(Follow link for full article.)
https://talksport.com/football/648501/david-beckham-inter-miami-diego-alonso-first-manager/
THE BECKS FACTOR David Beckham’s Inter Miami announce Diego Alonso as the MLS club’s first-ever manager
(Follow link for full article.)
https://infosurhoy.com/sports/david-beckham-set-to-appoint-former-monterrey-boss-diego-alonso-as-his-first-inter-miami-manager/
David Beckham ‘set to appoint former Monterrey boss Diego Alonso as his first Inter Miami manager’
(Follow link for full article.)
https://magiccity.soccer/2019/12/30/miami-soccer-in-review-the-miami-fc-brings-mls-to-miami-in-2017-as-beckham-bid-nearly-collapses/
A DECADE OF MIAMI SOCCER IN REVIEW INTER MIAMI CF THE MIAMI FC THE MIAMI FC 2
Miami Soccer in Review: The Miami FC brings MLS to Miami in 2017 as Beckham bid nearly collapses
(Follow link for full article.)
https://worldfootballindex.com/2019/12/inter-miami-hires-diego-alonso-as-head-coach-for-debut-mls-season/
Inter Miami Hires Diego Alonso As Head Coach For Debut MLS Season
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2019/12/30/sports/soccer/30reuters-soccer-usa.html
New MLS Side Miami Name Alonso as Head Coach
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.90min.com/posts/6526715-inter-miami-to-name-manager-as-david-beckham-s-side-close-in-on-two-time-champions-league-winner
Inter Miami to Name Manager as David Beckham's Side Close in on Two-Time Champions League Winner
(Follow link for full article.)
https://edition.cnn.com/2019/12/30/football/inter-miami-diego-alonso-david-beckham-football-intl-spt/index.html
David Beckham's Inter Miami names Diego Alonso as first-ever head coach
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.tampabay.com/sports/2019/12/30/david-beckhams-inter-miami-mls-team-taps-diego-alonso-as-first-coach/
David Beckham’s Inter Miami MLS team taps Diego Alonso as first coach
Inter Miami — with Beckham a leading part of the ownership and front office — makes its MLS debut March 1.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.yourvalley.net/stories/beckhams-inter-miami-taps-diego-alonso-as-first-coach,126350
Beckham's Inter Miami taps Diego Alonso as first coach
(Follow link for full article.)
https://pittsburghsoccernow.com/2019/12/30/decade-in-review-an-ambitious-era-for-professional-soccer-in-pittsburgh/
Decade in review: An ambitious era for professional soccer in Pittsburgh
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2019/12/30/proposed-usl-soccer-stadium-land-cost-des-moines-kyle-krause-blackacre-developer-pays-8-million/2776028001/
Land for possible Des Moines soccer stadium cost developer almost $8 million
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.narcity.com/eat-drink/us/fl/tampa/tampa-is-having-a-massive-and-free-cuban-sandwich-festival-next-march
Tampa Is Hosting An International Cuban Sandwich Festival In March & It's FREE
The Cuban sandwich is one of the culinary creations that have made us even more thankful for the existence of Latin food. If you love to eat them, you'll be able to get rid of the craving soon enough. Tampa is having a massive & free Cuban sandwich festival in March, so get ready to treat yourself with this grilled, melty goodness.
The 9th Annual International Cuban Sandwich Festival will be taking over Centennial Park at Ybor City on March 29th, 2020. The event promise to be massive with tons of food vendors, activities, and live music and dance performances.
From 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., three streets will be closed to create three different entertainment areas. After nine years, the event is something of a tradition in Tampa.
The festival is also an international competition that attracts cooks from all over the world, eager to win recognition as the creators of the best Cuban sandwich. South Korea, England, and France will be among the contenders this year.
If you get the VIP ticket for the event, you will get to test their creations first hand, and then vote. That means unlimited sandwich samples from some of the most excellent cooks around the world. Is it a date or what?
(Follow link for full article.)
https://ballparkdigest.com/2019/12/30/best-of-2019-3-rays-pursue-joint-market-solution-with-montreal/
You are here: Home › Best of 2019, #3: Rays Pursue Joint-Market Solution with Montreal
Best of 2019, #3: Rays Pursue Joint-Market Solution with Montreal
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2019/12/29/remembering-wolfie-wolfgang-suhnholz-an-appreciation/
REMEMBERING WOLFIE: Wolfgang Suhnholz, an appreciation
Eusebio and Wolfgang Suhnholz during the Toronto Metros-Croatia’s champagne celebration after winning Soccer Bowl ’76. (Photo courtesy of the 1970s Soccer USA Facebook page)
By Michael Lewis
FrontRowSoccer.com Editor
After polishing off the Cosmos in the quarterfinals of the 1976 North American Soccer League playoffs, the defending champion Tampa Bay Rowdies were starting to count some proverbial chickens before they hatched prior to meeting the Toronto Metros-Croatia in the semifinals.
“We were basically told to be ready to leave home the next morning at 6:30 in case we won — and expected — so we can go onto to Seattle to the Soccer Bowl,” former Rowdies executive Francisco Marcos recalled Saturday.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/12/30/whats-next-mls-liga-mx-cross-pollination-ramps-charles-boehm
What's next as MLS-Liga MX cross-pollination ramps up? | Charles Boehm
(Follow link for full article.)
https://heraldplanet.com/beckhams-inter-miami-appoint-first-coach/
Beckham’s Inter Miami appoint first coach
David Beckham’s new MLS team Inter Miami have appointed Diego Alonso as their first head coach.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.si.com/soccer/chelsea/news/mls-clubs-eye-january-move-for-chelsea-pedro-new-york-city-inter-miami
MLS duo Inter Miami and New York City eye move for out-of-favour Chelsea winger Pedro
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/espanol/deportes/sns-es-inter-miami-mls-diego-alonso-20191230-qkke7m33vnfg5hx2ct5pygojba-story.html
Técnico bicampeón de la Concachampions aterriza en la MLS
El técnico uruguayo Diego Alonso llega a la MLS para entrenar al Inter Miami FC. (Refugio Ruiz/Getty Images)
El técnico uruguayo de 44 años, Diego Alonso, se ha convertido este lunes 30 de diciembre en el primer entrenador de la historia del Inter Miami CF, equipo propiedad del exfutbolista inglés David Beckham, que debuta la próxima temporada 2020 en la MLS.
"En Diego encontramos un técnico que se ajusta a nuestra cultura y tiene un fuerte deseo de construir un club ganador para nuestros fanáticos. Él nos aporta mucha experiencia y mentalidad ganadora de campeonatos cuando comenzamos nuestro viaje para estar entre los mejores clubes de América ", dijo en un comunicado de prensa el director deportivo del Inter Miami Paul McDonough.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://skystatement.com/beckhams-inter-miami-appoint-first-coach/
Beckham’s Inter Miami appoint first coach
David Beckham’s new MLS team Inter Miami have appointed Diego Alonso as their first head coach.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://whoradio.iheart.com/content/2019-12-30-group-buys-land-for-usl-soccer-stadium-in-des-moines/
Group buys land for USL soccer stadium in Des Moines
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tampabaysoccer/
ICYMI: re: TAMPA BAY ROWDIES & TAMPA BAY RAYS
"And it’s her understanding the Tampa Bay Rowdies, the minor-league soccer franchise owned by the Rays, would also make the trek across the bay if a deal was struck.
