Source: MLS in Austin is a matter of when, not if

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https://www.statesman.com/sports/20181015/source-mls-in-austin-is-matter-of-when-not-if

Source: MLS in Austin is a matter of when, not if

Exactly one year after Major League Soccer in Austin became a known possibility, the league’s arrival appears more likely than ever. A source with knowledge of the situation told the American-Statesman, “There is certainty that the club is coming and is coming no later than 2021.”

However, the arrival of Austin FC will happen in a manner different from how it was originally conceived. On Friday, MLS announced that it is closing in on a deal that would keep Columbus Crew SC in Ohio and send a new Anthony Precourt-operated franchise to the Texas capital.

“The only thing (being discussed) is what’s the optimum time to launch the club in Austin,” the source said. “I don’t think it impacts what’s been agreed to in Austin or the league’s excitement or enthusiasm, or the stadium, or anything like that.”

Another source close to the discussions said that a 2019 launch has “not been ruled out yet.”

As for whether the players and technical staff will remain in Columbus, the most likely scenario if an agreement is completed in Columbus, the source said that also has not yet been determined. The prospective ownership group led by Cleveland Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam “needs to close a deal with MLS and PSV does need to close the lease with the city. Neither are done yet.”

Precourt announced Oct. 17, 2017, that he was exploring moving the Columbus franchise to Austin, provided he could find a suitable stadium site. On Aug. 15, the Austin City Council voted 7-4 in favor of a deal for construction of a 20,000-seat, privately funded stadium near the Domain.

City officials remain in negotiations to finalize the deal with Precourt Sports Ventures, and the talks are on track to be completed in December.

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https://texasmonitor.org/musical-chairs-in-major-league-soccer-is-a-head-scratcher-for-austin/

Musical chairs in Major League Soccer is a head-scratcher for Austin

Precourt Sports Ventures has the blessing of Major League Soccer to bring a franchise to Austin, but it will not be the Columbus Crew.

In the latest move after months of feints and pivots, MLS announced over the weekend that buyers have stepped forward to keep the Crew in Columbus, a move that would get the franchise out from under a lawsuit brought by the state of Ohio and the city of Columbus.

The league said in a statement that, despite those developments, “[T]here is a clear path forward for PSV (Precourt Sports Ventures) to operate Austin FC (Football Club) as a Major League Soccer club.” Exactly which franchise would relocate or how a team might be put together for Austin was not explained by MLS.

The announcement, which came a surprise to soccer followers in both Columbus and Austin, only hardened the resolve of activists who have been gathering signatures on a petition that seeks to give taxpayers the final say on a soccer deal in Austin. The council in August approved a preliminary contract for a $200 million stadium at city-owned McKalla Place to serve the Crew — or whichever MLS team moves to Austin.

“This just makes it all the more apparent what a bad deal the mayor and the city council agreed to,” Linda Curtis, whose political action committee, indyAUSTIN, is heading the petition drive, told The Texas Monitor Monday. “We will continue to force a public vote on this and hope someone sues the city after they sign the contract.”

Bill Aleshire, who told The Texas Monitor last month he intended to sue Austin over its final contract with PSV, said Monday the prospect of a different franchise coming to Austin has not changed his intention.

Mayor Steve Adler said in a statement provided to the Monitor Monday, “From the city of Austin’s perspective this does not change the ongoing negotiations between the city and Precourt Sports Ventures. We look forward to bringing major league soccer and the community benefits that come with it to Austin and working with PSV on making that a reality.

“What a wonderful win/win/win solution! How wonderful that both Austin and Columbus will have a team,” he said. “And we’ll whup ‘em!”

Negotiations between the city and Precourt on a final term sheet continue, despite agreement in principle approved in August by Adler and a split city council.

Council members who opposed the deal, led by Leslie Pool, who fought for months against what she called a “massive giveaway,” were particularly unhappy they would not have a final vote on the term sheet. The lack of public input prompted Curtis to begin her petition drive.

Meanwhile, a judge in Franklin County, Ohio, said that state had grounds to sue Precourt to keep the Crew in Columbus because the franchise had gotten $6.6 million from the state and the city over the years for stadium improvements. Taxpayer support, according to state law, requires owners first try to sell their franchises locally, rather than relocate.

