MLS: Striking down sports betting law will change everything

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https://mlsmultiplex.com/2018/05/15/mls-striking-sports-betting-law-will-change-everything/

MLS: Striking down sports betting law will change everything

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https://www.themaneland.com/2018/5/16/17359074/lion-links-5-16-18

Lion Links: 5/16/18

Meram silencing the haters, Pride players racking up awards, fan issues, and more!

Fan Issues

Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Atlanta was a good game. Yes, the good guys lost, but Orlando played well and it was overall a well contested game. The officiating? That’s a different story and led to many other issues.

The Orlando Sentinel’s David Whitley wrote a piece on how acting like a passionate fan is not the same as acting like a child, and it’s a must read. Whitley hits the nail on the head and he ends with a message that should not be ignored.

Instead of booing the officials next time they blow a call, boo those who are throwing junk on the field. Point them out to cops.

Tell them they’re an embarrassment to the club they supposedly love, and there is a difference between passion and hooliganism. One is not an excuse for the other.

Fans that are identified from Sunday’s match could be banned for at least one year.

Original Lion Finds a New Team

Central Florida has a new Major Arena Soccer League team called the Orlando SeaWolves and they’re building their roster for their inaugural season, which starts in December. As of yesterday, the club started adding players, including former Lion Lewis Neal, who was announced as the team’s first ever signing.

“This is the first of many exciting announcements as we begin to build our roster,” said SeaWolves General Manager Chris Kokalis. “Lewis Neal was selected in the MLS Expansion draft by Orlando City and scored their first ever goal. Now he has a chance to help establish the SeaWolves among the ranks of the thriving Central Florida soccer community. Additionally, his experience and leadership will be invaluable in the locker room even though he is new to the arena game.”

Neal has played in 95 games for Orlando City and OCB, registering 12 goals and 12 assists in four total seasons. He was part of the inaugural Orlando City USL team, the inaugural Orlando City MLS team, the inaugural OCB, and he will look to have a similar impact with the SeaWolves as he had with the Lions.

The club also announced that it agreed to terms with Gordy Gurson from the U.S. National Futsal Team.

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https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2018/05/16/mayoral-candidates-question-mls-stadium-at.html

Mayoral candidates question MLS stadium at fairgrounds

Some of the candidates running to become Nashville’s next mayor are questioning plans to build a Major League Soccer stadium at the fairgrounds.

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https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/77933/what-theyre-saying-don-garber.html

What They're Saying: Don Garber

“Just because there is promotion/relegation in other leagues that were founded on different principles doesn’t mean that it would make sense in Major League Soccer. We have a vibrant No. 2 league in the USL. We have [Sporting KC principal owner] Cliff [Illig] and his partners that have just put $60 million of capital, along with the public, into this building. If all of a sudden they’re playing in a different division that doesn’t have national revenues -- because the USL doesn’t have that -- how does that make any sense? There’s no economic rationality to promotion/relegation whatsoever in the era that we’re in today.”

-- MLS commissioner Don Garber on pro/rel's viability in MLS. (Kansas City Star)

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https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2018/05/16/smith-time-is-right-for-new-role-at-sac-republic.html

Smith: Time is right for new role at Sac Republic FC

Stepping down from Sacramento Republic FC president to team senior adviser is a logical step to take at this time, said Warren Smith, the soccer club’s co-founder.

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https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2018/05/16/it-looks-like-international-soccer-is-headed-back.html

It looks like international soccer is headed back to Nashville

The CONCACAF Gold Cup, the official national team championship of the region covering North America, Central America and the Caribbean, last came to Nashville in July 2017.

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https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/soccer/fc-cincinnati/2018/05/16/closing-west-end-deal-could-put-fc-cincy-brink-mls-expansion/616268002/

Analysis: Closing deal with West End could put FC Cincinnati on the brink of MLS expansion

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https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2018/05/16/fc-cincinnati-strikesdeal-with-west-end-community.html

FC Cincinnati strikes deal with West End community

FC Cincinnati and the West End neighborhood have reached a deal on a community benefits agreement, a key step to its plans to build a $200 million-plus soccer stadium in the West End and its bid for a Major League Soccer franchise.