“I think that clearly, you know, they own the Rowdies so wherever a stadium is built, that both teams would, I think...be a package," she said." -excerpt
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.tampabay.com/news/tampa/2019/12/18/mayor-jane-castor-says-shes-coming-around-to-sharing-the-rays-with-montreal/
Mayor Jane Castor says she’s coming around to sharing the Rays with Montreal
The Tampa mayor is optimistic a deal can be worked out for the team to move to Tampa. And she says the Tampa Bay Rowdies would be part of a potential package deal.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor is optimistic that the Tampa Bay Rays will stay in the region. And she's increasingly warming to the team's split-city concept. [DIRK SHADD | Times]
TAMPA — Mayor Jane Castor says she’s an “eternal optimist” when it comes to keeping the Tampa Bay Rays in the region, and part of that confidence is her increasing comfort with the idea of the team...
(Follow link for full article.)
https://twitter.com/davidjrice83/status/1144058310422945793
David Rice
@DavidJRice83
So I’ve been thinking about this Rays/Rowdies stadium share and I know it’s never worked w/ baseball and soccer, but I think there’s a solution that lies in one of baseball’s most historic grounds. It does require the baseball crowd to have an open mind and consider the Rowdies.
9:42 PM · Jun 26, 2019·Twitter for iPhone
2
Likes
David Rice
@DavidJRice83
·
Jun 26
Replying to
@DavidJRice83
I got thinking about field dimensions and what is actually needed, and I think a configuration similar to the old Polo Grounds could work. Take a look at the pic below and consider the necessary dimensions.
David Rice
@DavidJRice83
·
Jun 26
To maintain the current width of the Al Lang pitch, the distance from each foul pole to the end of the wall would have to be 225 feet. That space has to be unencumbered by the dirt beyond second base. Then the space from left to right field wall just has to be 110-120yds.
David Rice
@DavidJRice83
·
Jun 26
Build the seats right at all the edges to bring the crowd close on the three sides, and once the Rays go to MTL each season the Rowdies can put in a pop up stand similar (but hopefully bigger) to the ones currently used along the sideline to add additional seating.
David Rice
@DavidJRice83
·
Jun 26
Im aware of the implications for baseball, but given it’s a part time home and the effect it would have on tactics and how the Rays build teams, I think it’s interesting.
David Rice
@DavidJRice83
·
Jun 26
It gives baseball something new based on something old, accommodates the Rowdies in a reasonable way that doesn’t involve infield dirt and leaves room for different setups for concerts. If it’s gonna happen, we all have to accept imperfection, but I think this could work.
David Rice
@DavidJRice83
·
Jun 26
Rant over. Just think it’s an interesting idea. Especially for baseball actually, which I honestly couldn’t give a shit about, but if we have to share, let’s at least do it in a way that makes sense for both of us.
Monday, December 30, 2019
Sunday, December 29, 2019
English Soccer Rules Boxing Day — How MLS Could Make Its Own Version
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/ianquillen/2019/12/26/english-soccer-rules-boxing-day---how-mls-could-make-its-own-version/#531f19f9160d
English Soccer Rules Boxing Day — How MLS Could Make Its Own Version
The holiday season is synonymous with soccer in England. In particular, almost every pro team plays ... [+]GETTY IMAGES
The origins of Boxing Day, celebrated on Dec. 26 in the United Kingdom and most the lands that formerly comprised the British Empire, are widely disupted. But in modern England and Scotland, the meaning for many is simple: soccer, soccer and more soccer.
In a custom that dates back to the early years of the English Football League, the day after Christmas features a full program of matches. In 2019, 88 of the 92 teams in England’s top four divisions will be playing on Dec. 26, including a huge clash between Premier League leaders Liverpool and second-place Leicester City.
In short, Boxing Day day serves as an unofficial midpoint to the season and a day-long showcase for the game.
In North America, the closest equivalent in any sport used to be New Year’s Day, when all of College football’s biggest bowl games were played. (That’s no longer the case, of course).
But perhaps no North American sport — with its continued expansion and slowly but steadily growing popularity — is better positioned to establish new traditions than Major League Soccer. And although MLS doesnt play matches in December, perhaps the league brass should look at another holiday that could be turned into a showcase for the best the sport has to offer in the United States and Canada.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/12/27/david-beckham-everything-schedule-inter-miami-cfs-inaugural-season
David Beckham: "Everything is on schedule" with Inter Miami CF's inaugural season
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7834177/David-Beckham-set-appoint-former-Monterrey-boss-Diego-Alonso-Inter-Miami-manager.html
David Beckham 'set to appoint former Monterrey boss Diego Alonso as his first Inter Miami manager' despite being linked with high-profile names
Former Monterrey manager Diego Alonso is set to be Inter Miami's first coach
He is relatively unknown but has won two CONCACAF Champions League titles
Miami owner David Beckham had been linked to big names like Carlo Ancelotti
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.tampabay.com/opinion/2019/12/29/key-tampa-bay-issues-for-2020-editorial/
Key Tampa Bay issues for 2020 | Editorial
From the new St. Pete Pier to redeveloping east Tampa, here are five key issues around Tampa Bay that should progress this year.
1. Tampa Bay Rays stadium
A view of Tropicana Field, the current home of the Tampa Bay Rays. [SHADD, DIRK | Tampa Bay Times]
The Rays will play another season in outdated Tropicana Field, and there...
(Follow link for full article.)
https://magiccity.soccer/2019/12/29/miami-soccer-in-review-the-miami-fc-struggles-on-the-pitch-in-its-2016-debut/
A DECADE OF MIAMI SOCCER IN REVIEW THE MIAMI FC
Miami Soccer in Review: The Miami FC struggles on the pitch in its 2016 debut
Magic City Soccer will take the last 10 days of 2019 to review the last 10 years of Miami-Dade County soccer. Today in Miami Soccer in Review, we take a look back at 2016. The Miami FC debuts less than a year after being announced, and struggles to find its footing.
The Miami FC took the field for the first time in 2016, led by Italian giant Alessandro Nesta. In the club’s first match against Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Darío Cvitanich would score the first goal thanks to a penalty and a 10-man side saw out a 1-1 draw at Lockhart Stadium in Broward County. The Strikers, who qualified for the NASL playoffs the prior season, offered a measuring stick with which to compare Miami FC. The next week, the Blues again saw out a 1-1 draw, this time against Tampa Bay Rowdies, a team that came two points behind Fort Lauderdale the previous season.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://theathletic.com/1474405/2019/12/26/how-wasserman-agents-found-success-repping-first-rounders-in-all-6-major-north-american-league-drafts-in-2019/
How Wasserman agents found success repping first-rounders in all 6 major North American league drafts in 2019
The battle that sports agents experience to build their businesses can be described by the laws of supply and demand: a low supply of professional athletes needing representation mixed with a high demand to represent them creates fierce competition.
In this competitive climate, certain agencies have thrived, gaining large percentages of the market share. In 2019 Wasserman earned over $200 million in maximum possible commissions, making it the second most-profitable sport agency, after CAA. Wasserman achieved another distinction this year when it became the first agency to have a client selected in the first round of all six major North American team sport drafts.
“It speaks to our commitment to be elite in sport – and not just the ‘big four’ North American sports leagues,” Wasserman COO and talent division executive vice president Jason Ranne said. “The world of sport is much bigger than that, and we value the diversity of thought and...
