Thursday, September 28, 2017

Tampa?

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http://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/tampa.2067999/

Tampa?

Why just why should we give Tampa another shot at an MLS team? My thought is whatever the reason they could not make MLS work, there are many many other cities that want and deserve a team before someone like Tampa deserves getting another team.

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Completely different time. Back when The mutiny were folded, the sport was still struggling to catch on in the US and the club was league owned.. Since then the popularity of the sport has grown by leaps and bounds.. the addition of Orlando and Miami should also do wonders with regards to natural rivals...

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Natural rivals to the erstwhile Miami team and to Orlando. History that predates the Mutiny. And a stadium plan that is ready to go. Not to say that Nashville or Cincy or some other town can't get in ahead of them if they get the stadium sorted out, but they are in position right now.

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Good question, and it is worth exploring answers to that question. I'll take a crack.

1. Tampa and Miami were folded out of convenience (league controlled) and not because they were the most deserving at the time.

2. A lot has changed since then. There were no local groups willing to take ownership over the Mutiny. The Glazers were approached and declined. There is solid local ownership that controls the Rowdies.

3. Florida is the third most populous state in the country and still growing. Having three teams in Florida is not unreasonable. Particularly since the sport thrives off having clusters of teams which can be rivals. Orlando City and the Rowdies are a perfect fit for this. Miami too. Miami's inclusion shouldn't disqualify the Rowdies bid. The market is very big for TV purposes.

4. The stadium is privately funded and it sits on a beautiful waterfront tract of land with a hundred years of sporting history.

5. The bid is for St. Pete, not Tampa. St. Pete has changed dramatically over the past decade and the downtown is currently experiencing a renaissance which would be a good place for an MLS team to land.

6. The Rowdies are an established and historic brand and stuff like that matters to a lot of people for optics.

I'm not suggesting that the Rowdies are hands down one of the top four bids, but it is a good bid. The area shouldn't be disqualified just because they were one of the lambs sacrificed for the good of the league at a time when any number of teams could have been folded for the greater good. There are lots of good reasons why a team would do wonderfully in St Pete. But a team would do well in Nashville, Cincinnati, Sacramento, San Diego, San Antonio, Detroit, St. Louis, and Raleigh too. This is going to be a tough decision which I'm glad I don't have to make.

If the Rowdies aren't chosen I hope that the continue to operate as a USL side at their current stadium.

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I think the argument that MLS would weigh most heavily towards Tampa Bay is the media market. The Tampa Bay area has a larger population than either Nashville or Cincy, St Pete has a revitalized downtown (though not as nice as Nashville), and it has become a big draw for millennials.

I can see three teams in Florida given that there are two in NYC and two in LA; but obviously question if it is best for the growth of the sport to leave certain other large markets under served.

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https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/7325z7/for_the_tampa_bay_rowdies_to_be_mls_worthy_they/

For the Tampa Bay Rowdies to be MLS worthy, they need better than 6 road wins in 3 years (medium.com)

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My guess is the author was more stating this figuratively than actually making the case that our road results would matter to the bid.

I read this more like - "Hey, you want MLS? Why don't you get your act together here first!"

As a fan - our road woes are famously frustrating.

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Let em in!

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The Rowdies have some defensive issues, to be sure. But so did Minnesota at the start of the season this year. Remember when they were setting records for giving up goals? If the Rowdies are horrible on the road the first year, they'll get the chance to shore up their defensive issues after the draft. I'd be quite happy to see them join MLS.

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From an attendance perspective they aren't necessarily linked. From an on the field perspective, it's so night and day I can't imagine it would translate at all (haven't looked at it).

Anecdotally Orlando dominated USL and Minnesota was a really solid contender. My guess is expansion means expansion - and lower division to begin with or not doesn't matter one way or the other.

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Tampa Bay should get in based on tradition and the hoop kits alone.

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I don't understand how Tampa is even being considered for an MLS addition. I was living there back when the Mutiny were playing in the 90's and towards the end you couldn't pay people to go to the games. Cities can shift culturally to make MLS teams better fits, but I don't buy the hype for this.

This coming from someone who lives and works in Atlanta and is a huge Atlanta supporter so I guess I've had some hits and misses with the whole national league system.

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You're basing your entire argument around your view from 15-20 years ago.

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It's just a statement about my perception of the viability of the city for an expansion team. My view of that cities viability comes from 15-20 years ago, but as I said, the city could shift culturally to allow success there. I don't live there now, and don't know whether that shift has happened.

Thankfully others have mentioned their market share, fan base, and potential rivalries to my attention. Best of luck to them either way, I guess.

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They’ve got a pretty good fan base built up, they’re a pretty big market, they would create a local rivalry with Orlando and eventually Miami and even y’all as well. They have a fantastic brand that has a lot of history behind it and they have a decent stadium plan. Outside of Sacramento and Cincy I’d say they’re right there with the other bids. Using poorly run MLS 1.0 teams from the late 90s and early 00s is really not a good barometer.

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The Mutiny had no owner and were run by MLS - badly.

You should have lived in Tampa in the 1970s; the Rowdies drew crowds on occasion of over 40,000 and in one case over 56,000, and were averaging over 28,000 a game by 1980.

Moreover, you aren't comparing Tampa Bay Mutiny to the other MLS clubs circa 1996-2001. The Mutiny were about average in MLS attendance in that period; much more poorly drawing teams were not contracted in 2001.

The Mutiny were not contracted due to poor attendance; they were contracted due to lack of ownership and due to the fact that the Glazers were raping MLS in rental fees for the use of Raymond James Stadium.

Had you not lived in Tampa, but lived in many other MLS cities circa 1996-2001, you would have also said that "you couldn't pay people to go to the games". This wasn't a problem unique to Tampa back in that era.

It isn't the Tampa Bay Area's fault that MLS didn't know what it was doing back in that era. None of the issues that the Mutiny had back then have anything to do with the current Tampa Bay Rowdies bid to get into MLS.

We aren't living in 1996-2001 anymore; MLS has changed. The Tampa Bay Area has a long and honorable history in USA soccer; the Tampa Bay Rowdies exist again for very good reasons.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0PXLKJL44E

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

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http://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/rank-the-expansion-teams.2058106/

Rank the expansion teams

Hi, I like reading the rankings other people post, so here is mine. Post yours if interested.

3. Tampa.

Pro: Largest TV market.

Con: Proximity to Orlando. Stadium not approved yet. Stadium outside city

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I agree for the most part.

As far as preparedness goes, I would say....

3. Tampa

And as far as desirability/priority to MLS goes...

5. Tampa

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There are certainly some drawbacks to the St. Pete bid, but you don't include them on your list. The proximity to Orlando is certainly a plus. The league has stated this publicly. No approvals are required for the stadium. The biggest hurdle was cleared in May when the referendum to allow the city to renegotiate the lease for Al Lang passed. Ownership and city council are clearly on the same page with the plan going forward and it will be entirely privately financed. The stadium is right in downtown St. Petersburg which is very nice on prime waterfront property. Basically everything Beckham wanted in Miami but much nicer.

There are some real cons to their bid though. If Miami makes it across the line then St Pete would present three Florida teams and that may not be to the leagues benefit. The Rays have an ongoing stadium situation and depending on how that shakes out it could create some in market competition for eyeballs in an already strained sports market. They did an excellent job creating quite a bit of buzz about the team this past winter and it looked like it paid off when their home opener drew an excellent crowd. Since that game they've not maintained that level of buzz around town.

