(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.sports360az.com/2018/09/mls-expansion-and-rising-fc/
Cesmat-My View on MLS with Rising FC
A good way to put the current status of Major League Soccer expansion and Phoenix Rising FC was presented to me earlier this week. “It’s like a duck swimming, no one can see all the movement under the water.” Yes, it’s been very quiet on the expansion front since the late July meeting in New York City between the ownership and MLS leader Don Garber. That doesn’t mean that there hasn’t been any movement on all of the important boxes that MLS wants to have checked. There’s been progress on many fronts from my understanding, but there’s no reason for ownership to plant a flag in the ground and say that all their work is done, because it’s not.
The “hungry and humble” approach is the right way to go. It reminds me of the days leading up to the Diamondbacks coming to life with Major League Baseball. I remember all too well the MLB owners jacking up the expansion price tag on Jerry Colangelo at the very last minute. While Jerry was always persistent, I remember talking with him the morning that MLB dropped the bomb, he was discouraged and had some doubt that baseball would happen. By that night, the team was basically born. Things change in a hurry in the business of sports. So for now, enjoy the fact that if Rising FC gets a win tonight against St. Louis FC the franchise will be hosting their first ever playoff match in mid-October(19th or 20th). Attendance looks strong for all three of the remaining regular season matches.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://fox2now.com/2018/09/29/st-louis-fc-poised-for-playoff-run-as-interest-mls-soccer-stadium-rebounds/
St. Louis FC poised for playoff run, as interest MLS soccer stadium rebounds
KIRKWOOD, MO - St. Louis could get another shot at major league soccer. This comes as the St. Louis FC gears up for playoffs.
This is the fourth season for the St. Louis Football Club and there’s a strong chance they could make the playoffs this season.
If they do, this will be the first time they make it.
This comes as state and St. Louis City officials are talking Major League Soccer league once again. Recently, voters shot down a ballot measure that would have helped fund a stadium downtown and soccer fans are excited by the renewed interest.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.thesportster.com/soccer/soccer-veterans-who-should-go-to-the-mls/
20 Soccer Star Veterans Who Should Go To The MLS
When it comes to European football, there's nothing that can match the quality of its leagues. Fans clamour around the finesse and excitement of domestic leagues like England's Premiership, Spain's La Liga, and Italy's Serie A (even though it isn't what it once was in terms of quality). There's also a plethora of excitement around Germany's Bundesliga and France's Ligue 1, with teams like Bayern Munich, PSG and Borussia Dortmund all giving us a reason to enjoy games over the weekend.
But one league that is catching the eye of spectators is the MLS, which has garnered a reputation for bringing in players from Europe when they're on the downside of their careers or struggling in the continent. We all remember David Beckham's mammoth move to LA Galaxy, which really jump-started MLS as a major player in soccer. Players like Alessandro Nesta, Thierry Henry, Rafael Marquez, Giovinco, and Didier Drogba soon followed, and now MLS has a number of star attractions that are bringing in fans from all over the world to their games. Almost every team has a star player, or household name if you will, and with recent additions such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney, MLS is now must watch soccer for diehard spectators.
When it comes down to it, the MLS is a league where former stars jump ship to for either a big payday or to play with ease, whether the league wants to admit it or not. For some older or ageing players, it is also a place where they can rekindle the magic they once had. Here are 20 veteran players who could prosper from joining MLS clubs.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.femalefirst.co.uk/celebrity/david-beckham-buying-pub-1165415.html
David Beckham buying a pub
David Beckham and his friend Guy Ritchie are buying a London pub together.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://metro.co.uk/2018/09/30/david-beckham-is-buying-a-pub-and-we-cant-wait-to-pop-round-for-a-drink-7991716/
David Beckham ‘is buying a pub’ and we can’t wait to pop round for a drink
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/showbiz/733334/David-Beckham-buys-pub-Guy-Ritchie-Walmer-Castle-Notting-Hill
David Beckham buys PUB: Becks and Guy Ritchie splash £3 MILLION on London local
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/9jx4ip/if_the_rowdies_take_all_9_points_out_of_the_last/
If the Rowdies take all 9 points out of the last 3 games, what else has to happen?
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/9k0d2o/cross_post_introducing_the_unnoficial_dale/
[Cross Post] Introducing the Unnoficial Dale Brennan Cups Official Then Why Are You Sweaty Trophy - Congrats Rowdies 2018 Winners!
Sunday, September 30, 2018
Saturday, September 29, 2018
[Chris Torello] (Rumor) Tampa Bay Rowdies Announcement on Tuesday (10/2) 10:30AM
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/9jsoro/chris_torello_rumor_tampa_bay_rowdies/
[Chris Torello] (Rumor) Tampa Bay Rowdies Announcement on Tuesday (10/2) 10:30AM
Okay...this should be fun. Mahaffey announcements are usually a big deal...
My first inclination was a major signing.... But I'm skeptical of that as there haven't been any rumors. Same with a coaching change. There's just no evidence of that.
I'd like to go with a stadium anouncement. Maybe they found a way around a second ballot initiative. (Fingers crossed)
Last three presser announcements I can remember:
MLS2StPete (Birchwood)
Florida Cup (Mahaffey)
Joe Cole signing (Mahaffey)
The timing of this one makes me think it’s pretty big news.
Either the Rowdies have new investors or their dropping to USL League One (nooo!)
Lol..m I don't think you have to worry about a "Major" announcement for dropping down.... On the other hand, your second theory!!!!
Cole retiring?
My speculation was Cole retiring, stadium news, new owner. I do think we would have heard about Cole retiring earlier though, because they would have used that in a bigger way to sell tickets.
I have been informed that a “major announcement” will be made by the #Rowdies at 10:30 am this Tuesday at the Mahaffey Theater.
@TampaBayRowdies #COYR
@BN9 @SpecSports360
Attached photo | imgur Mirror
If you look at his quote when I asked where they were in the stadium process last month, seems to indicate there would be an announcement or announcements before anything new about the stadium. At least that’s one way to read it.
New billionaire investors please please please.....
I'd like to see Bill Edwards stay on as a minority investor; he's been excellent on the business side of the Rowdies, much better than the previous owners, but hopefully some of the new investors have some football background. Running a successful businesses isn't quite comparable to putting together a title winning team in any sport, and soccer in the USA is a unique beast all its own.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://twitter.com/torellosports/status/1045714425041309698?s=21
CHRIS TORELLO
@TorelloSports
Follow Follow @TorelloSports
I have been informed that a “major announcement” will be made by the #Rowdies at 10:30 am this Tuesday at the Mahaffey Theater.
@TampaBayRowdies #COYR
@BN9 @SpecSports360
9:38 AM - 28 Sep 2018 from Tampa, FL
(Follow link for full article.)
Carlos \U/ 👌🏽
@carlostpa10
Replying to @TorelloSports @TampaBayRowdies and 2 others
Huh
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/9jsoro/chris_torello_rumor_tampa_bay_rowdies/
[Chris Torello] (Rumor) Tampa Bay Rowdies Announcement on Tuesday (10/2) 10:30AM
Okay...this should be fun. Mahaffey announcements are usually a big deal...
My first inclination was a major signing.... But I'm skeptical of that as there haven't been any rumors. Same with a coaching change. There's just no evidence of that.
I'd like to go with a stadium anouncement. Maybe they found a way around a second ballot initiative. (Fingers crossed)
Last three presser announcements I can remember:
MLS2StPete (Birchwood)
Florida Cup (Mahaffey)
Joe Cole signing (Mahaffey)
The timing of this one makes me think it’s pretty big news.
Either the Rowdies have new investors or their dropping to USL League One (nooo!)
Lol..m I don't think you have to worry about a "Major" announcement for dropping down.... On the other hand, your second theory!!!!
Cole retiring?
My speculation was Cole retiring, stadium news, new owner. I do think we would have heard about Cole retiring earlier though, because they would have used that in a bigger way to sell tickets.
I have been informed that a “major announcement” will be made by the #Rowdies at 10:30 am this Tuesday at the Mahaffey Theater.
@TampaBayRowdies #COYR
@BN9 @SpecSports360
Attached photo | imgur Mirror
If you look at his quote when I asked where they were in the stadium process last month, seems to indicate there would be an announcement or announcements before anything new about the stadium. At least that’s one way to read it.
New billionaire investors please please please.....
I'd like to see Bill Edwards stay on as a minority investor; he's been excellent on the business side of the Rowdies, much better than the previous owners, but hopefully some of the new investors have some football background. Running a successful businesses isn't quite comparable to putting together a title winning team in any sport, and soccer in the USA is a unique beast all its own.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://twitter.com/torellosports/status/1045714425041309698?s=21
CHRIS TORELLO
@TorelloSports
Follow Follow @TorelloSports
I have been informed that a “major announcement” will be made by the #Rowdies at 10:30 am this Tuesday at the Mahaffey Theater.
@TampaBayRowdies #COYR
@BN9 @SpecSports360
9:38 AM - 28 Sep 2018 from Tampa, FL
(Follow link for full article.)
Carlos \U/ 👌🏽
@carlostpa10
Replying to @TorelloSports @TampaBayRowdies and 2 others
Huh
MLS Plan To Expand By Four Teams Stalls
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.sportstalkflorida.com/soccer/mls/mls-plan-to-expand-by-four-teams-stalls/
MLS Plan To Expand By Four Teams Stalls
MLS Commissioner Don Garber has franchises for sale.
Remember when Major League Soccer wanted to expand by four teams and was in what appeared to be a major rush to find four cities and four owners who had what it took to join the club? It appears that Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber has thrown some cold water on that rush to find four cities. In 2017, about a dozen cities were considered as contenders for the four slots, by the end of 2017 only Nashville made the cut and that came after city leaders approved a plan to use a quarter of a billion dollars of public money to help build a soccer facility. The league approved Cincinnati’s entry into the league earlier this year after politicians maneuvered pieces to get a stadium done. But a year and a half after the league announced it wanted to expand by four, it appears for now that just two will be added. The league is also waiting to see how the planned move of the Columbus Crew franchise to a city the MLS never considered, Austin, Texas proceeds.
Garber and his owners are still kicking the tires in cities that still want an MLS team. “We have not established a timetable for that next round, but between the five or six or seven that are still in the mix, we’ll pick two of them and we’ll figure out how they’re going to roll out so that we can be a fully expanded league. But, we still are engaged in Detroit, we’re still engaged in San Diego, we’re still engaged in Cincinnati. St. Louis has been floating around a little bit. There’s been some talk in Charlotte, there’s been some talk in Las Vegas and Phoenix.” Cincinnati does have a team. What Major League Soccer owners and Garber have found out is that it is getting harder to find willing partners.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/anti-codenext-advocates-now-pushing-to-put-mls-deal-on-ballot/1480578444
Austin
Anti-CodeNEXT advocates now pushing to put MLS deal on ballot
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2018/09/28/how-phoenix-rising-became-a-front-runner-in-the.html
How Phoenix Rising became a front-runner in the MLS expansion race
Backing of Chinese billionaire seen as key component to team's future
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2018/09/28/plans-for-big-stadium-could-make-or-break-phoenix.html
Plans for big stadium could make or break Phoenix Rising's MLS ambitions
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.kvue.com/video/news/pac-wants-citywide-vote-on-mls-stadium/269-8266269
PAC wants citywide vote on MLS stadium
A 'political action committee' in Austin says the everyone in the city - not just council members - should get to decide whether a Major League Soccer stadium is built here.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.law360.com/competition/articles/1086625/usl-restructures-amid-legal-attacks-on-us-pro-soccer
USL Restructures Amid Legal Attacks On US Pro Soccer
Law360 (September 26, 2018, 5:35 PM EDT) -- The United Soccer League, which is classified as a Division II professional league, announced Wednesday it is restructuring itself into three separate leagues under one brand beginning in 2019, amid a...
(Follow link for full article.)
https://kmox.radio.com/articles/confirmed-new-hope-major-league-soccer-st-louis
New Hope For MLS Expanding to St. Louis
The pro soccer stadium would likely happen on the same site that was previouly preposed, just west of Union Station downtown.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.stltoday.com/business/local/soccer-stadium-talks-back-on-in-st-louis/article_d66a9e8e-1439-57be-be85-b697715d6b79.html
Soccer stadium talks back on in St. Louis
(Follow link for full article.)
https://kmox.radio.com/articles/confirmed-new-hope-major-league-soccer-st-louis
New Hope For MLS Expanding to St. Louis
The pro soccer stadium would likely happen on the same site that was previouly preposed, just west of Union Station downtown.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://communityimpact.com/austin/northwest-austin/arts-entertainment/2018/09/27/mls-in-austin-supporters-group-launching-new-name-brand-sept-29/
MLS in Austin supporters group launching new name, brand Sept. 29
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/09/27/concacaf-selects-chicagos-soldier-field-host-2019-gold-cup-final
Concacaf selects Chicago's Soldier Field to host 2019 Gold Cup final
(Follow link for full article.)
https://houston.sportsmap.com/houston-dynamo-win-2018-us-open-cup/
Houston Dynamo win 2018 U.S. Open Cup
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/09/27/st-louis-mayor-prospective-owners-pursuing-mls-team
St. Louis mayor: Prospective owners pursuing MLS team
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.kxan.com/video/anti-codenext-advocates-now-pushing-to-put-mls-deal-on-ballot_20180928024558/1480621785
Video
Anti-CodeNEXT advocates now pushing to put MLS deal on ballot
Starting Friday, you may notice people asking for your signature to try to stop a Major League Soccer stadium from being built at McKalla Place in north Austin
(Follow link for full article.)
https://calvinayre.com/2018/09/28/press-releases/sing-like-canary/
Sing like a canary!
LEOVEGAS OFFERS TRIP OF A LIFETIME TO NORWICH CITY FAN
SEPTEMBER 2018 – LONDON, UK – Leading sportsbook and casino, and sponsor of Norwich City FC, LeoVegas, is offering the trip of a lifetime to one lucky Norwich City fan as part of a unique new campaign.
LeoVegas’ #SingLikeACanary campaign will kick off on 26th September and run until 9th October, and will see Norwich City fans battle it out to win the chance to join their team on a tour of Tampa Bay this November in partnership with Visit Tampa.
Known as The Canaries across the UK, Norwich fans will need to channel their inner vocalist and take their singing from the terraces to their smartphones in order to be in with a chance of winning.
Fan can enter via LeoVegas Sport’s Facebook and Twitter channels. All fans have to do is share the competition post and submit a video of their best rendition of a Norwich City chant.
LeoVegas will announce the winner on Monday 15th October and the winner will be notified by Norwich City FC.
The money can’t buy experience comes as Norwich City tour the area during the winter break, from 12th until 17th November, adding the club’s name to the already illustrious list of world-famous sporting teams Tampa Bay is home to.
The famous yellow and green jerseys of Norwich City are shared by the Tampa Bay Rowdies, the city’s local soccer team, bringing a connection between the two clubs.
The trip will see one lucky fan, and a guest of their choice, embark on a boat tour around Tampa Bay, enjoy a meet and greet with a former England legend and soak in the wider Tampa Bay area during free time periods, along with a host of other thrilling experiences.
Tom Jacobs, UK & IE Sports Marketing Manager at LeoVegas, said: “We are thrilled to offer a genuinely once in a lifetime trip to one Norwich City fan and their guest, a club we have been privileged to sponsor for the last two seasons.
“We’re challenging Norwich City supporters to #SingLikeACanary and embrace the name the club’s known all around the world for. At LeoVegas we always strive to bring our customers closer to the action and engage them with real and exciting experiences, and we know this trip won’t disappoint.”
https://www.sportstalkflorida.com/soccer/mls/mls-plan-to-expand-by-four-teams-stalls/
MLS Plan To Expand By Four Teams Stalls
MLS Commissioner Don Garber has franchises for sale.
Remember when Major League Soccer wanted to expand by four teams and was in what appeared to be a major rush to find four cities and four owners who had what it took to join the club? It appears that Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber has thrown some cold water on that rush to find four cities. In 2017, about a dozen cities were considered as contenders for the four slots, by the end of 2017 only Nashville made the cut and that came after city leaders approved a plan to use a quarter of a billion dollars of public money to help build a soccer facility. The league approved Cincinnati’s entry into the league earlier this year after politicians maneuvered pieces to get a stadium done. But a year and a half after the league announced it wanted to expand by four, it appears for now that just two will be added. The league is also waiting to see how the planned move of the Columbus Crew franchise to a city the MLS never considered, Austin, Texas proceeds.