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.breitbart.com/news/inter-miami-signs-d-denso-ulysse-g-drake-callender/
Inter Miami signs D Denso Ulysse, G Drake Callender
(Follow link for full article.)
https://magiccity.soccer/2019/12/27/miami-soccer-in-review-2014-officially-starts-the-mls-madness-that-would-become-inter-miami-cf/
A DECADE OF MIAMI SOCCER IN REVIEW INTER MIAMI CF
Miami Soccer in Review: 2014 officially starts the MLS madness that would become Inter Miami CF
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/lights/las-vegas-fight-for-mls-should-escalate-in-2020-1922756/
Las Vegas fight for MLS should escalate in 2020
(Follow link for full article.)
https://magiccity.soccer/2019/12/28/miami-soccer-in-review-silva-the-miami-fc-offer-direct-challenge-to-mls-beckham-in-2015/
A DECADE OF MIAMI SOCCER IN REVIEW THE MIAMI FC 2
Miami Soccer in Review: Silva, The Miami FC offer direct challenge to MLS, Beckham in 2015
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2019/12/28/a-new-challenge-inter-miami-acquires-ex-red-bull-agudelo-from-toronto/
A NEW CHALLENGE: Inter Miami acquires ex-Red Bull Agudelo from Toronto
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/12/28/reports-diego-alonso-expected-be-named-inter-miami-coach-monday
Reports: Diego Alonso expected to be named Inter Miami coach on Monday
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/2019/12/29/jeff-vinik-bought-the-lightning-then-his-influence-spread-over-tampa-bay/
Jeff Vinik bought the Lightning. Then his influence spread over Tampa Bay.
Vinik and his family have left a mark on development, transportation, and tech, among other things.
Left to right, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Cissy Proctor, Lightning owner Jeff Vinik, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Marriott International CEO Arne Sorenson and Strategic Property Partners CEO James Nozar break ground on the new JW Marriott Hotel at Water Street in Tampa, FL Tuesday, April 24, 2018. [JAMES BORCHUCK | Times (2018)]
Editor’s note: This story is part of “A Decade Defined By,” a series that examines how Tampa Bay has changed in the past decade. We will publish one story a day until Dec. 31. Read the whole package h...
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2019/12/26/top-stories-of-2019-from-mls-expansion-team-to.html
Top Stories of 2019: From MLS expansion team to Truist HQ, these events promise to reshape Charlotte's future
MLS Commissioner Don Garber, Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper and Mayor Vi Lyles officially announced that Charlotte will get an MLS team on Dec. 17 at the Mint Museum uptown.
Many of the big events of 2019 promise to reshape the region’s future. Read more about them here.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/4022373/reports-david-beckhams-inter-miami-to-make-diego-alonso-first-boss
Reports: David Beckham's Inter Miami to make Diego Alonso first boss
(Follow link for full article.)
https://twitter.com/jeremy_handler/status/1211352537607155714
Jeremy Handler
@Jeremy_Handler
In the U.S., the city of Wolverhampton would have a single A baseball team or something. In Europe, they have a Premier League team capable of going toe to toe with the best. And we wonder why we’re bad. We handicap ourselves in favor of biz metrics and protecting billionaires
1:25 PM · Dec 29, 2019·Twitter for iPhone
(Follow link for full article.)
https://talksport.com/football/648501/david-beckham-inter-miami-who-when-diego-alonso-new-inter-miami-manager-patrick-vieira-carlo-ancelotti/
THE BECKS FACTOR David Beckham set to announce Diego Alonso as new Inter Miami manager – after links to Carlo Ancelotti, David Moyes and Patrick Vieira
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2019/12/29/remembering-wolfie-wolfgang-suhnholz-an-appreciation/
REMEMBERING WOLFIE: Wolfgang Suhnholz, an appreciation
Eusebio and Wolfgang Suhnholz during the Toronto Metros-Croatia’s champagne celebration after winning Soccer Bowl ’76. (Photo courtesy of the 1970s Soccer USA Facebook page)
After polishing off the Cosmos in the quarterfinals of the 1976 North American Soccer League playoffs, the defending champion Tampa Bay Rowdies were starting to count some proverbial chickens before they hatched prior to meeting the Toronto Metros-Croatia in the semifinals.
“We were basically told to be ready to leave home the next morning at 6:30 in case we won — and expected — so we can go onto to Seattle to the Soccer Bowl,” former Rowdies executive Francisco Marcos recalled Saturday.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/ianquillen/2019/12/26/english-soccer-rules-boxing-day---how-mls-could-make-its-own-version/#531f19f9160d
English Soccer Rules Boxing Day — How MLS Could Make Its Own Version
The holiday season is synonymous with soccer in England. In particular, almost every pro team plays ... [+]GETTY IMAGES
The origins of Boxing Day, celebrated on Dec. 26 in the United Kingdom and most the lands that formerly comprised the British Empire, are widely disupted. But in modern England and Scotland, the meaning for many is simple: soccer, soccer and more soccer.
In a custom that dates back to the early years of the English Football League, the day after Christmas features a full program of matches. In 2019, 88 of the 92 teams in England’s top four divisions will be playing on Dec. 26, including a huge clash between Premier League leaders Liverpool and second-place Leicester City.
In short, Boxing Day day serves as an unofficial midpoint to the season and a day-long showcase for the game.
In North America, the closest equivalent in any sport used to be New Year’s Day, when all of College football’s biggest bowl games were played. (That’s no longer the case, of course).
But perhaps no North American sport — with its continued expansion and slowly but steadily growing popularity — is better positioned to establish new traditions than Major League Soccer. And although MLS doesnt play matches in December, perhaps the league brass should look at another holiday that could be turned into a showcase for the best the sport has to offer in the United States and Canada.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/12/27/david-beckham-everything-schedule-inter-miami-cfs-inaugural-season
David Beckham: "Everything is on schedule" with Inter Miami CF's inaugural season
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7834177/David-Beckham-set-appoint-former-Monterrey-boss-Diego-Alonso-Inter-Miami-manager.html
David Beckham 'set to appoint former Monterrey boss Diego Alonso as his first Inter Miami manager' despite being linked with high-profile names
Former Monterrey manager Diego Alonso is set to be Inter Miami's first coach
He is relatively unknown but has won two CONCACAF Champions League titles
Miami owner David Beckham had been linked to big names like Carlo Ancelotti
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.tampabay.com/opinion/2019/12/29/key-tampa-bay-issues-for-2020-editorial/
Key Tampa Bay issues for 2020 | Editorial
From the new St. Pete Pier to redeveloping east Tampa, here are five key issues around Tampa Bay that should progress this year.
1. Tampa Bay Rays stadium
A view of Tropicana Field, the current home of the Tampa Bay Rays. [SHADD, DIRK | Tampa Bay Times]
The Rays will play another season in outdated Tropicana Field, and there...
(Follow link for full article.)
https://magiccity.soccer/2019/12/29/miami-soccer-in-review-the-miami-fc-struggles-on-the-pitch-in-its-2016-debut/
A DECADE OF MIAMI SOCCER IN REVIEW THE MIAMI FC
Miami Soccer in Review: The Miami FC struggles on the pitch in its 2016 debut
Magic City Soccer will take the last 10 days of 2019 to review the last 10 years of Miami-Dade County soccer. Today in Miami Soccer in Review, we take a look back at 2016. The Miami FC debuts less than a year after being announced, and struggles to find its footing.
