investors since the inaugural year, but no deal was ever agreed upon. The best chance the league had was the owner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (and eventual owner of Premier League side Manchester United), Malcolm Glazer, who coincidentally had already made some money off of the Mutiny through the club’s lease at Raymond James Stadium. The Glazer family strongly considered making a deal, but unfavorable revenue projections and a reported spike in asking price left any agreement unsigned. The Tampa Bay Mutiny remained ownerless.

With no other options, MLS folded the team on January 8, 2002.

Tampa Bay’s second foray into the MLS waters has almost the exact opposite situation. The Rowdies have an established, dedicated owner in Bill Edwards, a man who wants to take his team to the top level and win a championship. Edwards and his group of businessmen and investors are prepared to privately fund the proposed $80 million expansion and renovation of the Al Lang site to create an 18,000+ seat soccer-specific stadium which is up to city code for waterfront property. Rather than being run by leagues, the Rowdies have run FROM leagues, recently jumping ship from the unstable and perhaps soon-to-be-dead North American Soccer League. The move from division 2 NASL to division 3 USL was seen as odd at the time, but we may soon discover it was move with great foresight. In addition to being more stable, USL has a closer affiliation to MLS, which would make any transition to the top level smoother. And as events unfold, USL may soon be granted D2 status by the USSF soon anyway.

The MLS situation in Tampa Bay isn’t perfect. There’s still hurdles to get past. Should the MLS award Tampa Bay a franchise, the city will need residents to vote on and pass a referendum to allow the stadium construction to take place. There are sure to be questions about the viability of the region supporting four top-division sports teams, especially with St. Pete neighbor Tampa Bay Rays’ perennial attendance problem. And, of course, there’s plenty of competition for the last few franchise slots in the upcoming final MLS expansions. Tampa/St. Pete was one of 10 locations acknowledged by MLS as current candidates for the final four spots in the league.

With regard to ownership, stadium plan, fan support, media market, and especially tradition, the Rowdies are in as good of a position as anyone else in the mix — and the prospective situation we have now is far brighter than what the departed Mutiny ever experienced.

#MLS2StPete #COYR

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https://twitter.com/JuanG_Arango/status/840337854475730944

Juan G. Arango‏ Verified account @JuanG_Arango

BTW #MiamiMLS is a 'maybe' acc. to that city's mayor today.  "you can interpret it however you want" was his direct quote

3:05 PM - 10 Mar 2017

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http://www.theunsubs.com/wp/2017/03/08/episode-106-everything-is-nothing-wmarcel-schafer-interview/2627

Episode 106: Everything is Nothing w/Marcel Schäfer interview

March 8, 2017 Matthew Cox Podcasts   

Matt and Dan talk about the Rowdies most recent preseason result, the 2 latest signings, a local TV deal (yay!), a local newspaper article (boo!), the USOC, and Jake interviews Marcel Schäfer!

In tonight’s episode:

– Rowdies 1:0 U of Tampa
– Marcel Schäfer & Deshorn Brown signed
– Home games on ThisTV Tampa Bay
– When to start caring about the Open Cup
– #MLS2StPete Referendum date set

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https://htv-prod-media.s3.amazonaws.com/files/promotional-broadcast-deal-with-usl-s-tampa-bay-rowdies-1488992520.pdf

Hearst Television Station Group in Tampa Bay Inks Exclusive Promotional & Broadcast Partnership with Tampa Bay Rowdies.

MOR-TV, thisTV Tampa Bay, and estrellaTV Tampa Bay team up for 2017 Season

March 8, 2017 (Tampa, FL) – MOR-TV, thisTV Tampa Bay and estrellaTV Tampa Bay, all Hearst Television owned properties, announce today an exclusive promotional and broadcast partnership with the Tampa Bay Rowdies for the 2017 season. Included in this deal is a multi-station promotional partnership for the 2017 season, plus all 2017 Rowdies USL home matches will be broadcast LIVE and in PRIMETIME on thisTV Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay’s first 24-hour broadcast movie channel.

“We are excited to partner with the Tampa Bay Rowdies and look forward to the 2017 season!” said Pam Barber, President and GM, MOR-TV.

The season opener kicks off on Saturday, March 25th 7:30PM at Al Lang Field against Orlando City.

ThisTV Tampa Bay can be found over-the-air on 32.2; Spectrum on 630; Frontier Fios on 463; and Comcast on 229. A full season home schedule can be found on this release. ThisTV Tampa Bay is available in nearly 2 million homes in Tampa Bay’s TV market providing the opportunity for more than one million additional fans to see the Rowdies in action at Al Lang Field, as compared to previous seasons*.

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http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/102145/wmor-to-kick-off-rowdies-soccer-on-march-25?utm_source=NetNewsCheck-rss&utm_medium=originals&utm_campaign=originals-WMOR-To-Kick-Off-Rowdies-Soccer-On-March-25

WMOR To Kick Off Rowdies Soccer On March 25

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/5ynb2y/tampa_bays_chargers_soccer_club_partners_with_the/

Tampa Bay's Chargers Soccer Club partners with the purple team. (self.TampaBayRowdies)

Copy/pasting the article here so as to not direct any traffic to orlando's site.

ORLANDO, Fla. (March 9, 2017) - Orlando City SC partners with Chargers Soccer Club, one of the oldest and largest youth soccer programs in Florida. The partnership is aimed at expanding opportunities for local youth to climb the Orlando City development pyramid to the First Team.

