Our City: Miami Votes in Favor of Stadium Deal

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https://www.themaneland.com/2018/11/11/18083582/our-city-miami-votes-yes-for-stadium-deal-inter-miami-david-beckham

Our City: Miami Votes in Favor of Stadium Deal

Can we see the Miami stadium vote as a referendum on soccer in the “The Gateway to the Americas?”

In the midst of Florida’s midterm elections that would decide both the leadership of the state and the state’s representation in Congress, among other important races, was a bit of soccer business as well. Major League Soccer expansion club Inter Miami’s stadium plans were up for debate as voters decided if the city should be able to negotiate directly with the club about the development of 73 acres at the Melreese Country Club site.

We’ve followed the David Beckham United FC story from Orlando with a combination of interest and derision, as the club has sputtered through the potential of expansion for the past five years. The most significant hurdle has been the same from the beginning, a proper stadium site. Navigating the demands of MLS and the unique political climate of South Florida has meant a lot of headaches for those involved, and a lot of anxiety for soccer supporters. This vote, giving a green light to negotiations between the club and the city, has to feel like a significant victory for everyone involved.

More than victory, it feels like a bit of community love for the Beckham project which has seen its fair share of negative headlines.

While the exact numbers are still being counted, it seems around 60 percent of voters approve of the deal. While the majority of the news surrounding the club seems to be an even balance between stadium location debates and tantalizing transfer rumors dominating headlines, supporters of the club have continued to show vast amounts of patience in the project. This recent vote has given the public an opportunity to weigh in on their feelings not only about the stadium discussion, but the prospects of having soccer in Miami. The people working to build Club Internacional de Futbol Miami have to feel buoyed by the positive vote.

The city has had a difficult history with soccer, with the Gatos and Toros of the old NASL, the Sharks of the American Soccer League, and the Fusion from the early days of MLS all coming to an early end. One-off events involving European powerhouses have drawn significant crowds in the past, but the lack of successful long-term league soccer in Miami has to make any venture in South Florida a well thought out and carefully planned endeavor. This positive vote should put a bit of confidence into the thoughts of the MLS front office.

Despite our enjoyment of that at times laughably challenging saga from here in Orlando, if we are honest with ourselves, we need a club in Miami. Say what you will about the manufactured rivalries of MLS, they sell TV rights, create viewers, and sell tickets. And, if we are lucky, it can create some excitement like that on display between Portland and Seattle in this year’s MLS Cup playoffs.

Hopefully, this vote can pave the way for Beckham and company to build their stadium and field their team, and we can all get to work on enjoying a Miami-Orlando Sunshine State derby.

Believe it or not, it's still not a done deal yet in Miami

Apparently some sort of city or county commissioners still have to approve the stadium deal and only then is it a done deal. I do think they will approve, but if for some reason they don’t, Beckham’s group has publicly said there is no plan B and they refuse to build in the other location (Overlook?) that at one time they said they would use.

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https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2018/11/06/election-day-miami-voters-david-beckham-mls-soccer-complex/1912389002/

David Beckham's soccer complex for MLS team approved by Miami voters

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https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2018/11/06/beckham-scores-with-miami-voters-in-soccer-stadium.html

Beckham scores with Miami voters in soccer stadium referendum

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https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article220667190.html

Beckham scores key victory after voters endorse stadium plan in referendum

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https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/we-want-griezmann-beckham-hopes-france-star-joins-new-mls/f6krqnfkoq7c1scfl06pnuv76

‘We want Griezmann’ - Beckham hopes France star joins new MLS club

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https://www.stumptownfooty.com/2018/11/6/18068488/david-beckham-miami-stadium-on-midterm-ballot-mls-portland-timbers-real-madrid-wayne-rooney

Around the Forest: David Beckham’s Miami Stadium on midterm ballot

Also: England players not consulted on Rooney call-up; How can the Timbers advance past Seattle; Corey Baird wins MLS Rookie of The Year and more!

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http://www.pinkun.com/norwich-city/winter-is-coming-but-there-s-little-for-city-to-fear-1-5771766

David Freezer: Winter is coming but there’s little for City to fear – with a little help from some Florida sunshine

Warm weather breaks have become common place in modern football but Norwich City will be breaking new ground when they head to the USA for the approaching international break.

In preparation for the long, hard Championship slog ahead Daniel Farke’s squad are fortunate enough to be heading across the pond to Florida, to enjoy some November sunshine.

The club took in the west coast of America during their 2013 pre-season tour during Chris Hughton’s reign but a mid-season break to such exotic climes is a rare treat.