The Miami FC took the field for the first time in 2016, led by Italian giant Alessandro Nesta. In the club’s first match against Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Darío Cvitanich would score the first goal thanks to a penalty and a 10-man side saw out a 1-1 draw at Lockhart Stadium in Broward County. The Strikers, who qualified for the NASL playoffs the prior season, offered a measuring stick with which to compare Miami FC. The next week, the Blues again saw out a 1-1 draw, this time against Tampa Bay Rowdies, a team that came two points behind Fort Lauderdale the previous season.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://theathletic.com/1474405/2019/12/26/how-wasserman-agents-found-success-repping-first-rounders-in-all-6-major-north-american-league-drafts-in-2019/
How Wasserman agents found success repping first-rounders in all 6 major North American league drafts in 2019
The battle that sports agents experience to build their businesses can be described by the laws of supply and demand: a low supply of professional athletes needing representation mixed with a high demand to represent them creates fierce competition.
In this competitive climate, certain agencies have thrived, gaining large percentages of the market share. In 2019 Wasserman earned over $200 million in maximum possible commissions, making it the second most-profitable sport agency, after CAA. Wasserman achieved another distinction this year when it became the first agency to have a client selected in the first round of all six major North American team sport drafts.
“It speaks to our commitment to be elite in sport – and not just the ‘big four’ North American sports leagues,” Wasserman COO and talent division executive vice president Jason Ranne said. “The world of sport is much bigger than that, and we value the diversity of thought and...
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.breitbart.com/news/inter-miami-signs-d-denso-ulysse-g-drake-callender/
Inter Miami signs D Denso Ulysse, G Drake Callender
(Follow link for full article.)
https://magiccity.soccer/2019/12/27/miami-soccer-in-review-2014-officially-starts-the-mls-madness-that-would-become-inter-miami-cf/
A DECADE OF MIAMI SOCCER IN REVIEW INTER MIAMI CF
Miami Soccer in Review: 2014 officially starts the MLS madness that would become Inter Miami CF
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/lights/las-vegas-fight-for-mls-should-escalate-in-2020-1922756/
Las Vegas fight for MLS should escalate in 2020
(Follow link for full article.)
https://magiccity.soccer/2019/12/28/miami-soccer-in-review-silva-the-miami-fc-offer-direct-challenge-to-mls-beckham-in-2015/
A DECADE OF MIAMI SOCCER IN REVIEW THE MIAMI FC 2
Miami Soccer in Review: Silva, The Miami FC offer direct challenge to MLS, Beckham in 2015
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2019/12/28/a-new-challenge-inter-miami-acquires-ex-red-bull-agudelo-from-toronto/
A NEW CHALLENGE: Inter Miami acquires ex-Red Bull Agudelo from Toronto
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/12/28/reports-diego-alonso-expected-be-named-inter-miami-coach-monday
Reports: Diego Alonso expected to be named Inter Miami coach on Monday
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/2019/12/29/jeff-vinik-bought-the-lightning-then-his-influence-spread-over-tampa-bay/
Jeff Vinik bought the Lightning. Then his influence spread over Tampa Bay.
Vinik and his family have left a mark on development, transportation, and tech, among other things.
Left to right, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Cissy Proctor, Lightning owner Jeff Vinik, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Marriott International CEO Arne Sorenson and Strategic Property Partners CEO James Nozar break ground on the new JW Marriott Hotel at Water Street in Tampa, FL Tuesday, April 24, 2018. [JAMES BORCHUCK | Times (2018)]
Editor’s note: This story is part of “A Decade Defined By,” a series that examines how Tampa Bay has changed in the past decade. We will publish one story a day until Dec. 31. Read the whole package h...
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2019/12/26/top-stories-of-2019-from-mls-expansion-team-to.html
Top Stories of 2019: From MLS expansion team to Truist HQ, these events promise to reshape Charlotte's future
MLS Commissioner Don Garber, Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper and Mayor Vi Lyles officially announced that Charlotte will get an MLS team on Dec. 17 at the Mint Museum uptown.
Many of the big events of 2019 promise to reshape the region’s future. Read more about them here.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/4022373/reports-david-beckhams-inter-miami-to-make-diego-alonso-first-boss
Reports: David Beckham's Inter Miami to make Diego Alonso first boss
(Follow link for full article.)
https://twitter.com/jeremy_handler/status/1211352537607155714
Jeremy Handler
@Jeremy_Handler
In the U.S., the city of Wolverhampton would have a single A baseball team or something. In Europe, they have a Premier League team capable of going toe to toe with the best. And we wonder why we’re bad. We handicap ourselves in favor of biz metrics and protecting billionaires
1:25 PM · Dec 29, 2019·Twitter for iPhone
(Follow link for full article.)
https://talksport.com/football/648501/david-beckham-inter-miami-who-when-diego-alonso-new-inter-miami-manager-patrick-vieira-carlo-ancelotti/
THE BECKS FACTOR David Beckham set to announce Diego Alonso as new Inter Miami manager – after links to Carlo Ancelotti, David Moyes and Patrick Vieira
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2019/12/29/remembering-wolfie-wolfgang-suhnholz-an-appreciation/
REMEMBERING WOLFIE: Wolfgang Suhnholz, an appreciation
Eusebio and Wolfgang Suhnholz during the Toronto Metros-Croatia’s champagne celebration after winning Soccer Bowl ’76. (Photo courtesy of the 1970s Soccer USA Facebook page)
After polishing off the Cosmos in the quarterfinals of the 1976 North American Soccer League playoffs, the defending champion Tampa Bay Rowdies were starting to count some proverbial chickens before they hatched prior to meeting the Toronto Metros-Croatia in the semifinals.
“We were basically told to be ready to leave home the next morning at 6:30 in case we won — and expected — so we can go onto to Seattle to the Soccer Bowl,” former Rowdies executive Francisco Marcos recalled Saturday.
Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Man Utd owners the Glazers have perfect reason to sell Old Trafford giants
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1220760/Manchester-United-news-the-Glazers-sell
Man Utd owners the Glazers have perfect reason to sell Old Trafford giants
Manchester United’s owners the Glazers are unpopular at Old Trafford.
If the Glazers ever had a time to cash in on Manchester United, it’s now. That’s while they’re still viewed as a giant of the game, when results suggest the opposite.
The Glazers made a splash when they took control of Manchester United back in 2005, arriving amid a wave of anger that spilled out from the stands.
For the first few years, their presence was tolerated as the Red Devils dethroned Chelsea as Premier League champions during Sir Alex Ferguson’s time in charge.
At the start of the decade, though, United fans started to show their anger with the club’s ownership once again.
Gold and green scarves became the way to protest and one even found itself being draped around David Beckham following a 4-0 battering of the winger’s AC Milan.
United continued to win trophies while Ferguson was at the helm.
But they’ve dried up in the years since the Scot walked off into the sunset.
JUST IN: Man Utd transfer plans on hold because of one star
Man Utd hero David Beckham wore an anti-Glazers scarf (Image: GETTY)
At first, United fans blamed David Moyes for starting their slump towards the lesser end of the Premier League top half.
Yet after the failed managerial tenures of Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho, they’re unanimous: the owners are the problem.
Now may be the perfect time to sell up.
They certainly have a reason to. With United misfiring, they become less attractive, less BIG with every defeat.
Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Watford at Vicarage Road was shambolic.
DON’T MISS
Man Utd primed to welcome back two forgotten men
Man Utd pitch huge contract to Erling Haaland
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1198728/Manchester-United-news-Glazers-Saudi-Arabia-takeover
Man Utd owners the Glazers will only sell club on one condition after Saudi Arabia meeting
Manchester United’s owners, the Glazer family, have been backed to sell the Old Trafford outfit.
Manchester United’s owners, the Glazer family, will reportedly only sell the club if they receive a massive financial offer in the region of £4billion.
