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.

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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.”

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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.