St Pete may be an excellent play. But it would be smart to consider them for 27 or 28. For 25 and 26 the safest plays are Sacramento and Detroit

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Geography and expanded stadiums holding them back

Tampa Bay, San Antonio

Tampa is a big market. San Antonio is smaller, but one of the fastest growing cities in the country. Both have decently popular lower division teams and decently solid plans to expand their existing stadiums...

...but I'm not sure MLS is impressed with their stadium plans. Tampa's stadium would be small and without options for growth. I never got the impression MLS liked San Antonio's stadium location.

Also I don't know if MLS wants more teams in Texas and Florida. Houston and Dallas have struggled to fill seats and gain market relevance, and those are top 5 cities. San Antonio as a smaller market carries even more risk.

As for Tampa, Orlando probably doesn't want them in the league and would probably need to be compensated for their territorial rights.

I could be wrong but I think Tampa only gets in if Miami fails. San Antonio I have a hard time seeing happen, which is a shame because the Spurs really know how to run a team.

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Bill Edwards bid for St Pete requires no public funding for the stadium. Also, the poster above provided some unfairly harsh criticism of their stadium design.

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Current Nielsen Markets

http://www.lyonspr.com/latest-nielsen-dma-rankings/

1-10/14-15 have MLS teams

11) Tampa-Saint Pete (MLB/NHL/NFL)
12) Phoenix (MLB/NBA/NHL/NFL)
13) Detroit (MLB/NBA/NHL/NFL)
16) Miami (MLB/NBA/NHL/NFL)
17) Denver (MLB/NBA/NHL/NFL)
18) Orlando (NBA)
19) Cleveland (MLB/NBA/NHL)
20) Sacramento (NBA)
21) Saint Louis (MLB/NHL)
22) Charlotte (NBA/NFL)
23) Pittsburgh (MLB/NHL/NFL)
24) Raleigh-Durham (NHL)
25) Portland (NBA)
26) Baltimore (MLB/NFL)
27) Indianapolis (NBA/NFL)
28) San Diego (MLB)
29) Nashville (NFL)
30) Hartford
31) San Antonio (NBA)
32) Columbus (NHL)
33) Kansas City (MLB/NFL)
34) Salt Lake City
35) Milwaukee (NBA/NFL)
36) Cincinnati (MLB/NFL)
37) Greenville-Spartanburg

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here's no one on the list I'd call "flashy". Some are more desirable than others:

From a pure marketing perspective, the largest media markets are potentially "more" desirable (TB, DET, PHX, SAC) (depends on sport market saturation, community interest, availability of sponsorships, etc)

The south and western markets with a heavy Latino viewership could be considered desirable (TB, SA, PHX, SAC)

(From what I've heard, those two criteria above are real enticing to MLS right now ;)- just sayin) You gotta have a stadium though

Miami was the last "flashy" market

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Tampa Bay is one that many would place in Tier two, but the ownership bugs me. For one, Edwards does not exactly have the best reputation, as he has been on the giving and receiving end of major lawsuits. I also am not sure he has the money necessary to compete in the MLS of the future. The stadium is also on the smaller side. With all this said, every other box is checked, as the stadium plan is finished, the city is one of the largest without an MLS team, and here is a demonstrated solid fan base. 

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Vanderbilt statement regarding potential use of Major League Soccer stadium for university events

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https://news.vanderbilt.edu/2017/09/27/vanderbilt-statement-regarding-potential-use-of-major-league-soccer-stadium-for-university-events/

Vanderbilt statement regarding potential use of Major League Soccer stadium for university events

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https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/27/sports/soccer/nycfc-stadium-belmont.html

N.Y.C.F.C.’s Stadium Search Includes Belmont Park Proposal

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http://midfieldpress.com/2017/09/27/differentiate-or-die-nasl-must-evolve-dramatically-if-it-survives-its-latest-challenge/

Differentiate, Or Die: NASL Must Evolve Dramatically If It Survives Its Latest Challenge

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https://ussoccerplayers.com/2017/09/lafc-vs-la-galaxy.html

LAFC vs LA Galaxy

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http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/soccer/fc-cincinnati/2017/09/27/fc-cincinnati-hamilton-county-new-stadium-deal-can-model-partnership/706918001/

FC Cincy pitches 'model partnership' for stadium. Critic calls it 'welfare for billionaires'

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https://www.pollstar.com/article/louisville-wants-soccer-stadium-133205

Louisville Wants Soccer Stadium

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http://worldsoccertalk.com/2017/09/27/soccer-still-niche-sport-country-4-factors-can-contribute-growth/

Soccer is still a niche sport in this country but these 4 factors can contribute to its growth

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https://mlsmultiplex.com/2017/09/27/los-angeles-fc-nearly-fills-stadium-2018-mls-debut/

Los Angeles FC Nearly Fills Stadium Before 2018 MLS Debut

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http://www.usgamer.net/articles/why-is-fifa-18-focusing-so-much-on-mls-if-they-cant-bother-to-get-the-details-right

Why is FIFA 18 Focusing So Much on MLS if It Can't Bother to Get the Details Right?

Despite putting the spotlight square on America's domestic league, FIFA 18 still gets almost everything wrong about MLS.

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http://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/2017/09/27/vanderbilt-football-nashville-mls-soccer-stadium-fairgrounds/710127001/

Nashville MLS quest: Vanderbilt football won't move stadium off-campus to fairgrounds

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http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/article175753601.html

Vanderbilt plans to continue playing home games on campus

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http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/3215271/vanderbilt-wont-share-planned-nashville-stadium-with-mls-team

Vanderbilt won't share planned Nashville stadium with MLS team

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http://www.nashvillescene.com/news/pith-in-the-wind/article/20977296/vanderbilt-will-not-be-part-of-fairgrounds-stadium-deal

Vanderbilt Will Not Be Part of Fairgrounds Stadium Deal

MLS bid would be sole tenant at new stadium

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https://www.bdcnetwork.com/soccer-team%E2%80%99s-fan-base-could-play-integral-role-its-new-stadium%E2%80%99s-design-and-operations

A soccer team’s fan base could play an integral role in its new stadium’s design and operations

Sacramento Republic FC and HNTB are conducting a contest where the public can submit concept ideas.

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http://georgetownvoice.com/2017/09/27/the-pros-and-cons-of-mls-expansion/

The Pros and Cons of MLS Expansion

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http://www.empireofsoccer.com/commisso-outlines-nasls-case-against-ussf-65765/

Commisso Outlines NASL’s Case Against USSF

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nICK4Y5mG_o

Rowdies Highlights at Bethlehem Steel - September 27, 2017

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on Sep 27, 2017

HIGHLIGHTS: Check out the highlights of Wednesday's 2-2 draw on the road against Bethlehem Steel, presented by Tijuana Flats.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Vq3gkaDSp4

Coca Cola Crossbar Challenge

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on Sep 27, 2017

Last week, we welcomed our friends from Coca-Cola Beverages Florida to Al Lang Stadium to partake in a crossbar challenge featuring two of their employees, along with Darnell King and Alex Morrell. Check out how it went!