“We are very excited to start this partnership with Chargers. It's our belief that player development is best achieved when working together with other clubs in our region to focus on the players,” Orlando City General Manager Niki Budalic said. “We understand our role in the development pyramid and providing opportunities to elite players will be a priority as part of an expanded scouting network. Our shared vision and philosophy make for a great starting point and we look forward to working with Roberto, Jim and the rest of the Chargers organization"

The partnership will offer Chargers elevated player development and identification opportunities to both its boys and girls youth soccer programs. Chargers’ most advanced players will be able to continue their elite development through the Orlando City SC U.S. Soccer Development Academy and eventually work their way to Orlando City B and the First Team.

U.S. Soccer will launch the Girls Development Academy program in Fall 2017 to provide elite young female talents the proper development opportunities to pursue their professional soccer dreams. Like Orlando City, Orlando Pride will have its own U.S. Soccer Development Academy.

"We're thrilled to be partners of such a prestigious MLS Club,” Chargers SC Academy Director Roberto Lopez said. “It provides our players with a pathway to professional soccer. Over the years, Chargers SC has produced top professional and national team players and now we can channel all our energy to help accelerate that process and help Orlando identify and develop young talented players.”

“I’m excited by our partnership with Chargers and the future benefits this will bring to both clubs,” Orlando City Pro Academy Director David Longwell said. “We are committed to creating a pathway in Florida for the highest level of players to progress to Orlando City’s Academy and First Team. Partnerships with clubs like Chargers will support the pathway for players to achieve this. I’ve been impressed with how Roberto and his Academy staff are developing players and I’m looking forward to working with them for the foreseeable future.” Chargers SC has produced many notable professionals, including veteran MLS goalkeepers Jeff Attinella and Zac MacMath and midfielder Bobby Boswell. Notable female alumni include Adriana Rodrigues, currently of FC Nuenkirch in Switzerland, and Bryane Heaberlin, who plays at FFC Turbine Potsdam in Germany.

What the fuck? What the fuck Chargers? What the fuck Rowdies?

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http://www.mor-tv.com/article/partnership-with-tampa-bay-rowdies/9107724

Tampa Bay Rowdies team up with MOR

WMOR  |  Updated: 9:40 AM EST Mar 9, 2017

Hearst Television Station Group in Tampa Bay Inks Exclusive Promotional & Broadcast Partnership with Tampa Bay Rowdies.

MOR-TV, thisTV Tampa Bay, and estrellaTV Tampa Bay team up for 2017 Season

March 8, 2017 (Tampa, FL) – MOR-TV, thisTV Tampa Bay and estrellaTV Tampa Bay, all Hearst Television owned properties, announce today an exclusive promotional and broadcast partnership with the Tampa Bay Rowdies for the 2017 season. Included in this deal is a multi-station promotional partnership for the 2017 season, plus all 2017 Rowdies USL home matches will be broadcast LIVE and in PRIMETIME on thisTV Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay’s first 24-hour broadcast movie channel.

“We are excited to partner with the Tampa Bay Rowdies and look forward to the 2017 season!” said Pam Barber, President and GM, MOR-TV.

The season opener kicks off on Saturday, March 25###sup/sup### 7:30PM at Al Lang Field against Orlando City.

ThisTV Tampa Bay can be found over-the-air on 32.2; Spectrum on 630; Frontier Fios on 463; and Comcast on 229. A full season home schedule can be found on this release. ThisTV Tampa Bay is available in nearly 2 million homes in Tampa Bay’s TV market providing the opportunity for more than one million additional fans to see the Rowdies in action at Al Lang Field, as compared to previous seasons*.

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https://twitter.com/robstoneonfox/status/840320850062635009

Rob Stone‏ Verified account @RobStoneONFOX

THIS is #MLS worthy. #MLS2StPete

1:57 PM - 10 Mar 2017

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http://www.indycar.com/News/2017/03/03-10-Pigot-Rowdies

Pigot gets a kick out of meeting Rowdies soccer players

By Arni Sribhen | Published: Mar 10, 2017

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Spencer Pigot has raced in nearly every vehicle that competes on the streets that make up the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg's temporary circuit, but he received an up-close look at another pro sport that calls downtown St. Pete home Thursday when the Ed Carpenter Racing driver visited the Tampa Bay Rowdies, whose soccer stadium is located inside the racetrack complex.

Pigot met defender Darnell King and midfielder Martin Vingaard for a brief kick-around at Al Lang Field, before taking the players to the Verizon IndyCar Series paddock to show off some of the tools he will use to race around the 1.8-mile circuit beginning today.

"They were super interested in everything we had going here," Pigot said. "They were interested about the car, the steering wheel and all sorts of stuff. It's always fun to talk to other athletes and I'm a soccer fan, so I was really interested in what they do. I got to ask them questions about where they played and how they got started. They had cool stories for me. It was just as interesting for me as it was for them.”

Pigot received a pair of gifts from the team, a signed game-used jersey from Rowdies star midfielder Joe Cole and his own customized Rowdies jersey with the No. 20 to match the number on the Fuzzy’s Vodka Chevrolet he will drive in Sunday’s 110-lap race.

"It was fun," Pigot said. "They were fooling around with me and I was doing my best to keep up with them (playing soccer). I'd like to come to a training session with them and see how they really prepare for a game."

