[Jake Nutting on Twitter] Anyway, asked Bill Edwards where he is the process of the Al Lang expansion proposal. Here’s his answer. Make of that cryptic last bit what you will...

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/9fl0x4/jake_nutting_on_twitter_anyway_asked_bill_edwards/

[Jake Nutting on Twitter] Anyway, asked Bill Edwards where he is the process of the Al Lang expansion proposal. Here’s his answer. Make of that cryptic last bit what you will...

Quick text capture:

Unsubs: You've suggested you might go ahead with the Al Lang expansion regardless of what league the team plays in. Can you give any updates on where you are in that process?

Edwards: I'm gonna hold that off for future announcements. We've gone to two different architects that design stadiums. We finally came to the stadium design, between the two of them, some of this some of that. We mixed it up and before you know it we pretty much had the design we like. We really think it'll be something unique in the league and possibly in soccer. So that part we're pretty much there, but I gotta wait and make some announcements later that'll decide how that's going to turn out. And that'll be forthcoming. Probably this year.

Bit of context and my own speculation...

Edwards is near the end of a sweetheart 5-year deal for Al Lang that came at a cost of $3-4M in capital improvements, but granted nearly full control of the city asset and revenue including parking, etc. (Small exception with naming rights, where the city gets the first x% of a deal for those).

A couple of city politics notes:

All construction on the waterfront needs to be voted on and approved by the City Council, even if privately funded (especially so for this city asset)

Leases on waterfront city property are limited to 5 years. That can be overridden by a public referendum. The recent Al Lang referendum was conditional on getting an MLS team, so another one would have to be conducted in order to get a longer term lease. The city council needs to vote and approve whether to send something to referendum.

I believe that lease ends at the end of this year (though it's somewhat unclear on when the 5 years is up), so a new deal is going to have to be struck either this year or next.

Speculation time:

My guess is that Edwards is going to try to strike a new deal similar to the last. It works for both parties. The city gets a quality tenant (the last tenant ran international college/amateur baseball tournaments there with mixed success and left the stadium in awful shape).

If he's going to drop lots of capital on the expansion, he's going to want a guarantee of a longer term lease. That means a higher level of negotiations to get that referendum, but long-term control of the venue with full revenue control and the possibility of a real concert venue for a growing St. Pete is going to increase the valuation of the team substantially. (Context: 4,000 units of condos/apartments are currently under construction or in the planning phase in downtown St. Pete around the stadium. This is absent of the redevelopment of Tropicana Field. That 85 acre redevelopment alone is the largest urban redevelopment, size-wise, in the Southeastern US).

So, there's a little bit of a chicken and the egg of added investors here. There's a lot to make this attractive as an investment - but it gets more valuable if deals can be made regarding venue.

All of this to say - I'm pretty bullish on the viable future potential of the team and stadium (even with no MLS in the future), but there are a few dominos that have to be played before we see the full outcome here. And that's what I think this quote is referring to:

So that part we're pretty much there, but I gotta wait and make some announcements later that'll decide how that's going to turn out. And that'll be forthcoming. Probably this year.

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https://twitter.com/jakenutting/status/1040304706990612480

Jake Nutting
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@jakenutting

Anway, asked Bill Edwards where he is the process of the Al Lang expansion proposal. Here’s his answer. Make of that cryptic last bit what you will.

11:22 AM - 13 Sep 2018

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/9fwgct/rowdies_sign_miami_fc_forward_jaime_chavez_loan/

Official Rowdies Sign Miami FC Forward Jaime Chavez; loan Jochen Graf to Reno 1868 FC

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https://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/950079

ROWDIES SIGN JAIME CHAVEZ

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/9g74fr/rowdies_report_week_28_tbr_v_atl2/

Rowdies Report Week 28- TBR v ATL2

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/9g9yge/tampa_bay_rowdies_vs_atlanta_united_2_game/

Highlights Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Atlanta United 2 - Game Highlights

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https://www.sportstalkflorida.com/soccer/mls/mls-is-experiencing-major-growing-pains/

MLS Is Experiencing Major Growing Pains

The league has some city problems.

