Source: Rowdies in ‘Top 4’ for MLS Expansion

I am probably sperging out, linking two unrelated comments in two unrelated articles, but I cannot help but notice this:

Source: Rowdies in ‘Top 4’ for MLS Expansion

Stadium Plans

- Completing the renovations and expansion of the stadium in time for 2019 season. This is a minor issue where the team could begin it’s first season in MLS with a long road trip to allow for full completion of the stadium.

And this:

Orlando wants to host the 2019 Major League Soccer All Star Game

The hope remains that Orlando will be able to make their bid for the MLS All Star Game in 2019. Soccer fans throughout the state hope that Orlando gets the game and the league has been impressed with the success of Orlando FC, one of the leagues true success stories.

It is possible by that time the Tampa Bay Rowdies could be in the MLS along with Orlando FC making the game even sweeter in 2019.

This is odd. Both writers mention the Rowdies being in MLS in 2019 as a possibility, whereas everything I had read said that the two MLS expansion teams chosen this year (and this does not include Miami) would be joining MLS in 2020. 

The one writer speculates about Al Lang Stadium expansion being completed in time for the 2019 MLS season, and the other writer speculates about Orlando City hosting the MLS All Star game in 2019 in time to play with the Tampa Bay Rowdies in MLS, and not with Beckham's Miami MLS club. 

Is this significant? Does this mean something new is going on that we don't know about? I have no idea! Weird.

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http://www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/sports/article.html/content/news/articles/bhsn/2017/6/27/source_rowdies_in_to.html

Source: Rowdies in ‘Top 4’ for MLS Expansion

Confidence has been growing since team owner Bill Edwards announced his intentions to seek placement in MLS back in December.

By Chris Torello, Spectrum Sports Reporter

Last Updated: Tuesday, June 27, 2017, 11:25 PM EDT

ST. PETERSBURG --

The Tampa Bay Rowdies are starting to get the feeling that they could very well be an MLS team.  And the sentiment is being felt in other parts in the world of MLS.

According to a source, the Rowdies are believed to be among the “Top 4” teams being considered for MLS expansion.

The well-known virtual lock is down in Miami with David Beckham's team. "Miami Beckham United" is said to be the overwhelming favorite to be given an expansion franchise, because it basically already has one. Just a matter of getting the land squared away (and seems to be) and getting the stadium built.

It is believed that after Miami, Sacramento has the best chance to be an expansion franchise in MLS. Sacramento’s current team, Sacramento Republic FC of the USL, has long been a favorite of MLS commissioner Don Garber.  The commissioner is even on record as saying he hopes “that Sacramento will be part of the next round (of expansion).”

Sacramento Republic FC is currently second in USL in attendance, averaging 11,569 per home match in 2017, per Soccer Stadium Digest. The team will play the L.A. Galaxy on Wednesday night in the Round of 16 of the U.S. Open Cup. This game gives Sacramento a chance to show it’s worth on the field.

The next team on the ladder is most likely FC Cincinnati, which leads USL in attendance with an average of 19,678 per match and over 177,000 total fans at home matches this season. Once Cincinnati’s ownership group can finalize their stadium design and location it will be right next to Sacramento as a prohibitive favorite for expansion.

After that comes the Rowdies and fellow USL team Phoenix Rising FC. Right after these two would be Detroit. The interesting part with Detroit is it has a team, Detroit City FC, which is in the National Premiere Soccer League. It would be tough to see another coming in without some type of compromise on the name. Interestingly enough, Tampa/St. Pete, Phoenix, and Detroit are the number 11, 12, and 13 TV markets in the country, respectively.

This is how it appears to be as we approach July:

1. Miami (lock)

2. Sacramento

3. Cincinnati

4. Tampa Bay

5. Phoenix

Confidence has been growing from within the organization ever since team owner Bill Edwards announced his intentions to seek placement in MLS back in December.

The announcement was made at The Birchwood in downtown St. Pete on December 6, 2016. Edwards, in front of supporters and ticket holders, pulled out a green shirt that said “#MLS2STPETE”, which was followed by roaring applause.

The Rowdies received a huge boost on May 2nd in a public referendum vote where an overwhelming 87% of St. Petersburg voters said “Yes” to allowing the city to enter into a long-term lease agreement with the team for Al Lang Stadium. This cleared a major hurdle for stadium expansion along the waterfront in St. Pete.

One major reason for this passing was no use of public funds to expand Al Lang Stadium.

There are still questions surrounding the Rowdies bid for expansion:

Entry Fee

- Starting at $150 million.

- There is a strong feeling that this fee could climb to as high as $200 million to get a team into MLS.

- Owner Bill Edwards may have limited funds to accomplish the feat of bringing MLS to Tampa/St. Pete.

Stadium Plans

- While a plan to expand Al Lang Stadium is in place, the cost could exceed the estimated $80 million figure put out by the team.

- Completing the renovations and expansion of the stadium in time for 2019 season. This is a minor issue where the team could begin it’s first season in MLS with a long road trip to allow for full completion of the stadium.

Fan Support

- The Rowdies currently rank 7th in USL attendance for 2017 with just under 5,600 fans per home match.

- Al Lang currently holds roughly 7,200; the expansion plans for the stadium has that number growing to 18,000 seats. Will the fans show up?

We will not know what MLS will do until this fall. One Rowdies official says nothing has changed, in terms of when MLS will make any sort of expansion announcements. It is expected that the team could know its fate, privately, some time in October, with a public decision and announcement in November or December.

These are the questions being asked every time expansion talks come up for MLS. It is a long process and the evaluation is ongoing.

The one big question no one knows, as of now, is: will MLS take two teams or four teams in expansion this time around?

Stay tuned, Rowdies fans.