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Tampa Bay Rowdies Stronger After Irma

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https://stpetecasual.wordpress.com/

Tampa Bay Rowdies Stronger After Irma

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https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/72kt93/world_soccer_talk_foxs_broadcasts_of_sporting_kc/

[World Soccer Talk] FOX's broadcasts of Sporting KC v LA Galaxy & Atlanta v Montreal had a combined viewing number of 1.35 million on Sunday. #MLS #TVRatings (twitter.com)

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https://twitter.com/wsoccertalk/status/912685298521341952

World Soccer Talk‏

@wsoccertalk

FOX's broadcasts of Sporting KC v LA Galaxy & Atlanta v Montreal had a combined viewing number of 1.35 million on Sunday. #MLS #TVRatings

10:28 AM - 26 Sep 2017

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https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/72o3b1/ussf_pyramid_by_stadium_capacity/

USSF Pyramid By Stadium Capacity (docs.google.com)

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USSF Pyramid By Stadium Capacity

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LIMn7HH7YXqHNjA1b6hFqsySBIl5QWFy-tx4gW-cXl8/edit#gid=0

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http://www.nextportland.com/2017/09/26/providence-park-expansion/

Providence Park Expansion Approved (images)

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http://soccer.nbcsports.com/2017/09/26/photo-new-usmnt-jersey-for-2018-world-cup-leaked/

PHOTO: New USMNT jersey for 2018 World Cup leaked?

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http://www.macleans.ca/sports/will-co-hosting-a-world-cup-put-canadian-soccer-on-a-roll/

Will co-hosting a World Cup put Canadian soccer on a roll?

Proponents claim the 10 games Canada hopes to stage in 2026 will inspire a new generation of stars. The history of sports mega-events begs to differ.

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http://sbisoccer.com/2017/09/report-nycfc-set-to-bid-for-stadium-site-in-belmont

Report: NYCFC set to bid for stadium site in Belmont

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https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/72mfnd/nassl_v_ussf_lawsuit_gets_a_hearing_date_of/

NASSL v USSF lawsuit gets a hearing date of Halloween (firstteampod.com)

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http://firstteampod.com/nasl-v-ussf-lawsuit-gets-a-hearing-date/

NASL v USSF Lawsuit Gets a Hearing Date

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https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/72kgx0/rocco_commisso_declaration_regarding_the_nasls/

Rocco Commisso Declaration Regarding the NASL's Anti-Trust Lawsuit (scribd.com)

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https://www.scribd.com/document/359911266/Rocco-Declaration

Rocco Declaration

http://firstteampod.com/

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http://www.espnfc.com/new-york-city-fc/story/3213406/nycfc-to-bid-for-new-soccer-stadium-on-belmont-park-site-report

NYCFC to bid for new soccer stadium on Belmont Park site - report

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https://lasvegassun.com/news/2017/sep/26/panels-talk-raiders-future-pro-sports-las-vegas/

Panels talk Raiders and the future of pro sports in Las Vegas

Imagine trying to explain last week’s panel discussions on the future of professional sports in Las Vegas even five years ago.

Executives from the Raiders and Golden Knights joined representatives from Las Vegas Motor Speedway, UNLV and the new Las Vegas Lights of the United Soccer League (USL) to look forward into the region’s future as a sports hub at a luncheon last Tuesday. Two days later, commercial real estate professionals listened to a morning talk on the fast-approaching start of construction on the $1.9 billion stadium project.

• Major League Soccer the ultimate soccer GOOOOOOAL?: In the other kind of football, Lights owner Brett Lashbrook offered the most interesting take on the future of Las Vegas sports. Even before his USL team begins play next year, the former MLS executive predicted America’s largest soccer league will call Las Vegas home within the next 10 years.

“In 10 years, you'll look back and laugh at doubting yourself that this would be a soccer city,” Lashbrook said.

Lashbrook also hinted at trying to create a situation similar to baseball’s spring training for soccer in Las Vegas, drawing in MLS teams in March to train and prepare for the upcoming season. With college basketball conference tournaments and the opening weekend of March Madness already filling the local sports calendar in that month, adding soccer could provide an interesting alternative for non-hoops fans.

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http://www.sltrib.com/sports/2017/09/26/scott-d-pierce-hey-mls-make-one-team-wear-white-jerseys/

Scott D. Pierce: Hey MLS — make one team wear white jerseys!

Sports on TV • We get a tiny glimpse into Pac-12 Network ratings, and it’s horrific news for Olympic sports.

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https://ussoccerplayers.com/2017/09/nycfc-still-needs-stadium-soccer-news.html

NYCFC still needs a stadium

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http://www.empireofsoccer.com/commisso-outlines-nasls-case-against-ussf-65765/

Commisso Outlines NASL’s Case Against USSF

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https://www.starsandstripesfc.com/2017/9/26/16280334/world-cup-fifa-2026-usa-usmnt-mexico-canada-bid-committee-venue-selection-city

Bid committee influence could sway host city choice for 2026 World Cup

Which cities will be included in the bid?

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http://www.kolotv.com/content/sports/Renos-Mfeka-named-USL-Player-of-the-Week-448056773.html

Reno's Mfeka named USL Player of the Week

D – Hunter Gorskie, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Gorskie scored the only goal of the game and also put in a solid defensive display as the Rowdies moved into the Eastern Conference’s top four by defeating the Charlotte Independence.

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http://www.insideworldfootball.com/2017/09/26/scg-pitch-enhanced-partnership-expanding-usl/

SCG pitch-in with enhanced partnership at expanding USL

September 26 – American second tier league the USL has named SCG Fields as the Official Field Builder. SCG will be an official supplier for the United Soccer League, USL’s Division III, the Premier Development League (PDL) and the Super Y League.

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https://www.si.com/soccer/2017/09/25/nasl-us-soccer-lawsuit-questions-fifa-kessler

Answers to 5 Key Questions in NASL's Lawsuit vs. U.S. Soccer

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3rvozPJLyo

Rowdies Front Row - Charlotte Independence - September 23, 2017

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on Sep 26, 2017

After not playing in front of their amazing fans for over a month, the Rowdies battled to earn three crucial points on Saturday night. Check out all the sights and sounds from the 1-0 win over Charlotte Independence in the latest Rowdies Front Row!

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQWH84ERVnY

Rowdies Visit Patients at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on Sep 22, 2017

Monday, September 25, 2017

Rowdies Home Attendance Thread – Game 14 vs. Charlotte [9/23] (self.TampaBayRowdies)

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/72bt2n/rowdies_home_attendance_thread_game_14_vs/

Rowdies Home Attendance Thread – Game 14 vs. Charlotte [9/23] (self.TampaBayRowdies)

A new Al Lang record this Saturday with a crowd of 7,786...just surpassing the total earlier this year against Orlando. Certainly Shaggy and the Go Gold activities probably helped, BUT the overwhelming majority of people didn’t hang around for the concert (which was about 60% a hype man and a DJ playing songs that weren’t Shaggy’s.)

More importantly perhaps is that this puts our track of consecutive seasons of growth back in reach. We’ve had 5 straight years of year-over-year growth (a total of 6 out of 7 years of growth). If we can average over ~5,800 in the next two, we’ll make that a reality.

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https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/72da59/nasl_usl_attendance_tracker_week_27/

NASL & USL Attendance Tracker - Week 27 (i.redd.it)

Speaking just for the Rowdies...if we can hold on to this positive growth for the season in the last two games, that would mean 6 consecutive years of year-over-year growth (and 7 years of growth in the 8 years following the opening season).

I don’t have my spreadsheet in front of me, but I believe it’s the longest such streak in the lower divisions - I know there are a few others who have had a good run - Timbers, Minnesota, and Richmond Kickers are on one currently, as well.

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/728pb8/so_is_7786_record_attendance_for_rowdies_20/

So is 7,786 record attendance for Rowdies 2.0? (self.TampaBayRowdies)

SBF was before my time so I don't know if it has higher capacity or ever sold it out, and I know we sold over capacity last night so the question stands.