Garber and his owners are still kicking the tires in cities that still want an MLS team. “We have not established a timetable for that next round, but between the five or six or seven that are still in the mix, we’ll pick two of them and we’ll figure out how they’re going to roll out so that we can be a fully expanded league. But, we still are engaged in Detroit, we’re still engaged in San Diego, we’re still engaged in Cincinnati. St. Louis has been floating around a little bit. There’s been some talk in Charlotte, there’s been some talk in Las Vegas and Phoenix.” Cincinnati does have a team. What Major League Soccer owners and Garber have found out is that it is getting harder to find willing partners.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/anti-codenext-advocates-now-pushing-to-put-mls-deal-on-ballot/1480578444
Austin
Anti-CodeNEXT advocates now pushing to put MLS deal on ballot
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2018/09/28/how-phoenix-rising-became-a-front-runner-in-the.html
How Phoenix Rising became a front-runner in the MLS expansion race
Backing of Chinese billionaire seen as key component to team's future
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2018/09/28/plans-for-big-stadium-could-make-or-break-phoenix.html
Plans for big stadium could make or break Phoenix Rising's MLS ambitions
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.kvue.com/video/news/pac-wants-citywide-vote-on-mls-stadium/269-8266269
PAC wants citywide vote on MLS stadium
A 'political action committee' in Austin says the everyone in the city - not just council members - should get to decide whether a Major League Soccer stadium is built here.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.law360.com/competition/articles/1086625/usl-restructures-amid-legal-attacks-on-us-pro-soccer
USL Restructures Amid Legal Attacks On US Pro Soccer
Law360 (September 26, 2018, 5:35 PM EDT) -- The United Soccer League, which is classified as a Division II professional league, announced Wednesday it is restructuring itself into three separate leagues under one brand beginning in 2019, amid a...
(Follow link for full article.)
https://kmox.radio.com/articles/confirmed-new-hope-major-league-soccer-st-louis
New Hope For MLS Expanding to St. Louis
The pro soccer stadium would likely happen on the same site that was previouly preposed, just west of Union Station downtown.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.stltoday.com/business/local/soccer-stadium-talks-back-on-in-st-louis/article_d66a9e8e-1439-57be-be85-b697715d6b79.html
Soccer stadium talks back on in St. Louis
(Follow link for full article.)
https://kmox.radio.com/articles/confirmed-new-hope-major-league-soccer-st-louis
New Hope For MLS Expanding to St. Louis
The pro soccer stadium would likely happen on the same site that was previouly preposed, just west of Union Station downtown.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://communityimpact.com/austin/northwest-austin/arts-entertainment/2018/09/27/mls-in-austin-supporters-group-launching-new-name-brand-sept-29/
MLS in Austin supporters group launching new name, brand Sept. 29
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/09/27/concacaf-selects-chicagos-soldier-field-host-2019-gold-cup-final
Concacaf selects Chicago's Soldier Field to host 2019 Gold Cup final
(Follow link for full article.)
https://houston.sportsmap.com/houston-dynamo-win-2018-us-open-cup/
Houston Dynamo win 2018 U.S. Open Cup
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/09/27/st-louis-mayor-prospective-owners-pursuing-mls-team
St. Louis mayor: Prospective owners pursuing MLS team
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.kxan.com/video/anti-codenext-advocates-now-pushing-to-put-mls-deal-on-ballot_20180928024558/1480621785
Video
Anti-CodeNEXT advocates now pushing to put MLS deal on ballot
Starting Friday, you may notice people asking for your signature to try to stop a Major League Soccer stadium from being built at McKalla Place in north Austin
(Follow link for full article.)
https://calvinayre.com/2018/09/28/press-releases/sing-like-canary/
Sing like a canary!
LEOVEGAS OFFERS TRIP OF A LIFETIME TO NORWICH CITY FAN
SEPTEMBER 2018 – LONDON, UK – Leading sportsbook and casino, and sponsor of Norwich City FC, LeoVegas, is offering the trip of a lifetime to one lucky Norwich City fan as part of a unique new campaign.
LeoVegas’ #SingLikeACanary campaign will kick off on 26th September and run until 9th October, and will see Norwich City fans battle it out to win the chance to join their team on a tour of Tampa Bay this November in partnership with Visit Tampa.
Known as The Canaries across the UK, Norwich fans will need to channel their inner vocalist and take their singing from the terraces to their smartphones in order to be in with a chance of winning.
Fan can enter via LeoVegas Sport’s Facebook and Twitter channels. All fans have to do is share the competition post and submit a video of their best rendition of a Norwich City chant.
LeoVegas will announce the winner on Monday 15th October and the winner will be notified by Norwich City FC.
The money can’t buy experience comes as Norwich City tour the area during the winter break, from 12th until 17th November, adding the club’s name to the already illustrious list of world-famous sporting teams Tampa Bay is home to.
The famous yellow and green jerseys of Norwich City are shared by the Tampa Bay Rowdies, the city’s local soccer team, bringing a connection between the two clubs.
The trip will see one lucky fan, and a guest of their choice, embark on a boat tour around Tampa Bay, enjoy a meet and greet with a former England legend and soak in the wider Tampa Bay area during free time periods, along with a host of other thrilling experiences.
Tom Jacobs, UK & IE Sports Marketing Manager at LeoVegas, said: “We are thrilled to offer a genuinely once in a lifetime trip to one Norwich City fan and their guest, a club we have been privileged to sponsor for the last two seasons.
“We’re challenging Norwich City supporters to #SingLikeACanary and embrace the name the club’s known all around the world for. At LeoVegas we always strive to bring our customers closer to the action and engage them with real and exciting experiences, and we know this trip won’t disappoint.”
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
Report: St. Louis MLS Stadium and Expansion Franchise Are Still Possibilities
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.101sports.com/2018/09/26/report-st-louis-mls-stadium-and-expansion-franchise-are-still-possibilities/
Report: St. Louis MLS Stadium and Expansion Franchise Are Still Possibilities
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2018/09/26/soccer-reboot-taylor-family-is-said-to-consider.html
Soccer reboot? Taylor family is said to consider private stadium for MLS team
Such a plan could re-start discussions to bring a franchise to St. Louis. A previous plan for the city to contribute about $60 million to a $140 million stadium just west of Union Station was rejected by voters in April 2017.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.stltoday.com/business/local/soccer-stadium-talks-back-on-again-in-st-louis/article_d66a9e8e-1439-57be-be85-b697715d6b79.html
Soccer stadium talks back on in St. Louis
(Follow link for full article.)
https://deadspin.com/restructured-united-soccer-league-apes-everything-briti-1829308957
Restructured United Soccer League Apes Everything British, Except For What Matters
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20180925/sports/309259944
United Soccer League rebrands to match England
(Follow link for full article.)
https://sports.yahoo.com/usl-rebrands-divisions-championship-league-020902265.html
USL rebrands divisions as Championship, League One, League Two
(Follow link for full article.)
http://m.thedailynewnation.com/news/190116/us-soccer-revamped-on-english-lines
US Soccer revamped on English lines
(Follow link for full article.)
https://patch.com/new-jersey/oceancity/ocean-city-noreasters-part-major-american-soccer-rebranding
Ocean City Nor'easters Part Of Major American Soccer Rebranding
The Nor'easters are now in USL League Two after a restructuring that puts the United Soccer League more inline with English soccer.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://soccer.nbcsports.com/2018/09/25/usl-rebrands-divisions-as-championship-league-one-league-two/
USL rebrands divisions as Championship, League One, League Two
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.starsandstripesfc.com/mls-usmnt/2018/9/26/17901784/community-corner-mls-major-league-soccer-reserve-league-reinstatement-usl-united-soccer-league
Community Corner: Should MLS reinstate the Reserve League?
With changes coming to USL, should MLS make a move of its own?
(Follow link for full article.)
https://en.onefootball.com/owners-hoping-to-reduced-the-amount-of-designated-players-in-mls/
Owners hoping to reduced the amount of Designated Players in MLS
Major League Soccer are reportedly considering a proposal to reduce the amount of Designated Players per team from three to two.
Since 2007, and David Beckham’s arrival in the league, each club have been allowed three squad members whose wages fall outside the salary cap.
That Designated Player Rule has been used to bring in over 100 players to America, including the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimović, Steven Gerrard and Sebastian Giovinco.
But NBC have revealed that owners are actually hoping to reduce their DPs by one, with the hope that money saved can be distributed amongst the rest of the squads.
The story claims that owners of all MLS teams will meet at the end of the season to discuss the matter.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEPagC1tJAE&t=16s
#INDvTBR
Indy Eleven vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies - Game Highlights
Tampa Bay Rowdies
Published on Sep 26, 2018
HIGHLIGHTS pres. by Tampa International Airport
The Rowdies drop a tough one, losing 2-0 to Indy Eleven Professional Soccer.
#INDvTBR
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/9j7rfc/official_thread_11rowdies/
Official Thread 11/Rowdies
https://imgur.com/HI4hSTV
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/9j8rxr/rowdies_report_week_31_ind_v_tbr/
Rowdies Report Week 31- IND v TBR
Do or Die Game- Barring a lot of results going the Rowdies way in the coming weeks, the Rowdies playoff hopes were mostly dashed tonight at the hands of the Indy Eleven. The Rowdies squad tonight provided the heart and the effort, but alas, they couldn't contribute with execution.
Questionable lineup and roles- I've been no stranger to questioning Collins' lineup choices each week in conjunction with the formation he's been running. I know I'm not a soccer expert, I speak as an avid fan that wants to see the Rowdies win games. Which is why as I see the starting XI roll out to the field, Portillos and Rozeboom are playing midfield roles where they have to contribute in the attacking third. There's enough tape and evidence to build Mt. Kilminjaro that can tell you that Portillos does not have the skill to be a wide attacking midfielder. He's an average left wing back on his best days. More concerns with Portillos later. But even more egregious is that Rozeboom is starting. Yet another defensive midfielder who only knows how to play the ball backward. Cole doesn't come into the game until the 78th minute and by then you're giving the best player on the team 15 minutes to save your season already down 2 goals!?! Flemmings and Guenzatti have to start because there are no forwards left on the team (is Taylor injured?) and Morrell can't be given a start because his crosses don't float in the air for 10 minutes before landing in the next zip code...
breath
Ranting aside. This lineup put way too much pressure on Poku and Flemmings to be the primary offensive targets because there are no other finishers on the squad. Not against a quality team like Indy. Guenzatti doesn't score against playoff teams. He can't create the separation. With a high press on, Flemmings' legs are lost by minute 60. Same for Poku which is why he was subbed. And despite having the best shot of the night, Taku doesn't deliver the goods. The remedy for this mess? I mean the Rowdies don't have a lot of options, but at the very least I have no idea how you don't start Joe Cole in this game. Cole is the one guy who can beat the press, and he spent most of the match on the bench.
Better Team Won- Indy was just flat out the more talented team on their home turf. If the Rowdies want to be a dominant team next year, they should invest in a practice facility has artificial grass. Is there a place in Tampa or St. Pete they could rent out to get some touches on artificial turf? Why practice hard for an entire week preparing for a game where the entire style of the game is going to be affected by the surface. The passes, the touches, the bounces. The Rowdies have struggled with different types of fields for years now. But as for this game, once Indy got settled in, they played so much more confidently and competently. They pressed every Rowdies ball possessor and forced the Rowdies to commit turnover after turnover after turnover. Indy dominated the middle of the field. The only place Indy allowed the Rowdies to get any play was through the wide channels and as we've seen the Rowdies crosses this season have been very uninspiring, especially on the road. Indy asserted themselves better physically and skillfully throughout the crucial points of the game and that's how they came away with two goals and an easy win. The Rowdies only moment of hope was taken away by the keeper Williams when he saved Taku's volley.
Where the Rowdies go from here- To finish out the season I expect nothing less than the Rowdies to play their final three games with the same ferocity to win as they did tonight. For me, if the Rowdies were a playoff caliber team this season, they would have won this game. Putting some perspective on it though, this late run for the Rowdies is a credit to Collins and the players and the organization as a whole throughout all the turmoil and turnover to continue to persevere. The Rowdies are a club that wears pride on their sleeve. As much as I am a tough uneducated critic, I root for the Rowdies every matchday as we all do. My main focus continues to be on 2019, and what the Rowdies approach would be as to who they keep and who they don't. What this late playoff push really does a great job of is showing which players step up in the moment and which falter. The last 3 games will continue to be an indicator of who should stay and who should pack their bags. The Rowdies roster still has a lot of holes and roles to fill. With Cole's retirement looming, the Rowdies are transitioning into a new era of team building.
Pump fake- This play drove me nuts. Indy player has the ball. Fakes a shot, gets Portillos to JUMP. Indy player goes right by him and now has an angle at goal. I said a few expletives at the TV while watching that.
Frustration and Impatience- There was a play from Poku that really concerned me. Indy was getting a lot of possession and Tampa's high press was easily getting beaten. The Rowdies got a run of play where they finally had a ball cleared back to them near the box and Poku and Flemmings were both going for it. Flemmings was square to the goal and had the angle to volley or take another touch. Poku wasn't square, didn't have an angle, but could've taken a touch and possibly a key pass. Instead, Poku just wildly blasted the ball nowhere near the net for a goal kick. That play to me signaled a lack of composure and discipline. Also a lack of communication. When the playoffs are on the line, you need all those qualities to grind out games.
https://www.101sports.com/2018/09/26/report-st-louis-mls-stadium-and-expansion-franchise-are-still-possibilities/
Report: St. Louis MLS Stadium and Expansion Franchise Are Still Possibilities
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2018/09/26/soccer-reboot-taylor-family-is-said-to-consider.html
Soccer reboot? Taylor family is said to consider private stadium for MLS team
Such a plan could re-start discussions to bring a franchise to St. Louis. A previous plan for the city to contribute about $60 million to a $140 million stadium just west of Union Station was rejected by voters in April 2017.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.stltoday.com/business/local/soccer-stadium-talks-back-on-again-in-st-louis/article_d66a9e8e-1439-57be-be85-b697715d6b79.html
Soccer stadium talks back on in St. Louis
(Follow link for full article.)
https://deadspin.com/restructured-united-soccer-league-apes-everything-briti-1829308957
Restructured United Soccer League Apes Everything British, Except For What Matters
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20180925/sports/309259944
United Soccer League rebrands to match England
(Follow link for full article.)
https://sports.yahoo.com/usl-rebrands-divisions-championship-league-020902265.html
USL rebrands divisions as Championship, League One, League Two
(Follow link for full article.)
http://m.thedailynewnation.com/news/190116/us-soccer-revamped-on-english-lines
US Soccer revamped on English lines
(Follow link for full article.)
https://patch.com/new-jersey/oceancity/ocean-city-noreasters-part-major-american-soccer-rebranding
Ocean City Nor'easters Part Of Major American Soccer Rebranding
The Nor'easters are now in USL League Two after a restructuring that puts the United Soccer League more inline with English soccer.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://soccer.nbcsports.com/2018/09/25/usl-rebrands-divisions-as-championship-league-one-league-two/
USL rebrands divisions as Championship, League One, League Two
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.starsandstripesfc.com/mls-usmnt/2018/9/26/17901784/community-corner-mls-major-league-soccer-reserve-league-reinstatement-usl-united-soccer-league
Community Corner: Should MLS reinstate the Reserve League?
With changes coming to USL, should MLS make a move of its own?
(Follow link for full article.)
https://en.onefootball.com/owners-hoping-to-reduced-the-amount-of-designated-players-in-mls/
Owners hoping to reduced the amount of Designated Players in MLS
Major League Soccer are reportedly considering a proposal to reduce the amount of Designated Players per team from three to two.
Since 2007, and David Beckham’s arrival in the league, each club have been allowed three squad members whose wages fall outside the salary cap.
That Designated Player Rule has been used to bring in over 100 players to America, including the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimović, Steven Gerrard and Sebastian Giovinco.
But NBC have revealed that owners are actually hoping to reduce their DPs by one, with the hope that money saved can be distributed amongst the rest of the squads.
The story claims that owners of all MLS teams will meet at the end of the season to discuss the matter.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEPagC1tJAE&t=16s
#INDvTBR
Indy Eleven vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies - Game Highlights
Tampa Bay Rowdies
Published on Sep 26, 2018
HIGHLIGHTS pres. by Tampa International Airport
The Rowdies drop a tough one, losing 2-0 to Indy Eleven Professional Soccer.
#INDvTBR
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/9j7rfc/official_thread_11rowdies/
Official Thread 11/Rowdies
https://imgur.com/HI4hSTV
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/9j8rxr/rowdies_report_week_31_ind_v_tbr/
Rowdies Report Week 31- IND v TBR
Do or Die Game- Barring a lot of results going the Rowdies way in the coming weeks, the Rowdies playoff hopes were mostly dashed tonight at the hands of the Indy Eleven. The Rowdies squad tonight provided the heart and the effort, but alas, they couldn't contribute with execution.