The Red Devils’ supremos have been tipped to sell up with talk of a mega-money Saudi Arabia takeover from Mohammed bin Salman refusing to die down.
Manchester United chief Richard Arnold has been pictured in the Middle East this week, posing with officials who even gave him his own Saudi jersey.
The Athletic say it’s currently unknown where the potential takeover is at amid all the speculation.
But it’s claimed they would only sell for a huge amount, potentially exceeding £4billion.
That would make any takeover the highest in Premier League history, dwarfing the £790million the Glazers paid to take control of the club in 2005.
Fenway Sports Group paid £280m to acquire Liverpool in 2010 and, two years before that, Sheik Mansour completed a £210m takeover of Manchester City.
Roman Abramovich paid £140m to take control of Chelsea in 2003, with the Russian then changing the landscape of English football.
And West Ham cost David Sullivan and David Gold just £52.5m when they acquired the club nine years ago.
Meanwhile, United chief Ed Woodward was recently asked about the Glazers and whether they had plans to sell.
And he insisted that wasn’t the case, telling the United We Stand fanzine: “Based on what I see, they’re in it for the long-term.
“With regards to offers or asking prices, my understanding is that there have been no discussions for a price for the club or anything like that.
“Every conversation we have is based on the long-term.
“The debt is a long-term, structured and similar to some other football clubs. It’s a fixed amount for a fixed period of time which results in it being fairly cheap to service.
“It’s just under two per cent of our annual revenue each year, so it doesn’t really have any impact on us.”
Woodward also insisted they wanted to see United win the Premier League title, adding: “We have to win the Premier League.
Man Utd chief Richard Arnold was recently snapped in Saudi Arabia (Image: TWITTER)
“I view the Premier League as the focus, that's the biggest test, the benchmark.
“You can roll a dice in the Champions League, you need luck to win that, but we have to win the Premier League.
“We need to do well commercially to do well on the pitch, we also need to spend what we get more consistently than we have been doing, but we're on much firmer ground with recruitment.
“I understand the scrutiny; it's part of the job. We have to do everything we possibly can to get back to winning the Premier League. We're not successful until we do. Second is not success - we have to win the Premier League.
“Despite some of the narrative around the club at the moment, I feel that we are on the right track to get back to that point [winning the league] but we are going to have to be patient.”
RELATED ARTICLES
How Man Utd could look with Erling Haaland and Lautaro Martinez
Man Utd kept Anthony Martial because of bad things Louis van Gaal did
Man Utd expected to sign Erling Haaland by Serie A giants Napoli
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1201478/Manchester-United-transfer-news-Glazers-Saudi-Arabia-takeover
How Man Utd could look if Glazers sell to Saudi Arabia consortium
Manchester United’s owners, the Glazers, have been backed to sell the club to a Saudi Arabia consortium.
Manchester United insist there’s nothing to claims that the Glazers may be about to sell the club to a Saudi Arabia consortium.
But that hasn’t stopped widespread reports from suggesting the Red Devils may be set for a takeover in the foreseeable future.
Should that happen, Manchester United will suddenly find themselves even richer than before. Which, when you consider their standing in world football, is quite some feat.
Any takeover would mean United having the financial might to sign any player they want. So we now take a look at how they could line up.
Jose Gaya
Reports in Spain have claimed Manchester United want Valencia left-back Jose Gaya.
That’s understandable given their problems in that position in the time since Patrice Evra left the club.
Luke Shaw has never been able to achieve the consistency that Manchester United have wanted, while Marcos Rojo appears better at centre-back.
Brandon Williams has impressed there this season but is still considered too raw to start week in, week out.
And United could bring in Gaya who could cost around £70million.
Man Utd owners the Glazers have been backed to sell to a Saudi Arabia consortium (Image: GETTY)
Man Utd could go for Jadon Sancho, James Maddison and Jose Gaya if Glazers sell (Image: GETTY)
James Maddison
Manchester United are hoping to sign James Maddison from Leicester within the next year.
The England international has been in stunning form for the Foxes ever since his move from Norwich in the summer of 2018.
And United have earmarked him as their No 1 creative target amid the struggles of Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard this season.
Leicester will likely demand a huge fee to let Maddison go.
But should United find themselves receiving a cash injection, then they’ll have the means to pull off a deal.
Man Utd could afford any player in world football if the Saudis take over (Image: GETTY)
Jadon Sancho
Manchester United’s No 1 transfer target, period, is Jadon Sancho.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanted the England international in the summer but, with no Champions League football to offer, couldn’t pull off a deal.
However, United’s interest remains.
And a huge takeover would see them easily able to afford the £100million Dortmund would demand to let him go.
Man Utd XI in full: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Gaya, McTominay, Pogba, Sancho, Maddison, Rashford, Martial
RELATED ARTICLES
Man Utd hero Sir Alex Ferguson is a big problem for Ed Woodward
Man Utd owners the Glazers will only sell club on one condition
Man Utd chef delivered brutal Mourinho putdown after he insulted food
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1200919/Manchester-United-news-Glazers-Saudi-Arabia-takeover
Man Utd takeover talk prompts reaction after Glazers tipped to sell to Saudi consortium
Manchester United's owners the Glazers have been tipped to sell the club to a Saudi Arabia consortium.
Manchester United's owners, the Glazers, have been backed to sell the club to a Saudi Arabia in recent times - but that doesn't appear to be the case.
The Red Devils supremos have come under fire from fans in recent times, with many blaming them for the club's fall from grave in the six years since Sir Alex Ferguson walked away.
Many Manchester United fans believe they'd be better off under the Saudis. Rich foreign investors from the Middle East have, after all, turned Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain into giants of the game.
But The Athletic claim United have dismissed claims the Glazers are about to sell.
It's claimed that the Red Devils have insisted there's 'nothing' in the reports.
And, speaking recently, United chief Ed Woodward insisted the club's American owners were firmly behind the side.
“Based on what I see, they’re in it for the long-term,” Woodward told the United We Stand fanzine.
“With regards to offers or asking prices, my understanding is that there have been no discussions for a price for the club or anything like that. Every conversation we have is based on the long-term.
“The debt is a long-term, structured and similar to some other football clubs.
Man Utd owners the Glazers aren't selling to a Saudi Arabia consortium (Image: GETTY)
"It’s a fixed amount for a fixed period of time which results in it being fairly cheap to service. It’s just under two per cent of our annual revenue each year, so it doesn’t really have any impact on us.”
The speculation went up a notch over the weekend when Moaid Mahjoub, a 'director of government affairs' claimed on LinkedIn that a takeover was in the works.
That had come after United chief Richard Arnold had been pictured in Riyadh last week.
However, Arnold's purpose for the visit was to speak onstage at the Future Investment Initiative.
He had dinner with Faisal Abu Saq, who was once head of one of the club's sponsors.
Man Utd fans have had enough of the Glazers (Image: GETTY)
And he was also given a Saudi football shirt with his name on the back, while also posing for pictures while in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Woodward also recently admitted he understood the anger of United fans, saying: "I understand the scrutiny; it's part of the job. And I don't want to be famous and can't be mates with the players.
"We are not successful until we do.
"Second is not success - we have to win the Premier League."