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http://www.fox19.com/story/38209615/fc-cincinnati-moves-closer-to-permanent-home

FC Cincinnati moves closer to getting permanent home

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http://www.wane.com/news/local-news/damarcus-beasley-helping-to-bring-futsal-courts-to-fort-wayne/1183169266

DaMarcus Beasley helping to bring futsal courts to Fort Wayne

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http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mls/sporting-kc/article211241974.html

U.S. women’s national team, 2019 Gold Cup men’s doubleheader coming to KC

Three months after Kansas City unveiled a stunning $75 million national training center, the soccer facility has its first major visitors on the calendar. And it lured high-profile games down the street, to boot.

The United States women’s national team will visit Children’s Mercy Park on July 26, and the venue will also host a 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup men’s doubleheader next summer.

The U.S. women are scheduled to face Japan at 6 p.m. on July 26, following a match between Brazil and Australia at 3:15 p.m. in the second annual Tournament of Nations. The four teams will play a round-robin format at three different venues, with the home to Sporting Kansas City hosting the openers.

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https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/blogs/daugherty-blog/2018/05/17/mls-expansion-2018-what-else-must-fc-cincinnati-do-solidify-bid-major-league-soccer-don-garber/619157002/

Paul Daugherty's Morning Line: What other hoops must FC Cincinnati jump through for MLS?

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https://www.whoscored.com/News/78O0TNxbek6RTDi4fWWG5g/Show/Wayne-Rooney-puts-MLS-move-on-pause

Wayne Rooney puts MLS move on pause

Wayne Rooney will wait to speak to Everton’s next manager before deciding whether to move to Major League Soccer side DC United, claims The Sun.

The former England captain was on the brink of joining the American side last week before Everton announced their decision to sack Sam Allardyce on Wednesday.

Rooney is now keen to discuss his future with Allardyce’s successor before making a decision on his future in Merseyside.

The 32-year-old only returned to Goodison Park last summer, but things have not gone totally to plan for the former Manchester United striker.

Marco Silva is the frontrunner to become Everton’s next manager. The Portuguese has been out of work since being sacked as Watford boss at the start of the year.

Rooney finished the season with 10 goals in a league campaign for the first time since 2015, but last found the back of the net in December.

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https://www.portada-online.com/2018/05/17/the-week-in-soccer-marketing-14/

The Week in Soccer Marketing

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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/05/16/mls-disciplinary-committee-fines-four-players-warns-orlando-city

MLS Disciplinary Committee fines four players, warns Orlando City

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https://www.besoccer.com/new/the-veterans-attracting-the-interest-of-mls-sides-430143

The veterans attracting the interest of MLS sides

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https://nanaimonewsnow.com/article/579239/players-just-glad-place-play-when-impact-debuted-25-years-ago

Players just glad for a place to play when Impact debuted 25 years ago.

MONTREAL — When the Montreal Impact debuted 25 years ago, no one was sure what to make of the club or the American Professional Soccer League they were playing in.

But as the APSL morphed into the A-League and then the USL First Division, the Impact became one of the best teams with the biggest crowds, winning three championships in the so-called second division before they entered Major League Soccer in 2012.

On Monday, when the Los Angeles Galaxy visit Saputo Stadium, the club will celebrate the 25th anniversary of its first home game — a 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rowdies at the Claude Robillard Centre on May 21, 1993.

"It was a new thing," said Nick Dasovic, the former Canadian international defender who scored a goal for Montreal that day. "The Canadian Soccer League had just folded.

"It was an unknown league, a joint U.S.-Canadian league. At the time, it was the top level in North America. A lot of players went on to MLS."

Dasovic, now a televison commentator, doesn't remember much about the game itself, however.

"But I didn't score a lot of goals, so I remember that," he joked.

Montreal native Cameron Walker also had a goal while Italian veteran Nicola Zanone, one of a pair of Europeans brought in to bolster the lineup along with Frenchman Patrice Ferri, scored twice.