The struggle to find cities with the right stuff to join Major League Soccer continues but league owners should be happy with some of the latest developments. Nashville elected officials have finally greenlighted a more than quarter of a billion-dollar handout to help build a soccer facility in the city that is now scheduled to open in 2021. The expenditure was initially approved last November, the MLS granted the city a team in December but there was opposition, and still is opposition to the stadium, however politicians did get the money needed to help finance the project and Nashville now has a team that will more than likely start play in 2020.

The MLS was looking for four cities that had the right stuff to land an expansion franchise. So far, the MLS got half a loaf. Cincinnati area politicians eventually were able to deliver a way to build a stadium for a team. But 10 other potential markets were unable to land a team for various reasons. St. Louis voters said no to funding a soccer stadium, other cities such as Charlotte could not get political support, Sacramento had ownership problems, Detroit had a stadium location problem. Meanwhile, the owner of the Columbus Crew, Anthony Precourt, has a deal to move his franchise to a city that never applied for an MLS team, Austin, Texas. But there could be a court case that ultimately will decide if Austin gets the team or if it has to remain in Columbus. Meanwhile, David Beckham’s Miami franchise has a name but Beckham is still looking for a stadium site. Beckham is seeking a part of a Miami golf course as his site for his business and is awaiting the results of a November referendum to see if voters’ hand over the land for the team. Major League Soccer has major growing pains.

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https://www.eurosport.com/football/premier-league/2018-2019/paper-round-david-beckham-s-inter-miami-plan-huge-lionel-messi-offer_sto6933984/story.shtml

Paper Round: David Beckham's Inter Miami plan huge Lionel Messi offer

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https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/lionel-messi-to-targeted-david-13253911

Lionel Messi 'to be targeted by David Beckham's Inter Miami' as sensational first signing - Sunday's transfer gossip

PLUS: Manchester United are set to be offered Paulo Dybala as part of a deal to take Paul Pogba back to Juventus

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https://www.tampabay.com/sports/&gps-source=CPHPACCOUNT/worldclock.php&&&&PageNumber=2

Sebastián Guenzatti lifts Rowdies 1-0 over Atlanta United 2

ST. PETERSBURG — The last time the Rowdies played Atlanta United 2, they were shut out at home for the first time in almost two years, despite almost doubling Atlanta’s shot total. Early in Saturday’s rematch at Al Lang Stadium, it appeared forward S...

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https://www.tampabay.com/Sebasti-n-Guenzatti-lifts-Rowdies-1-0-over-Atlanta-United-2_171832984

Sebastián Guenzatti lifts Rowdies 1-0 over Atlanta United 2

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https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/950282

Gameday Report: September 15, Week 27

RIVERHOUNDS SC'S RALLY EARNS 2-2 DRAW WITH LOUISVILLE; STLFC DEFEATS RANGERS, SAFC FALLS, RENO WINS IN WESTERN RACE

TAMPA BAY ROWDIES (1), ATL UTD 2 (0)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Rowdies kept their USL Cup Playoffs hopes alive with a 1-0 victory against ATL UTD 2 at Al Lang Stadium before a crowd of 6,045. Tampa Bay had an early chance as Martin Vingaard had a low effort saved by Atlanta goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt in just the fourth minute, while Atlanta’s first good chance arrived in the 25th minute when Laurent Kissiedou found space for a shot from 20 yards that went wide of the right post. The Rowdies had a golden chance to take the lead in the 28th minute when Sebastian Guenzatti blazed over from the top of the six-yard area, but two minutes later Guenzatti made up for his miss as he fired home a turning shot into the bottom-left corner to put the hosts ahead. Tampa Bay was denied a second in the final minute of the first half as Hildebrandt made a low save on a drive from 25 yards by Kwadko Poku, while Pape Diakhite went close early in the second half but was unable to direct Taku’s corner kick on goal. Atlanta tried to level in the 73rd minute when Kissiedou fired a low shot to the right corner that was saved by Rowdies goalkeeper Daniel Vega, while Guenzatti had a chance to add a second for the hosts on a near-post finish off a low cross from the right with five minutes to go that went wide of the near-post, but the first-half goal stood as the winner as the Rowdies claimed all three points.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Zac Portillos, Tampa Bay Rowdies – Portillos put in a good two-way performance as he recorded two key passes, won seven of nine duels and made three clearances and two tackles for the hosts.