RELATED ARTICLES
How Man Utd could look if Woodward signs three free agents in summer
Man Utd stance on Fernandes transfer explained after Sporting twist
Where Man Utd stand on Tahith Chong and Angel Gomes contracts
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.yoursun.com/charlotte/features/underrated-us-destinations-that-should-be-on-your-radar-in/article_3792fd40-67a7-5d7e-a09a-3807e1dd233a.html
8 underrated US destinations that should be on your radar in 2020
6. TAMPA
Tampa has been undergoing a snazzy transformation, giving the city the hip and contemporary edge it had otherwise been lacking. Two of 2019’s biggest game changers were Armature Works, a 1910 warehouse space that was repurposed into a one-stop spot with co-working spaces, restaurants, bars, a neighborhood market and more, and Sparkman Wharf, where you’ll find over 65,000 square feet of reimagined space sporting a biergarten full of Florida craft brews, shops, waterside views and eateries from the city’s best chefs. Track down the origin of the Cuban sandwich in Ybor City, dive with sharks at The Florida Aquarium, or test your nerves on North America’s tallest, steepest and fastest wooden and steel hybrid roller coaster at Busch Gardens (opening in 2020).
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/eevkk8/meme_nowhere_is_safe/
[Meme] Nowhere is safe
Merry Christmas Eve, and Fuck Orlando!
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/eelrdk/back_in_2020_head_coach_neill_collins/
Back in 2020: Head Coach Neill Collins
Wish him the best of luck! Lets go!
Didn’t know not having him back was even on the table haha, glad to see they formalised his title as well, he’s a lot more involved than just head coaching the first team, that much is clear.
I like this on many levels!
He surprised alot of people with his first full year as our coach and I'm excited to see him develop further. This is the perfect level for him to work on his coaching before he inevitably moves back to the UK. At times last season he wouldn't change the system enough when things weren't working but with time I think he can improve and become a really great manager.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/1073173
BACK IN 2020: HEAD COACH NEILL COLLINS
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (December 23, 2019) — The Tampa Bay Rowdies are excited to announce that they have extended Neill Collins to a new multiyear contract and have named him Technical Director and Head Coach.
The 2020 USL Championship season will be Collins’ second full season at the helm of the Rowdies. He initially took the job on May 18, 2018 after retiring as a player. The Scottish-born coach brought a fiery passion to the team and the Tampa Bay community being a former Rowdies player himself.
After a lengthy career in the United Kingdom, Collins joined the Rowdies as a player in March of 2016. He quickly established himself as a dominant defender for the Rowdies, making 67 appearances in all competitions. Collins served as team captain in what turned out to be his final match as a player, and he immediately transitioned to a coaching role shortly after.
“Neill was an integral part of our success over the last 18 months and the direction the club is heading” said Lee Cohen, Chief Operating Officer of the Tampa Bay Rowdies. “Neill embodies everything that the Rowdies look for in a coach, he really knew how to connect with the players and staff. He’s very straight forward, and he expects you to put forth 100 percent effort because that’s what he gives to the team.”
This past season, Collins led the charge in reshaping Tampa Bay’s roster to be significantly younger and hungrier. As a result, the Rowdies started the season with a club record 13-game unbeaten streak and won 19 out of their first 20 matches; this proved that they were able to dominate the competition. The 2019 Rowdies set Modern Era club records for points earned (58), wins (16) and goals scored (62) as well as setting the record for the youngest player in Rowdies history to make in appearance in a regular season game at 18 years old; and 17 years old in a US Open Cup game.
“I am absolutely thrilled to extend my stay with the Rowdies and to get the opportunity to continue building on all the groundwork we have work put down over the past 18 months,” Collins said. “I think it was clear to see the improvement in the team last year and the huge strides we made not only on but off the field. I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead for this club and look forward to the challenge of taking us to the next level.”
The Rowdies ultimately finished fifth in the USL Championship Eastern Conference and were eliminated from the USL Championship playoffs with a 2-1 loss on the road to eventual Eastern Conference champions Louisville City FC.
“While ultimately it was a disappointing end to the season, I am pleased with the core group of players we have coming back next year, all of whom showed such commitment, energy and enthusiasm when wearing the green and gold,” Collins said. These characteristics are vital to our club, and I believe with the new additions we have announced, we will be even better placed to compete for the championship next year.”
The club’s commitment to Neill allows him to not only continue to build a championship winning team, but also to develop other important aspects of the club. For example, developing the professional pathway for young players in Florida, and recruitment strategies to help bring in high quality level players from around the US and internationally. We have seen the benefit of this over the last 12 months with his connection to growing the youth talent pool in the Tampa Bay region through the different identification camps he has hosted.
Tampa Bay will open preseason camp in mid-January to prepare for the 2020 USL Championship season.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/edcwuy/zlatan_the_rowdies_player_a_football_manager_2020/
Zlatan the Rowdies Player: A Football Manager 2020 Experiment
I can't believe this article exists and I didn't even write it.
looooool, thats amazing. i love it. he will come, one day....he will come.
I love all sim fic like this. Well done👍
Imagine not having a logopack
This post was made by sortioutsi gang
(Follow link for full article.)
https://medium.com/@rallen73/zlatan-the-rowdies-player-a-football-manager-2020-experiment-a84899ff9fa8?
Zlatan the Rowdies Player: A Football Manager 2020 Experiment
What if Al Lang Stadium came to Zlatan?
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1220760/Manchester-United-news-the-Glazers-sell
Man Utd owners the Glazers have perfect reason to sell Old Trafford giants
Manchester United’s owners the Glazers are unpopular at Old Trafford.
If the Glazers ever had a time to cash in on Manchester United, it’s now. That’s while they’re still viewed as a giant of the game, when results suggest the opposite.
The Glazers made a splash when they took control of Manchester United back in 2005, arriving amid a wave of anger that spilled out from the stands.
For the first few years, their presence was tolerated as the Red Devils dethroned Chelsea as Premier League champions during Sir Alex Ferguson’s time in charge.
At the start of the decade, though, United fans started to show their anger with the club’s ownership once again.
Gold and green scarves became the way to protest and one even found itself being draped around David Beckham following a 4-0 battering of the winger’s AC Milan.
United continued to win trophies while Ferguson was at the helm.
But they’ve dried up in the years since the Scot walked off into the sunset.
JUST IN: Man Utd transfer plans on hold because of one star
Man Utd hero David Beckham wore an anti-Glazers scarf (Image: GETTY)
At first, United fans blamed David Moyes for starting their slump towards the lesser end of the Premier League top half.
Yet after the failed managerial tenures of Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho, they’re unanimous: the owners are the problem.
Now may be the perfect time to sell up.
They certainly have a reason to. With United misfiring, they become less attractive, less BIG with every defeat.
Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Watford at Vicarage Road was shambolic.
DON’T MISS
Man Utd primed to welcome back two forgotten men
Man Utd pitch huge contract to Erling Haaland
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1198728/Manchester-United-news-Glazers-Saudi-Arabia-takeover
Man Utd owners the Glazers will only sell club on one condition after Saudi Arabia meeting
Manchester United’s owners, the Glazer family, have been backed to sell the Old Trafford outfit.
Manchester United’s owners, the Glazer family, will reportedly only sell the club if they receive a massive financial offer in the region of £4billion.
The Red Devils’ supremos have been tipped to sell up with talk of a mega-money Saudi Arabia takeover from Mohammed bin Salman refusing to die down.
Manchester United chief Richard Arnold has been pictured in the Middle East this week, posing with officials who even gave him his own Saudi jersey.
The Athletic say it’s currently unknown where the potential takeover is at amid all the speculation.
But it’s claimed they would only sell for a huge amount, potentially exceeding £4billion.
That would make any takeover the highest in Premier League history, dwarfing the £790million the Glazers paid to take control of the club in 2005.
Fenway Sports Group paid £280m to acquire Liverpool in 2010 and, two years before that, Sheik Mansour completed a £210m takeover of Manchester City.