Late Friday, Major League Soccer announced that Jimmy and Dee Haslam, owners of the NFL’s Cleveland Browns and the Edwards family, Columbus real estate developers, were partnering to buy the Columbus Crew.

“MLS is committed to keeping Crew SC (Soccer Club) in Columbus, should we continue to make progress on these critical components and agree to key terms with the investor group,” the MLS statement said.

While Pool and other council opponents negotiated for a much better deal for taxpayers, Adler and the council majority rejected the idea of requiring millions more in further concessions by Precourt.

Citizen opponents like Curtis objected to the council’s agreeing to lease McKalla’s 24 acres to Precourt for a stadium while at the same time asking voters on Nov. 6 to pass a $250 million bond for affordable housing, which could have been built at McKalla.

Travis County commissioners voted to keep open the option of suing over the tax exemption Adler and the council majority granted to Precourt as part of the agreement in principle.

If Precourt and MLS make good on their promises to Austin, the new franchise will be competing with the Austin Bold FC, the newest member of the lower-level professional United Soccer League.

Bobby Epstein, who made an unsuccessful pitch to lure Precourt to play their games at the Circuit of the Americas in far east Austin, will instead field his own team in 2019 at the Circuit’s 5,000-seat stadium.

“Yesterday’s announcement is not a big surprise,” Epstein told the Columbus Dispatch after the Columbus Crew deal was announced. “Locally-born professional soccer, in a soccer specific stadium, is still coming [to Austin] in 2019.”

“We now have a USL team in Austin on private land financed by private investors,” Curtis said. “There is no market data that would support the need for city taxpayers to subsidize an additional team or that the soccer market can support two leagues in Austin. This is a ridiculous deal that makes no sense.”

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https://austin.curbed.com/2018/10/15/17979554/austin-mls-soccer-stadium-team-crew

Austin MLS stadium deal stands, but Crew likely to stay in Columbus

Precourt retains right to run team in Austin

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https://phillysoccerpage.net/2018/10/14/match-report-tampa-bay-rowdies-0-1-bethlehem-steel-fc/

Match Report: Tampa Bay Rowdies 0 – 1 Bethlehem Steel FC

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https://www.brotherlygame.com/2018/10/15/17977976/bethlehem-steel-fc-usl-playoffs-1-0-win-tampa-bay-rowdies

Bethlehem Steel FC playoff bound after 1-0 win in season finale

Steel head to Pittsburgh to open the playoffs on Saturday

Needing only to not lose by three goals to secure a playoff spot, Bethlehem Steel FC clinched a playoff spot the preferred way with a 1-0 win over Tampa Bay Rowdies in the regular season finale on Sunday.

Michee Ngalina scored the game-winner in the 13th minute off an assist from Brenden Aaronson to give the Steel all the offense they needed. The goal was the sixth of the season for the 18-year-old from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 23 appearances this season.

Philadelphia Union goalkeeper John McCarthy made six saves to secure the clean sheet.

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https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/soccer/fc-cincinnati/2018/10/15/mls-superdraft-confirmed-jan-11/1649860002/

MLS SuperDraft confirmed for Jan. 11, FC Cincinnati pushing for USL Cup playoff 'blue out'

Days like Monday make you wonder how Futbol Club Cincinnati is able to manage the transition from United Soccer League to Major League Soccer....

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https://www.starsandstripesfc.com/usmnt-news/2018/10/15/17977954/usa-united-states-mls-mexico-liga-mx-canada-cpl-joint-league-2026-world-cup

Report: United States, Mexico, and Canada considering joint league after 2026 World Cup

This probably won’t happen, but it could be fun if it did

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https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2018/10/15/mls-exec-expands-the-popularity-of-soccer.html

MLS exec expands the popularity of soccer

Since joining MLS in 2016 to oversee its partnership sponsorship efforts after nearly a decade at Turner Sports, Cramer has helped the league secure several multiyear, multimillion-dollar renewals with key partners such as Adidas, AT&T, Audi, Heineken and Wells Fargo.