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http://wfla.com/2017/03/09/firestone-grand-prix-returns-to-st-pete-for-13th-year/

Firestone Grand Prix returns to St. Pete for 13th year

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http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/sunday-blue-laws-to-change-for-pinellas-county/420798163

You'll soon be able to buy alcohol earlier on Sundays in Pinellas

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http://www.geekwire.com/2017/mls-commissioner-don-garber-talks-facebook-streaming-deal-video-assisted-refs-sports-betting/

MLS Commissioner Don Garber talks Facebook streaming deal, video-assisted refs, sports betting

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http://www.deccanchronicle.com/technology/in-other-news/110317/facebook-signs-soccer-live-streaming-deal-with-mls-univision.html

Facebook signs soccer live-streaming deal with MLS, Univision

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http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/soccer/soccer/2017/03/11/mls-expansion-forecast-getting-nerdy

MLS Expansion Forecast: Getting Down and Nerdy

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http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10797933/zlatan-ibrahimovic-could-be-tempted-by-move-to-mls-says-charlie-nicholas

Zlatan Ibrahimovic could be tempted by move to MLS, says Charlie Nicholas

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http://www.sport24.co.za/Soccer/International/vieira-impressed-by-improving-mls-20170311

Vieira impressed by improving MLS

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http://sports.mb.com.ph/2017/03/11/at-least-22-mls-games-to-be-streamed-live-on-facebook/

At least 22 MLS games to be streamed live on Facebook

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http://english.astroawani.com/technology-news/facebook-signs-soccer-live-streaming-deal-mls-univision-135235

Facebook signs soccer live-streaming deal with MLS, Univision

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http://www.thesportsblaze.com/mls-atlanta-united-fc-debut/22002

Major League Soccer: Atlanta United FC makes a splash in league debut

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http://www.christianpost.com/news/la-galaxy-mls-transfer-rumors-galaxy-extends-offer-to-zlatan-ibrahimovi-177280/

LA Galaxy MLS Transfer Rumors: Galaxy Extends Offer to Zlatan Ibrahimović

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https://nolensvillehomepage.com/backers-of-major-league-soccer-hope-for-big-turnout-at-gold-cup/

Backers of Major League Soccer hope for big turnout at Gold Cup

Local business and civic leaders highlighted new details regarding a key opportunity for Nashville to strengthen its bid for a Major League Soccer expansion team.

Earlier today, CONCACAF, the continental governing body for soccer in North America, announced that the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) will play Panama on July 8th at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.

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http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/columnists/dan-mcswain/sd-fi-soccer-stadium-weak-case-for-haste-mcswain-20170312-story.html

Column SoccerCity details undermine case for haste

It can be difficult to distinguish an outright con from the ordinary hard sell.

Both typically mix complexity with a ticking clock. Act now!

And both leverage the fear and greed of the rube.

This brings us to San Diego, where politicians still grieving the loss of the Chargers soon will be asked to rush into the SoccerCity mega development on the decrepit site of Qualcomm Stadium, thus replacing the National Football League with a chance at gaining a Major League Soccer team.

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http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/wall-street-journal/facebook-eyes-sports-streaming/news-story/60dac70abe0a1c72929b749a3190fdf6

Facebook eyes sports streaming

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http://www.mystatesman.com/sports/mls-commissioner-don-garber-austin-should-good-mls-market/BOp4wd9P7FKsuIViG9DaEI/

MLS commissioner Don Garber: ‘Austin should be a good MLS market’

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http://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/look-minnesota-united-plays-first-mls-home-match-in-the-pouring-snow/

LOOK: Minnesota United plays first MLS home match in the pouring snow

This is quite the way to kick off the home games

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http://www.twincities.com/2017/03/12/minnesotas-home-mls-debut-has-snowball-effect-in-6-1-loss-to-atlanta/

Minnesota’s home MLS debut has snowball effect in 6-1 loss to Atlanta

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http://www.chinapost.com.tw/international/americas/2017/03/13/493336/At-least.htm

At least 22 MLS games to be streamed live on Facebook

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http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2017/03/12/33577992/watch-martinez-almiron-shine-as-atlanta-thrashes-minnesota

WATCH: Martinez, Almiron shine as Atlanta thrashes Minnesota in the snow

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http://www.sltrib.com/sports/5048835-155/major-league-soccer-minnesota-uniteds-snowy

Major League Soccer: Minnesota United’s snowy home opener is spoiled by Atlanta United, 6-1

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http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/3081284/conditions-for-minnesota-atlanta-everything-we-imagined-don-garber

Conditions for Minnesota-Atlanta 'everything we imagined' - Don Garber

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http://www.chron.com/sports/dynamo/article/MLS-commissioner-Don-Garber-excited-for-Erick-10996233.php

MLS commissioner Don Garber excited for Erick Torres' success

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http://www.10news.com/news/group-wants-to-bring-soccer-to-san-diego-with-modular-stadium

Another group emerges with plan to bring soccer to San Diego

Stadium would house a MLS D-II soccer team

SAN DIEGO  - While groups hustle for control over the future of Mission Valley's Qualcomm Stadium site, another is hoping to capitalize on local soccer fandom - albeit on another level.

Mind Soccer Group, comprised of investors and former professional soccer players, revealed to 10News that it plans to submit an application to the North American Soccer League (NASL) to bring a team to San Diego. It would submit the plans in the next couple of weeks.

NASL is a Division II league under Major League Soccer (MLS). Meanwhile, a separate group called FS Investors is pushing to bring to an MLS team to San Diego as part of a Qualcomm Stadium redevelopment proposal.