The Impact was made up largely of players from the Montreal Supra, who had lasted three seasons in the CSL. The majority of the players were Canadian, many of them local.

Also in the first game was midfielder Nick De Santis, who later coached the club to an A-League title and is now a team vice-president. Mauro Biello, the club's all-time scoring and games-played leader who coached them in MLS, was on the team but wasn't dressed that day.

On a sadder note, the anniversary falls less than a month after the death of midfielder Pierre-Richard Thomas, who was in the starting 11.

Some now in the local soccer media, like Lloyd Barker, Grant Needham, John Limniatis and Rudy Doliscat, were on the 1993 squad. Others came from the outside, like Dasovic, goalkeeper Pat Harrington and defenders Dino Lopez and Jason De Vos, who is now director of development for Soccer Canada.

De Vos watched the game from the bench, where he spent the first four games until he asked coach Eddie Firmani either to use him or let him go elsewhere. He was on the pitch next game.

"It was an important part of my development," said De Vos. "I was only 19.

"The demise of the CSL the previous year meant I didn't have a pro team to play for. Then, lo and behold, the Impact offer came up."

For Canadian players, the Impact and an even older club, the Vancouver Whitecaps (then called the 86ers), represented a chance to play pro soccer at home, a prospect that looked doomed when the CSL folded in 1992.

"I wouldn't have had a career if not for (owner) Joey Saputo and the Impact giving the opportunity for Canadian players to play," said De Vos.

For the same reason, both ex-players are excited about the Canadian Premier League, a national circuit expected to begin play next year. The MLS clubs in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver only use a few Canadians each with any regularity.

Dasovic, who went on to play for Stade Briocin in France's second division and St. Johnstone in Scotland before ending his career with the Whitecaps, opted to join Montreal after playing for North York in the CSL.

He liked that Firmani played "attractive football" and that he'd get regular playing time on a team with relatively good crowd support in a city he liked for its European feel.

In only their second season, with Valerio Gazzola as coach, the Impact won the APSL title. Striker Jean Harbour, a member of the Rowdies in 1993, scored the championship-winning goal for Montreal.

Things have been gloomier of late, with the Impact off to a 3-8-0 start under new coach Remi Garde, the former Olympique Lyonnais boss who is still in rebuilding mode after the team missed the playoffs in 2017. Saputo went into the dressing room to tell the players their 2-0 loss at home to Philadelphia last week was unacceptable and embarassing.

Dasovic remembers happier times.

"We'd have been nothing without the support of Joey and the Saputo family," he said. "The money they put behind us, the trips to Italy.

"They're going through a tough time now. It'll take Garde some time, but he's a respected coach. I don't think there's anything to panic about."

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https://communityimpact.com/austin/northwest-austin/sports/2018/05/17/survey-austin-respondents-support-major-league-soccer-but-want-transportation-improvements/

Survey: Austin respondents support Major League Soccer but want transportation improvements

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http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/3366558/russell-canouse-brooks-lennon-left-europe-for-mls-promise-of-playing-time

Russell Canouse, Brooks Lennon left Europe for MLS' promise of playing time

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http://www.greenvillebusinessmag.com/2018/05/16/173390/greenville-pro-soccer-announces-addition

Greenville Pro Soccer Announces Addition

Greenville Pro Soccer announces the appointment of Doug Erwin as vice chairman and chief brand officer of the ownership group, which is bringing a United Soccer League (USL) D3 team to Greenville to begin play in May 2019.

In his dual role, Erwin will guide the process of creating the soccer team’s branding and ultimately oversee the team’s marketing and PR efforts, as well as merchandising and social media communications.

“I am thrilled to take on this new challenge, which blends my love for soccer with my passion for developing and promoting the brand and message of a great product,” Erwin said. “I’m excited about building a fan base around this team in a culturally diverse and enthusiastic community that has an insatiable appetite for the sport.”