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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/10/15/new-england-revolution-break-ground-foxborough-training-facility

New England Revolution break ground on Foxborough training facility

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https://www.soccerwire.com/news/pro/mls/adidas-mls-player-combine-returns-to-orlando-for-2019/

adidas MLS Player Combine returns to Orlando for 2019

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https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2018/10/15/22/06/20181015-feat-five-things-to-know-about-the-national-soccer-hall-of-fame-frisco-texas-2018-class

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE NATIONAL SOCCER HALL OF FAME

A new, state-of-the-art National Soccer Hall of Fame opens its doors at Toyota Park in Frisco, Texas on the weekend of Oct 20-21, before opening to the public in November. Here are five things to know before you go.

The weekend of October 20-21, 2018 will see the doors thrown open on a brand new National Soccer Hall of Fame. On the site of Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas – home to Major League Soccer’s FC Dallas – the new NSHOF offers fans a chance to sample the unique, 150-plus-year history of the game in America through high-tech, hands-on exhibits, recently unearthed artifacts and user experiences. A gala opening weekend includes the induction of the Class of 2018 on Saturday, Oct. 20, including U.S. National Team legends Brad Friedel and Tiffeny Milbrett, an MLS regular season contest between FC Dallas and Sporting Kansas City, a Legends game to mark the 50th anniversary of the old North American Soccer League (NASL) and performances by musical guests Imagine Dragons and the Revivalists.

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https://www.101greatgoals.com/news/living-the-american-dream-players-who-own-teams-stateside/

Living the American dream: Players who own teams Stateside

When a footballers’ career eventually comes to an end they’re spoilt for choice of what they could do next.

Some will transition into punditry, others try their hand at management.

While some former players such as the Class of 92 decided to invest their time and money more locally, a select few have opted to head Stateside.

With the MLS attracting more marque names year by year, they’re one of world footballs most blossoming markets.

Looking to join America’s soccer revolution, who are the superstars that have decided to start their very own American franchise:

1. David Beckham – Inter Miami

2. Paolo Maldini – Miami FC

3. Didier Drogba – Phoenix Rising

4. Demba Ba, Eden Hazard, Yohan Cabaye and Moussa Sow – San Diego 1904

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http://www.news9.com/story/39290411/new-soccer-stadium-on-forefront-of-okcs-maps-4-ideas

New Soccer Stadium On Forefront Of OKC's MAPS 4 Ideas

OKLAHOMA CITY - As MAPS 4 ideas are presented, the mayor of Oklahoma City says the timing of the penny sales tax presents a crossroads for the city and professional soccer.

“If soccer is not included in MAPS 4 at all, I think people ought to know… The Energy won’t be here forever,” says Mayor David Holt.

SEE: OKC Invites Residents To Submit 'Ideas 4 MAPS'

The Energy are an OKC professional soccer team in the USL and play at Taft Stadium, which is a high school stadium.

Every year it must sign a waiver with the league’s governing body to play because the dimensions of the pitch are too narrow.

Mayor Holt says the city can do nothing, invest in a new USL stadium or invest in a MLS stadium. Investing in a Major League Soccer facility would be the most expensive option.

The Energy are currently trying to find a new stadium solution.

They hope for a new stadium that has options for fan to enjoy activities before and after matches.

 “We have the potential of bringing major league soccer. It can chance the landscape of the growth of major league soccer and what OKC can be,” says Energy VP of Ticket and Marketing Jeff Kretchmar.

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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/10/15/major-league-soccer-announces-2019-combine-superdraft-dates-locations

Major League Soccer announces 2019 Combine, SuperDraft dates, locations

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https://briefly.co.za/17971-6-lesser-football-clubs-owned-by-global-footballing-icons.html#17971

6 lesser known football clubs owned by global footballing icons

A growing trend seems to be emerging as more and more footballers have gone from football players to football club owners. Here we take a look at some high-profile names who have ventured into this form of entrepreneurship.

6. Didier Drogba – Phoenix Rising (USA)

5. Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Gary and Phil Neville – Salford City (England)

4. Paolo Maldini – Miami FC (USA)

3. Eden Hazard, Yohan Cabaye, Demba Ba and Moussa Sow – San Diego 1904 (USA)

2. Ronaldo – Real Valladolid

1. David Beckham – Inter Miami FC