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/71w7kn/sell_out_crowd_against_charlotte/

Sell out crowd against Charlotte (self.TampaBayRowdies)

Not official yet but Ticketmaster is no longer selling tickets so it seems all but confirmed today will be a sell out crowd...shaggy served us well

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/71n69p/great_38_is_showing_jaxmiafc_this_sunday_at_4pm/

Great 38 is showing JAX/MIAFC this Sunday at 4PM. (self.TampaBayRowdies)

And here we are, with home games on Mor Movies 630 and away games on YouTube....

Just sayin!

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/71k2my/all_the_teams_in_front_of_us_in_the_table_are_on/

All the teams in front of us in the table are on the road this weekend - and we'll still have games in hand on all of them after it (self.TampaBayRowdies)

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http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/836230

Playoff Talk Can Wait for Rowdies

Tampa Bay, Paterson looking to gain ground in race for top four vs. Independence

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http://www.theunsubs.com/wp/2017/09/23/the-bench-vol-2-issue-11/3253

The Bench Vol. 2 Issue 11

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http://www.theunsubs.com/wp/2017/09/20/episode-131-guestful/3248

Episode 131 – Guestful

After 2 weeks off and still no Rowdies results to discuss, the guys take a look at the current playoff standings, update games going on tonight that impact the Rowdies playoff hopes, and are joined by Derek from the Shamrock Pub and Evan Villella from Brotherly Game.

In tonight’s show:

    Eastern Conference Standings
    Games to watch this week
    Shamrock Bus Trip
    Dan’s here!
    Evan from Brotherly Game talks about Bethlehem Steel

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http://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/833528

Rowdies Return To Training Following Hurricane Irma

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https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/72f6of/newsday_nycfc_will_bid_to_build_soccer_stadium_at/

Newsday: NYCFC will bid to build soccer stadium at Belmont Park (newsday.com)

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https://www.newsday.com/sports/soccer/source-nycfc-will-bid-to-build-soccer-stadium-at-belmont-park-1.14271274

Source: NYCFC will bid to build soccer stadium at Belmont Park

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http://amp.timeinc.net/si/soccer/2017/09/25/nasl-us-soccer-lawsuit-questions-fifa-kessler

Answers to 5 Key Questions in NASL's Lawsuit vs. U.S. Soccer

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https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/72fabk/vsg_senate_to_propose_bill_opposing_offcampus/

VSG Senate to propose bill opposing off-campus stadium with Nashville SC (vanderbilthustler.com)

(Follow link for full article.)

http://vanderbilthustler.com/featured/vsg-senate-to-propose-bill-opposing-off-campus-football-stadium.html

VSG Senate to propose bill opposing off-campus football stadium

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/2017/9/23/16324902/ranking-every-2007-mls-anthem-by-order-of-absurdity

Ranking every 2007 MLS Anthem by order of absurdity

2007 was a weird time in MLS. Let’s talk about it.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/20799751/nflpa-asks-new-england-patriots-remedy-turf-issues-gillette-stadium

NFLPA asks Patriots to remedy turf issues at Gillette Stadium

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2017/09/24/nashville-mayor-megan-barry-transit-soccer-stadium-and-cloud-hill-halfway-through-her-first-term/665953001/

Q&A: Nashville Mayor Megan Barry on transit, a soccer stadium and Cloud Hill halfway through her first term

(Follow link for full article.)

https://imgur.com/a/QZtu4

Updated Trophy Cases for every MLS team

(Follow link for full article.)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5oKhZz2KUs

Behind the Shield: 2017 US Open Cup Final

Sporting Kansas City

Published on Sep 23, 2017

We. Raised the Cup.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://mobile.twitter.com/TheEventsDC_SED/status/911717878554071041

Events DC

@TheEventsDC_SED

The grease fire on the 200-level of #RFKStadium has been contained. Main gate & gates A, E, and F are now open for tonight's @dcunited match

6:24 PM · Sep 23, 2017 from Washington, DC

(Follow link for full article.)

https://twitter.com/KurtLarSUN/status/911738074949980160

Kurtis Larson

‏Verified account

@KurtLarSUN

Michael Bradley on Gillette Stadium surface a short time ago ...  #TFCLive #NERevs

7:44 PM - 23 Sep 2017

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2017/09/21/d-c-uniteds-new-stadium-is-coming-along-but-its-home-schedule-is-a-rubiks-cube/?utm_term=.b8565d27a9d1

D.C. United’s new stadium is coming along, but its home schedule is ‘a Rubik’s Cube’

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-united-has-proven-it-will-compete-for-eyeballs-in-crowded-sports-market/446840073/

Scoggins: United shows it can compete for eyeballs in crowded sports market

On the field, United has yo-yoed between encouraging and poor performances. The biggest victory in Season 1 has occurred in the stands.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://twitter.com/MLSist/status/911214848213647360

Pablo Maurer

‏Verified account

@MLSist

Guys, @travismclark just txted me and this is not a joke: Barron Trump is playing at RFK tomorrow. No, really. Seriously. Not kidding. #DCU

9:05 AM - 22 Sep 2017 from Alexandria, VA

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/71r1d8/pablo_maurer_barron_trump_is_on_dc_uniteds_u12/

[Pablo Maurer] Barron Trump is on DC United's U-12 team (twitter.com)

(Follow link for full article.)

https://duresport.com/2017/09/22/nasl-u-s-soccer-cannot-agree-on-court-timeline/

NASL, U.S. Soccer cannot agree on court timeline

(Follow link for full article.)

http://fiftyfive.one/2017/09/league-lawsuits-good-riddance-nasl/

League of Lawsuits: Good Riddance to the NASL

In the midst of another round of turmoil for the North American Soccer League (NASL), fingers have been pointed by the league and by others to seek a source of blame. But as Alex Schieferdecker writes, there is only one party to blame: the NASL.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.wralsportsfan.com/Radio/audio/16966634/

Inverted Triangle: NASL lawsuit on Inverted Triangle with Steven Bank and Stephen Holroyd

The Inverted Triangle Soccer Podcast dives into the NASL lawsuit against US Soccer, first with UCLA law professor Steven Bank, then attorney and soccer historian, Stephen Holroyd.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://twitter.com/louisvillemayor/status/911241679671382017

Mayor Greg Fischer

‏Verified account

@louisvillemayor

Exciting news — investor-led, $200M development that includes a soccer stadium. Get details now on the podcast https://louisvilleky.gov/government/mayor-greg-fischer/mayor-greg-fischer-podcast-0

10:52 AM - 22 Sep 2017

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/71rlwg/exciting_news_investorled_200m_development_that/

Exciting news — investor-led, $200M development that includes a soccer stadium [Louisville] (twitter.com)

(Follow link for full article.)

https://buy.shareacoke.com/custom-bottles-1/sports-team-bottles/mls-soccer-team-coca-cola-bottles

Your Team

Your Coke®

We're proud to announce new personalized bottles of Coca‑Cola, Diet Coke and Coke Zero featuring Major League Soccer teams. Purchase custom bottles featuring your favorite team's logo and share an ICE COLD Coke with your fellow fan. You can also select a bottle featuring the logos of the U.S. Men's National Team and the Mexican National Team.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/71rvpb/you_can_get_coke_bottles_with_mls_team_logos_on/

You can get coke bottles with MLS team logos on them. (buy.shareacoke.com)

(Follow link for full article.)

https://twitter.com/curtjohnson17/status/911042639641837568

Curt Johnson‏

@curtjohnson17

Thanku @DEalesATLUTD & @BocaBoca3 4 tour yesterday.  Inspiring 2 c talent & treasure used 4 building worldclass org as opposed to lawsuits.