Questionable lineup and roles- I've been no stranger to questioning Collins' lineup choices each week in conjunction with the formation he's been running. I know I'm not a soccer expert, I speak as an avid fan that wants to see the Rowdies win games. Which is why as I see the starting XI roll out to the field, Portillos and Rozeboom are playing midfield roles where they have to contribute in the attacking third. There's enough tape and evidence to build Mt. Kilminjaro that can tell you that Portillos does not have the skill to be a wide attacking midfielder. He's an average left wing back on his best days. More concerns with Portillos later. But even more egregious is that Rozeboom is starting. Yet another defensive midfielder who only knows how to play the ball backward. Cole doesn't come into the game until the 78th minute and by then you're giving the best player on the team 15 minutes to save your season already down 2 goals!?! Flemmings and Guenzatti have to start because there are no forwards left on the team (is Taylor injured?) and Morrell can't be given a start because his crosses don't float in the air for 10 minutes before landing in the next zip code...
breath
Ranting aside. This lineup put way too much pressure on Poku and Flemmings to be the primary offensive targets because there are no other finishers on the squad. Not against a quality team like Indy. Guenzatti doesn't score against playoff teams. He can't create the separation. With a high press on, Flemmings' legs are lost by minute 60. Same for Poku which is why he was subbed. And despite having the best shot of the night, Taku doesn't deliver the goods. The remedy for this mess? I mean the Rowdies don't have a lot of options, but at the very least I have no idea how you don't start Joe Cole in this game. Cole is the one guy who can beat the press, and he spent most of the match on the bench.
Better Team Won- Indy was just flat out the more talented team on their home turf. If the Rowdies want to be a dominant team next year, they should invest in a practice facility has artificial grass. Is there a place in Tampa or St. Pete they could rent out to get some touches on artificial turf? Why practice hard for an entire week preparing for a game where the entire style of the game is going to be affected by the surface. The passes, the touches, the bounces. The Rowdies have struggled with different types of fields for years now. But as for this game, once Indy got settled in, they played so much more confidently and competently. They pressed every Rowdies ball possessor and forced the Rowdies to commit turnover after turnover after turnover. Indy dominated the middle of the field. The only place Indy allowed the Rowdies to get any play was through the wide channels and as we've seen the Rowdies crosses this season have been very uninspiring, especially on the road. Indy asserted themselves better physically and skillfully throughout the crucial points of the game and that's how they came away with two goals and an easy win. The Rowdies only moment of hope was taken away by the keeper Williams when he saved Taku's volley.
Where the Rowdies go from here- To finish out the season I expect nothing less than the Rowdies to play their final three games with the same ferocity to win as they did tonight. For me, if the Rowdies were a playoff caliber team this season, they would have won this game. Putting some perspective on it though, this late run for the Rowdies is a credit to Collins and the players and the organization as a whole throughout all the turmoil and turnover to continue to persevere. The Rowdies are a club that wears pride on their sleeve. As much as I am a tough uneducated critic, I root for the Rowdies every matchday as we all do. My main focus continues to be on 2019, and what the Rowdies approach would be as to who they keep and who they don't. What this late playoff push really does a great job of is showing which players step up in the moment and which falter. The last 3 games will continue to be an indicator of who should stay and who should pack their bags. The Rowdies roster still has a lot of holes and roles to fill. With Cole's retirement looming, the Rowdies are transitioning into a new era of team building.
Pump fake- This play drove me nuts. Indy player has the ball. Fakes a shot, gets Portillos to JUMP. Indy player goes right by him and now has an angle at goal. I said a few expletives at the TV while watching that.
Frustration and Impatience- There was a play from Poku that really concerned me. Indy was getting a lot of possession and Tampa's high press was easily getting beaten. The Rowdies got a run of play where they finally had a ball cleared back to them near the box and Poku and Flemmings were both going for it. Flemmings was square to the goal and had the angle to volley or take another touch. Poku wasn't square, didn't have an angle, but could've taken a touch and possibly a key pass. Instead, Poku just wildly blasted the ball nowhere near the net for a goal kick. That play to me signaled a lack of composure and discipline. Also a lack of communication. When the playoffs are on the line, you need all those qualities to grind out games.
Garber: League 'probably done expanding in the southeast for a little while'
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/9fkf4z/garber_league_probably_done_expanding_in_the/
Garber: League 'probably done expanding in the southeast for a little while'
Nah, that's more Miami for you. Tampa has pretty decent local support.
Seems like it could just be NHL in the Southeast for ya. Atlanta already relocated, and Carolina has bad attendance also. How's Tampa Bay's attendance?
The Lightning sellout most games and their team was voted the best overall sports team by either sports illustrated or espn in the past year. I would say they break the mold for Southeast teams.
Tampa Bay is 6th in the NHL for attendance, so very healthy. Partly because of Canadian "snowbirds" (what we call people who escape our winters) attending games. The Panthers are 28th, so bad. They should move to Quebec City.
North Carolina, Tampa, or New Orleans are the only markets left that could maybe support a team. You can probably scratch New Orleans off the list though due to the nature of the city and it’s small size
The Jags benefit from Orlando not having an NFL team, so they pull fans from central Florida. With OCSC being in the league, I don't know how much Jax can support a team.
Tampa's probably the only viable option for a third FL team.
To be honest, the Jaguars don’t really draw well from Orlando. Perhaps that will change as time progresses and there are more fans who grew up with the team close by, but my experience has been nfl fans in Orlando are split amongst the three teams in the state, with the dolphins and buccaneers being more popular than the jaguars. I would ageee that Tampa is a better, more viable market for a third MLS team. A guy can dream though, right?
Put teams in JAX, ORL, and TB, and i guarantee those derbies would be rockin. That would build up local support hopefully to the point of getting people interested in other teams in the league.
either JAX or TB would come in, i doubt if both. I prefer TB because they have a rich history in the sport from the 70s and till today. But you never know.
In an open system, we'd have a shot at seeing both, with TB/ORL being the stronger squads because of the local economies there.
I hate that we have a closed system that forces people to choose.
Raleigh, Charlotte, or Tampa. But none of those are as likely as Detroit, San Diego, Phoenix, or Sacramento.
I personally think Detroit is basically in and there will be a battle out west for the final slot.
Tampa. I read this exclusively as a way to say that the Rowdies have no chance
Tampa, Memphis, or New Orleans
I wonder if this means that the Charlotte, NCFC and Tampa Bay bids aren't being seriously considered for the next two MLS expansion spots.
I admit, it would suck if Tampa didn't, they left a good first impression on me with their publicized bid submission
I don’t think Florida is going to be seeing three teams any time soon, if ever.
Tampa fans are also awesome. Up there with Minnesota fans as some of my favorites.
No, you're awesome
I think Miami securing their bid really undermined Tampa. Granted Texas may get three teams and Florida is similar size.
Florida is similar in size to Texas?
Florida: 65,755 sq. miles
Texas: 268,597 sq. miles
Florida: 20.98 million people
Texas: 28.3 million people
Now do the market share!
Cue the "everything is bigger in Texas" crowd.
People get this point confused because they compare the total square miles and population of the two states, rather than the population of the actual areas that MLS would be interested in.
Sure, Texas is bigger than Florida, but MLS isn't going to put teams in places like El Paso, Laredo, Corpus Christi, Amarillo, Midland, Lubbock, Abilene, Beaumont, Nacogdoches, etc.
What matters is the population size of the metro areas that MLS would be interested in; in Texas, that would be Dallas-Houston-Austin-San Antonio. In Florida that would be Miami-Tampa Bay-Orlando-Jacksonville.
The Florida population MLS is interested in is almost entirely within the Miami-Tampa Bay-Orlando-Jacksonville metro areas (the Florida panhandle would fall outside of that, so, no Tallahassee), whereas Texas has a larger portion of its population (larger than Florida I mean) lying outside of the Dallas-Houston-Austin-San Antonio metro areas (very loosely, North Texas, West Texas, South Texas, and East Texas, lying outside of the Dallas-Houston-Austin-San Antonio metro areas).
Florida has a smaller population, yes, but it's concentrated in a smaller area, which is a plus, not a minus; Texas' population is larger but it is also spread out over a larger area, which, outside of the Dallas-Houston-Austin-San Antonio metro areas, is of no interest to MLS. Bigger isn't always better.
So yes if Texas can support 3 MLS teams, so can Florida. Just comparing the two state's total populations does not give an accurate picture about what MLS is actually interested in.
I think either Charlotte or Tampa should get a team eventually if MLS expands to 32. Three way Florida or Southeast derby would be fucking awesome
Sooner or later Orlando might make it a four way derby.
See you guys in 2028.
Well, if you want to balance out the conferences, It'll be 2 western teams, and of course if you want to talk about bidness metriks, then there are markets such as Pheonix, LV, Sacramento, and San Diego as well as San Antonio/Austin. Of course, if the Crew move to Austin and there's a huge stink of it in Columbus, then Columbus could be awarded an expansion and that leaves one more team, that will most likely be SAC, LV, SD or PHX. SD has an advantage that a stadium will be built in mission valley that can support soccer to replace Qualcomm. That being said, if Detriot, Tampa, and Charlotte/RDU pick-up, then Chicago will shift west...which would be weird for me.
DC, Miami, Atlanta, Nashville, Orlando, Houston, Dallas is pretty normal a distribution for leagues.
MLB has Tampa, Miami, Atlanta, DC, Houston, Dallas 1 fewer
NHL has Tampa, Carolina, Florida, DC, Nashville,Dallas, 1 fewer
NBA has DC, Charlotte, Memphis Atlanta, Orlando, Miami, Houston,Dallas 1 more
NFL has DC, Carolina, Atlanta, Jax, NOLA, Miami, Tampa, Houston, Dallas 2 more
However all but the NHL have more American teams
I am so mad at this roller coaster of emotion. MLS is garbage I dont want it. MLS is actively making soccer worse in this country.
How are they done expanding in the South east??? They missed NC! We are the fastest growing state in the south. The 7th most populous state! I hate this bull@#$# commisioner and this stupid league. We need pro/reg. We need to build a paramid and we need to punch Don in his stupid face. In any order that timeline gets us where we want to be in the world. Not closing off entire populations of fans.
Where is Steve Malik?!? I need a hug.
Edit: sorry I would delete it but there is truth in there somewhere. Why does NC get passed over for pro teams?
Oh, Don. You can't really mention Miami and Orlando in the same breathe as "southeast." They might as well be in New Mexico, as far as I'm concerned
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.prosoccerusa.com/mls/expansion/mls-commissioner-don-garber-southeast/
MLS Commissioner Don Garber: League ‘probably done expanding in the southeast for a little while’
ORLANDO — MLS Commissioner Don Garber has watched soccer survive and thrive in the South.
The league’s marquee event, the MLS All-Star Game, was hosted in Atlanta this year and drew a record crowd of more than 72,000. The All-Star Game will be at Orlando City Stadium in 2019. Nashville and Miami are set to join the league in the near future — with Nashville recently securing approval for a soccer-specific stadium.
Garber said he’s confident soccer can survive below the Mason-Dixon Line, and, for now, he doesn’t see any more southeastern clubs joining the league.
“There was a real strategy, strategically, as we were developing our league, to get south of Washington D.C. That was an important development for us. That then goes to Orlando and Atlanta and Nashville, and soon in Miami. We had a very, very focused effort to expand to the southeast,” Garber said to reporters after the announcement of the 2019 MLS All-Star Game in Orlando.
“It’s a hotbed of soccer in the grassroots level. There’s enormous energy and diversity that exists in this part of the country. I think we’re probably done expanding in the southeast for a little while, but we’re feeling pretty good about it.”
During a later meeting with Pro Soccer USA, Garber said Charlotte and Raleigh are still very much in play, but the league is being careful about growing the right way and giving new teams the best chance to succeed. As a result, he has no timeline for when more expansion teams will be added.
MLS is still reportedly looking to expand to 28 total teams. Cities such as Phoenix, Detroit, San Diego and Sacramento are in the running. The Tampa Bay Rowdies, currently in the United Soccer League, also submitted a bid to become an MLS expansion team. They were one of 12 ownership groups to submit bids. FC Cincinnati was the most recent club to join MLS and is expected to begin play next season. The league is expected to announce two additional expansion by the end of the year. The expansion process has been fluid, with flexibility on deadlines and frequent adjustments.
The league has history in the southeast. The Miami Fusion and the Tampa Bay Mutiny both folded in 2001, though the league was far less stable back then.
Inter Miami, backed by superstar David Beckham, recently unveiled its crest and colors.
TWO Florida teams out of four hardly covers the Southeast. Charlotte? Hampton Roads? Raleigh? New Orleans? Louisville? The Southeast is where the growth is (thanks to low taxes, less regulation, and better weather). Let's cram more teams into Texas or California instead. Why does Garber still have a job at MLS?
He said "a little while," not forever. There's Phoenix and either San Diego (if they win the vote) or Detroit (if they are serious about making their roof retractable) to look at in the meantime. And there is still the unfinished Sacramento business, and, behind the scenes, a possible San Francisco/Oakland franchise being schemed about.
Louisville is building a new stadium for their USL team. Charlotte, Cary NC, Richmond, Charlotte and Richmond also have USL teams. Birmingham, Memphis and Leesburg VA will have teams from 2019.
https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/9fkf4z/garber_league_probably_done_expanding_in_the/
Garber: League 'probably done expanding in the southeast for a little while'
Nah, that's more Miami for you. Tampa has pretty decent local support.
Seems like it could just be NHL in the Southeast for ya. Atlanta already relocated, and Carolina has bad attendance also. How's Tampa Bay's attendance?
The Lightning sellout most games and their team was voted the best overall sports team by either sports illustrated or espn in the past year. I would say they break the mold for Southeast teams.
Tampa Bay is 6th in the NHL for attendance, so very healthy. Partly because of Canadian "snowbirds" (what we call people who escape our winters) attending games. The Panthers are 28th, so bad. They should move to Quebec City.
North Carolina, Tampa, or New Orleans are the only markets left that could maybe support a team. You can probably scratch New Orleans off the list though due to the nature of the city and it’s small size
The Jags benefit from Orlando not having an NFL team, so they pull fans from central Florida. With OCSC being in the league, I don't know how much Jax can support a team.
Tampa's probably the only viable option for a third FL team.
To be honest, the Jaguars don’t really draw well from Orlando. Perhaps that will change as time progresses and there are more fans who grew up with the team close by, but my experience has been nfl fans in Orlando are split amongst the three teams in the state, with the dolphins and buccaneers being more popular than the jaguars. I would ageee that Tampa is a better, more viable market for a third MLS team. A guy can dream though, right?
Put teams in JAX, ORL, and TB, and i guarantee those derbies would be rockin. That would build up local support hopefully to the point of getting people interested in other teams in the league.
either JAX or TB would come in, i doubt if both. I prefer TB because they have a rich history in the sport from the 70s and till today. But you never know.
In an open system, we'd have a shot at seeing both, with TB/ORL being the stronger squads because of the local economies there.
I hate that we have a closed system that forces people to choose.
Raleigh, Charlotte, or Tampa. But none of those are as likely as Detroit, San Diego, Phoenix, or Sacramento.
I personally think Detroit is basically in and there will be a battle out west for the final slot.
Tampa. I read this exclusively as a way to say that the Rowdies have no chance
Tampa, Memphis, or New Orleans
I wonder if this means that the Charlotte, NCFC and Tampa Bay bids aren't being seriously considered for the next two MLS expansion spots.
I admit, it would suck if Tampa didn't, they left a good first impression on me with their publicized bid submission
I don’t think Florida is going to be seeing three teams any time soon, if ever.
Tampa fans are also awesome. Up there with Minnesota fans as some of my favorites.
No, you're awesome
I think Miami securing their bid really undermined Tampa. Granted Texas may get three teams and Florida is similar size.
Florida is similar in size to Texas?
Florida: 65,755 sq. miles
Texas: 268,597 sq. miles
Florida: 20.98 million people
Texas: 28.3 million people
Now do the market share!
Cue the "everything is bigger in Texas" crowd.
People get this point confused because they compare the total square miles and population of the two states, rather than the population of the actual areas that MLS would be interested in.
Sure, Texas is bigger than Florida, but MLS isn't going to put teams in places like El Paso, Laredo, Corpus Christi, Amarillo, Midland, Lubbock, Abilene, Beaumont, Nacogdoches, etc.
What matters is the population size of the metro areas that MLS would be interested in; in Texas, that would be Dallas-Houston-Austin-San Antonio. In Florida that would be Miami-Tampa Bay-Orlando-Jacksonville.
The Florida population MLS is interested in is almost entirely within the Miami-Tampa Bay-Orlando-Jacksonville metro areas (the Florida panhandle would fall outside of that, so, no Tallahassee), whereas Texas has a larger portion of its population (larger than Florida I mean) lying outside of the Dallas-Houston-Austin-San Antonio metro areas (very loosely, North Texas, West Texas, South Texas, and East Texas, lying outside of the Dallas-Houston-Austin-San Antonio metro areas).
Florida has a smaller population, yes, but it's concentrated in a smaller area, which is a plus, not a minus; Texas' population is larger but it is also spread out over a larger area, which, outside of the Dallas-Houston-Austin-San Antonio metro areas, is of no interest to MLS. Bigger isn't always better.
So yes if Texas can support 3 MLS teams, so can Florida. Just comparing the two state's total populations does not give an accurate picture about what MLS is actually interested in.
I think either Charlotte or Tampa should get a team eventually if MLS expands to 32. Three way Florida or Southeast derby would be fucking awesome
Sooner or later Orlando might make it a four way derby.