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http://www.brooklyneagle.com/articles/2017/3/9/bermuda-bound-cosmos-continue-preseason-training-caribbean

Bermuda Bound! Cosmos continue preseason training in the Caribbean

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http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/news/y=2017/m=3/news=american-murray-s-unsung-stat-2875575.html

American Murray’s unsung stat

Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry, Fernando Torres, Romario. The top-scorers’ list from past FIFA Confederations Cup tournaments is a legends’ roll call. Tucked in among this list of household global names is Bruce Murray.

"I didn’t know I was top scorer in ’92 until you said so," the former USA striker, now 51, told FIFA.com. "But it’s pretty cool to have my name next to Gabriel Batistuta. Bati-gol."

Murray played in a forgotten era of American football, a time after the glitz of the North American Soccer League (NASL) and before Major League Soccer (MLS). "A lot more people would know his name if he was born a few years later, or earlier," said former Stars and Stripes coach Bob Gansler.

Murray was dangerous in the air. Tall and rangy, he was a battler and an attacking spark. "Back then, everybody came through the university system," said Murray, who scored twice in the first FIFA Confederations Cup tournament in 1992, then known as the King Fahd Cup. "If you wanted to be paid to play soccer, the national team was the only game in town."

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http://www.90min.com/posts/4703936-david-beckham-voted-as-best-former-premier-league-player-to-grace-the-mls-by-90min-readers

David Beckham Voted as Best Former Premier League Player to Grace the MLS by 90Min Readers

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http://www.sporttechie.com/2017/03/11/sports/soccer/mls-commissioner-don-garber-frustrated-at-times-with-how-fifa-limits-use-of-technology/

MLS Commissioner Don Garber Frustrated At Times With How FIFA Limits Use Of Technology

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http://www.empireofsoccer.com/cosmos-b-back-for-2017-npsl-season-59074/

Cosmos B Back for 2017 NPSL Season

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http://www.highlandnews.net/sports/major-sports-analysis-msa-to-partner-with-socal-sc-in/article_9245a764-05c4-11e7-8187-634f97ad9e10.html

Major Sports Analysis (MSA) to partner with SoCal SC in 2017

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (Friday, Mar. 10, 2017) – The Southern California Sports Club is pleased to announce it will have Major Sports Analysis (MSA) as a partner for the upcoming 2017 National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) season.

As SoCal SC’s Official Sports Analysis Partner, Major Sports Analysis will supply the club with a variety of stats reports of the team’s NPSL matches. These documents will be valuable resources to the technical staff led by Head Coach Daniel Musatti.

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https://www.soccernation.com/episode-20-npsl-spotlight-rob-guardado-mlsinsd-update-sockers-celebrity-match/

Episode 20 – NPSL Spotlight with Rob Guardado, #MLSinSD Update, Sockers Celebrity Match and more!

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http://ghanasoccernet.com/mls-fly-high-with-etihad-airways-1488902403

MLS fly high with Etihad Airways

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http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2017/mar/08/citylights-what-about-major-league-soccer/#

Could Major League Soccer kick the city where it counts?

Hard to get more than 10,000 San Diegans per game

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http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/296602/major-league-soccer-springs-into-the-limelight.html

Major League Soccer Springs Into The Limelight

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http://www.oregonlive.com/mls/index.ssf/2017/03/portland_timbers_fans_are_bett.html

Survey says: Portland Timbers have the best fans; Seattle Sounders have the dirtiest player

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http://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/report-mls-galaxy-offer-mega-contract-to-snatch-ibrahimovic-from-manchester-united/

Report: MLS' Galaxy offer mega contract to snatch Ibrahimovic from Manchester United

Could the Swede choose the Los Angeles Galaxy over Manchester United this summer?

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https://ussoccerplayers.com/2017/03/a-new-game-in-orlando-city-major-league-soccer-mls.html

A new game in Orlando

March 8, 2017

By Jason Davis – WASHINGTON, DC (Mar 8, 2017) US Soccer Players - What a scene. A wall of soccer fanatics clad head-to-toe in purple, 4,000-strong, filled one end of stadium built purposely for the sport of soccer in the United States. They stood throughout the match, chanting, singing, and imploring for every second of the 90 minutes between the referee’s blows of his whistle as their beloved Lions worked to deliver them the victory they so desperately wanted.

Even those not in the supporters' end were to a person draped in the club’s trademark color. They, too, cheered and chanted when the situation demanded, and they were no less invested in the happenings on the field than those in the wall. It total, 25,500 fans packed the stands, filling every seat in the place. There were never going to an empty one on the first day out at the club’s new home.

It was a day of celebration, made all the sweeter by the win delivered by substitute Giles Barnes and striker Cyle Larin. That early injury to Kaka? A problem to be sure, but something to worry about later.

The opening of Orlando City Stadium and the MLS match played there on Sunday represented the culmination of a process that began nine years ago and 1,000 miles away in Texas. It took an old fashioned American sports franchise relocation - orchestrated by an Englishman, no less - to set the stage for Orlando City’s entry into the elite of the sport in the United States and Canada.

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http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2017/03/espn-grows-audience-mls-season-opener/

ESPN Grows Audience for MLS Season-Opener

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http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39213267

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: LA Galaxy want Manchester United forward in MLS

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http://www.phillyvoice.com/mls-commissioner-don-garber-hits-philly-tours-unions-state-art-facility/

MLS commissioner Don Garber hits Philly, tours the Union's 'state of the art' facility

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https://www.dreamteamfc.com/c/zlatan-ibrahimovic-la-galaxy/

Zlatan Ibrahimovic to become highest paid player in MLS history?