9:41 PM - 21 Sep 2017

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/71qr1v/johnson_thanku_dealesatlutd_bocaboca3_4_tour/

[Johnson] Thanku @DEalesATLUTD & @BocaBoca3 4 tour yesterday. Inspiring 2 c talent & treasure used 4 building worldclass org as opposed to lawsuits (twitter.com)

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/sep/22/sunil-gulati-us-soccer-eric-wynalda

'Sunil Gulati has an agenda – to stay in power in US Soccer and that is it'

Eric Wynalda, the former USA forward turned commentator, says he is ready to ‘roll up his sleeves’ and challenge Sunil Gulati for the role of US Soccer president

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.si.com/soccer/2017/09/25/nasl-us-soccer-lawsuit-questions-fifa-kessler

Answers to 5 Key Questions in NASL's Lawsuit vs. U.S. Soccer

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.ibj.com/articles/65487-north-american-soccer-league-sues-us-soccer-federation

North American Soccer League sues U.S. Soccer Federation

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/2017/09/20/indy-elevens-league-nasl-sues-u-s-soccer-federation/684616001/

Indy Eleven's league — NASL — sues U.S. Soccer Federation

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.the42.ie/nasl-irish-players-2-3607328-Sep2017/

Irish players caught up in confusion and uncertainty regarding North American lower leagues

The future of the NASL is up in the air and that’s bad news for everyone involved.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://thesefootballtimes.co/2017/09/25/james-and-george-brown-the-men-who-changed-the-face-of-us-soccer/

James and George Brown: the men who changed the face of US soccer

WHO IS THE ONLY SCOTSMAN TO SCORE IN A WORLD CUP SEMI-FINAL? It wasn’t Kenny Dalglish, who despite his God-given talent could never take his country past the group stages. Nor was it Jimmy Johnstone; for all his jinking majesty, the Celtic legend fell at the very same hurdle.

James Brown was born in Kilmarnock in 1908, the eldest son of 10 children. His father, like thousands of others in Scotland, served in the trenches of the First World War. When the conflict ended, he returned home to a series of odd jobs and the crushing responsibilities of family life. Overcome by his surroundings, he deserted his family to join his brother in Westfield, New Jersey.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://saintpetersblog.com/tampa-bay-rowdies-outlast-charlotte-crucial-1-0-win/

Tampa Bay Rowdies outlast Charlotte for crucial 1-0 win

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.rawcharge.com/2017/9/24/16356176/quick-strikes-tampa-bay-lightnings-coach-cooper-finds-the-rule-changes-an-interesting-challenge

Quick Strikes: Tampa Bay Lightning’s Coach Cooper finds the rule changes an interesting challenge

Also, Victor Hedman does the honorary coin toss for the Tampa Bay Rowdies soccer team.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/soccer/rowdies-return-with-hectic-schedule/2338514

Rowdies return with hectic schedule

(Follow link for full article.)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzT-X57X-ag

Rowdies Highlights vs Charlotte Independence - September 23, 2017

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on Sep 25, 2017

Watch all the highlights from the Rowdies' 1-0 win over the Charlotte Independence.

(Follow link for full article.)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwjcC1zwkD0

Rowdies vs. Charlotte Independence Postgame Interviews - September 23, 2017

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on Sep 25, 2017

Hear from goal-scorer Hunter Gorskie and head coach Stuart Campbell after the Rowdies' 1-0 win over Charlotte.

(Follow link for full article.)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=215ab7tw-T0

Matt Pickens' Hammock Camping Adventure

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on Sep 25, 2017

This June, Rowdies GK Matt Pickens used an off-weekend to go on a solo hammock-camping trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Take a look inside his adventure in the North Carolina wilderness.

(Follow link for full article.)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ft_d6J7FNjE

Rowdies' Favorite Fictional Characters

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on Sep 25, 2017

From cartoons to superheroes - which fictional characters are the Rowdies' favorite? Find out in our latest feature!

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/837253

Crucial Victory Opens Path for Rowdies

Gorskie praises ‘electrifying’ atmosphere as playoff push takes off

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.broadwayworld.com/tampa/article/Creative-Loafing-to-Celebrate-27th-Annual-Best-of-the-Bay-with-Awards-Party-20170925

Creative Loafing to Celebrate 27th Annual Best of the Bay with Awards Party

For the 27th consecutive year, Creative Loafing (CL) will celebrate the Tampa Bay area's best local businesses, people, and places during Best of the Bay (BOTB).

Winners will be announced at Creative Loafing's Best of the Bay Awards Party presented by Tampa Bay Rowdies at Mahaffey Theater (400 1st Street South in St. Pete) on Wednesday, September 27th, and in the annual Best of the Bay issue online and in print on Thursday, September 28th.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.themaneland.com/2017/9/25/16356508/orlando-city-b-has-chance-to-atone-for-last-year

Orlando City B Has Chance to Atone for Last Year

With three games remaining, OCB has an opportunity to avoid last year’s late-season collapse.

A home-heavy beginning to last season meant that the team spent much of the second half of the season on the road. That included 12 of its final 18 games and its last four games. After playing four of five games away from Orlando City Stadium, OCB finishes this season with five of its last seven games at home, including three of its last four. Of those three home games, the young Lions took care of business with their 2-1 defeat of Charleston. After a trip to Richmond next week, OCB will return home to face New York Red Bulls II and the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Shaggy to perform postgame concert at Al Lang Stadium this Saturday

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.mor-tv.com/article/shaggy-to-perform-postgame-concert-at-al-lang-stadium-this-saturday/12276436

Shaggy to perform postgame concert at Al Lang Stadium this Saturday

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (September 5, 2017) – Jamaican singer Shaggy, whose hits include “Boombastic” and “It Wasn't Me”, will perform a FREE concert on Saturday, Sept. 23 at Al Lang Stadium, following the Tampa Bay Rowdies' match.

The concert, presented by Hot 101.5, will begin at approximately 10 p.m. after the conclusion of the Rowdies match against Charlotte Independence.

The concert is included in the price of a ticket to the Rowdies match, and $2 of every ticket sold will be donated to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital pediatric cancer research unit.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/7167h6/north_american_soccer_league_files_federal/

Official North American Soccer League Files Federal Antitrust Lawsuit Against United States Soccer Federation (nasl.com)

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.nasl.com/news/2017/09/19/north-american-soccer-league-files-federal-antitrust-lawsuit-against-united-states-soccer-federation-

North American Soccer League Files Federal Antitrust Lawsuit Against United States Soccer Federation

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/09/18/atlantas-mls-record-crowd-registers-4th-largest-attendance-world?amp

Atlanta's MLS-record crowd registers as 4th largest attendance in the world

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/712k3c/official_revolution_part_ways_with_head_coach_jay/

Official Official: Revolution Part Ways with Head Coach Jay Heaps (revolutionsoccer.net)

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.revolutionsoccer.net/post/2017/09/19/revolution-part-ways-head-coach-jay-heaps

Revolution Part Ways with Head Coach Jay Heaps

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/714hrz/heaps_jay_heaps_farewell_letter/

[Heaps] Jay Heaps' farewell letter (twitter.com)

(Follow link for full article.)

https://twitter.com/JayHeaps722/status/910184159301242881

Jay Heaps‏

@JayHeaps722

1st official tweet but not my last. After parting ways with the Revs, I had a few thoughts to share and people to thank. I love u DJJLiv.