See you guys in 2028.
Well, if you want to balance out the conferences, It'll be 2 western teams, and of course if you want to talk about bidness metriks, then there are markets such as Pheonix, LV, Sacramento, and San Diego as well as San Antonio/Austin. Of course, if the Crew move to Austin and there's a huge stink of it in Columbus, then Columbus could be awarded an expansion and that leaves one more team, that will most likely be SAC, LV, SD or PHX. SD has an advantage that a stadium will be built in mission valley that can support soccer to replace Qualcomm. That being said, if Detriot, Tampa, and Charlotte/RDU pick-up, then Chicago will shift west...which would be weird for me.
DC, Miami, Atlanta, Nashville, Orlando, Houston, Dallas is pretty normal a distribution for leagues.
MLB has Tampa, Miami, Atlanta, DC, Houston, Dallas 1 fewer
NHL has Tampa, Carolina, Florida, DC, Nashville,Dallas, 1 fewer
NBA has DC, Charlotte, Memphis Atlanta, Orlando, Miami, Houston,Dallas 1 more
NFL has DC, Carolina, Atlanta, Jax, NOLA, Miami, Tampa, Houston, Dallas 2 more
However all but the NHL have more American teams
I am so mad at this roller coaster of emotion. MLS is garbage I dont want it. MLS is actively making soccer worse in this country.
How are they done expanding in the South east??? They missed NC! We are the fastest growing state in the south. The 7th most populous state! I hate this bull@#$# commisioner and this stupid league. We need pro/reg. We need to build a paramid and we need to punch Don in his stupid face. In any order that timeline gets us where we want to be in the world. Not closing off entire populations of fans.
Where is Steve Malik?!? I need a hug.
Edit: sorry I would delete it but there is truth in there somewhere. Why does NC get passed over for pro teams?
Oh, Don. You can't really mention Miami and Orlando in the same breathe as "southeast." They might as well be in New Mexico, as far as I'm concerned
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.prosoccerusa.com/mls/expansion/mls-commissioner-don-garber-southeast/
MLS Commissioner Don Garber: League ‘probably done expanding in the southeast for a little while’
ORLANDO — MLS Commissioner Don Garber has watched soccer survive and thrive in the South.
The league’s marquee event, the MLS All-Star Game, was hosted in Atlanta this year and drew a record crowd of more than 72,000. The All-Star Game will be at Orlando City Stadium in 2019. Nashville and Miami are set to join the league in the near future — with Nashville recently securing approval for a soccer-specific stadium.
Garber said he’s confident soccer can survive below the Mason-Dixon Line, and, for now, he doesn’t see any more southeastern clubs joining the league.
“There was a real strategy, strategically, as we were developing our league, to get south of Washington D.C. That was an important development for us. That then goes to Orlando and Atlanta and Nashville, and soon in Miami. We had a very, very focused effort to expand to the southeast,” Garber said to reporters after the announcement of the 2019 MLS All-Star Game in Orlando.
“It’s a hotbed of soccer in the grassroots level. There’s enormous energy and diversity that exists in this part of the country. I think we’re probably done expanding in the southeast for a little while, but we’re feeling pretty good about it.”
During a later meeting with Pro Soccer USA, Garber said Charlotte and Raleigh are still very much in play, but the league is being careful about growing the right way and giving new teams the best chance to succeed. As a result, he has no timeline for when more expansion teams will be added.
MLS is still reportedly looking to expand to 28 total teams. Cities such as Phoenix, Detroit, San Diego and Sacramento are in the running. The Tampa Bay Rowdies, currently in the United Soccer League, also submitted a bid to become an MLS expansion team. They were one of 12 ownership groups to submit bids. FC Cincinnati was the most recent club to join MLS and is expected to begin play next season. The league is expected to announce two additional expansion by the end of the year. The expansion process has been fluid, with flexibility on deadlines and frequent adjustments.
The league has history in the southeast. The Miami Fusion and the Tampa Bay Mutiny both folded in 2001, though the league was far less stable back then.
Inter Miami, backed by superstar David Beckham, recently unveiled its crest and colors.
TWO Florida teams out of four hardly covers the Southeast. Charlotte? Hampton Roads? Raleigh? New Orleans? Louisville? The Southeast is where the growth is (thanks to low taxes, less regulation, and better weather). Let's cram more teams into Texas or California instead. Why does Garber still have a job at MLS?
He said "a little while," not forever. There's Phoenix and either San Diego (if they win the vote) or Detroit (if they are serious about making their roof retractable) to look at in the meantime. And there is still the unfinished Sacramento business, and, behind the scenes, a possible San Francisco/Oakland franchise being schemed about.
Louisville is building a new stadium for their USL team. Charlotte, Cary NC, Richmond, Charlotte and Richmond also have USL teams. Birmingham, Memphis and Leesburg VA will have teams from 2019.
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
Rowdies Home Attendance Thread - Game 16 vs. Richmond [9/22]
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/9iy0zr/rowdies_home_attendance_thread_game_16_vs/
Rowdies Home Attendance Thread - Game 16 vs. Richmond [9/22]
So, I actually missed this one because I was out of a town for a wedding, but it was a good number - 6,472. Looks like a positive percentage might be out of reach though, as we'd have to stack 7,900 in Al Lang for the finale. 7,786 is the highest number I can recall us having there. Is it possible? Maybe. But likely we'll fall just a bit short...
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.tbnweekly.com/pinellas_county/article_5a1d95fe-c0e9-11e8-8a71-d3d7f9b9f0f5.html
County approves St. Petersburg’s request to amend TIF agreement
CLEARWATER – The city of St. Petersburg is determined to redevelop land around Tropicana Field whether the Tampa Bay Rays stay or go.
To that end, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman asks Pinellas County commissioners Sept. 13 to approve amendments to the city’s Intown Redevelopment Plan and the interlocal agreement between the county and the city.
The Commission said yes, 5-1, with Commissioner Dave Eggers voting no due to concerns about how some of the money would be spent. Commissioner Karen Seel was absent.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/952998
Ewolo Voted USL Player of the Week
FOUR-GOAL PERFORMANCE BOOSTED NCFC’S PLAYOFF CHANCES IN VICTORY VS. ATL UTD 2
D – Hunter Gorskie, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Gorskie scored the opening goal in the Rowdies’ victory against Richmond, and recorded 12 possession recoveries and seven clearances over Tampa Bay’s two wins on the week.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/952980
USL Race for the Playoffs – Sept. 26-30
EASTERN CONFERENCE RACE TIGHTENS AHEAD OF CRUCIAL MIDWEEK ACTION
The Eastern Conference race continued to tighten over the past weekend as Bethlehem Steel FC, North Carolina FC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies all boosted their chances with victories ahead of a big midweek slate featuring six games from the East on Wednesday night. In the West, things are almost looking decided, but San Antonio FC certainly won’t give up the fight easily as it looks for one of the three sides it’s chasing to falter.
Wednesday, Sept. 26 – Indy Eleven vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies
The Rowdies have won three games in a row to move into 10th place in the Eastern Conference, while the Eleven dropped to sixth place after their loss to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC on Saturday night to add a little more pressure to their playoff push. That should make for a playoff-type atmosphere and matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium, where Indy will be looking to keep its distance from the chasing pack and Tampa Bay will be hoping to complete a season-sweep of its old rival while maintaining its late-season playoff drive.
10. Tampa Bay Rowdies
Current Record: 11-12-7, 40pts
Maximum Points Available: 52
Points Needed to Clinch: 15
FiveThirtyEight.com USL Cup Playoffs Odds: 32%
FiveThirtyEight.com USL Cup Odds: <1%
Last Game: W 3-0 vs. Richmond Kickers
Next Game: 9/26 at Indy Eleven, 7 p.m. ET
A three-game winning streak has moved the Rowdies to the verge of the playoff positions but Tampa Bay is going to need to keep that momentum going in one of Wednesday night’s big games against Indy Eleven if it is going to keep its playoff odds moving up. Should the Rowdies fail to take victory against Indy, they would not only fail to gain ground on the sixth-place side but could also slide back in the standings should Ottawa, North Carolina and Nashville find success in their respective road contests.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/952975
POLL: Which Clubs Will Reach the USL Cup Playoffs?
WHICH TEAMS FROM THE MID-TABLE CONTENDERS DO YOU THINK ARE ON TRACK TO COMPETE FOR THE USL CUP IN OCTOBER?
10. Tampa Bay Rowdies
Record: 11-12-7, 40pts
Last Five Games: W-L-W-W-W
FiveThirtyEight.com Playoffs Odds: 32%
Remaining Games: 9/26 at Indy Eleven; 10/3 at ATL UTD 2; 10/6 vs. Charlotte Independence; 10/14 at Bethlehem Steel FC
Outlook: The Rowdies are the in-form team outside the top four in the Eastern Conference right now but have three of their final four games away from home starting on Wednesday night against sixth-place Indy Eleven. Tampa Bay can see the playoffs from here, but can they do enough – and get enough help from other teams dropping points – to be part of the postseason field?
(Follow link for full article.)
https://en.onefootball.com/david-beckham-in-talks-with-zinedine-zidane-over-inter-miami-job/
David Beckham in talks with Zinedine Zidane over Inter Miami job
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/international/categories/messi-ronaldo-neymar-watch-1/zinedine-zidane-david-beckham-to-reunite/501633
Zidane & Beckham To Reunite?
With Inter Miami owner David Beckham putting the final pieces together for his club's launch in 2020, he is believed to be eyeing a big reunion with his former Real Madrid teammate Zinedine Zidane.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/leeds-united-roofe-sheffield-wednesday-15192143
Leeds United news and transfers RECAP: Roofe expected to have best chance of Sheffield Wednesday comeback
Follow all of the latest developments from Elland Road and beyond as they happen
Milner touted as Beckham target for Miami
We have just come across a story Mail Online ran earlier this month about David Beckham’s new football club in Miami. The report suggests Liverpool’s former Whites midfielder James Milner may be someone on Beckham’s radar once his time on Merseyside has finished.
Do not rule out other Premier League stars. With another two sterling years at Liverpool under his belt coupled with an appetite for travel, Spanish-speaking James Milner may well fancy a change of scenery after spending the vast majority of his career in the north of England.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://the18.com/soccer-entertainment/zinedine-zidane-inter-miami-mls-david-beckham
Predicting Zinedine Zidane’s First Starting XI As Manager Of Inter Miami
WILL ZIDANE BE PERSUADED BY BECKHAM TO TAKE ON MLS NEXT? PROBABLY NOT, BUT LET’S JUST IMAGINE.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/soccer/louisville-city-fc/2018/09/25/men-blazers-roger-bennett-visit-louisville-city-fc/1381925002/
Men in Blazers' co-host calls soccer growth in Louisville 'limitless'
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.espn.com/soccer/united-soccer-leagues/story/3646084/united-soccer-league-confirms-new-branding-league-structure
United Soccer League confirms new branding, league structure
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/953025
USL Unveils New Structure: One Central Brand, Three Leagues, Evolving for the Future
USL CHAMPIONSHIP, USL LEAGUE ONE AND USL LEAGUE TWO WILL DEBUT IN 2019 SEASON
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.soccerwire.com/news/pro/usl-pro/united-soccer-league-unveils-new-structure-for-top-three-leagues-in-2019/
United Soccer League unveils new structure for top three leagues
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2018/09/25/usl-unveils-new-structure-one-central-brand-three-leagues
USL Unveils New Structure: One Central Brand, Three Leagues
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/sports/columnists/graham-couch/2018/09/25/lansing-ignite-pro-soccer-has-shot-work-downtown-stadium-why/1418100002/
Couch: Downtown stadium experience gives pro soccer a shot to work in Lansing
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.thescore.com/mls/news/1614068/usl-soccer-to-borrow-from-english-lower-league-model-in-revamp
USL soccer to borrow from English lower-league model in revamp
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/sep/25/mls-ultras-fans-supporters-groups
MLS Ultras: plastic wannabes or sign of a thriving league?
Football in North America has been on a quest for authenticity for decades. It’s debatable whether hardcore fans are helping or hindering that goal
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.ibtimes.co.in/david-beckham-rope-zinedine-zidane-manager-mls-club-inter-miami-781444
David Beckham to rope in Zinedine Zidane as manager for MLS club Inter Miami?
Zidane left Real Madrid earlier this year after winning three back-to-back Champions League titles.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2018/09/25/5baa556f268e3e90338b45b5.html
Messi, Falcao, Zidane, Griezmann among names Beckham wants for Inter Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
https://90soccer.com/why-usl-can-change-us-soccer-vision/
Why USL can change US Soccer vision
(Follow link for full article.)
https://en.onefootball.com/david-beckhams-inter-miami-cf-stadium-plans-look-incredible/
David Beckham’s Inter Miami CF stadium plans look incredible
Inter Miami are due to begin play in MLS in 2020.
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/9iy0zr/rowdies_home_attendance_thread_game_16_vs/
Rowdies Home Attendance Thread - Game 16 vs. Richmond [9/22]
So, I actually missed this one because I was out of a town for a wedding, but it was a good number - 6,472. Looks like a positive percentage might be out of reach though, as we'd have to stack 7,900 in Al Lang for the finale. 7,786 is the highest number I can recall us having there. Is it possible? Maybe. But likely we'll fall just a bit short...
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.tbnweekly.com/pinellas_county/article_5a1d95fe-c0e9-11e8-8a71-d3d7f9b9f0f5.html
County approves St. Petersburg’s request to amend TIF agreement
CLEARWATER – The city of St. Petersburg is determined to redevelop land around Tropicana Field whether the Tampa Bay Rays stay or go.
To that end, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman asks Pinellas County commissioners Sept. 13 to approve amendments to the city’s Intown Redevelopment Plan and the interlocal agreement between the county and the city.
The Commission said yes, 5-1, with Commissioner Dave Eggers voting no due to concerns about how some of the money would be spent. Commissioner Karen Seel was absent.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/952998
Ewolo Voted USL Player of the Week
FOUR-GOAL PERFORMANCE BOOSTED NCFC’S PLAYOFF CHANCES IN VICTORY VS. ATL UTD 2
D – Hunter Gorskie, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Gorskie scored the opening goal in the Rowdies’ victory against Richmond, and recorded 12 possession recoveries and seven clearances over Tampa Bay’s two wins on the week.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/952980
USL Race for the Playoffs – Sept. 26-30
EASTERN CONFERENCE RACE TIGHTENS AHEAD OF CRUCIAL MIDWEEK ACTION
The Eastern Conference race continued to tighten over the past weekend as Bethlehem Steel FC, North Carolina FC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies all boosted their chances with victories ahead of a big midweek slate featuring six games from the East on Wednesday night. In the West, things are almost looking decided, but San Antonio FC certainly won’t give up the fight easily as it looks for one of the three sides it’s chasing to falter.
Wednesday, Sept. 26 – Indy Eleven vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies
The Rowdies have won three games in a row to move into 10th place in the Eastern Conference, while the Eleven dropped to sixth place after their loss to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC on Saturday night to add a little more pressure to their playoff push. That should make for a playoff-type atmosphere and matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium, where Indy will be looking to keep its distance from the chasing pack and Tampa Bay will be hoping to complete a season-sweep of its old rival while maintaining its late-season playoff drive.
10. Tampa Bay Rowdies
Current Record: 11-12-7, 40pts
Maximum Points Available: 52
Points Needed to Clinch: 15
FiveThirtyEight.com USL Cup Playoffs Odds: 32%
FiveThirtyEight.com USL Cup Odds: <1%
Last Game: W 3-0 vs. Richmond Kickers
Next Game: 9/26 at Indy Eleven, 7 p.m. ET
A three-game winning streak has moved the Rowdies to the verge of the playoff positions but Tampa Bay is going to need to keep that momentum going in one of Wednesday night’s big games against Indy Eleven if it is going to keep its playoff odds moving up. Should the Rowdies fail to take victory against Indy, they would not only fail to gain ground on the sixth-place side but could also slide back in the standings should Ottawa, North Carolina and Nashville find success in their respective road contests.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/952975
POLL: Which Clubs Will Reach the USL Cup Playoffs?
WHICH TEAMS FROM THE MID-TABLE CONTENDERS DO YOU THINK ARE ON TRACK TO COMPETE FOR THE USL CUP IN OCTOBER?
10. Tampa Bay Rowdies
Record: 11-12-7, 40pts
Last Five Games: W-L-W-W-W
FiveThirtyEight.com Playoffs Odds: 32%
Remaining Games: 9/26 at Indy Eleven; 10/3 at ATL UTD 2; 10/6 vs. Charlotte Independence; 10/14 at Bethlehem Steel FC
Outlook: The Rowdies are the in-form team outside the top four in the Eastern Conference right now but have three of their final four games away from home starting on Wednesday night against sixth-place Indy Eleven. Tampa Bay can see the playoffs from here, but can they do enough – and get enough help from other teams dropping points – to be part of the postseason field?
