Why I am a fan - the road to soccer fandom twists and turns

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http://www.angelsonparade.com/2017/5/25/15689852/why-i-am-a-fan-road-to-soccer-fandom-twists-and-turns-chelsea-earthquakes-lafc

Why I am a fan - the road to soccer fandom twists and turns

From World Cup watcher to “Eurosnob” to MLS.

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http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article152678059.html

Four months later, what’s next for Charlotte’s Major League Soccer bid?

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https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/26/mls-texas-derby-houston-dynamo-fc-dallas

Does MLS have a Texas problem?

Houston and Dallas, who meet in Sunday’s Texas Derby, are two of MLS’ best clubs this season from two of its biggest cities. So why aren’t they more popular?

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http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2017/05/26/cbj-morning-buzz-new-details-of-competing-mls-bid.html

CBJ Morning Buzz: New details of competing MLS bid; Brewers find new ammo in beer battle; Scenes from Speed Street

In local news:

As Major League Soccer officials consider a dozen cities — including Charlotte — for an upcoming expansion, a closer look at one of the competing bids has emerged. The Cincinnati Business Courier, a sister publication to the CBJ, reports officials there have chosen a location and landed financing for a soccer-specific stadium. Meanwhile, Charlotte's bid, led by Speedway Motorsports (NYSE:TRK) CEO Marcus Smith, is still on the hunt for the funding piece. CBJ's Erik Spanberg reported last month that informal talks have resumed between the local bid group and city officials on the possibility of investing public dollars on the project.

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http://www.vocativ.com/433563/cincinnati-fc-money-stadium-debt-soccer/

FC Cincinnati: We Never Asked For Money Before So Give It To Us Now

In its push to jump to Major League Soccer, a Cincinnati team needs a new stadium, even though the city is still paying off $1 billion in debt

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http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/opinion/commentary/sd-utbg-soccer-stadium-youth-20170526-story.html

Commentary San Diegans at a crossroads with stadium development

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http://urbanmilwaukee.com/2017/05/28/urban-reads-subways-stadiums-and-the-return-to-cities/

Subways, Stadiums and the Return to Cities

David Beckham wants to build a Miami stadium with no parking: International soccer star David Beckham wants to build a 25,000-seat stadium in Miami’s Overtown neighborhood to bring Major League Soccer to the city.  The developers want people to take water taxis, Metrorail, and the Metromover to the stadium because they won’t be building any parking. They hope this decision starts a paradigm shift for major events. (Miami Herald). Read more.

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https://ussoccerplayers.com/2017/05/once-again-its-san-diego-telling-an-mls-story.html

Once again, it’s San Diego telling an MLS story

It's ancient history now, but the dark days of contraction weren't just about the Florida teams. It was easy enough to make the case for contracting half the league, with good arguments at the time that the Mutiny and the Fusion weren't the best choices. The league was in obvious trouble, with too many franchises drawing too few fans. At a time when there wasn't the glut of professional soccer available on American television, MLS faced difficulty making a case for itself. Why this league now? Why would existing soccer fans add it to whatever club in whatever league they already supported?

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http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2017/05/25/its-official-fc-cincinnati-moves-forward-on.html

It's official: FC Cincinnati moves forward on stadium plan

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http://www.wcpo.com/sports/fc-cincinnati/fc-cincinnati-could-be-asking-for-up-to-250-million-in-public-aid-to-join-mls

FC Cincinnati is asking for public aid to build soccer stadium in bid to join Major League Soccer

Club says it can't move up without own stadium

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http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11863732

MLS expansion update: Phoenix boost and St. Louis setback

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http://www.devilslakejournal.com/sports/20170525/mls-expansion-update-phoenix-rising-st-louis-setback

MLS expansion update: Phoenix rising, St. Louis setback

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http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article152568749.html

County plans millions for parks. But critics question big share for soccer stadium.