Roman Abramovich paid £140m to take control of Chelsea in 2003, with the Russian then changing the landscape of English football.
And West Ham cost David Sullivan and David Gold just £52.5m when they acquired the club nine years ago.
Meanwhile, United chief Ed Woodward was recently asked about the Glazers and whether they had plans to sell.
And he insisted that wasn’t the case, telling the United We Stand fanzine: “Based on what I see, they’re in it for the long-term.
“With regards to offers or asking prices, my understanding is that there have been no discussions for a price for the club or anything like that.
“Every conversation we have is based on the long-term.
“The debt is a long-term, structured and similar to some other football clubs. It’s a fixed amount for a fixed period of time which results in it being fairly cheap to service.
“It’s just under two per cent of our annual revenue each year, so it doesn’t really have any impact on us.”
Woodward also insisted they wanted to see United win the Premier League title, adding: “We have to win the Premier League.
Man Utd chief Richard Arnold was recently snapped in Saudi Arabia (Image: TWITTER)
“I view the Premier League as the focus, that's the biggest test, the benchmark.
“You can roll a dice in the Champions League, you need luck to win that, but we have to win the Premier League.
“We need to do well commercially to do well on the pitch, we also need to spend what we get more consistently than we have been doing, but we're on much firmer ground with recruitment.
“I understand the scrutiny; it's part of the job. We have to do everything we possibly can to get back to winning the Premier League. We're not successful until we do. Second is not success - we have to win the Premier League.
“Despite some of the narrative around the club at the moment, I feel that we are on the right track to get back to that point [winning the league] but we are going to have to be patient.”
RELATED ARTICLES
How Man Utd could look with Erling Haaland and Lautaro Martinez
Man Utd kept Anthony Martial because of bad things Louis van Gaal did
Man Utd expected to sign Erling Haaland by Serie A giants Napoli
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1201478/Manchester-United-transfer-news-Glazers-Saudi-Arabia-takeover
How Man Utd could look if Glazers sell to Saudi Arabia consortium
Manchester United’s owners, the Glazers, have been backed to sell the club to a Saudi Arabia consortium.
Manchester United insist there’s nothing to claims that the Glazers may be about to sell the club to a Saudi Arabia consortium.
But that hasn’t stopped widespread reports from suggesting the Red Devils may be set for a takeover in the foreseeable future.
Should that happen, Manchester United will suddenly find themselves even richer than before. Which, when you consider their standing in world football, is quite some feat.
Any takeover would mean United having the financial might to sign any player they want. So we now take a look at how they could line up.
Jose Gaya
Reports in Spain have claimed Manchester United want Valencia left-back Jose Gaya.
That’s understandable given their problems in that position in the time since Patrice Evra left the club.
Luke Shaw has never been able to achieve the consistency that Manchester United have wanted, while Marcos Rojo appears better at centre-back.
Brandon Williams has impressed there this season but is still considered too raw to start week in, week out.
And United could bring in Gaya who could cost around £70million.
Man Utd owners the Glazers have been backed to sell to a Saudi Arabia consortium (Image: GETTY)
Man Utd could go for Jadon Sancho, James Maddison and Jose Gaya if Glazers sell (Image: GETTY)
James Maddison
Manchester United are hoping to sign James Maddison from Leicester within the next year.
The England international has been in stunning form for the Foxes ever since his move from Norwich in the summer of 2018.
And United have earmarked him as their No 1 creative target amid the struggles of Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard this season.
Leicester will likely demand a huge fee to let Maddison go.
But should United find themselves receiving a cash injection, then they’ll have the means to pull off a deal.
Man Utd could afford any player in world football if the Saudis take over (Image: GETTY)
Jadon Sancho
Manchester United’s No 1 transfer target, period, is Jadon Sancho.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanted the England international in the summer but, with no Champions League football to offer, couldn’t pull off a deal.
However, United’s interest remains.
And a huge takeover would see them easily able to afford the £100million Dortmund would demand to let him go.
Man Utd XI in full: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Gaya, McTominay, Pogba, Sancho, Maddison, Rashford, Martial
RELATED ARTICLES
Man Utd hero Sir Alex Ferguson is a big problem for Ed Woodward
Man Utd owners the Glazers will only sell club on one condition
Man Utd chef delivered brutal Mourinho putdown after he insulted food
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1200919/Manchester-United-news-Glazers-Saudi-Arabia-takeover
Man Utd takeover talk prompts reaction after Glazers tipped to sell to Saudi consortium
Manchester United's owners the Glazers have been tipped to sell the club to a Saudi Arabia consortium.
Manchester United's owners, the Glazers, have been backed to sell the club to a Saudi Arabia in recent times - but that doesn't appear to be the case.
The Red Devils supremos have come under fire from fans in recent times, with many blaming them for the club's fall from grave in the six years since Sir Alex Ferguson walked away.
Many Manchester United fans believe they'd be better off under the Saudis. Rich foreign investors from the Middle East have, after all, turned Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain into giants of the game.
But The Athletic claim United have dismissed claims the Glazers are about to sell.
It's claimed that the Red Devils have insisted there's 'nothing' in the reports.
And, speaking recently, United chief Ed Woodward insisted the club's American owners were firmly behind the side.
“Based on what I see, they’re in it for the long-term,” Woodward told the United We Stand fanzine.
“With regards to offers or asking prices, my understanding is that there have been no discussions for a price for the club or anything like that. Every conversation we have is based on the long-term.
“The debt is a long-term, structured and similar to some other football clubs.
Man Utd owners the Glazers aren't selling to a Saudi Arabia consortium (Image: GETTY)
"It’s a fixed amount for a fixed period of time which results in it being fairly cheap to service. It’s just under two per cent of our annual revenue each year, so it doesn’t really have any impact on us.”
The speculation went up a notch over the weekend when Moaid Mahjoub, a 'director of government affairs' claimed on LinkedIn that a takeover was in the works.
That had come after United chief Richard Arnold had been pictured in Riyadh last week.
However, Arnold's purpose for the visit was to speak onstage at the Future Investment Initiative.
He had dinner with Faisal Abu Saq, who was once head of one of the club's sponsors.
Man Utd fans have had enough of the Glazers (Image: GETTY)
And he was also given a Saudi football shirt with his name on the back, while also posing for pictures while in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Woodward also recently admitted he understood the anger of United fans, saying: "I understand the scrutiny; it's part of the job. And I don't want to be famous and can't be mates with the players.
"We are not successful until we do.
"Second is not success - we have to win the Premier League."
RELATED ARTICLES
How Man Utd could look if Woodward signs three free agents in summer
Man Utd stance on Fernandes transfer explained after Sporting twist
Where Man Utd stand on Tahith Chong and Angel Gomes contracts
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.yoursun.com/charlotte/features/underrated-us-destinations-that-should-be-on-your-radar-in/article_3792fd40-67a7-5d7e-a09a-3807e1dd233a.html
8 underrated US destinations that should be on your radar in 2020
6. TAMPA
Tampa has been undergoing a snazzy transformation, giving the city the hip and contemporary edge it had otherwise been lacking. Two of 2019’s biggest game changers were Armature Works, a 1910 warehouse space that was repurposed into a one-stop spot with co-working spaces, restaurants, bars, a neighborhood market and more, and Sparkman Wharf, where you’ll find over 65,000 square feet of reimagined space sporting a biergarten full of Florida craft brews, shops, waterside views and eateries from the city’s best chefs. Track down the origin of the Cuban sandwich in Ybor City, dive with sharks at The Florida Aquarium, or test your nerves on North America’s tallest, steepest and fastest wooden and steel hybrid roller coaster at Busch Gardens (opening in 2020).