(Follow link for full article.)
https://en.onefootball.com/david-beckham-in-talks-with-zinedine-zidane-over-inter-miami-job/
David Beckham in talks with Zinedine Zidane over Inter Miami job
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/international/categories/messi-ronaldo-neymar-watch-1/zinedine-zidane-david-beckham-to-reunite/501633
Zidane & Beckham To Reunite?
With Inter Miami owner David Beckham putting the final pieces together for his club's launch in 2020, he is believed to be eyeing a big reunion with his former Real Madrid teammate Zinedine Zidane.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/leeds-united-roofe-sheffield-wednesday-15192143
Leeds United news and transfers RECAP: Roofe expected to have best chance of Sheffield Wednesday comeback
Follow all of the latest developments from Elland Road and beyond as they happen
Milner touted as Beckham target for Miami
We have just come across a story Mail Online ran earlier this month about David Beckham’s new football club in Miami. The report suggests Liverpool’s former Whites midfielder James Milner may be someone on Beckham’s radar once his time on Merseyside has finished.
Do not rule out other Premier League stars. With another two sterling years at Liverpool under his belt coupled with an appetite for travel, Spanish-speaking James Milner may well fancy a change of scenery after spending the vast majority of his career in the north of England.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://the18.com/soccer-entertainment/zinedine-zidane-inter-miami-mls-david-beckham
Predicting Zinedine Zidane’s First Starting XI As Manager Of Inter Miami
WILL ZIDANE BE PERSUADED BY BECKHAM TO TAKE ON MLS NEXT? PROBABLY NOT, BUT LET’S JUST IMAGINE.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/soccer/louisville-city-fc/2018/09/25/men-blazers-roger-bennett-visit-louisville-city-fc/1381925002/
Men in Blazers' co-host calls soccer growth in Louisville 'limitless'
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.espn.com/soccer/united-soccer-leagues/story/3646084/united-soccer-league-confirms-new-branding-league-structure
United Soccer League confirms new branding, league structure
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/953025
USL Unveils New Structure: One Central Brand, Three Leagues, Evolving for the Future
USL CHAMPIONSHIP, USL LEAGUE ONE AND USL LEAGUE TWO WILL DEBUT IN 2019 SEASON
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.soccerwire.com/news/pro/usl-pro/united-soccer-league-unveils-new-structure-for-top-three-leagues-in-2019/
United Soccer League unveils new structure for top three leagues
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2018/09/25/usl-unveils-new-structure-one-central-brand-three-leagues
USL Unveils New Structure: One Central Brand, Three Leagues
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/sports/columnists/graham-couch/2018/09/25/lansing-ignite-pro-soccer-has-shot-work-downtown-stadium-why/1418100002/
Couch: Downtown stadium experience gives pro soccer a shot to work in Lansing
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.thescore.com/mls/news/1614068/usl-soccer-to-borrow-from-english-lower-league-model-in-revamp
USL soccer to borrow from English lower-league model in revamp
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/sep/25/mls-ultras-fans-supporters-groups
MLS Ultras: plastic wannabes or sign of a thriving league?
Football in North America has been on a quest for authenticity for decades. It’s debatable whether hardcore fans are helping or hindering that goal
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.ibtimes.co.in/david-beckham-rope-zinedine-zidane-manager-mls-club-inter-miami-781444
David Beckham to rope in Zinedine Zidane as manager for MLS club Inter Miami?
Zidane left Real Madrid earlier this year after winning three back-to-back Champions League titles.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2018/09/25/5baa556f268e3e90338b45b5.html
Messi, Falcao, Zidane, Griezmann among names Beckham wants for Inter Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
https://90soccer.com/why-usl-can-change-us-soccer-vision/
Why USL can change US Soccer vision
(Follow link for full article.)
https://en.onefootball.com/david-beckhams-inter-miami-cf-stadium-plans-look-incredible/
David Beckham’s Inter Miami CF stadium plans look incredible
Inter Miami are due to begin play in MLS in 2020.
Monday, September 24, 2018
Measuring Rowdies Expectations (OC)
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/9ij2ld/measuring_rowdies_expectations_oc/
Measuring Rowdies Expectations (OC)
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.theunsubs.com/wp/2018/09/23/measuring-rowdies-expectations/4068
Measuring Rowdies Expectations
Now that everyone is enjoying the high of the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ first three-match winning streak of the year, allow me to dampen the mood a bit.
Even with the Rowdies recording wins in four of their last five outings, they currently only have a 33 percent shot at clinching a postseason spot, according to Five Thirty Eight. Those are certainly better odds than they were facing a month ago, but it shows just how deep of a hole they have dug for themselves during a season full of inconsistency.
Following Saturday’s victory over the Richmond Kickers, Rowdies head coach Neill Collins laid the stakes out pretty clearly when he said, “Tonight was the most important match of our season. Wednesday will be our most important match of the season. Then the one after that will be our most important of the season. That’s the position we’ve put ourselves in.”
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2018/9/24/17896336/zinedine-zidane-david-beckham-inter-miami-zlatan-ibrahimovic-portland-timbers-mls-usl-chelsea
Around the Forest: Zinedine Zidane in talks with David Beckham and Inter Miami
Also: We check in with the playoff race; FIFA 19 release party; LAFC’s unique approach to their academy and more!
(Follow link for full article.)
https://talksport.com/football/425608/transfer-news-gossip-pogba-man-united-gotze-liverpool-beckham-inter-miami/
PAPER TALK Transfer news and gossip: Pogba’s latest Man United slight, Gotze to Liverpool, Beckham offers Inter Miami job to ex-teammate
Plus, West Brom's plans to sign the next big non-league star...
(Follow link for full article.)
https://video.eurosport.com/football/transfers/2018-2019/transfer-focus-david-beckham-s-inter-miami-v-manchester-united-for-zinedine-zidane_vid1126120/video.shtml
VIDEO - Transfer Focus: David Beckham's Inter Miami v Manchester United for Zinedine Zidane
Manchester United have been repeatedly linked with trying to appoint Zinedine Zidane, but David Beckham is poised to swoop first for his Miami franchise...
(Follow link for full article.)
https://metro.co.uk/2018/09/24/how-david-beckham-could-ruin-manchester-uniteds-chances-with-zinedine-zidane-7975520/
How David Beckham could ruin Manchester United’s chances with Zinedine Zidane
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/952628-11-things-who-s-in-who-s-out-
11 Things – Who’s In, Who’s Out?
WEEKEND ACTION IN THE EASTERN CONFERENCE TIGHTENS RACE FOR POSTSEASON POSITION
3 – The other side that took advantage of dropped points elsewhere was the Tampa Bay Rowdies, who claimed their third consecutive victory with a 3-0 win against the Richmond Kickers and as a result moved a point out of the playoffs places with four games to go. The Rowdies’ run of form has seen the side claim more than one-third of its victories this season since September 1 and could be ominous for those further up the Eastern Conference standings as the experience and gameness the side is showing would make it a very dangerous opponent should it reach the postseason. Wednesday night’s visit to Indy Eleven is now one of this week’s pivotal contests in the race for the playoffs, and if the Rowdies can take all three points again they could be well on their way to playoff berth.
READ MORE: ROWDIES’ STREAK CONTINUES, PLAYOFFS COME INTO VIEW
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/952417?related-952628
Rowdies’ Streak Continues, Playoffs Come into View
SECOND-HALF GOALS EARNED THIRD CONSECUTIVE WIN AS TAMPA BAY MAINTAINS POSTSEASON PUSH
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VARlzQKypD8
Rowdies Front Row vs Richmond Kickers - September 22, 2018
Tampa Bay Rowdies
Published on Sep 24, 2018
Check out the latest Rowdies Front Row highlighting the best moments from Saturday's huge win over the Richmond Kickers.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxZxRs4NUzA
How Handy Are the Rowdies?
Tampa Bay Rowdies
Published on Sep 24, 2018
Are the Rowdies good at fixing things around the house? We asked them to tell us how handy they are. Take a look!
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/9ij2ld/measuring_rowdies_expectations_oc/
Measuring Rowdies Expectations (OC)
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.theunsubs.com/wp/2018/09/23/measuring-rowdies-expectations/4068
Measuring Rowdies Expectations
Now that everyone is enjoying the high of the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ first three-match winning streak of the year, allow me to dampen the mood a bit.
Even with the Rowdies recording wins in four of their last five outings, they currently only have a 33 percent shot at clinching a postseason spot, according to Five Thirty Eight. Those are certainly better odds than they were facing a month ago, but it shows just how deep of a hole they have dug for themselves during a season full of inconsistency.
Following Saturday’s victory over the Richmond Kickers, Rowdies head coach Neill Collins laid the stakes out pretty clearly when he said, “Tonight was the most important match of our season. Wednesday will be our most important match of the season. Then the one after that will be our most important of the season. That’s the position we’ve put ourselves in.”
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2018/9/24/17896336/zinedine-zidane-david-beckham-inter-miami-zlatan-ibrahimovic-portland-timbers-mls-usl-chelsea
Around the Forest: Zinedine Zidane in talks with David Beckham and Inter Miami
Also: We check in with the playoff race; FIFA 19 release party; LAFC’s unique approach to their academy and more!
(Follow link for full article.)
https://talksport.com/football/425608/transfer-news-gossip-pogba-man-united-gotze-liverpool-beckham-inter-miami/
PAPER TALK Transfer news and gossip: Pogba’s latest Man United slight, Gotze to Liverpool, Beckham offers Inter Miami job to ex-teammate
Plus, West Brom's plans to sign the next big non-league star...
(Follow link for full article.)
https://video.eurosport.com/football/transfers/2018-2019/transfer-focus-david-beckham-s-inter-miami-v-manchester-united-for-zinedine-zidane_vid1126120/video.shtml
VIDEO - Transfer Focus: David Beckham's Inter Miami v Manchester United for Zinedine Zidane
Manchester United have been repeatedly linked with trying to appoint Zinedine Zidane, but David Beckham is poised to swoop first for his Miami franchise...
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https://metro.co.uk/2018/09/24/how-david-beckham-could-ruin-manchester-uniteds-chances-with-zinedine-zidane-7975520/
How David Beckham could ruin Manchester United’s chances with Zinedine Zidane
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https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/952628-11-things-who-s-in-who-s-out-
11 Things – Who’s In, Who’s Out?
WEEKEND ACTION IN THE EASTERN CONFERENCE TIGHTENS RACE FOR POSTSEASON POSITION
3 – The other side that took advantage of dropped points elsewhere was the Tampa Bay Rowdies, who claimed their third consecutive victory with a 3-0 win against the Richmond Kickers and as a result moved a point out of the playoffs places with four games to go. The Rowdies’ run of form has seen the side claim more than one-third of its victories this season since September 1 and could be ominous for those further up the Eastern Conference standings as the experience and gameness the side is showing would make it a very dangerous opponent should it reach the postseason. Wednesday night’s visit to Indy Eleven is now one of this week’s pivotal contests in the race for the playoffs, and if the Rowdies can take all three points again they could be well on their way to playoff berth.
READ MORE: ROWDIES’ STREAK CONTINUES, PLAYOFFS COME INTO VIEW
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https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/952417?related-952628
Rowdies’ Streak Continues, Playoffs Come into View
SECOND-HALF GOALS EARNED THIRD CONSECUTIVE WIN AS TAMPA BAY MAINTAINS POSTSEASON PUSH
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VARlzQKypD8
Rowdies Front Row vs Richmond Kickers - September 22, 2018
Tampa Bay Rowdies
Published on Sep 24, 2018
Check out the latest Rowdies Front Row highlighting the best moments from Saturday's huge win over the Richmond Kickers.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxZxRs4NUzA
How Handy Are the Rowdies?
Tampa Bay Rowdies
Published on Sep 24, 2018
Are the Rowdies good at fixing things around the house? We asked them to tell us how handy they are. Take a look!
Sunday, September 23, 2018
HIGHLIGHTS #TBRvRIC | 09-22-2018
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knfUghr2Rkg
HIGHLIGHTS #TBRvRIC | 09-22-2018
Tampa Bay Rowdies
Published on Sep 22, 2018
HIGHLIGHTS pres. by Tampa International Airport
Goals from Hunter Gorskie, Jaime Chavez and Junior Flemmings lift the Rowdies to a 3-0 win over Richmond Kickers.
#TBRvRIC
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ia629Uk_sGM
#NSHvTBR
Nashville SC vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies - Game Highlights
Tampa Bay Rowdies
Published on Sep 18, 2018
HIGHLIGHTS pres. by Tampa International Airport
The Rowdies pull off a huge road win, defeating Nashville Soccer Club 2-1 on Tuesday night.
#NSHvTBR
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/9i2ig8/gameday_tampa_bay_4_is_live_check_it_out/
Gameday, Tampa Bay #4 is live! Check it out!
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGrU1kN1EMo&feature=youtu.be
AL LANG STADIUM
Gameday, Tampa Bay #4
Carlitos Rueda
Published on Sep 22, 2018
Tampa Bay Rowdies vs Atlanta United II, 9/17/22
Yes, I'm a week late, I missed two matches, school's taken over my life again. But here's another (shorter) video.A like would be seriously appreciated, subscribe and watch out for the next episode! (Sorry about the minute of nothingness at the end)
Next home match: Rowdies vs Richmond
COME ON YOUR ROWDIES!
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/9i5o08/check_out_carlos_gameday_videos/
Check out Carlos' gameday videos!
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/9i56x9/rowdies_report_week_30_tbr_v_ric/
Rowdies Report Week 30- TBR v RIC
Getting the business done- Division 3 team is definitely the correct designation for the Richmond Kickers. They were ultimately lucky they didn't get the Ottawa 5-0 treatment. This was the expected result for the Rowdies playing at home against a weaker opponent, so the business was done. The Kickers had 3 points to give, and the Rowdies gladly took care of the transaction save for 45 minutes of negotiating. There are some obvious positives to take from tonight's shellacking, but also some perspective to take in as well. Let's discuss.
Outside looking in- With three straight wins, the Rowdies are really in the playoff discussion. They surprised me by getting the job done at Nashville, and now if they can keep the momentum, the odds are getting better. The situation is still not ideal. 3 of the last 4 games are on the road, and the road has never been kind to the Rowdies. The defense is much improved, but the offense and midfield have a bevy of question marks. But alas, the opportunity is there, and for that, credit to Collins and the club for grinding it out and giving the fan base a rooting interest.
Confidence at an all-time high- I felt this was the most confident I've seen the Rowdies as a collective the entire season. Everyone in the midfield not named Vingaard was attacking defenders and making aggressive passes. Hristov was getting the ball at his feet which is always a good sign. And the back line never seemed to panic. This supreme confidence will be needed going forward if the Rowdies want to steal wins against Indy and Bethlehem which are musts at this point in the season. Since Poku and Taku are every game starters, this level of confidence is really important for them to be able to take chances and make things happen on offense. I still think the execution is lacking.
Poku and Taku need to tighten up- Poku looked like a Terminator out there for 60 minutes. Just carving up Richmond's inferior squad. His passes were much crisper. One of his runs took him to a breakaway that he has to score or assist on. Taku had some moments on the wing playing the ball in that were decent but just like Poku, the execution has to be perfect. Good opportunities need to turn into great goals. If they get that final piece of the game in these last few weeks, there is hope. Their play will really be put to the test in these next two road games because all that matters is getting goals and W's.
Final midfield thoughts- Two player's I want to see in the midfield for the final four games: Fernandes and Cole. Two players I don't want to see in the midfield: Portillos and Vingaard. One is an outside back and the other is a defensive midfielder.
Speaking of defensive midfielders- Oduro really struggled tonight. Most fans may think Chavez was the guy who didn't look in form, but that was more of a chemistry and positioning ordeal. Oduro wasn't making quick enough decisions and allowing easy turnovers. This is the one major weak point of his game I've noticed, if he's pressured, he's apt to give up the ball. If he gets the ball and moves it quickly, he's fine. I'm not worried about Oduro by any means, but just something I noticed.
Diakite is incredible- Enough said.
Super Sub Flemmings- Said this should be his role at the beginning of the year. The Georgi injury complicates the forward situation though. I still like Flemmings as a super sub, but I know if Georgi is down, that leaves Guenzatti to take the spot since Morrell is still in the dog house. That I don't see boding well, because Guenzatti I've always seen as the unsuper sub, basically the forward you bring in to close out a game you're winning.
Best wishes to Georgi- That injury looked bad and his reaction to it was definitely concerning. Can only pray for good news at this point.
Added pressure for Chavez- Chavez is yet another player among the lineage of Rowdies players this year that has had to jump in and adjust to the Rowdies' game. With Georgi possibly out for the final four games, Chavez could be bound to see action in all 4 games making him the primary goal scorer on the club. No pressure.
Opponents schedules-
NCFC: It's pretty difficult. Only guaranteed points are likely Kickers @ home.
Nashville: Pretty easy. Guaranteed points with Kickers, TFC 2, and ATL 2 on schedule.
Ottawa: They have a TFC 2 match next but Bethlehem and Charleston after that so they're likely to fall out unless they can win out. Their goal difference is pretty bad. They are home for those last 2 games though.