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/6jwab1/source_rowdies_in_top_4_for_mls_expansion_full/

Source: Rowdies in ‘Top 4’ for MLS Expansion [Full Article] (baynews9.com)

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/6jttli/chris_torello_on_twitter_mls_expansion_update/

Chris Torello on Twitter: MLS Expansion Update: been told @TampaBayRowdies are now considered to be in "Top 4" cities/teams to land MLS franchise. (twitter.com)

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https://twitter.com/TorelloSports/status/879729618378518528

Chris Torello‏

@TorelloSports

MLS Expansion Update: been told @TampaBayRowdies are now considered to be in "Top 4" cities/teams to land MLS franchise. #COYR #MLS2StPete

11:54 AM - 27 Jun 2017

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/6jtn97/ticket_sales_so_far_for_july_6th_vs_fc_cincy/

Ticket Sales so far for July 6th vs. FC Cincy (i.redd.it)

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/6jd1wd/where_is_the_firm/

Where is the firm??? (self.TampaBayRowdies)

How are you. I just moved to tampa from west palm and am happy i finally live in a City that has a (can i say football?) soccer team. Im going to the next gsme july 6. Is there any drinking going On? And also does anyone here play??

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http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/pinellascounty/st-petersburg-crews-to-break-ground-wednesday-on-new-pier/452547199

St. Petersburg crews to break ground Wednesday on new Pier

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.newstalkflorida.com/featured/orlando-wants-host-2019-major-league-soccer-star-game/

Orlando wants to host the 2019 Major League Soccer All Star Game

The hope remains that Orlando will be able to make their bid for the MLS All Star Game in 2019. Soccer fans throughout the state hope that Orlando gets the game and the league has been impressed with the success of Orlando FC, one of the leagues true success stories.

It is possible by that time the Tampa Bay Rowdies could be in the MLS along with Orlando FC making the game even sweeter in 2019.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article158391004.html

Is Charlotte City Council warming to idea of helping to pay for new soccer stadium?

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.wcpo.com/news/insider/fc-cincinnati-wants-to-get-to-major-league-soccer-but-do-its-fans-feel-the-same

FC Cincinnati wants to get to Major League Soccer, but do its fans feel the same?

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/promotion-relegation-already-united-states-future-upsl-nasl-usl-mls

Pro-rel is already in the United States, but is it the future?

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mls/article158431044.html

Miami FC aims to shock another MLS team Wednesday night

(Follow link for full article.)

http://wfae.org/post/city-council-committee-consider-mls-stadium-plan-july

City Council Committee To Consider MLS Stadium Plan In July

(Follow link for full article.)

https://news.fiu.edu/2017/06/miami-fc-brings-major-league-soccer-to-fiu/112775

Miami FC brings Major League Soccer to FIU

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/cincinnati-nothing-lose-another-mls-team-open-cup/9pxZWxTpDRPtI6m6CuKdjM/

FC Cincinnati: ‘nothing to lose’ vs. another MLS team in U.S. Open Cup

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2017/06/27/facebook-adds-champions-league-games-in-live-sports-push.html

Facebook adds Champions League games in live sports push

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/columnists/logan-jenkins/sd-me-jenkins20170628-story.html

Pro soccer coming to North County? A great goal or good grief?

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https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/27/sports/soccer/dennis-crowley-kingston-stockade-fc.html

A Tech Executive’s Latest Start-Up Has Cleats, Jerseys and Goals

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http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/soccer/fc-cincinnati/2017/06/28/u-s-open-cup-preview-fc-cincy-focused-inward-ahead-chicago-fire-visit/432508001/

U.S. Open Cup preview: FC Cincy focused inward ahead of Chicago Fire visit

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-fire/go-behind-scenes-bastian-schweinsteiger-fires-soccer-and-style-fashion-show

Go behind the scenes with Bastian Schweinsteiger for the Fire's Soccer and Style Fashion Show

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/13732/extra-time/2017/06/27/36673672/video-will-ferrell-asks-chicharito-to-play-for-mls-expansion

The actor, a co-owner of the under-construction Major League Soccer side, jokingly implored the Mexican star to join the new team

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.espnfc.com/united-states/story/3149404/garcia-report-shows-united-states-followed-fifas-bidding-rules-for-2022-world-cup

U.S. Soccer followed FIFA bidding rules for 2022 World Cup - Garcia report

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.starsandstripesfc.com/usmnt-news/2017/6/27/15881892/usa-usmnt-world-cup-fifa-garcia-report

USSF cleared of wrongdoing in FIFA Garcia Report

U.S. Soccer followed the rules in its 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/aztecs/sd-sp-nasl-expansion-20170626-story.html

NASL confirms expansion to San Diego soccer 'hotbed'

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https://scotchwhisky.com/magazine/latest-news/14985/haig-club-bar-opens-its-doors/

Haig Club Bar opens its doors

Haig Club, the grain whisky endorsed by David Beckham, has opened its first permanent bar in the UK, situated 25 floors above the streets of Birmingham.

Haig Club Bar is located on Level 25 of The Cube, and sits beside the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill Birmingham.

With room to seat 36, the venue is decorated in Haig Club’s blue and copper colours.

The menu offers more than 20 whisky cocktails designed by bartender Jack Spencer and made using Haig Club and Haig Club Clubman, as well as small plates and sharing dishes.

Customers can also purchase their own bottle of Haig Club for £200, which will be marked with a special tag so they can drink from it every time they visit the bar.

Haig Club Bar will be open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 6pm until 1am.

Max Bennett, operations manager at Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill Birmingham, said: ‘The bar has been designed to create an exclusive experience for our guests, with a dedicated and knowledgeable team to welcome them.