Erwin will work alongside Greenville Pro Soccer President Chris Lewis and Chairman Joe Erwin on all aspects related to the team’s initial build-out, including venue selection, staffing, and community outreach.

Lewis said that Erwin brings both a deep understanding of the market and a keen instinct for what resonates with soccer fans. “Doug is a great addition to the team we are building around pro soccer in greater Greenville, and he possesses keen insight with regard to the culture of the sport and connecting to the soccer fans and supporters in the community.”

Erwin previously worked as managing director at Endeavor, a creative, collaborative community that offers co-working space and business-building opportunities for creative services professionals—and serves as a destination for companies and individuals looking to connect with and help cultivate the Upstate’s vibrant creative class.

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https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2018/05/17/06/26/20180516-recap-usoc-seven-amateur-teams-upset-professional-sides-in-second-round-of-2018-us-open-cup

Seven Amateur Teams Upset Professional Sides in Second Round of 2018 U.S. Open Cup

Ocean City Nor’easters, Jacksonville Armada, Mississippi Brilla, FC Wichita, NTX Rayados, Sporting AZ FC and FC Golden State Force Best Division II Teams; Third Round of 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Set for May 22-23

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https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/77948/us-open-cup-upsets-galore-seven-in-all-in.html

US Open Cup: Upsets galore -- seven in all -- in second round

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http://www.nbc15.com/content/news/Madison-unveiled-as-4th-USL-Division-III-founding-member-482986521.html

Madison unveiled as 4th USL Division III founding member

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) -- The United Soccer League welcomed Madison, Wisconsin as the league’s first Midwest-based club of the new professional third-division league Thursday at Breese Stevens Field.

Madison now becomes the fourth founding member in the league.

Big Top Soccer, led by Vern Stenman, Conor Caloia, Jim Kacmarcik and Steve Schmitt, make up the ownership group of what will be the only outdoor professional soccer team in Wisconsin, according to a release from the group.

“Wisconsin is the second largest state in the country by population without an outdoor pro soccer team. The chance to launch this team in Madison is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity,” the Big Top Soccer ownership group said in a statement.

A new 10-year use agreement between Big Top Events and the City of Madison was approved by the Madison Common Council on Tuesday. The agreement provides for an additional $1.3 million of improvements to the facility, in addition to a new concession and restroom building already scheduled for construction this fall.

“We’re confident this team will become a loved part of the Madison community, and we can’t wait to start working with the entire community to ensure we develop a team we can all be proud of," Big Top Soccer ownership group said.

Beginning play in 2019, USL Division III has announced South Georgia Tormenta FC, FC Tucson, a Greenville-based team and a Madison-based team as founding members and will have additional franchise announcements in the coming weeks and months. Official competition structure and brand launch announcements are also expected later this year.

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http://nysportsjournalism.squarespace.com/fox-brings-stars-to-world-cup/

Fox Brings Beckham, Deadpool, Holyfield, Embiid To FIFA World Cup Party

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https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2018/05/16/Marketing-and-Sponsorship/Fox-World-Cup-Ads.aspx

Fox Brings In Beckham, Embiid, Deadpool For World Cup Ads

Fox is ramping up its "The World Becomes the FIFA World Cup" ad campaign 30 days out from the start of the tournament in Russia. A new ad, "This Summer," rolls out today across multiple Fox-owned TV networks. The spot stars David Beckham, USWNT F Alex Morgan, ...

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http://futnsoccer.com/2018/05/16/why-rooney-to-the-mls-is-not-a-good-move/

Why Rooney to the MLS is not a good move

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http://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/rooney-torres-12-potential-high-profile-mls-summer-transfers/1t4cu81dmepun1cvp8e1p1e3k8

Rooney, Torres & 12 potential high-profile MLS summer transfers

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https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwfood-wine/article/Post-Cereals-Kicks-Off-Major-League-Soccer-Support-20180517

Post Cereals Kicks-Off Major League Soccer Support

Major League Soccer fans and grocery store shoppers alike will be able to get into the game in a big way from coast-to-coast this summer.