Red Bulls 2: Who knows. They're very erratic but they play NCFC and Nashville so they could keep them at bay. Draws would probably help the Rowdies chances.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/9h5tf2/rowdies_earn_massive_win_in_nashville/
Rowdies Earn Massive Win In Nashville
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https://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/951222
ROWDIES EARN MASSIVE WIN IN NASHVILLE
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/9h7dml/rowdies_report_week_29_nsh_v_tbr/
Rowdies Report Week 29- NSH v TBR
Half a report- I was only able to catch the second half of the game. I was out playing tennis when I realized there was a midweek Rowdies game going on. And then to my dismay, I found out it was on ESPN 3 so I had to do a Sling TV free trial just so I could watch 45 minutes of Rowdies soccer. Was it worth it? Well, I'm a Rowdies fan, of course it was worth it.
Crucial win- I'm still very bullish on this Rowdies late playoff run because the likeliness is still low. I'll enjoy the idea of the thought, but I'm not getting my hopes up. This is the Rowdies first time this season winning two games straight. Now you're asking these boys to win another 4 or maybe even 5 with 3 of the games on the road. I do think these last two results bode well for Collins. Winning games ugly is still winning games. From what I heard from the commentary and on Twitter, this was not a clinical Rowdies performance. I will say though the Rowdies really deserved this win with two great goals.
Poku and Hristov emerge amidst struggles- Poku's run was brilliant. He executes a turn, charges down the middle of the park, and times his through ball perfectly with Hristov to allow him breakaway space. Hristov, back in a moment of evergreen veteran striker form, earns the penalty taking advantage of Pickens' aggressiveness. I had heard Hristov was quiet for most of the rest of the game as has been most of his season. What's ultimately important here is that Poku continues to have confidence that he can find space in the middle of the field and get the ball to his forwards. We've seen Poku put some decent through balls in, he just needs to get that space in the middle of the field.
Flemmings signature role- I remember way early in the season I was talking about how I wanted to see Morrell start on the wing and Flemmings be his 60th-minute sub. Tonight was exactly the reason why I think Flemmings has super sub potential. Flemmings comes in for a plodding Hristov and just gashes the tired defense. Flemmings ball into the box was PERFECT. With the pace and position of the ball, either Woodbury knocks it into the net or Guenzatti is waiting back post for the tap in. One thing I've noticed about Guenzatti's game I have to give him major credit for, his positioning is great. He has a knack for being in the right place in the box at the right time. It's the finishing with him that continues to concern me among other things. Anyways, Flemmings coming in at the 60th minute is a move I'd support in the final 5 games. You limit his time to make mistakes and get tired and allow him to just come in and chase through balls.
Flemmings the thespian- It was helpful until he got caught. Flemmings flopped in the 90th minute and the ref realized Flemmings was crying wolf after being down for two minutes and getting back up perfectly fine. Naturally, when he did appear to take an actual knock the ref wasn't having it. Bit of a karma trip that sequence was. It is funny to have the "bad guy" on your team. I mean the Nashville crowd was just booin the hell out of him. He was like an old school wrestling heel.
A Great Showing from a Recent Addition to the Miami Rowdies- After the Rowdies poached Cosmos players at the end of last year, have been poaching Baby Bulls this year, we're now well on our way to gutting Miami FC. Vega has done well and definitely saved the Rowdies win in the late stages with an incredible save. Is Vega better, worse, or on par with Mizell? It's really hard to tell. I'm still wondering why there was so much hesitance with Mizell this year. But Vega is the man in charge now and he has been performing up to standard. The one goal he gave up was a beautiful cross where Gorskie got beat to the spot.
Weekly reminder- Portillos is not a midfielder.
Playoffs!? You talking about Playoffs!? Playoffs??!?!?!- So the Rowdies are actually in the conversation. From my calculations and projections by starting at the standings and the schedules. Rowdies are likely playing for Ottawa's spot. Ottawa is -7 goal difference and a brutal schedule ahead with one TFC2 as an easy game. Bethlehem is the Rowdies final game of the season so if they falter the Rowdies could play for their spot. I would think we want the Red Bulls to win with games against Nashville and NCFC left because they're still in the race with us and their schedules have some gimmies. This is all dependent on the fact the Rowdies can win these final games which is a tall order being that 3 road games left is just disastrous. We might've gotten a road win last night but that doesn't matter to Indy or Bethlehem who will look to take advantage of our lack of road quality.
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https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/951372
Nashville Rues Missed Opportunities against Tampa Bay
HOSTS STRUGGLED TO BREAK DOWN ROWDIES IN TUESDAY'S 2-1 DEFEAT AT FIRST TENNESSEE PARK
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https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nashvillesc/2018/09/19/unusual-goal-costs-nashville-sc-2-1-loss-tampa-bay/1357866002/
Own goal costs Nashville SC in loss to Tampa Bay
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https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2018/09/22/13/16/20180922-feat-rewind-usoc-philadelphia-ukrainian-nationals
OPEN CUP REWIND: WHEN PHILLY’S UKES RAN THE GAME
MLS’ PHILADELPHIA UNION CAN LIFT THEIR FIRST U.S. OPEN CUP ON SEPT. 26TH IN HOUSTON, BUT THEY STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO TO CATCH UP TO THE FOUR-TIME CHAMPION UKRAINIAN NATIONALS – THE LAST TEAM FROM PHILLY TO WIN IT AND THE BEST SOCCER TEAM IN AMERICA DURING THE 1960S.
They close their eyes to remember those old days better. To bring back images of Edison Field, near the corner of 29th and Clearfield, south of Allegheny Avenue. These old men wait for those pictures, from over a half-century ago, to sharpen in their memory like ships on a foggy horizon. There’s the old clubhouse on North Broad Street. There’s game day too, when men in suits, hats and raincoats took their wives out to cheer on their favorite Philadelphia sports team. It wasn’t the Phillies or the Eagles or the 76ers. No, sir. It was Tryzub they went to see, the Ukrainian Nationals, Philadelphia Ukrainians or simply the Ukes [yoo-kees] – America’s best soccer team during the 1960s.
“We beat everybody back then,” snapped Alexandre Alex Ely, his eyes still mischievous at 80 years old. He speaks in a gravelly voice and wears the fleece jacket he was given upon his induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1997. “I’ve lost track of how many trophies we won in those years. I didn’t really realize it at the time, but we had the best soccer team in the country for a good few years.”
Ely was born on the outskirts of Sao Paulo, Brazil, the son of a German father who emigrated after nearly dying in the poison trenches of World War I. Young Alex learned the game of soccer, futebol, playing barefoot in the crowded street games around Mogi das Cruzes. He learned to fight in those games too. He was 12 years old the first time he wore a pair of proper soccer cleats, and the lessons he learned early were a mish-mash of the fabled jogo bonito of Brazilian lore and the blood-and-thunder of its reality. Those lessons served him well after his arrival in the U.S., on his own and still a teenager, in 1959.
Rough Stuff in the Old ASL
“There’s nothing romantic about playing soccer, especially in those days,” said Ely with a rough laugh, remembering the broken collarbones and shattered ankles that kept him out of the Ukrainian Nationals starting XI (those were the only things that kept him out). “It was very dangerous playing in those days because the referees weren’t always the best and a lot of bad things happened if you didn’t watch out for yourself. Guys would go after you hard. But there was something inside me that never let me give up and we always seemed to win.” Ivan John Barodiak, who came to the club from Argentina’s San Lorenzo, remembers it the same way: “The game was really rough back then and it was a lot more difficult to show your finesse because there was always someone looking to kick you. It was hard to play soccer the right way, but we did.”
Winning became a habit in those old Ukrainian Nationals teams of the 1960s. They won four Open Cups, six American Soccer League (ASL) titles and two Lewis Cups (The ASL’s league Cup). When they first won the U.S. Open Cup – then known as the National Challenge Cup or simply the National Championship – Argentinian striker Mike Noha scored five goals in a single game against the Los Angeles Kickers in Philly. The men from California were loaded with talent and boasted the renowned Al Zerhusen, U.S. National Team midfielder and Olympian. The Final, played in front of nearly 6,000 fans, finished 3-3 in regular time and 5-3 after extra-time. “Noha was pretty good,” begrudged his old teammate Ely. “A fantastic finisher really, and I remember I set up one of his goals that day in the final against the Kickers. I was always setting up goals for him.”
What Ely remembers best is the way the Ukrainians played the game. “I was kind of a tough nut in middle-field, but I liked to be the playmaker, to deliver the goals to my teammates,” said the man who went on to star for the U.S. National Team before returning to Brazil in 1965 to play for Santos, where he lined up beside Pele on a few occasions. “We liked to keep the ball and move it around the field, which was crazy then. The game just wasn’t played that way here. Most teams had the ball up in the air all the time.”
Borodiak, now 78, was a cultured fullback and another club legend who played from 1963 to 1966. He remembers the Ukes’ approach the same way. “The idea was to be a group that connected to each other really well,” said the defender, who later went on to play in the early days of the old North American Soccer League (NASL) with the Baltimore Bays and Cleveland Stokers before going into business making porcelain bridges for the dental industry. “No one was supposed to be involved with the ball too long. That’s what made the big difference for us as a team. In this country, we were able to stand above our opponents by keeping and moving the ball around the field.”
That possession game also helped the Ukes when big-name teams from abroad came over for friendlies, which they often did. Manchester United, Wolves, Eintracht Frankfurt, VFB Stuttgart, Austria Vienna, Man City and Dundee were just a few of the foreign teams to take on the Ukrainian Nationals through those glory years. Silken banners still hang in the barroom of the club headquarters – now a 45-minute drive north of the city in Horsham, Pa. where once there were only cornfields as far as the eye could see. The banners blush in the shadows with the tarnished trophies, perched up in the rafters over the bar taps.
“We used to get two, three thousand people to just regular league games,” said Bogdan Siryj, the former club president. He was only a young boy back in the 60s and he watched his favorite players, like Ely, Borodiak and Noha, up close at Edison Field. “The enthusiasm was just incredible and these guys were my heroes. We used to carry [Mike] Noha around the field on our shoulders.”
It’s hard for Siryj – hard for all of the old Ukrainians – not to get choked up when they recall the old days. He remembers the Open Cup Final in 1964 that required 90 minutes of extra-time after 90 minutes of regular time. “I think it was one of the longest games ever played,” recalled Ely with a shake of his head. There was the ‘Noha’ Final in 1960 and the ‘double’ years of 1961 and 1963 – in all there were four Open Cup titles won in the space of six years (1960-1966). The Ukes became the first soccer team in American history to have their home games televised. And the players, Siryj can rattle their names off like an auctioneer – “Ely, Noha, the Lunas and Oscar Mendez. And there was Ismaiel Fereyra, Walter Tarnawsy and Walt Chyzowych.”
“So many people used to talk about our games and the players,” remembered George Litynsky, a goalkeeper who was scouted in his native Argentina by Noha, who made regular trips back home after each season in search of talent for the club. “There was a bar and people used to show up there and hang around and talk about us. There was so much excitement around the club. And for me, when I came, I had almost no English, but these people around me were like a family. It was special.”
Litynsky came late in the wave of Ukes’ dominance, but he remembers the 1966 Open Cup Final. He was back-up that day to Tarnawsky, born in the former USSR and once an Argentinian international and pro with Newell’s Old Boys. “It was an exciting day and we had close to 4,000 fans here,” said Litynsky who went on to have a career in architecture. “We had beaten them [Orange County FC] 1-0 in California and then we beat them 3-0 in Philly in the return leg, and I can still remember how much enthusiasm there was at the field and how the fans ran on the pitch after the final whistle.”
Work and Play – a Tough Balance
It wasn’t always easy. In those days, the best soccer team in America was still semipro at best. “The money wasn’t good,” Litynsky laughed. “I was getting 40 dollars a game, Some of the superstars like Tarnawksy and Borodiak, maybe they got 60 dollars a game. But it wasn’t like it is today with contracts for millions of dollars. We all used to play and we all used to work.” Ely, who went to night school and became a coach and teacher after his return from Brazil, recalls the hardships too: “The money we got was mostly for expenses and you had to work. It wasn’t like in Brazil where if you were a big star in a big team, you’d have it made.”
What the old Ukes remember best are the moments, still sharp in the mind’s eye, of winning. Of celebrating. Of being the best, of being young and surrounded by possibility. “It was something; the way people would come from far away, from Delaware and farther than that, to watch us play,” said Ely, fidgeting in his chair. Borodiak remembers those smiles after the final whistle, before the trophy came, when they’d done enough to win. “It’s most memorable when you become a champion,” he said in his halting accented English. “The leagues and the cups, when you look back, you remember those moments like they were yesterday.” For Litynsky, it’s simpler than that: “It felt like home.”
It was a long day for the old timers – these legends who dressed for the occasion in blue blazers, pressed shirts and hard shoes. They return to their wives and grown children who wait patiently, sipping drinks below the flock of trophies, like birds, in the rafters. They say their so-longs in the barroom where pictures of their younger selves, black-and-white and ropy with muscle, hang on the walls around them. When they head outside into a foggy summer night, they watch for a minute as the kids – in the same Ukrainian Nationals’ red and black they used to wear – play under the glow of floodlights.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/952417-rowdies-streak-continues-playoffs-come-into-view
Rowdies’ Streak Continues, Playoffs Come into View
SECOND-HALF GOALS EARNED THIRD CONSECUTIVE WIN AS TAMPA BAY MAINTAINS POSTSEASON PUSH
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Having outshot their visitors 9-1 and had a pair of goals ruled out for offside in the first half – with near-misses having also just prevented the side from taking the lead – there could have been a sense of frustration in the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ locker room at the halftime break on Saturday night.
But when Hunter Gorskie – handed the captain’s armband for the night – tapped home a close-range finish just four minutes into the second half any lingering tension the hosts might have held evaporated into the humid night air, setting the stage for a 3-0 victory against the Richmond Kickers at Al Lang Stadium that saw the Rowdies edge closer to the playoff positions in the Eastern Conference with their third consecutive victory.
“We’ve worked super hard for it,” said Gorskie. “We’re sticking to what we’re doing and sticking to what we believe in. We have a super team with a lot of consistency right now and we really believe in the way we play. Everything is going the way we want it, but we just have to continue to grind it out.”
Having given themselves a major boost in the race for the playoffs on Tuesday night with victory on the road against Nashville SC, the Rowdies came out flying against a Kickers side that had already been eliminated from playoff contention. Georgi Hristov had the ball in the net in the sixth minute, only for the offside flag to be raised on Jaime Chavez as he missed his finish at the near post from Afrim Taku’s cross from the right, and the assistant referee’s flag again denied the Rowdies as Chavez broke in behind the Richmond defense in the 25th minute as he tried to get onto the end of a through-ball by Kwadwo Poku.
When the Rowdies weren’t being denied by the offside flag, they were unable to find the range with their best chances of the first half, two of which fell to Poku. The former New York City FC midfielder had a stellar performance overall but was unable to finish on a breakaway in the 30th minute as Kickers goalkeeper Brandon Barnes met him at the top of the penalty area and then shot just wide of the left post five minutes later.
While the chances weren’t falling for his players, however, the halftime message from Rowdies Head Coach Neill Collins was that their persistence would pay off.
“It was one of the best first-half performances I’ve seen in my time with the Rowdies, apart from the final finish,” Collins said. “We had two goals ruled out, rightly or wrongly, and we had other opportunities. I thought Poku looked like the best player in the league. I wanted more of that and they gave me that and probably a little bit more.”
Gorskie’s finish was followed by Chavez’s first for Tampa Bay eight minutes later as a turnover by the Kickers in their own half opened a lane for a simple pass by Taku to play him in for a finish to the left post. Junior Flemmings wrapped up the victory in stoppage time with a fine individual move and low finish to the right corner of the net.
The victory moved the Rowdies up to 10th place in the Eastern Conference and just a point back of Ottawa Fury FC in the final playoff place in the standings as only Bethlehem Steel FC of the sides Tampa Bay is battling for a postseason berth also took victory on Saturday night. But although a return to the playoffs is now closer than it has been for a while for Tampa Bay, Collins said he isn’t looking at the scoreboard for anyone except for his own side.
“We’ve been in such a poor position for a variety of reasons that I’ve not bothered with anybody but ourselves,” said Collins. “Without us winning, it’s not we’re in the playoffs and if other teams’ results go for us, we can stay in. We need to win to get in there. The players have done a fantastic job of taking it one game at a time.”
With another crucial game arriving on Wednesday night on the road at sixth-place Indy Eleven, the Rowdies are still aware there’s a lot of work left to claim a top-eight position.
If they get in, though, the side may be one that is poised for bigger things when the postseason arrives.
“The confidence is high,” said Gorskie. “At the end of the day, in a playoff structure, it’s about whoever is hottest going into the playoff. We’re just going to focus on the next game, keep building on what we need to get better at and we won’t worry about the rest of the table.”