Tampa will be the team’s home next week and thanks to City’s official destination partner, Visit Tampa Bay, I’m even more fortunate to be flying out to the US to report on the tour for the EDP, Evening News and Pinkun.com.

While some of that will be focused on fitness work, relaxation and team bonding for the players, the tour also represents a fine chance for the Canaries to represent the club in a country where football – proper football – really is taking off.

It faces tough competition in participation terms with baseball, basketball and American football so deep set in American culture, yet the Wayne Rooney boosted Major League Soccer (MLS) is really kicking on.

Atlanta United averaged over 53,000 this season, Seattle Sounders over 40,000 and Florida’s own Orlando City were close to capacity with an average of almost 24,000.

David Beckham is behind a new franchise being set up in Miami amid much fanfare, England legend Wayne Rooney has been a hit for DC United this season with 12 goals in 20 games and Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been, well, Zlatan, with 22 goals including some of his usual spectacular style.

It’s Tampa for City though, on the west coast of Florida, where Tampa Bay Rowdies compete in the second-tier United Soccer League, also wearing yellow and green.

The Rowdies’ 7,200 capacity Al Lang Stadium – where former Canaries midfielder Darel Russell played during the final season of his career – will be City’s training base for the week.

City’s head of performance Chris Domogalla, who followed Farke across from Borussia Dortmund II, explains: “Essentially it’s because of the more hours of sunlight per day in Tampa than here at Colney.

“We’ve had a really good season so far regarding the weather, but November usually turns out to be very dark and wet here, so we will get more and better natural vitamin D supply from the sunlight and warmth in Tampa and it will break up the dark days a little bit for the boys.”

Of course that means the players on international duty will miss out on the tour, let’s not feel too sorry for them though.

Teemu Pukki is set to be playing in Greece with Finland just needing a point to seal top spot in Group C2 and a place in the Euro 2020 play-offs, before a second chance to wrap it up in Hungary.

Max Aarons is due to be in Turkey for three qualifiers, in Manavgat on the south coast, as the England U19s look to book a place in the elite stage of qualification for next summer’s finals in Armenia.

Jamal Lewis and Michael McGovern may not quite be getting their vitamin D in Dublin as Northern Ireland take on the Republic in a friendly, before hosting Austria in the Nations League in Belfast.

While poor old Timm Klose has two games in Switzerland, a friendly against Qatar and a Nations League clash with Belgium – you can whack the sarcasm up to maximum for this sentence, I could happily live in Switzerland, a beautiful country.

Anyway, I digress. Sporting director Stuart Webber will also be flying out, hoping to be able to promote a flourishing squad still sitting pretty in the Championship’s automatic promotion places after victory over Millwall on Saturday.

Speaking to City’s website, Webber explained: “There’s a commercial element with our relationship with Visit Tampa Bay which has been really fruitful for the club and we’re really grateful for that relationship, so that’s great.

“But also it’s something we spoke about as a staff on the sporting side, could we do something in November during the international break because it’s our last chance before March to have a break and enjoy some warm weather and better training conditions for the team.

With the Carrow Road clash with Millwall the 13th game since City returned from the international break – featuring a superb nine wins so far, few fans will argue the City players have earned a reward.

There are eight games to be squeezed in between November 24 and the turn of the year. If some November sunshine can help boost the chances of the Canaries still being in the top two as we enter 2019, it will be more than worth the effort.

• You can keep up to date with City’s tour of Tampa by downloading the new Pink Un app from your mobile device’s relevant app store, where we’ll be bringing you plenty of exclusive Canaries content from now on

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http://www.kentreporter.com/sports/venerable-cox-returns-to-the-stars-for-indoor-season/

Venerable Cox returns to the Stars for indoor season

Major Arena Soccer League veteran Jamael Cox will be back with the Tacoma Stars for the 2018-19 season.

Cox signed this week with the Kent-based club. Per team and league policies, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Cox, a Tacoma native, won a state championship with Stadium High School in 2010. His resume also includes a trial with the Glasgow Rangers of the Scottish Premier League and playing with the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the North American Soccer League.

Cox appeared in 17 regular-season matches last season and had his best MASL offensive point total with 18 (13 goals, five assists). He added three goals in three playoff games. For his career, Cox has 48 points (34 goals, 14 assists) in 55 games played.

“Jamael could be the fastest player in the league and when he is in the mood, he can score goals at will,” said Darren Sawatzky, Stars coach and general manager. “Securing him for the next couple years was important for us, and we hope to see him in the top of our division scoring goals. Having local players developed here is key to our brand and community connection and Jamael is a very talented player.”

The Stars kick off the season on Saturday, Dec. 1 against the Turlock Express. For tickets, call 1-844-STARS-84 or go to tacomastars.com.