Starting in June, limited edition MLS cereal boxes can be found at grocery stores nationwide, featuring collectible Topps MLS player trading card cut-outs.

In addition, more than 20 events will be held in grocery store parking lots across the country from June through August as Post serves as the Official Cereal of Major League Soccer. The tour will also make stops during the Schwan's Cup Youth Soccer Tournament in the Twin Cities and 2018 MLS All-Star Atlanta.

Activities will range from a soccer kick activity, photo and temporary tattoo stations, a plinko game for prizes and cereal sampling including Honey Bunches of Oats , Pebbles Cereal, Honeycomb and OREO O's.

See the full events calendar with locations and times at the Post Cereals Facebook events page.

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https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/17/sports/soccer/atlanta-united-mls.html

A New Atlanta, United by Soccer

Smart signings, massive crowds and a stealthy bus ride before home games have helped an M.L.S. team foster an immediate connection with its fans.

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https://www.sportingkc.com/post/2018/05/17/starting-xi-yanks-are-coming

Starting XI: The Yanks are Coming

Starting XI is a biweekly series on SportingKC.com that highlights 11 of the biggest storylines and news updates from Sporting Kansas City, MLS and soccer around the globe. Click here to visit the Starting XI archive.

1. The Yanks are Coming

Children’s Mercy Park will host the United States Women’s National Team in a 2018 Tournament of Nations doubleheader on July 26, U.S. Soccer announced Wednesday. The three-time World Cup champion U.S. WNT will face Japan at 6 p.m. CT on the opening matchday of an elite four-team tournament that will take place at three different venues in a round-robin format between July 26-Aug. 2. The first match of the day at Children’s Mercy Park will feature Brazil against Australia, kicking off at 3:15 p.m. CT.

Tickets for the doubleheader will go on sale to the public Friday, June 1, at 10 a.m. CT through ussoccer.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Exclusive pre-sale opportunities for Sporting KC Season Ticket members will be announced at a later date.

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https://ftw.usatoday.com/2018/05/jurgen-klinsmann-usmnt-mistake-us-soccer-firing-world-cup-2018-bruce-arena

Jurgen Klinsmann described how U.S. Soccer made a mistake in firing him

There’s no telling how the USMNT would have fared had Jurgen Klinsmann been allowed to stay on as coach.

As the USMNT-less World Cup in Russia approaches next month, the firing of Jurgen Klinsmann remains a divisive issue among U.S. soccer fans.

For many, Klinsmann had lost the support of his players and failed to show signs of building towards his ambitious goals for the USMNT. So, he had to go. Others thought that it was far too late in a World Cup qualifying cycle to make a change and that Klinsmann had earned the right to see this thing through.

By now, we know how it went. The U.S. Soccer Federation lost its patience, fired Klinsmann in November 2016 and collapsed in embarrassing fashion with a Bruce Arena-led squad. In a recent feature from Sports Illustrated, Klinsmann explained how the USSF made a mistake in firing him. He believes that the USMNT would be heading to Russia had he been allowed to continue coaching the squad.

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https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ftw/2018/05/16/jurgen-klinsmann-described-how-us-soccer-made-a-mistake-in-firing-him/111164672/

Klinsmann explains how U.S. Soccer made a mistake

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https://www.thebluetestament.com/2018/5/16/17359552/blue-links-power-rankings-sports-betting-don-garber-worlds-most-expensive-soccer-match-sporting-kc

Blue Links: Power Rankings, Sports Betting, Don Garber, the World’s Most Expensive Soccer Match

So much Sporting Kansas City we can barely handle it.

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http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2018/05/15/warren-smith-leaving-sacramento-republic-fc/

Warren Smith Leaving Sacramento Republic FC

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https://www.sportingkc.com/post/2018/05/16/radio-rewind-mls-commissioner-don-garber-and-sporting-kc-captain-matt-besler-join

Radio Rewind: MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Sporting KC captain Matt Besler join Sports Radio 810 WHB

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http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mls/sporting-kc/article211241974.html

U.S. women’s national team, 2019 Gold Cup men’s doubleheader coming to KC