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http://worldsoccertalk.com/2017/03/08/la-galaxy-make-record-zlatan-bid-report/

LA Galaxy make record Zlatan bid – report

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http://www.espnfc.com/new-york-city-fc/story/3078247/competition-level-in-mls-deserves-respect-david-villa

Competition level in MLS 'deserves respect' - NYCFC striker David Villa

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http://nesn.com/2017/03/zlatan-ibrahimovic-reportedly-offered-mls-record-contract-by-la-galaxy/

Will Zlatan Ibrahimovic Join LA Galaxy On Reported MLS-Record Contract?

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http://mlsmultiplex.com/2017/03/08/concacaf-releases-schedule-groups-2017-gold-cup/

CONCACAF releases schedule and groups for 2017 Gold Cup

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https://www.soccernation.com/how-skirting-mls-international-player-rules-puts-homegrown-players-at-a-disadvantage/

How Skirting MLS International Player Rules Puts Homegrown Players at a Disadvantage

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http://www.kmov.com/story/34702843/voters-get-to-decide-st-louis-soccer-fate

Voters get to decide St. Louis' soccer fate

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https://thefield.scroll.in/831300/la-galaxy-keen-to-make-zlatan-ibrahimovic-highest-paid-player-in-mls-report

LA Galaxy keen to make Zlatan Ibrahimovic highest-paid player in MLS: Report

The Swede joined Manchester United in 2016 on a year-long deal that expires in the summer.

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https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/mar/09/la-galaxy-want-zlatan-ibrahimovic-highest-paid-player-major-league-soccer-history

LA Galaxy look to make Zlatan Ibrahimovic highest-paid in MLS history

• Swede’s one-year contract at Manchester United expires in the summer
• Player has an option to extend by a further 12 months but has yet to sign

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http://talksport.com/football/transfer-rumours-and-paper-review-thursday-march-9-ibrahimovic-set-mega-money-mls-switch

Transfer rumours and paper review – Thursday, March 9: Ibrahimovic set for mega-money MLS switch, Ozil offered new Arsenal deal, Man City target Aubameyang

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https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/mar/09/football-transfer-rumours-alex-oxlade-chamberlain-to-join-arsenal-exodus

Football transfer rumours: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to join Arsenal exodus?

Today’s fluff still cannot get over last night

Forget Robbie Keane, Landon Donovan and David Beckham, because LA Galaxy have flung open the chequebook, with the Major League Soccer club set on making another marquee signing. After watching him plunder 26 goals already this season, they fancy a bit of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. And by a bit, they are seemingly prepared to make the 35-year-old the highest paid player in MLS history, happy to totally knock Kaka’s previous £6m-a-year salary at Orlando City out of the park. Manchester United, though, are planning on keeping the giant Swede.

Even if he was to trot off to new shores, United would not be worse off than Arsenal, where there is an exodus on the horizon. Alexis Sánchez is already laughing his way out of the club, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mesut Özil, too, are weighing up other possible destinations this summer.

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http://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/football-la-galaxy-launch-record-zlatan-bid

Football: LA Galaxy launch record Zlatan bid

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http://talksport.com/football/highest-paid-mls-players-top-10-earners-major-league-soccer-revealed-170309230813

Highest-paid MLS players: Top 10 earners in Major League Soccer revealed

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https://www.portada-online.com/2017/03/09/a-clean-start-atlanta-united-and-the-expansion-of-the-mls/

A Clean Start: Atlanta United and the Expansion of the MLS

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http://www.dmnews.com/mobile-marketing/mls-team-launches-app-to-put-fans-in-the-front-row/article/643036/

MLS Team Launches App to Put Fans in the Front Row

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http://www.tbnweekly.com/pubs/clearwater_beacon/content_articles/030917_clw-01.txt

Major League Soccer makes Clearwater spring training home

Several teams, including the Philadelphia Union, are holding spring training in Clearwater

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http://mlsmultiplex.com/2017/03/09/mls-attendance-in-week-1/

MLS Attendance: How did week 1 stack up to 2016?

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http://www.yardbarker.com/soccer/articles/zlatan_ibrahimovic_reportedly_offered_mls_record_contract_by_la_galaxy/s1_8626_23414689

Zlatan Ibrahimovic reportedly offered MLS record contract by LA Galaxy

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http://fox5sandiego.com/2017/03/09/soccer-city-redevelopment-would-have-2-8b-economic-impact/

‘Soccer City’ redevelopment would have $2.8B economic impact

SAN DIEGO – The proposed “Soccer City” redevelopment of the Qualcomm Stadium site in Mission Valley would have an economic impact of $2.8 billion by the time of completion, the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corp. announced Thursday.

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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4297856/Zlatan-Ibrahimovic-targeted-Los-Angeles-Galaxy.html

LA Galaxy confident of Zlatan Ibrahimovic transfer... Man United star on MLS club's radar for summer deal

    Manchester United transfer news: All the latest from Old Trafford
    Los Angeles Galaxy are confident they can sign Ibrahimovic this summer
    The Swedish striker would become highest-paid player in MLS history
    Manchester United will be desperate to keep hold of their 26-goal striker
    Ibrahimovic is on a one-year contract but has yet to renew the deal

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http://www.ibtimes.co.in/la-galaxy-want-zlatan-ibrahimovic-snub-manchester-united-move-mls-718781

LA Galaxy want Zlatan Ibrahimovic to snub Manchester United and move to the MLS

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is yet to extend his stay at Manchester United and MLS side LA Galaxy are interested in signing him

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http://www.punditarena.com/football/sokeefe/la-galaxy-ibrahimovic-offer/