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.richmond.com/sports/richmond-kickers/second-half-strikes-sink-kickers-in---loss-to/article_5fcea1fa-d69c-509e-8bbe-d95748d07e4f.html
Second-half strikes sink Kickers in 3-0 loss to Tampa Bay Rowdies
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https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/7327080/david-beckham-wants-zinedine-zidane-as-his-inter-miami-manager/
NICE TO ZIZOU David Beckham wants Zinedine Zidane to be Inter Miami manager after holding ‘preliminary talks’
The Miami outfit are trying to bring the biggest names on board for their 2020 debut and Beckham has one of the best managers, and players, in the world on his radar
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https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/football/rumour-mill-david-beckham-in-preliminary-talks-with-zinedine-zidane-over-inter-miami-coaching-job/news-story/e3a80fe9380873e0c8ee5fe21f9ce067
Rumour Mill: David Beckham in ‘preliminary talks’ with Zinedine Zidane over Inter Miami coaching job
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https://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/international/categories/english-premier-league/zlatan-ibrahimovic-answers-lionel-messi-mls-question/501426
Zlatan Answers Messi MLS Question
ormer Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has responded to a question that was put to him about superstar Lionel Messi, whom he used to play alongside at FC Barcelona.
Zlatan Joins Messi & Ronaldo In 500 Club
The Swede spent just one season playing with the Argentine, in 2009/10, before a fallout with Pep Guardiola led to him leaving the Spanish giants for AC Milan.
While Ibrahimovic struck 22 times for the Blaugrana that season, his strike partner at the time, Messi, found the back of the net on 47 occasions.
After the name, Inter Miami FC, and crest of the club owned by David Beckham was revealed recently, reports emerged suggesting that the Englishman would try to persuade Messi to join his side when they officially launch in 2020.
As such, Ibrahimovic, who current plays for LA Galaxy in the US, was asked whether or not he thinks Messi should consider a move to the MLS in the future.
"To Miami? Absolutely," he told TMZ.
"He (Messi) would fit in anywhere."
The 10 Highest-Paid Players In The Champions League
The 36-year-old forward joined Galaxy in March this year, and has already scored 17 goals and assisted a further five strikes in 22 MLS matches this season.
Do you think Messi would consider joining Beckham's franchise in two years' time? Let us know in the comments section below.
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https://www.insidesport.co/beckhams-inter-miami-cf-appoints-jurgen-mainka-as-chief-business-officer/
Beckham’s Inter Miami CF appoints Jurgen Mainka as chief business officer
David Beckham-owned Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion team Inter Miami CF have appointed the former Concacaf executive Jurgen Mainka as the first Chief Business Officer.
Mainka will oversee team and stadium business and manage all non-soccer operations aspects of the club, which includes administration, marketing, communications, sponsorship, ticket sales and stadium operations.
Mainka will report directly to managing owner Jorge Mas.
Mainka spent the last five years with the Confederation of North Central American and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf), first as the director of marketing and communications and since 2016, as chief commercial officer and deputy general secretary.
He has also previously worked other MLS teams such as New York Red Bulls Colorado Rapids and New England Revolution, and was also part of USA’s 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup Bid Committees.
Also Read: Beckham’s Miami MLS expansion outfit named Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami, crest unveiled
“Inter Miami’s ownership group is excited to work with Jurgen in building the business side of our club,” Mas was quoted as saying in the official release. “Jurgen brings with him expertise in sponsor relationships and the enthusiasm needed to deliver a great fan experience that will benefit our community.”
“It is an honor to be able to contribute to this exciting soccer project in one of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities in the world,” said Mainka. “I’m looking forward to working with Jorge and the ownership group as we build a global franchise that represents Miami, MLS and its fans both in the USA and abroad, making our community proud on and off the field.”
A native of Mexico, Mainka is fluent in Spanish, German and English and lives in Miami with his family.
Also Read: Miami MLS franchisee to reveal site plans for a new stadium
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https://sports.yahoo.com/zlatan-ibrahimovic-stay-mls-leave-121729324.html
Zlatan Ibrahimovic to stay in MLS but leave LA Galaxy?
Zlatan Ibrahimovic isn’t a subtle human being. But has he dropped a subtle hint he will not be with the LA Galaxy beyond the 2018 season?
The veteran striker has flourished in his debut campaign in Major League Soccer with 18 goals, but with LA’s season petering out after Sigi Schmid left as coach and a playoff appearance increasingly unlikely, Zlatan appears to be thinking about moving on.
According to LA Times writer Kevin Baxter, Ibrahimovic said his future in MLS with the LA Galaxy “isn’t a sure thing” which suggests he’d like to stay in North America’s top-flight but head elsewhere.
That is likely because Zlatan is only signed on a contract until the end of the 2019 season and he’s only paid $1.5 million per year, due to the fact that LA could only pay him via Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) as they already had three Designated Players. Therefore, he’s testing out the waters to see if other MLS clubs are interested in his talents.
So, where else could Zlatan go?
The obvious choice would be Inter Miami but David Beckham’s new MLS franchise isn’t set to begin play until 2020 and by that time Zlatan would be 38 years old.
After his serious knee injury, Ibrahimovic’s fitness isn’t a concern and as we have seen with LA this season, he is more than capable of scoring close to 20 goals in a single MLS campaign. Some of his strikes this season have been majestic (see: his goal from 40-yards in the LA derby after coming off the bench and a flying side volley versus Toronto for his 500th career goal).
With clubs such as D.C. United making a splash to sign Wayne Rooney as a veteran striker this season, the impact these ageing superstars can have on and off the pitch in MLS are clear for all to see. Would Zlatan prefer a move to New York City FC? Maybe heading across Los Angeles to new boys LA FC? Perhaps a club like Minnesota United would want to bring in Zlatan with their new stadium opening later this year and a large Scandinavian population?
The only thing we do know is that Zlatan will be a man in demand if he decides to leave LA over this offseason.
But what is more than likely happening here is that Ibrahimovic wants a vastly improved contract to remain in LA beyond the end of his current deal which runs out in December 2019. The Galaxy would be misguided to do anything but offer Zlatan what he wants.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knfUghr2Rkg
HIGHLIGHTS #TBRvRIC | 09-22-2018
Tampa Bay Rowdies
Published on Sep 22, 2018
HIGHLIGHTS pres. by Tampa International Airport
Goals from Hunter Gorskie, Jaime Chavez and Junior Flemmings lift the Rowdies to a 3-0 win over Richmond Kickers.
#TBRvRIC
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ia629Uk_sGM
#NSHvTBR
Nashville SC vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies - Game Highlights
Tampa Bay Rowdies
Published on Sep 18, 2018
HIGHLIGHTS pres. by Tampa International Airport
The Rowdies pull off a huge road win, defeating Nashville Soccer Club 2-1 on Tuesday night.
#NSHvTBR
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/9i2ig8/gameday_tampa_bay_4_is_live_check_it_out/
Gameday, Tampa Bay #4 is live! Check it out!
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGrU1kN1EMo&feature=youtu.be
AL LANG STADIUM
Gameday, Tampa Bay #4
Carlitos Rueda
Published on Sep 22, 2018
Tampa Bay Rowdies vs Atlanta United II, 9/17/22
Yes, I'm a week late, I missed two matches, school's taken over my life again. But here's another (shorter) video.A like would be seriously appreciated, subscribe and watch out for the next episode! (Sorry about the minute of nothingness at the end)
Next home match: Rowdies vs Richmond
COME ON YOUR ROWDIES!
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/9i5o08/check_out_carlos_gameday_videos/
Check out Carlos' gameday videos!
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/9i56x9/rowdies_report_week_30_tbr_v_ric/
Rowdies Report Week 30- TBR v RIC
Getting the business done- Division 3 team is definitely the correct designation for the Richmond Kickers. They were ultimately lucky they didn't get the Ottawa 5-0 treatment. This was the expected result for the Rowdies playing at home against a weaker opponent, so the business was done. The Kickers had 3 points to give, and the Rowdies gladly took care of the transaction save for 45 minutes of negotiating. There are some obvious positives to take from tonight's shellacking, but also some perspective to take in as well. Let's discuss.
Outside looking in- With three straight wins, the Rowdies are really in the playoff discussion. They surprised me by getting the job done at Nashville, and now if they can keep the momentum, the odds are getting better. The situation is still not ideal. 3 of the last 4 games are on the road, and the road has never been kind to the Rowdies. The defense is much improved, but the offense and midfield have a bevy of question marks. But alas, the opportunity is there, and for that, credit to Collins and the club for grinding it out and giving the fan base a rooting interest.
Confidence at an all-time high- I felt this was the most confident I've seen the Rowdies as a collective the entire season. Everyone in the midfield not named Vingaard was attacking defenders and making aggressive passes. Hristov was getting the ball at his feet which is always a good sign. And the back line never seemed to panic. This supreme confidence will be needed going forward if the Rowdies want to steal wins against Indy and Bethlehem which are musts at this point in the season. Since Poku and Taku are every game starters, this level of confidence is really important for them to be able to take chances and make things happen on offense. I still think the execution is lacking.
Poku and Taku need to tighten up- Poku looked like a Terminator out there for 60 minutes. Just carving up Richmond's inferior squad. His passes were much crisper. One of his runs took him to a breakaway that he has to score or assist on. Taku had some moments on the wing playing the ball in that were decent but just like Poku, the execution has to be perfect. Good opportunities need to turn into great goals. If they get that final piece of the game in these last few weeks, there is hope. Their play will really be put to the test in these next two road games because all that matters is getting goals and W's.
Final midfield thoughts- Two player's I want to see in the midfield for the final four games: Fernandes and Cole. Two players I don't want to see in the midfield: Portillos and Vingaard. One is an outside back and the other is a defensive midfielder.
Speaking of defensive midfielders- Oduro really struggled tonight. Most fans may think Chavez was the guy who didn't look in form, but that was more of a chemistry and positioning ordeal. Oduro wasn't making quick enough decisions and allowing easy turnovers. This is the one major weak point of his game I've noticed, if he's pressured, he's apt to give up the ball. If he gets the ball and moves it quickly, he's fine. I'm not worried about Oduro by any means, but just something I noticed.
Diakite is incredible- Enough said.
Super Sub Flemmings- Said this should be his role at the beginning of the year. The Georgi injury complicates the forward situation though. I still like Flemmings as a super sub, but I know if Georgi is down, that leaves Guenzatti to take the spot since Morrell is still in the dog house. That I don't see boding well, because Guenzatti I've always seen as the unsuper sub, basically the forward you bring in to close out a game you're winning.
Best wishes to Georgi- That injury looked bad and his reaction to it was definitely concerning. Can only pray for good news at this point.
Added pressure for Chavez- Chavez is yet another player among the lineage of Rowdies players this year that has had to jump in and adjust to the Rowdies' game. With Georgi possibly out for the final four games, Chavez could be bound to see action in all 4 games making him the primary goal scorer on the club. No pressure.
Opponents schedules-
NCFC: It's pretty difficult. Only guaranteed points are likely Kickers @ home.
Nashville: Pretty easy. Guaranteed points with Kickers, TFC 2, and ATL 2 on schedule.
Ottawa: They have a TFC 2 match next but Bethlehem and Charleston after that so they're likely to fall out unless they can win out. Their goal difference is pretty bad. They are home for those last 2 games though.
Red Bulls 2: Who knows. They're very erratic but they play NCFC and Nashville so they could keep them at bay. Draws would probably help the Rowdies chances.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/9h5tf2/rowdies_earn_massive_win_in_nashville/
Rowdies Earn Massive Win In Nashville
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https://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/951222
ROWDIES EARN MASSIVE WIN IN NASHVILLE
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/9h7dml/rowdies_report_week_29_nsh_v_tbr/
Rowdies Report Week 29- NSH v TBR
Half a report- I was only able to catch the second half of the game. I was out playing tennis when I realized there was a midweek Rowdies game going on. And then to my dismay, I found out it was on ESPN 3 so I had to do a Sling TV free trial just so I could watch 45 minutes of Rowdies soccer. Was it worth it? Well, I'm a Rowdies fan, of course it was worth it.
Crucial win- I'm still very bullish on this Rowdies late playoff run because the likeliness is still low. I'll enjoy the idea of the thought, but I'm not getting my hopes up. This is the Rowdies first time this season winning two games straight. Now you're asking these boys to win another 4 or maybe even 5 with 3 of the games on the road. I do think these last two results bode well for Collins. Winning games ugly is still winning games. From what I heard from the commentary and on Twitter, this was not a clinical Rowdies performance. I will say though the Rowdies really deserved this win with two great goals.
Poku and Hristov emerge amidst struggles- Poku's run was brilliant. He executes a turn, charges down the middle of the park, and times his through ball perfectly with Hristov to allow him breakaway space. Hristov, back in a moment of evergreen veteran striker form, earns the penalty taking advantage of Pickens' aggressiveness. I had heard Hristov was quiet for most of the rest of the game as has been most of his season. What's ultimately important here is that Poku continues to have confidence that he can find space in the middle of the field and get the ball to his forwards. We've seen Poku put some decent through balls in, he just needs to get that space in the middle of the field.
Flemmings signature role- I remember way early in the season I was talking about how I wanted to see Morrell start on the wing and Flemmings be his 60th-minute sub. Tonight was exactly the reason why I think Flemmings has super sub potential. Flemmings comes in for a plodding Hristov and just gashes the tired defense. Flemmings ball into the box was PERFECT. With the pace and position of the ball, either Woodbury knocks it into the net or Guenzatti is waiting back post for the tap in. One thing I've noticed about Guenzatti's game I have to give him major credit for, his positioning is great. He has a knack for being in the right place in the box at the right time. It's the finishing with him that continues to concern me among other things. Anyways, Flemmings coming in at the 60th minute is a move I'd support in the final 5 games. You limit his time to make mistakes and get tired and allow him to just come in and chase through balls.
Flemmings the thespian- It was helpful until he got caught. Flemmings flopped in the 90th minute and the ref realized Flemmings was crying wolf after being down for two minutes and getting back up perfectly fine. Naturally, when he did appear to take an actual knock the ref wasn't having it. Bit of a karma trip that sequence was. It is funny to have the "bad guy" on your team. I mean the Nashville crowd was just booin the hell out of him. He was like an old school wrestling heel.
A Great Showing from a Recent Addition to the Miami Rowdies- After the Rowdies poached Cosmos players at the end of last year, have been poaching Baby Bulls this year, we're now well on our way to gutting Miami FC. Vega has done well and definitely saved the Rowdies win in the late stages with an incredible save. Is Vega better, worse, or on par with Mizell? It's really hard to tell. I'm still wondering why there was so much hesitance with Mizell this year. But Vega is the man in charge now and he has been performing up to standard. The one goal he gave up was a beautiful cross where Gorskie got beat to the spot.
Weekly reminder- Portillos is not a midfielder.
Playoffs!? You talking about Playoffs!? Playoffs??!?!?!- So the Rowdies are actually in the conversation. From my calculations and projections by starting at the standings and the schedules. Rowdies are likely playing for Ottawa's spot. Ottawa is -7 goal difference and a brutal schedule ahead with one TFC2 as an easy game. Bethlehem is the Rowdies final game of the season so if they falter the Rowdies could play for their spot. I would think we want the Red Bulls to win with games against Nashville and NCFC left because they're still in the race with us and their schedules have some gimmies. This is all dependent on the fact the Rowdies can win these final games which is a tall order being that 3 road games left is just disastrous. We might've gotten a road win last night but that doesn't matter to Indy or Bethlehem who will look to take advantage of our lack of road quality.
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https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/951372
Nashville Rues Missed Opportunities against Tampa Bay
HOSTS STRUGGLED TO BREAK DOWN ROWDIES IN TUESDAY'S 2-1 DEFEAT AT FIRST TENNESSEE PARK
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https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nashvillesc/2018/09/19/unusual-goal-costs-nashville-sc-2-1-loss-tampa-bay/1357866002/
Own goal costs Nashville SC in loss to Tampa Bay
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https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2018/09/22/13/16/20180922-feat-rewind-usoc-philadelphia-ukrainian-nationals
OPEN CUP REWIND: WHEN PHILLY’S UKES RAN THE GAME
MLS’ PHILADELPHIA UNION CAN LIFT THEIR FIRST U.S. OPEN CUP ON SEPT. 26TH IN HOUSTON, BUT THEY STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO TO CATCH UP TO THE FOUR-TIME CHAMPION UKRAINIAN NATIONALS – THE LAST TEAM FROM PHILLY TO WIN IT AND THE BEST SOCCER TEAM IN AMERICA DURING THE 1960S.
They close their eyes to remember those old days better. To bring back images of Edison Field, near the corner of 29th and Clearfield, south of Allegheny Avenue. These old men wait for those pictures, from over a half-century ago, to sharpen in their memory like ships on a foggy horizon. There’s the old clubhouse on North Broad Street. There’s game day too, when men in suits, hats and raincoats took their wives out to cheer on their favorite Philadelphia sports team. It wasn’t the Phillies or the Eagles or the 76ers. No, sir. It was Tryzub they went to see, the Ukrainian Nationals, Philadelphia Ukrainians or simply the Ukes [yoo-kees] – America’s best soccer team during the 1960s.