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https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/sports/podcast/atlanta-united-falls---to-tampa-bay-rowdies/article_d13733c4-b9c4-11e8-8892-5f26028437fd.html

Atlanta United 2 falls 1-0 to Tampa Bay Rowdies

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https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/950109-signings-roundup-1868-fc-adds-graf-on-loan-from-rowdies

Signings Roundup – 1868 FC Adds Graf on Loan from Rowdies

LOCAL STANDOUT MATSOSO JOINS LOUISVILLE; ROWDIES BRING CHAVEZ INTO ATTACK

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https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/949952-usl-top-five-impact-newcomers

USL Top Five – Impact Newcomers

OVERSEAS ARRIVALS MAKING AN IMPACT IS NOTHING NEW IN THE USL, HERE ARE FIVE OF THE BEST IN PREVIOUS YEARS

2017 – MARCEL SCHAFER, TAMPA BAY ROWDIES

The Tampa Bay Rowdies had previously dipped into the overseas market, making a major splash when former England international midfielder Joe Cole joined the club, but the offseason addition of Bundesliga veteran Marcel Schäfer helped the side scale great heights in its first season in the USL. A legend at VfL Wolfburg – where he had made more than 250 appearances for the club – Schäfer had also made eight appearances for the German national team over the course of his career before arriving in St. Petersburgh, Florida.

Schäfer brought the desired impact to the Rowdies’ midfield, helping the side shift play quickly and retain possession with an 85.9 percent accuracy rate on 48 passes per 90 minutes. His ability to strike the ball from distance also paid major dividends for the Rowdies’ attack as five of his seven goals throughout the regular season and USL Cup Playoffs came from outside the penalty area, but it was his vision and ability to create that shone most as he finished tied for second in the league with 11 assists. Schäfer claimed USL All-League First Team honors for his stellar year with the Rowdies, leading the club to the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2017 USL Cup Playoffs.

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https://theprovince.com/sports/soccer/mls/vancouver-whitecaps/j-j-adams-mls-expansion-no-longer-a-flight-of-fancy-for-commissioner-garber

J.J. Adams: MLS expansion no longer a flight of fancy for commissioner Garber

“I think the time is coming where we do need to start having to look at charters, specifically for clubs that are geographically further away from their regular competitors. But it needs to happen in the right way."

Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber got a true taste of the player’s experience on Thursday, when his flight into Vancouver was delayed until the middle of the night, throwing off his personal and professional schedule for the following day.

His league’s players — especially the well-travelled Vancouver Whitecaps — are used to the delays that plague the commercial carriers, as league rules dictate a cap on charter flights. But in a league that covers more kilometres of travel than any of its international peers, it’s an issue that has simmered for years.

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https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/reports-david-beckham-wants-barcelona-megastar-for-inter-miami-s-debut-season-in-mls

Reports: David Beckham wants Barcelona megastar for Inter Miami's debut season in MLS

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https://www.tennessean.com/story/life/shopping/ms-cheap/2018/09/16/nashville-flea-market-fairgrounds-expo-center-mls/1300534002/

Nashville Flea market here to stay, will have new home at the Fairgrounds

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https://www.wtsp.com/article/sports/soccer/tampa-bay-rowdies-to-host-yoga-on-the-pitch-at-al-lang-stadium/67-593707143

Tampa Bay Rowdies to host 'Yoga on the Pitch' at Al Lang Stadium

The Tampa Bay Rowdies will have check-ins for the yoga class at Gate 5 of Al Lang Stadium starting at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The class starts at 4 p.m.