Ex-LA Galaxy GM Thinks Zlatan Ibrahimovic Can Be Tempted To Moving To The MLS This Summer

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/rapid-expansion-a-look-inside-major-league-soccers_us_58c1cdb3e4b070e55af9ecf8

Rapid Expansion: A Look Inside Major League Soccer’s Booming Resale Ticket Market

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http://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/mls-best-teenagers-top-10-prospects

10 of the best teenagers to ever take the field in Major League Soccer

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http://www.ksdk.com/news/exclusive-meet-the-money-man-behind-the-stl-msl-deal/421166138

Exclusive: Meet the lead investor behind the STL MLS deal

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http://www.sacbee.com/sports/mls/article137474503.html

Republic FC announces new stadium naming rights deal with Papa Murphy’s

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https://www.dailysabah.com/football/2017/03/10/report-la-galaxy-make-record-zlatan-bid

Report: LA Galaxy make record Zlatan bid

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http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2017/03/09/a-minnesotan-s-guide-to-major-league-soccer.html

A Minnesotan’s guide to Major League soccer

Major League Soccer is finally coming to the Twin Cities as Minnesota United FC plays its first home match Sunday against fellow expansion franchise Atlanta United FC.

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http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2017/03/09/mls-group-plans-to-spend-1-million-on-stadium.html

MLS group plans to spend $1 million on stadium campaign

SC STL, the aspiring Major League Soccer ownership group, plans to spend just more than $1 million on its campaign to convince voters that public funds should be used to help build a $140 million stadium in downtown St. Louis.

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http://www.thesportsbank.net/football/manchester-united/zlatan-ibrahimovic-offered-richest-deal-mls-history-la-galaxy/

Zlatan Ibrahimovic Offered Richest Deal in MLS History By L.A. Galaxy

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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/03/09/minnesota-uniteds-dark-clouds-sg-gears-new-phase-mls

Minnesota United's Dark Clouds SG gears up for a new phase in MLS

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http://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/minnesota-atlanta-united-analysis-debuts-mls-expansion-teams

Expansion teams need guidance of history more than lessons of week one

New teams' debuts fell into the larger expansion pattern, which will prove a more helpful guide in the long run.

For those who follow Major League Soccer, the switch from preseason to the more defined week-by-week rhythms of the regular season is never a clean one. We’re back in analysis mode, but there’s little meaningful to go on.

For expansion teams, there was at least the possibility of making comparisons to past expansion teams and grading the new kids on a curve, particularly since the narratives around Atlanta and Minnesota have invited such a comparison.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://vtcynic.com/38921/sports/major-league-soccer-kicks-off-an-exciting-new-season/

Major League Soccer kicks off an exciting new season

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https://www.wsj.com/articles/facebook-in-soccer-streaming-deal-with-mls-univision-1489122001

Facebook in Soccer Streaming Deal With MLS, Univision

It gets English-language rights to at least 22 regular-season games

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http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/mls/toronto-fc-concacaf-champions-league-1.4018585

TFC's Champions League invite revoked, must win again to get in

Reds were given berth in CONCACAF tournament until recent rule change

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https://au.sports.yahoo.com/football/a/34613416/la-galaxy-working-on-ibrahimovic-swoop/

Will Zlatan do a Beckham and join LA Galaxy?

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http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2017/03/zlatan-ibrahimovic-on-radar-of-mls-big-spenders-los-angeles-galaxy.html

Zlatan Ibrahimovic on radar of MLS big spenders Los Angeles Galaxy

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https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/3056515/zlatan-ibrahimovic-la-galaxy-manchester-united-transfer-news/

california dreaming Manchester United star Zlatan Ibrahimovic ‘in talks’ with LA Galaxy over becoming highest paid MLS player ever

Club's former general manager Alexi Lalas thinks switch would be an ideal fit for both parties

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http://www.marketwatch.com/story/facebook-scores-soccer-streaming-deal-with-mls-univision-2017-03-10

Facebook scores soccer streaming deal with MLS, Univision

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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/03/10/mls-univision-announce-deal-broadcast-games-english-facebook-live

MLS, Univision announce deal to broadcast games in English on Facebook Live

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http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/3079198/mls-postpones-revolution-opener-ahead-of-cold-temperatures

MLS postpones Revolution opener ahead of cold temperatures

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http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/3079157/north-carolina-fc-hails-youth-player-development-in-mls-expansion-bid

North Carolina FC hails youth player development in MLS expansion bid

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https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/03/a-wild-ride-witnessing-atlanta-uniteds-historic-ml.html

'A Wild Ride': Witnessing Atlanta United's Historic MLS Home Opener

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http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865675310/Rockmonster-Unplugged-Smaller-markets-rock-in-Major-League-Soccer.html

Rockmonster Unplugged: Smaller markets rock in Major League Soccer

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https://www.cnet.com/news/facebook-live-stream-mls-soccer-univision-kaka/

Facebook to stream Major League Soccer matches this season

The social network will stream at least 22 of Univision's MLS games in English.

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http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/future-football-mls-announce-deal-10005468

The future of football? MLS announce deal to show regular season games live on Facebook

Matches will be produced specifically with mobile devices in mind, allowing supporters to engage directly with the commentary teams

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http://www.proactiveinvestors.com/companies/news/174617/facebook-boosts-sports-streaming-business-with-deal-to-show-us-mls-soccer-matches-174617.html

Facebook boosts sports streaming business with deal to show US MLS soccer matches

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http://www.techradar.com/news/major-league-soccer-games-are-coming-to-your-facebook-feed

Major League Soccer games are coming to your Facebook feed

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http://www.twincities.com/2017/03/10/nothing-united-about-mls-expansion-teams-in-minnesota-atlanta/

Nothing ‘United’ about MLS expansion teams in Minnesota, Atlanta

Minnesota United was pitted against Atlanta United years before the paired Major League Soccer expansion franchises were scheduled to play each other in Minnesota’s inaugural home opener at TCF Bank Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

It began with name calling.