9:49 AM - 19 Sep 2017

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/7155rc/republic_fc_launch_the_bringithome_citizen/

Republic FC launch the #BringItHome Citizen Architect element with a community design competition for new MLS stadium, along with a new Republic FC #BringItHome website. (login.sportngin.com)

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.sacrepublicfc.com/news_article/show/835213

Republic FC Launch Community Design Competition for New MLS Stadium

"Citizen Architects” will have an opportunity to make a permanent mark on Sacramento’s MLS stadium

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.si.com/soccer/2017/09/19/nasl-us-soccer-antitrust-lawsuit-division-sanctioning

NASL Files Antitrust Lawsuit vs. U.S. Soccer Over Division Sanctioning

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.revolutionsoccer.net/post/2017/09/19/statement-from-ownership

Statement from Ownership

As a club, we made the decision to remove Jay Heaps as the head coach of our team. We would like to thank Jay for his tremendous contributions to the club over his 15 years as a player and coach. Jay led us to our fifth MLS Cup appearance and our third US Open Cup Final. He made us all proud and as a former player of ours we are very happy to have helped him launch his coaching career and wish him nothing but the best of success in the future.

Our goal is to field a team each and every season that is competing for championships and over the past couple of seasons we have fallen short of that goal. We will immediately begin a search for a new head coach and are committed to seeing the New England Revolution once again return to championship contention.

Robert & Jonathan Kraft

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/09/19/mls-still-most-diverse-league-north-america-after-summer-moves

MLS still the most diverse league in North America after summer moves

While all the moves over the summer may have changed the fortunes of some clubs, one thing that hasn't changed is the fact that MLS once again sets the trend in the North American landscape as the youngest and most diverse among the big five professional sports leagues. From its current pool of 641 players, a league-record 73 countries are represented (as determined by birthplace), while MLS players hold an average age of 26.18 years, more than a year younger than the next closest league.

Compared to other top international soccer leagues, MLS has the widest representation across the globe with the most countries represented, while also holding the second-highest total in percentage of players born within its competitive borders (48.36% of players born outside USA and Canada).

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/716k2u/nasl_v_ussf_complaint/

NASL v. USSF Complaint (scribd.com)

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.scribd.com/document/359361983/Anti-Trust

Anti Trust

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/71710p/chris_kivlehan_new_orleans_have_signed_a_letter/

[Chris Kivlehan] New Orleans have signed a letter of intent to join NASL (twitter.com)

(Follow link for full article.)

https://twitter.com/kivlehan/status/910280809743093760

Chris Kivlehan‏

@kivlehan

New Orleans have signed a letter of intent to join @naslofficial per the lawsuit filing

4:13 PM - 19 Sep 2017

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/sources-heaps-out-as-revolution-head-coach/stj4ykfssiiq1htrj2716mhhw

Sources: Heaps out as Revolution coach

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/717bz4/ucla_law_professor_legal_battle_over_division/

UCLA Law Professor: Legal battle over division sanctions could end the possibility of pro/rel (poseidon01.ssrn.com)

(Follow link for full article.)

https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3028212

Will U.S. Soccer Be Forced to Adopt Promotion and Relegation?

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/713u5d/what_evidence_is_there_to_show_that_new_stadiums/

Discussion What evidence is there to show that new stadiums improve a team? (self.MLS)

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.espnfc.com/blog/espn-fc-united-blog/68/post/3201924/sunil-gulati-the-most-powerful-american-in-world-soccer

Economics professor Sunil Gulati is the most powerful American in soccer

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/712qi7/nutting_cosmos_owner_rocco_commisso_jokingly_asks/

[Nutting] Cosmos Owner Rocco Commisso jokingly(?) asks members of Foreign Policy Association for help in "fixing up" US Soccer (twitter.com)

(Follow link for full article.)

https://twitter.com/jakenutting/status/909797328969781250

Jake Nutting‏

@jakenutting

Cosmos Owner Rocco Commisso jokingly(?) asks members of Foreign Policy Association for help in "fixing up" US Soccer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0agfLLMK30

8:12 AM - 18 Sep 2017

(Follow link for full article.)

http://portlandtribune.com/pt/12-sports/372596-251774-new-page-in-the-playbook

New page in the playbook

BY PAUL DANZER/PORTLAND TRIBUNE/Timbers goalie Jeff Attinella hopes the children's books he writes on the side will reach kids who don't like to read

Growing up in the Tampa, Florida, area, Jeff Attinella

never imagined he would have the career he does.

Playing in MLS? Sure, young Jeff did have dreams of becoming a professional athlete.

But the Portland Timbers goalkeeper would not have scripted his newest endeavor.

Over the past year, Attinella has written a series of children's books.

As a junior at USF, Attinella was an All-American and the goalkeeper of the year in the Big East Conference.

His professional career started with his hometown team, the North American Soccer League's Tampa Bay Rowdies. In 2012, Attinella stopped three shots in the championship match shootout to lift his team to a title.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.espnfc.com/north-american-soccer-league/story/3208590/nasl-hits-us-soccer-with-antitrust-lawsuit-after-division-ii-status-is-revoked

NASL hits U.S. Soccer with antitrust lawsuit after Division II status revoked

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.empireofsoccer.com/commisso-calls-u-s-soccer-too-politicized-65526/

Commisso Calls U.S. Soccer ‘Too Politicized’

(Follow link for full article.)

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2017/09/19/revolution-fire-jay-heaps-major-league-soccer/

Revolution Fire Head Coach Jay Heaps

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2017/09/19/mls-youngest-and-most-diverse-professional-sports-league-north-america

MLS is the youngest and most diverse professional sports league in North America

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.sounderatheart.com/2017/9/19/16331952/jay-heaps-is-out-in-new-england

Major Link Soccer: Jay Heaps is out in New England

(Follow link for full article.)

http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2017/09/19/sacramento-republic-fc-encourages-fans-to-help-design-mls-stadium/

Sacramento Republic FC Encourages Fans To Help Design MLS Stadium

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/nasl-files-federal-antitrust-lawsuit-against-us-soccer/moy851ngfobw16cvrysq3xpat

NASL files federal antitrust lawsuit against U.S. Soccer

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/sports/ci_31314817/commentary-revs-fire-heaps-after-rocky-coaching-stint

Commentary: Revs fire Heaps after rocky coaching stint

(Follow link for full article.)

http://soccer.nbcsports.com/2017/09/19/nasl-launches-lawsuit-against-united-states-soccer-federation/

NASL launches lawsuit against United States Soccer Federation

(Follow link for full article.)

http://newburghgazette.com/2017/09/19/heaps-out-as-head-coach/

Heaps Out as Head Coach

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/sd-sp-nasl-lawsuit-soccer-20170919-story.html

NASL files lawsuit against US Soccer

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/3208708/bobby-dodd-stadium-integral-in-establishing-atlanta-united-fc-traditions

Bobby Dodd Stadium was integral in establishing Atlanta United traditions

(Follow link for full article.)

http://worldsoccertalk.com/2017/09/19/antitrust-lawsuit-nasl-dug-grave-despite-ussf-mls-collusion/

Antitrust lawsuit: NASL dug its own grave despite USSF-MLS collusion

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/6zzlil/some_of_you_probably_saw_the_link_for_usl_d3/

Some of you probably saw the link for USL D3 potential cities/towns, but I want to convince you to vote at least. (self.TampaBayRowdies)

(Follow link for full article.)