“We beat everybody back then,” snapped Alexandre Alex Ely, his eyes still mischievous at 80 years old. He speaks in a gravelly voice and wears the fleece jacket he was given upon his induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1997. “I’ve lost track of how many trophies we won in those years. I didn’t really realize it at the time, but we had the best soccer team in the country for a good few years.”
Ely was born on the outskirts of Sao Paulo, Brazil, the son of a German father who emigrated after nearly dying in the poison trenches of World War I. Young Alex learned the game of soccer, futebol, playing barefoot in the crowded street games around Mogi das Cruzes. He learned to fight in those games too. He was 12 years old the first time he wore a pair of proper soccer cleats, and the lessons he learned early were a mish-mash of the fabled jogo bonito of Brazilian lore and the blood-and-thunder of its reality. Those lessons served him well after his arrival in the U.S., on his own and still a teenager, in 1959.
Rough Stuff in the Old ASL
“There’s nothing romantic about playing soccer, especially in those days,” said Ely with a rough laugh, remembering the broken collarbones and shattered ankles that kept him out of the Ukrainian Nationals starting XI (those were the only things that kept him out). “It was very dangerous playing in those days because the referees weren’t always the best and a lot of bad things happened if you didn’t watch out for yourself. Guys would go after you hard. But there was something inside me that never let me give up and we always seemed to win.” Ivan John Barodiak, who came to the club from Argentina’s San Lorenzo, remembers it the same way: “The game was really rough back then and it was a lot more difficult to show your finesse because there was always someone looking to kick you. It was hard to play soccer the right way, but we did.”
Winning became a habit in those old Ukrainian Nationals teams of the 1960s. They won four Open Cups, six American Soccer League (ASL) titles and two Lewis Cups (The ASL’s league Cup). When they first won the U.S. Open Cup – then known as the National Challenge Cup or simply the National Championship – Argentinian striker Mike Noha scored five goals in a single game against the Los Angeles Kickers in Philly. The men from California were loaded with talent and boasted the renowned Al Zerhusen, U.S. National Team midfielder and Olympian. The Final, played in front of nearly 6,000 fans, finished 3-3 in regular time and 5-3 after extra-time. “Noha was pretty good,” begrudged his old teammate Ely. “A fantastic finisher really, and I remember I set up one of his goals that day in the final against the Kickers. I was always setting up goals for him.”
What Ely remembers best is the way the Ukrainians played the game. “I was kind of a tough nut in middle-field, but I liked to be the playmaker, to deliver the goals to my teammates,” said the man who went on to star for the U.S. National Team before returning to Brazil in 1965 to play for Santos, where he lined up beside Pele on a few occasions. “We liked to keep the ball and move it around the field, which was crazy then. The game just wasn’t played that way here. Most teams had the ball up in the air all the time.”
Borodiak, now 78, was a cultured fullback and another club legend who played from 1963 to 1966. He remembers the Ukes’ approach the same way. “The idea was to be a group that connected to each other really well,” said the defender, who later went on to play in the early days of the old North American Soccer League (NASL) with the Baltimore Bays and Cleveland Stokers before going into business making porcelain bridges for the dental industry. “No one was supposed to be involved with the ball too long. That’s what made the big difference for us as a team. In this country, we were able to stand above our opponents by keeping and moving the ball around the field.”
That possession game also helped the Ukes when big-name teams from abroad came over for friendlies, which they often did. Manchester United, Wolves, Eintracht Frankfurt, VFB Stuttgart, Austria Vienna, Man City and Dundee were just a few of the foreign teams to take on the Ukrainian Nationals through those glory years. Silken banners still hang in the barroom of the club headquarters – now a 45-minute drive north of the city in Horsham, Pa. where once there were only cornfields as far as the eye could see. The banners blush in the shadows with the tarnished trophies, perched up in the rafters over the bar taps.
“We used to get two, three thousand people to just regular league games,” said Bogdan Siryj, the former club president. He was only a young boy back in the 60s and he watched his favorite players, like Ely, Borodiak and Noha, up close at Edison Field. “The enthusiasm was just incredible and these guys were my heroes. We used to carry [Mike] Noha around the field on our shoulders.”
It’s hard for Siryj – hard for all of the old Ukrainians – not to get choked up when they recall the old days. He remembers the Open Cup Final in 1964 that required 90 minutes of extra-time after 90 minutes of regular time. “I think it was one of the longest games ever played,” recalled Ely with a shake of his head. There was the ‘Noha’ Final in 1960 and the ‘double’ years of 1961 and 1963 – in all there were four Open Cup titles won in the space of six years (1960-1966). The Ukes became the first soccer team in American history to have their home games televised. And the players, Siryj can rattle their names off like an auctioneer – “Ely, Noha, the Lunas and Oscar Mendez. And there was Ismaiel Fereyra, Walter Tarnawsy and Walt Chyzowych.”
“So many people used to talk about our games and the players,” remembered George Litynsky, a goalkeeper who was scouted in his native Argentina by Noha, who made regular trips back home after each season in search of talent for the club. “There was a bar and people used to show up there and hang around and talk about us. There was so much excitement around the club. And for me, when I came, I had almost no English, but these people around me were like a family. It was special.”
Litynsky came late in the wave of Ukes’ dominance, but he remembers the 1966 Open Cup Final. He was back-up that day to Tarnawsky, born in the former USSR and once an Argentinian international and pro with Newell’s Old Boys. “It was an exciting day and we had close to 4,000 fans here,” said Litynsky who went on to have a career in architecture. “We had beaten them [Orange County FC] 1-0 in California and then we beat them 3-0 in Philly in the return leg, and I can still remember how much enthusiasm there was at the field and how the fans ran on the pitch after the final whistle.”
Work and Play – a Tough Balance
It wasn’t always easy. In those days, the best soccer team in America was still semipro at best. “The money wasn’t good,” Litynsky laughed. “I was getting 40 dollars a game, Some of the superstars like Tarnawksy and Borodiak, maybe they got 60 dollars a game. But it wasn’t like it is today with contracts for millions of dollars. We all used to play and we all used to work.” Ely, who went to night school and became a coach and teacher after his return from Brazil, recalls the hardships too: “The money we got was mostly for expenses and you had to work. It wasn’t like in Brazil where if you were a big star in a big team, you’d have it made.”
What the old Ukes remember best are the moments, still sharp in the mind’s eye, of winning. Of celebrating. Of being the best, of being young and surrounded by possibility. “It was something; the way people would come from far away, from Delaware and farther than that, to watch us play,” said Ely, fidgeting in his chair. Borodiak remembers those smiles after the final whistle, before the trophy came, when they’d done enough to win. “It’s most memorable when you become a champion,” he said in his halting accented English. “The leagues and the cups, when you look back, you remember those moments like they were yesterday.” For Litynsky, it’s simpler than that: “It felt like home.”
It was a long day for the old timers – these legends who dressed for the occasion in blue blazers, pressed shirts and hard shoes. They return to their wives and grown children who wait patiently, sipping drinks below the flock of trophies, like birds, in the rafters. They say their so-longs in the barroom where pictures of their younger selves, black-and-white and ropy with muscle, hang on the walls around them. When they head outside into a foggy summer night, they watch for a minute as the kids – in the same Ukrainian Nationals’ red and black they used to wear – play under the glow of floodlights.
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https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/952417-rowdies-streak-continues-playoffs-come-into-view
Rowdies’ Streak Continues, Playoffs Come into View
SECOND-HALF GOALS EARNED THIRD CONSECUTIVE WIN AS TAMPA BAY MAINTAINS POSTSEASON PUSH
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Having outshot their visitors 9-1 and had a pair of goals ruled out for offside in the first half – with near-misses having also just prevented the side from taking the lead – there could have been a sense of frustration in the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ locker room at the halftime break on Saturday night.
But when Hunter Gorskie – handed the captain’s armband for the night – tapped home a close-range finish just four minutes into the second half any lingering tension the hosts might have held evaporated into the humid night air, setting the stage for a 3-0 victory against the Richmond Kickers at Al Lang Stadium that saw the Rowdies edge closer to the playoff positions in the Eastern Conference with their third consecutive victory.
“We’ve worked super hard for it,” said Gorskie. “We’re sticking to what we’re doing and sticking to what we believe in. We have a super team with a lot of consistency right now and we really believe in the way we play. Everything is going the way we want it, but we just have to continue to grind it out.”
Having given themselves a major boost in the race for the playoffs on Tuesday night with victory on the road against Nashville SC, the Rowdies came out flying against a Kickers side that had already been eliminated from playoff contention. Georgi Hristov had the ball in the net in the sixth minute, only for the offside flag to be raised on Jaime Chavez as he missed his finish at the near post from Afrim Taku’s cross from the right, and the assistant referee’s flag again denied the Rowdies as Chavez broke in behind the Richmond defense in the 25th minute as he tried to get onto the end of a through-ball by Kwadwo Poku.
When the Rowdies weren’t being denied by the offside flag, they were unable to find the range with their best chances of the first half, two of which fell to Poku. The former New York City FC midfielder had a stellar performance overall but was unable to finish on a breakaway in the 30th minute as Kickers goalkeeper Brandon Barnes met him at the top of the penalty area and then shot just wide of the left post five minutes later.
While the chances weren’t falling for his players, however, the halftime message from Rowdies Head Coach Neill Collins was that their persistence would pay off.
“It was one of the best first-half performances I’ve seen in my time with the Rowdies, apart from the final finish,” Collins said. “We had two goals ruled out, rightly or wrongly, and we had other opportunities. I thought Poku looked like the best player in the league. I wanted more of that and they gave me that and probably a little bit more.”
Gorskie’s finish was followed by Chavez’s first for Tampa Bay eight minutes later as a turnover by the Kickers in their own half opened a lane for a simple pass by Taku to play him in for a finish to the left post. Junior Flemmings wrapped up the victory in stoppage time with a fine individual move and low finish to the right corner of the net.
The victory moved the Rowdies up to 10th place in the Eastern Conference and just a point back of Ottawa Fury FC in the final playoff place in the standings as only Bethlehem Steel FC of the sides Tampa Bay is battling for a postseason berth also took victory on Saturday night. But although a return to the playoffs is now closer than it has been for a while for Tampa Bay, Collins said he isn’t looking at the scoreboard for anyone except for his own side.
“We’ve been in such a poor position for a variety of reasons that I’ve not bothered with anybody but ourselves,” said Collins. “Without us winning, it’s not we’re in the playoffs and if other teams’ results go for us, we can stay in. We need to win to get in there. The players have done a fantastic job of taking it one game at a time.”
With another crucial game arriving on Wednesday night on the road at sixth-place Indy Eleven, the Rowdies are still aware there’s a lot of work left to claim a top-eight position.
If they get in, though, the side may be one that is poised for bigger things when the postseason arrives.
“The confidence is high,” said Gorskie. “At the end of the day, in a playoff structure, it’s about whoever is hottest going into the playoff. We’re just going to focus on the next game, keep building on what we need to get better at and we won’t worry about the rest of the table.”
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.richmond.com/sports/richmond-kickers/second-half-strikes-sink-kickers-in---loss-to/article_5fcea1fa-d69c-509e-8bbe-d95748d07e4f.html
Second-half strikes sink Kickers in 3-0 loss to Tampa Bay Rowdies
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https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/7327080/david-beckham-wants-zinedine-zidane-as-his-inter-miami-manager/
NICE TO ZIZOU David Beckham wants Zinedine Zidane to be Inter Miami manager after holding ‘preliminary talks’
The Miami outfit are trying to bring the biggest names on board for their 2020 debut and Beckham has one of the best managers, and players, in the world on his radar
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https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/football/rumour-mill-david-beckham-in-preliminary-talks-with-zinedine-zidane-over-inter-miami-coaching-job/news-story/e3a80fe9380873e0c8ee5fe21f9ce067
Rumour Mill: David Beckham in ‘preliminary talks’ with Zinedine Zidane over Inter Miami coaching job
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https://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/international/categories/english-premier-league/zlatan-ibrahimovic-answers-lionel-messi-mls-question/501426
Zlatan Answers Messi MLS Question
ormer Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has responded to a question that was put to him about superstar Lionel Messi, whom he used to play alongside at FC Barcelona.
Zlatan Joins Messi & Ronaldo In 500 Club
The Swede spent just one season playing with the Argentine, in 2009/10, before a fallout with Pep Guardiola led to him leaving the Spanish giants for AC Milan.
While Ibrahimovic struck 22 times for the Blaugrana that season, his strike partner at the time, Messi, found the back of the net on 47 occasions.
After the name, Inter Miami FC, and crest of the club owned by David Beckham was revealed recently, reports emerged suggesting that the Englishman would try to persuade Messi to join his side when they officially launch in 2020.
As such, Ibrahimovic, who current plays for LA Galaxy in the US, was asked whether or not he thinks Messi should consider a move to the MLS in the future.
"To Miami? Absolutely," he told TMZ.
"He (Messi) would fit in anywhere."
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The 36-year-old forward joined Galaxy in March this year, and has already scored 17 goals and assisted a further five strikes in 22 MLS matches this season.
Do you think Messi would consider joining Beckham's franchise in two years' time? Let us know in the comments section below.
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https://www.insidesport.co/beckhams-inter-miami-cf-appoints-jurgen-mainka-as-chief-business-officer/
Beckham’s Inter Miami CF appoints Jurgen Mainka as chief business officer
David Beckham-owned Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion team Inter Miami CF have appointed the former Concacaf executive Jurgen Mainka as the first Chief Business Officer.
Mainka will oversee team and stadium business and manage all non-soccer operations aspects of the club, which includes administration, marketing, communications, sponsorship, ticket sales and stadium operations.
Mainka will report directly to managing owner Jorge Mas.
Mainka spent the last five years with the Confederation of North Central American and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf), first as the director of marketing and communications and since 2016, as chief commercial officer and deputy general secretary.
He has also previously worked other MLS teams such as New York Red Bulls Colorado Rapids and New England Revolution, and was also part of USA’s 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup Bid Committees.
Also Read: Beckham’s Miami MLS expansion outfit named Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami, crest unveiled
“Inter Miami’s ownership group is excited to work with Jurgen in building the business side of our club,” Mas was quoted as saying in the official release. “Jurgen brings with him expertise in sponsor relationships and the enthusiasm needed to deliver a great fan experience that will benefit our community.”
“It is an honor to be able to contribute to this exciting soccer project in one of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities in the world,” said Mainka. “I’m looking forward to working with Jorge and the ownership group as we build a global franchise that represents Miami, MLS and its fans both in the USA and abroad, making our community proud on and off the field.”
A native of Mexico, Mainka is fluent in Spanish, German and English and lives in Miami with his family.
Also Read: Miami MLS franchisee to reveal site plans for a new stadium
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https://sports.yahoo.com/zlatan-ibrahimovic-stay-mls-leave-121729324.html
Zlatan Ibrahimovic to stay in MLS but leave LA Galaxy?
Zlatan Ibrahimovic isn’t a subtle human being. But has he dropped a subtle hint he will not be with the LA Galaxy beyond the 2018 season?
The veteran striker has flourished in his debut campaign in Major League Soccer with 18 goals, but with LA’s season petering out after Sigi Schmid left as coach and a playoff appearance increasingly unlikely, Zlatan appears to be thinking about moving on.
According to LA Times writer Kevin Baxter, Ibrahimovic said his future in MLS with the LA Galaxy “isn’t a sure thing” which suggests he’d like to stay in North America’s top-flight but head elsewhere.
That is likely because Zlatan is only signed on a contract until the end of the 2019 season and he’s only paid $1.5 million per year, due to the fact that LA could only pay him via Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) as they already had three Designated Players. Therefore, he’s testing out the waters to see if other MLS clubs are interested in his talents.
So, where else could Zlatan go?
The obvious choice would be Inter Miami but David Beckham’s new MLS franchise isn’t set to begin play until 2020 and by that time Zlatan would be 38 years old.
After his serious knee injury, Ibrahimovic’s fitness isn’t a concern and as we have seen with LA this season, he is more than capable of scoring close to 20 goals in a single MLS campaign. Some of his strikes this season have been majestic (see: his goal from 40-yards in the LA derby after coming off the bench and a flying side volley versus Toronto for his 500th career goal).
With clubs such as D.C. United making a splash to sign Wayne Rooney as a veteran striker this season, the impact these ageing superstars can have on and off the pitch in MLS are clear for all to see. Would Zlatan prefer a move to New York City FC? Maybe heading across Los Angeles to new boys LA FC? Perhaps a club like Minnesota United would want to bring in Zlatan with their new stadium opening later this year and a large Scandinavian population?
The only thing we do know is that Zlatan will be a man in demand if he decides to leave LA over this offseason.
But what is more than likely happening here is that Ibrahimovic wants a vastly improved contract to remain in LA beyond the end of his current deal which runs out in December 2019. The Galaxy would be misguided to do anything but offer Zlatan what he wants.
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