Minnesota’s pro soccer team had rebranded from the Stars to United in 2013 and began play that spring in the second-tier North American Soccer League. Inclusion in MLS was not yet on the club’s radar.

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http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/soccer/article137763853.html

CASL and Triangle Futbol youth soccer programs merge

CARY

The Capital Area Soccer League and Triangle Futbol Club Alliance youth leagues have merged, creating a single organization that will oversee more than 13,500 young soccer players in the region. The new league will be called North Carolina FC Youth.

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http://2paragraphs.com/2017/03/facebook-mls-deal-just-the-beginning-for-broadcast-disruption/

Facebook MLS Deal Just the Beginning For Broadcast Disruption

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http://www.wralsportsfan.com/casl-tfca-to-merge-reform-as-north-carolina-fc-youth/16576744/

CASL, TFCA to merge, reform as North Carolina FC Youth

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http://www.ibtimes.com/mls-games-will-be-live-streamed-facebook-live-season-2506282

MLS Games Will Be Live Streamed On Facebook Live This Season

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https://thevideoink.com/facebook-lands-a-major-league-soccer-streaming-deal-aeab9c42dde5#.vup2fn4rw

Facebook Lands a Major League Soccer Streaming Deal

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http://www.twincities.com/2017/03/10/meet-minnesotas-most-fervent-sports-fans-united-supporters/

Meet Minnesota’s most fervent sports fans: United supporters

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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-4302360/Vieira-impressed-improving-MLS.html

Vieira impressed by improving MLS

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http://www.news.com.au/sport/football/major-league-soccer-will-stream-matches-on-facebook/news-story/0403a8f08cfe3b1a6207fb3f5e533e94

Major League Soccer will stream matches on Facebook

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https://www.thestreet.com/story/14037592/1/facebook-is-a-great-fit-for-live-sports-but-it-s-likely-to-be-a-niche-player-for-now.html

Facebook Is a Great Fit for Live Sports, But It's Likely to Be a Niche Player For Now

The social media giant's new soccer streaming deal makes sense on multiple levels. But the rights for many popular sporting events are off-limits for the time being.

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http://www.wcpo.com/news/insider/fc-cincinnati-supporter-groups-keep-busy-in-offseason-plan-bigger-more-coordinated-effort-in-2017

FC Cincinnati supporter groups keep busy in offseason, plan bigger, more coordinated effort in 2017

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http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/3072985/mls-players-weigh-in-on-expansion-promotion-relegation-beckham-in-miami-and-playoff-structure

MLS players weigh in on expansion, pro/rel, Beckham and playoff structure

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http://miami.curbed.com/2017/3/7/14842986/miami-beckham-mls-franchise-2019

Miami is still ‘slated to be our 24th team,’ says MLS Commish

The progress for David Beckham’s Miami MLS franchise remains at a crawl

by Josh Baumgard Mar 7, 2017, 12:04pm EST

Over three years since David Beckham announced his intent to bring an MLS franchise to Miami, and it would appear Miami Beckham United is making progress toward finalizing an investment to help fund their 25,000-seat stadium in Overtown expected to cost $150 million.

By all means, do not hold your breath, as this project has faced more hurdles than an olympic track meet. They’re still targeting the 2019 season, per the Miami Herald, and Miami is still expected to be the league’s 24th team, according to MLS Commissioner Don Garber in an interview with CNN during Atlanta United’s inaugural game over the weekend.

“Miami is slated to be our 24th team,” Garber said when pressed about whether Miami was still in the fold (towards the end of the video down below). “We’re going to continue to work with David Beckham and see if we can make some progress there.”

However the prenatal franchise continues to whiff on expected timetables despite already securing six acres of land for the stadium, which the MLS approved in the fourth quarter of 2015.

First, they were expected to make the “major announcement” regarding funding by the end of 2016. That didn’t happen. Then it was supposed to occur yesterday, per the Herald, and—huge surprise—there was no announcement.

Another MLS season has launched and while Beckham’s group remains “100 percent committed to Miami,” according to the group’s publicist, Schwartz Media, it still continues to be a case of a lot of talk and very little action.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/man-utd/transfer-talk/news/la-galaxy-offer-ibrahimovic-record-breaking-deal_293385.html

Los Angeles Galaxy offer Zlatan Ibrahimovic record-breaking deal?

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http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/zlatan-ibrahimovic-la-galaxy-interested-signing-manchester-united-forward-1610546

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: LA Galaxy interested in signing Manchester United forward

Ibrahimovic, 35, has scored 15 Premier League goals for United this season.

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http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/69/transfer-zone/2017/03/09/33476162/alexi-lalas-la-galaxy-have-a-chance-to-sign-zlatan

Alexi Lalas: LA Galaxy 'have a chance' to sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic

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http://flbusinessdaily.com/stories/511087803-st-petersburg-slates-special-election-on-future-of-al-lang-stadium

St. Petersburg slates special election on future of Al Lang Stadium

Florida Business Daily Reports | Mar 9, 2017

The St. Petersburg City Council recently took a step toward making Al Lang Stadium the home of a Major League Soccer team.