http://appsforpcdaily.com/2017/09/nasl-files-federal-antitrust-suit-against-us-soccer/

NASL files Federal antitrust suit against US Soccer

(Follow link for full article.)

http://soccer.nbcsports.com/2017/09/19/u-s-open-cup-final-preview-sporting-kc-vs-new-york-red-bulls/

U.S. Open Cup Final preview: Sporting KC vs. New York Red Bulls

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.wcpo.com/news/insider/crowds-turn-out-in-record-numbers-for-us-womens-team-victory-over-new-zealand

Fans turn out in record numbers for U.S. Women's Team victory over New Zealand

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.espnfc.com/blog/espn-fc-united-blog/68/post/3207136/us-open-cup-giant-killers-christos-fc-just-wants-to-have-a-good-time

After brush with greatness in US Open Cup, Christos FC just wants to have fun

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.sacbee.com/sports/mls/article174287651.html

How Republic FC fans can help design new stadium as team awaits MLS call

(Follow link for full article.)

http://sbisoccer.com/2017/09/jay-heaps-firing-the-first-in-a-long-line-of-changes-needed-for-the-revolution

Jay Heaps' firing the first in a long line of changes needed for the Revolution

(Follow link for full article.)

http://sbisoccer.com/2017/09/revs-fire-head-coach-jay-heaps

UPDATED: Revs fire head coach Jay Heaps

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2017/09/19/fc-cincinnati-polls-fans-about-stadium-site.html

FC Cincinnati polls fans about stadium site

FC Cincinnati is surveying its fans to get their input on which of three sites they prefer for a new soccer stadium.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-to-add-seatgeek-as-ticket-partner-after-nine-years-with-ticketmaster/

Sounders to add SeatGeek as ticket partner after 9 years with Ticketmaster 

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/sports/2017/09/20/nasl-sues-us-soccer-division-status-switch/

NASL sues US soccer over division status switch

Monday, September 18, 2017

Atlanta and Toronto are putting MLS' complacent billionaires to shame

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/atlanta-toronto-putting-mls-complacent-billionaires-shame-spending

Atlanta and Toronto are putting MLS' complacent billionaires to shame

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/trying-way-too-hard-10-silliest-american-soccer-team-names-ever

Trying way too hard: 10 of the silliest American soccer team names ever

The history of stateside soccer is littered with unusual, gimmicky and even outright ridiculous nicknames. Here are 10 of our favorites.

New Orleans Riverboat Gamblers (1993-98, USISL)

Syracuse Salty Dogs (2003-04, A-League)

New Mexico Chiles (1990)

Austin Sockadillos (87-94, SISL/SOSL/USISL)

Cincinnati Kids (1978, MISL)

https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/trying-way-too-hard-10-silliest-american-soccer-team-names-ever?page=0%2C1

Trying way too hard: 10 of the silliest American soccer team names ever

The Caribous of Colorado (1978, NASL)

San Diego Jaws (1976, NASL)

Everett/Puget Sound/Seattle BigFoot (1995-98, USISL/PDSL)

Finger Lakes Heartbreakers (1998, W-League)

Kalamazoo Outrage (2007-10, PDL)

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https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/70vboe/trying_way_too_hard_10_of_the_silliest_american/

Trying way too hard: 10 of the silliest American soccer team names ever (fourfourtwo.com)

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https://twitter.com/BrianStraus/status/909869198955991040

Brian Straus

‏Verified account

@BrianStraus

No news on NASL front, for those asking. Friday meeting in NY did take place. Reached out to NASL--they wouldn't comment. As you were...

12:58 PM - 18 Sep 2017

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/70xkmf/straus_no_news_on_nasl_front_for_those_asking/

[Straus] No news on NASL front, for those asking. Friday meeting in NY did take place. Reached out to NASL--they wouldn't comment. As you were... (twitter.com)

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http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2017/09/18/Opinion/BurtonOReilly.aspx

Is there any chance for U.S.-based super clubs?

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.wcpo.com/sports/fc-cincinnati/is-mls-commissioner-easing-soccer-specific-stadium-requirement

Is MLS commissioner easing soccer-specific stadium requirement?

FC Cincinnati has bid to join top league

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https://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/atlanta-united-fc/2017/9/18/16321108/don-garber-mls-commisioner-atlanta-united

Don Garber: Atlanta United are the biggest story in professional sports this year

The MLS commissioner was impressed by what he saw in Atlanta on Saturday.

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http://savannahnow.com/sports/2017-09-17/atlanta-united-sets-mls-attendance-record

Atlanta United sets MLS attendance record

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https://www.facebook.com/events/1243138482464812/?acontext={%22ref%22%3A%2222%22%2C%22feed_story_type%22%3A%2222%22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22}

SEP 23

Free Museum Day!

Public · Hosted by Clearwater Travel Resort

Saturday at 10 AM - 5:30 PM

1 Dali Blvd, St Petersburg, FL 33701-3920, United States

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0oaar83XS0

All Potential MLS Expansion Teams

DrewwBee

Published on Jul 23, 2017

What is up everyone!

NEW SOCCER TEAMS HAVE PLACED THEIR BIDS FOR THE NEW MLS EXPANSION SPOTS!

I hope you are as excited as I am.
Did your team/city make a bid? let me know down below!
Don't forget to leave a like and subscribe if you like my content

Thank you again for watching!

Professional soccer attendance records fall in Atlanta and Cincinnati

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2017/09/17/professional-soccer-attendance-records-fall-in-atlanta-and-cincinnati/?utm_term=.1052788d45b4

Professional soccer attendance records fall in Atlanta and Cincinnati

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/70rkat/totera_i_can_confirm_that_12_groups_were_in/

[Totera] "I can confirm that 12 groups were in attendance in meetings last week in Toronto #CanPL" (twitter.com)

(Follow link for full article.)

https://twitter.com/4totera/status/909575628072128512

A. Totera

@4totera

CPL News >I can confirm that 12 groups were in attendance in meetings last week in Toronto #CanPL

5:31 PM - 17 Sep 2017

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https://the11.ca/fc-edmonton-owner-confirms-attendance-at-canpl-meetings-says-usl-not-an-option/

FC Edmonton owner confirms attendance at CanPL meetings, says USL not an option

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-city-lions/on-the-pitch/os-sp-mls-commissioner-don-garber-soccer-specific-stadiums-20170916-story.html

MLS commissioner Don Garber open to modifying soccer-specific stadium mandate

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JV8dXPtkh2c

Tim Howard: The trouble with American soccer

Graham Bensinger

Published on Aug 30, 2017

Tim Howard discusses the passion the rest of the world has for soccer and how that could spread to the U.S. by increasing the publicity of players for kids to idolize.

Want to see more? SUBSCRIBE to watch the latest interviews: http://bit.ly/1R1Fd6w

Episode debuted nationwide in 2014.

Watch full episodes each week on TV stations across the country. Find the airing time and channel for your city:
http://www.grahambensinger.com/index.php/when-where-watch

Connect with Graham:
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/GrahamBensinger
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/GrahamBensinger
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/grahambensinger/

WEBSITE: http://www.grahambensinger.com/

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https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/70jezv/atlutd_70425_atlanta_united_break_the_mls/

[ATLUTD] 70,425 - Atlanta United break the MLS attendance record. (twitter.com)

(Follow link for full article.)

https://twitter.com/ATLUTD/status/909160406140190720

Atlanta United FC

‏Verified account

@ATLUTD

LEGENDARY

You’re forever part of history, Atlanta #UniteAndConquer

Tonight's Attendance

70,425 strong. We've made history. Thank you Atlanta.