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https://www.wtsp.com/video/news/health/soccer-with-a-side-of-yoga-tampa-bay-rowdies-to-host-exercise-event/67-8250087

Soccer with a side of yoga? Tampa Bay Rowdies to host exercise event

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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’

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.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0m1aPqdcjk

Rowdies Front Row vs Indy Eleven

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on Jul 27, 2018

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EX4PIEIHpao

#TBRvATL

Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Atlanta United 2 - Game Highlights

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on Sep 15, 2018

HIGHLIGHTS presented by Tampa International Airport

The Rowdies defeated ATL UTD 2 1-0 on Saturday night, with Sebastian Guenzatti scoring the lone goal of the night. #TBRvATL

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/9fxalp/tropics_soccer_opens_its_umbrella_historic_club/

Tropics soccer opens its umbrella: Historic club St Pete Kickers FC joins Tropics Soccer Club

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http://www.theledger.com/sports/20180913/tropics-soccer-opens-its-umbrella

Tropics soccer opens its umbrella

LAKELAND — For Lucas Teixeira, the news further showed how much the Tropics Soccer Club is becoming more a part of the Polk County sports landscape.

Thursday evening, under a light drizzle outside downtown Lakeland’s Swan Brewing, Teixeira -- a defender for the Florida Tropics SC indoor professional soccer team -- listened as Tropics Soccer Club (TSC) officials described the growth of the organization in the area through recent affiliations with other soccer clubs and organizations.

According to team officials, the TSC’s “soccer umbrella” now represents about 5,000 youth and 1,000 adult players from across the I-4 corridor -- Polk, Pinellas and Osceola counties.

From Lakeland, the TSC operates the professional Florida Tropics of the Major Arena Soccer League United, the Lakeland Tropics outdoor team of the United Soccer League’s Premiere Development League, the Florida Tropics Women’s Premiere Soccer League franchise and most recently, affiliates with the St. Petersburg Kickers FC.

On a stage, Dr. Panos Iakovidis spoke about the partnerships now represent under the “umbrella” of soccer from Tampa to Orlando and in between.

During the 20-minute presentation, Iakovidis highlighted recent developments in the spread the TSC’s professional soccer lead in Lakeland. Joining him were Chris Economides, TSC chief operating officer and Andrew Ross, general manager and vice president of operations.

Most recently, the TSC announced a new partnership with one of the premiere amateur teams in the United States – The St. Petersburg Kickers FC. That team, founded in 1958, is a seven-time United States Adult Soccer Association national champion, has won 30 Florida Suncoast Soccer League championships and 25 Florida State Soccer Association State Championships between three teams.

And in the past 11 months, the Tropics partnered with three youth soccer programs, created the Florida Lady Tropics with Pinellas County United (PCU) soccer and last week announced an affiliation with the Lakeland Adult Soccer Association creating the Lakeland Tropics Adult Soccer Organization.

Additionally, a TSC merger with the Lakeland FC youth soccer organization created Lakeland Tropics FC youth, with 2,500 players. The PCU merger resulted in the PCU Tropics, representing 2,000 players and a similar deal with Celebration Youth Soccer in Osceola County has become Celebration Tropics.

“Everything has been going very well; we’re very pleased with the support we have from the community and we’re accomplishing all of our goals,” said Iakovidis, prior to the announcements. “It makes me feel like what we’re doing is something the community needed and we’ll be part of it for decades to come.”

Besides focusing on growth and mergers, TSC officials also hinted at other future plans, including buying an abandoned building in Auburndale to turn into an indoor soccer complex for Polk County and creating an expanded soccer facility in central Polk County. If that is done, it would offer the possibility of having a Major League Soccer team use Lakeland for preseason training and bring in MLS teams for local tournaments.

Teixeira, a native of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, in his third season with the Tropics, said the TSC’s announcements showed a stabilization of professional and amateur soccer in Polk County and Central Florida.

“It gives everyone a chance to play and experience what having professional soccer in the area is – it’s a full a structure of youth, amateur and professional soccer, which is good for the public and good for us as players,” he said.