The council voted March 2 to slate a special election May 2 to give St. Petersburg residents an opportunity to vote on whether to give the City Council the authority to negotiate a long-term use agreement for the stadium, the Tampa Bay Rowdies said in a release posted on the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce website site.

Tampa Bay Rowdies owner Bill Edwards will pay the cost of holding the special election, the release said.

The Rowdies said in the release that the decision to hold the election allows the team to continue their hopes of bringing another major league sports team to St. Petersburg. The Rowdies also said they plan to renovate and expand the stadium in downtown St. Petersburg using private funds.

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http://www.wdrb.com/story/34706717/louisville-city-fc-teams-up-with-wdrb-media-to-broadcast-usl-games

Louisville City FC teams up with WDRB Media to broadcast United Soccer League games

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http://napavalleyregister.com/sports/columnists/marty-james/napa-valley-fc-scrimmage-on-saturday/article_0709aa44-cbb5-5fc5-adab-1120cda167eb.html

Napa Valley 1839 FC scrimmage on Saturday

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https://www.rsl.com/post/2017/03/08/mls-commissioner-don-garber-sits-down-brian-dunseth

MLS Commissioner Don Garber sits down with Brian Dunseth

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https://www.philadelphiaunion.com/post/2017/03/08/don-garber-interview-3717

Commissioner Don Garber on his visit with the Union: "I had such a fantastic time here"

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http://www.phillyvoice.com/mls-commissioner-don-garber-hits-philly-tours-unions-state-art-facility/

MLS commissioner Don Garber hits Philly, tours the Union's 'state of the art' facility

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https://www.soccernation.com/episode-19-peter-wilt-nasl-san-diego/

Episode 19 – Peter Wilt on NASL in San Diego

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http://brooklynreporter.com/story/cosmos-given-warm-welcome-coney-island/

Cosmos given a warm welcome to Coney Island

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http://www.edmontonsun.com/2017/03/07/fc-edmonton-heading-to-england-for-preseason-tour

FC Edmonton heading to England for preseason tour

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https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/nigerian-coach-opanuga-leads-team-promotion-usa/

Nigerian Coach Opanuga Leads Team To Promotion In USA

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http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/sports/1213430/facebook-signs-soccer-live-streaming-deal-with-mls-univision

Facebook signs soccer live-streaming deal with MLS, Univision

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http://thewestgeorgian.com/why-soccer-will-eventually-be-the-most-popular-sport-in-the-us/

Why soccer will eventually be the most popular sport in the US

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https://www.sportstalkflorida.com/uncategorized/not-singing-st-louis-blues/

Not Singing The St. Louis Blues

There will be improvements at the St. Louis arena that houses the Blues and other events.

St. Louis is still in the sports venue spending business. There will be improvements at the city’s arena for the NHL Blues and possibly money for a soccer stadium that could eventually house a St. Louis MLS franchise.

So what is next for St. Louis and the city’s domed stadium that once housed St. Louis Rams football for 21 seasons? That’s a good question but whatever happens that are still multi-million dollar debts to be paid off. At one point, St. Louis officials were thinking are demolishing the place and if that did happened the old stadium would have taken a place on the roll call of stadiums and arenas that were razed such as Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, the Kingdome in Seattle, Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey where the song ended but the melody lingers on or taxpayers are on the hook for debts even though the place doesn’t exist anymore. But there seems to be some plans on the drawing board for the place. The NFL is not returning anytime soon.

Apparently local officials think getting rid of the dome to create more convention space is an option except there is one problem with that. The convention business is no longer what it used to be. Meanwhile there is interest in putting a Major League Soccer franchise in St. Louis and the area is a youth soccer hotbed. Rams owner Stan Kroenke didn’t mince words in his 29-page booklet condemning St. Louis as a market that could not support three major league teams when he decided to move his business, the Rams, to Inglewood, California. Two of the members of the MLS St. Louis group are from the Cardinals and Blues ownership who believe otherwise.  St. Louis soccer proponents are looking for public money for a facility. It’s the price to pay to be big league.

Major League Soccer should know by April 5 if St. Louis is still in the running for an expansion franchise.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/minnesota-united-out-to-prove-it-wont-be-worst-mls-expansion-team-ever-054303283.html

Minnesota United out to prove it won't be worst MLS expansion team ever

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https://www.portada-online.com/2017/03/13/scouts-michael-neuman-on-why-the-mls-still-has-a-long-way-to-go-in-sports-marketing/

Scout’s Michael Neuman on why the MLS Still Has a Long Way to Go

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http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/business/2017/03/football-facebook-scores-deal-stream-mls-matches/

Football: Facebook scores deal to stream MLS matches

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http://www.tristatehomepage.com/sports/minnesota-united-has-cold-open-for-soccer-franchise/670873234

Minnesota United has cold open for soccer franchise

Loon lose 6-1 to Atlanta United in snow, cold

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http://www.digitaltrends.com/social-media/facebook-live-stream-mls/

Facebook to expand live-stream sports coverage with Major League Soccer deal

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http://sbcnews.co.uk/latestnews/2017/03/13/kick-off-facebook-signs-live-content-partnership-mls-univision/

Kick off…Facebook signs live content partnership with MLS & Univision

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http://www.mprnews.org/story/2017/03/13/photos-snow-cant-stop-major-league-soccer-launch-or-its-fans

Photos: Snow can't stop major league soccer launch -- or its fans

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http://www.thesportsblaze.com/mls-minnesota-united-fc-makes-debut/22030

Major League Soccer: Minnesota United FC makes debut