2:01 PM - 16 Sep 2017

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/70kr1g/fc_cincinnati_attendance_at_30417/

[FC Cincinnati] Attendance at 30,417! (twitter.com)

(Follow link for full article.)

https://twitter.com/fccincinnati/status/909212354235297793

FC Cincinnati

‏Verified account

@fccincinnati

You've done it once again, Cincinnati... another @USL attendance record falls! #CINvNY

#RiseTogether

5:28 PM - 16 Sep 2017

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/2017/9/16/16318618/the-death-of-the-bad-sports-town-atlanta

The death of a "Bad Sports Town"

Pour one out for Atlanta as we know it.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/story/3204633/pistons-vice-chairman-detroit-mls-franchise-bid-will-boost-young-players

Pistons vice-chairman: Detroit MLS franchise bid will boost young players

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.latimes.com/food/dailydish/la-fo-la-galaxy-garden-20170915-story.html

L.A. Galaxy soccer team is growing its own food

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-hartford-dillon-stadium-rfp-20170914-story.html

Soccer Interest Prompts Hartford To Seek New Developers For Dillon Stadium Despite Scandal

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/709hej/nicholas_mcgeehan_nycfc_stadium_ownership/

[Nicholas McGeehan] NYCFC Stadium, Ownership Perception Concerns Mentioned in "Otaibaleaks" UAE Ambassador E-mail Leak Scandal (twitter.com)

(Follow link for full article.)

https://twitter.com/NcGeehan/status/908609615490879488

Nicholas McGeehan‏

@NcGeehan

#Otaibaleaks a treasure trove for those interested in why Abu Dhabi  has invested in football/soccerball.

1:33 AM - 15 Sep 2017

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/byu-cougars/2017/09/14/byu-mens-soccer-cougars-leave-pdl-return-to-club-soccer-level/

BYU men's soccer: Cougars leave PDL, return to club soccer level

After 14 seasons in semi-pro league, BYU back to playing Utah, Weber State, Utah Valley club teams

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/09/14/rbny-fans-combine-soccer-wrestling-good-cause-beyond-stands?autoplay=true

RBNY fans combine soccer, wrestling for good cause | Beyond the Stands

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.si.com/soccer/2017/09/14/nasl-us-soccer-sanctioning-division-2-future-league-usa-club-landscape

Last-Gasp Meeting to Shape Future of NASL–and U.S. Soccer's Club Landscape

(Follow link for full article.)

https://ninetyminutesonline.com/joe-cole-an-england-superstar-in-the-making-who-came-along-just-at-the-wrong-time/

Joe Cole: An England superstar that came along at just the wrong time

It was in Coventry, of all places, that Cole ‘got [his] love back for the game’, as he put it in an interview with the Daily Mail earlier this year.

The veteran joined the Sky Blues of League One in 2015 and although his performances were patchy, he managed to stay injury free for the entire campaign.

Now 35, Cole is enjoying a renaissance with the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the North American Soccer League, the second tier of the US pyramid.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.extratime.ie/articles/19764/shamrock-rovers-europa-league-goalkeeper-ryan-thompson-announces-his-retirement/

Shamrock Rovers' Europa League goalkeeper Ryan Thompson announces his retirement

Following his release by Rovers at the end of 2011, Thompson spent time in Sweden before returning to the US with USL side the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://crowsneststpete.com/2017/09/17/top-usf-st-petersburg-leader-ousted-in-abrupt-mysterious-move/

Top USF St. Petersburg leader ousted in abrupt, mysterious move

In the community, meanwhile, Wisniewska arranged new partnerships between the university and Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, the Tampa Bay Rowdies, and Valpak.

She serves on the boards of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership and Dali Museum, and she is president of the city’s so-called “Innovation District” – a collaborative partnership of the university and neighboring hospitals and marine research outfits.

In recent months, however, Wisniewska has taken heat from the USF system’s Board of Trustees over the St. Petersburg campus’ graduation rate.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://saintpetersblog.com/tampa-opens-centers-assist-residents-applying-fema-support/

Tampa, St. Pete open centers to assist residents applying for FEMA support

St. Petersburg businessman Bill Edwards, in partnership with the NAACP St. Petersburg Branch, Representative Wengay “Newt” Newton and former St. Pete Mayor Rick Baker have organized the FEMA Disaster Recovery Registration Site.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/jameis-winston-greet-fema-applicants-friday-st-pete

Jameis Winston to Greet FEMA Applicants Friday in St. Pete

The brainchild of St. Petersburg mayoral candidate Rick Baker, the registration center in the heart of Midtown began as a partnership among NAACP St. Petersburg, state Rep. Wengay "Newt" Newton, businessman Bill Edwards and Baker.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://theweeklychallenger.com/when-the-storm-is-over/

When the storm is over

On Wednesday and Thursday evenings, St. Petersburg businessman Bill Edwards, in partnership with the NAACP St. Petersburg Branch, Rep. Wengay Newton and former Mayor Rick Baker opened a FEMA Disaster Recovery Registration Site and there Heavy’s was serving more than 300 meals on Wednesday night alone.

Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Rick Kriseman along with Deputy Mayor Dr. Kanika Tomalin walked through neighborhoods assessing damage and checked on residents and their homes. Thursday morning, Team Kriseman organized a community clean up and gave out information to residents on how to bounce back from Hurricane Irma.

As some residents are still waiting for power and others are cleaning up debris and taking down plywood or hurricane shutters in an attempt to regain normalcy, one thing is for sure, those who really care about the city and its residents stepped up to the plate.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/michelle-kaufman/article173621856.html

Take note, David Beckham: 69,256 for MLS game in Atlanta

(Follow link for full article.)

http://nypost.com/2017/09/16/mls-commissioner-talks-relegation-nycfc-and-replay/

MLS commissioner talks relegation, NYCFC and replay

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-city-lions/on-the-pitch/os-sp-orlando-city-news-0917-story.html

MLS commissioner Don Garber calls Atlanta United crowd awe-inspiring

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170917/sports/309179928

Atlanta United sets Major League Soccer attendance record

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-focused-with-mls-boss-don-garber/sWVP2VJx8zMtMKeT9o4VHP/

Atlanta-focused Q&A with MLS boss Don Garber

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/2017/09/14/detroit-major-league-soccer/665664001/

Detroit's MLS bid supported by league's goal to diversify soccer talent

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.socceramerica.com/article/74941/crowd-count-atlanta-united-and-fc-cincinnati-brea.html

Crowd Count: League records set in Atlanta and Cincinnati

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.newsrecord.org/sports/fc-cincinnati-shatters-usl-attendance-record-in-home-finale/article_2797f77c-9be8-11e7-a5d5-b3b649b769fd.html

FC Cincinnati shatters USL attendance record in home finale

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.draysbay.com/2017/9/14/16306716/tampa-bay-rays-hurricane-irma

What the Rays are doing to support the community after Hurricane Irma

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/rays-feeding-tampa-bay-to-provide-meals-water-today-at-trop-for-hurricane/2337482

Rays, Feeding Tampa Bay to provide food, water 5-6:30 today at Trop for Hurricane Irma victims

(Follow link for full article.)

http://saintpetersblog.com/three-new-charging-stations-deployed-st-pete/

Three new charging stations deployed in St. Pete

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.manilatimes.net/record-mls-crowd-sees-atlanta-orlando-draw/351210/

Record MLS crowd sees Atlanta-Orlando draw