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/eevkk8/meme_nowhere_is_safe/
[Meme] Nowhere is safe
Merry Christmas Eve, and Fuck Orlando!
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/eelrdk/back_in_2020_head_coach_neill_collins/
Back in 2020: Head Coach Neill Collins
Wish him the best of luck! Lets go!
Didn’t know not having him back was even on the table haha, glad to see they formalised his title as well, he’s a lot more involved than just head coaching the first team, that much is clear.
I like this on many levels!
He surprised alot of people with his first full year as our coach and I'm excited to see him develop further. This is the perfect level for him to work on his coaching before he inevitably moves back to the UK. At times last season he wouldn't change the system enough when things weren't working but with time I think he can improve and become a really great manager.
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https://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/1073173
BACK IN 2020: HEAD COACH NEILL COLLINS
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (December 23, 2019) — The Tampa Bay Rowdies are excited to announce that they have extended Neill Collins to a new multiyear contract and have named him Technical Director and Head Coach.
The 2020 USL Championship season will be Collins’ second full season at the helm of the Rowdies. He initially took the job on May 18, 2018 after retiring as a player. The Scottish-born coach brought a fiery passion to the team and the Tampa Bay community being a former Rowdies player himself.
After a lengthy career in the United Kingdom, Collins joined the Rowdies as a player in March of 2016. He quickly established himself as a dominant defender for the Rowdies, making 67 appearances in all competitions. Collins served as team captain in what turned out to be his final match as a player, and he immediately transitioned to a coaching role shortly after.
“Neill was an integral part of our success over the last 18 months and the direction the club is heading” said Lee Cohen, Chief Operating Officer of the Tampa Bay Rowdies. “Neill embodies everything that the Rowdies look for in a coach, he really knew how to connect with the players and staff. He’s very straight forward, and he expects you to put forth 100 percent effort because that’s what he gives to the team.”
This past season, Collins led the charge in reshaping Tampa Bay’s roster to be significantly younger and hungrier. As a result, the Rowdies started the season with a club record 13-game unbeaten streak and won 19 out of their first 20 matches; this proved that they were able to dominate the competition. The 2019 Rowdies set Modern Era club records for points earned (58), wins (16) and goals scored (62) as well as setting the record for the youngest player in Rowdies history to make in appearance in a regular season game at 18 years old; and 17 years old in a US Open Cup game.
“I am absolutely thrilled to extend my stay with the Rowdies and to get the opportunity to continue building on all the groundwork we have work put down over the past 18 months,” Collins said. “I think it was clear to see the improvement in the team last year and the huge strides we made not only on but off the field. I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead for this club and look forward to the challenge of taking us to the next level.”
The Rowdies ultimately finished fifth in the USL Championship Eastern Conference and were eliminated from the USL Championship playoffs with a 2-1 loss on the road to eventual Eastern Conference champions Louisville City FC.
“While ultimately it was a disappointing end to the season, I am pleased with the core group of players we have coming back next year, all of whom showed such commitment, energy and enthusiasm when wearing the green and gold,” Collins said. These characteristics are vital to our club, and I believe with the new additions we have announced, we will be even better placed to compete for the championship next year.”
The club’s commitment to Neill allows him to not only continue to build a championship winning team, but also to develop other important aspects of the club. For example, developing the professional pathway for young players in Florida, and recruitment strategies to help bring in high quality level players from around the US and internationally. We have seen the benefit of this over the last 12 months with his connection to growing the youth talent pool in the Tampa Bay region through the different identification camps he has hosted.
Tampa Bay will open preseason camp in mid-January to prepare for the 2020 USL Championship season.
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/edcwuy/zlatan_the_rowdies_player_a_football_manager_2020/
Zlatan the Rowdies Player: A Football Manager 2020 Experiment
I can't believe this article exists and I didn't even write it.
looooool, thats amazing. i love it. he will come, one day....he will come.
I love all sim fic like this. Well done👍
Imagine not having a logopack
This post was made by sortioutsi gang
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https://medium.com/@rallen73/zlatan-the-rowdies-player-a-football-manager-2020-experiment-a84899ff9fa8?
Zlatan the Rowdies Player: A Football Manager 2020 Experiment
What if Al Lang Stadium came to Zlatan?
Wednesday, December 18, 2019
Charlotte MLS team: What to know about Major League Soccer's latest expansion team for 2021
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https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/charlotte-mls-team-what-to-know-about-major-league-soccers-latest-expansion-team-for-2021/
Charlotte MLS team: What to know about Major League Soccer's latest expansion team for 2021
Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper will own the Carolina team that's joining MLS in 2021
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https://www.reuters.com/article/us-soccer-usa-charlotte/soccer-charlotte-awarded-30th-mls-franchise-idUSKBN1YL1YS
Soccer: Charlotte awarded 30th MLS franchise
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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/12/17/charlottes-rivals-mls-it-has-be-atlanta
Charlotte's rivals in MLS? "It has to be Atlanta"
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https://www.prosoccerusa.com/mls/expansion/charlotte/mls-announces-charlotte-as-30th-franchise-will-start-play-in-2021/
CHARLOTTE
MLS announces Charlotte as 30th franchise, beginning play in 2021
Major League Soccer’s Charlotte franchise will begin play in 2021 at Bank of America Stadium.
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https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/charlotte/news/2019/12/17/soccer-fans-excited-for-charlotte-s-new-mls-team
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
Soccer Fans Excited for Charlotte's New MLS Team
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https://www.wbtv.com/2019/12/17/live-major-league-soccer-awards-charlotte-with-leagues-newest-team/
MLS
Major League Soccer awards Charlotte with league’s newest team
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https://www.soccerwire.com/news/major-league-soccer-announces-expansion-team-in-charlotte-n-c/
Major League Soccer announces expansion team in Charlotte, N.C.
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https://mlsmultiplex.com/2019/12/17/mls-charlotte-expansion-market-success/
MLS and Charlotte expansion: The market for success
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https://www.marketwatch.com/story/hedge-fund-giant-david-tepper-achieves-goal-as-mls-awards-franchise-to-charlotte-nc-2019-12-17
Hedge-fund giant David Tepper achieves goal as MLS awards franchise to Charlotte, N.C.
Soccer league’s commissioner says the expansion fee for the newest MLS club was between $300 million and $325 million
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https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2019/12/17/the-big-3-0-charlotte-becomes-mls-30th-team/
THE BIG 3-0: Charlotte becomes MLS’ 30th team
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https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2019/12/17/atlanta-uniteds-next-new-rival-charlotte-awarded.html
Atlanta United's Next New Rival: Charlotte awarded MLS expansion team
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https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/partys-over-mls-expansion-reaches-its-climax-as-charlotte/1hgc18qw6k84m1elzxf1dzw0tx
Party's over? MLS expansion reaches its climax as Charlotte solidifies final spot
The league announced its 30th team on Tuesday as several other markets will now face the reality that they have missed out on a spot
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https://www.wbtw.com/sports/charlotte-awarded-mls-soccer-team-in-2021/
Charlotte awarded MLS soccer team in 2021
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https://finance.yahoo.com/news/david-tepper-lands-charlotte-mls-201935037.html
David Tepper lands Charlotte MLS franchise for record $325M expansion fee
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https://au.sports.yahoo.com/charlotte-awarded-30th-mls-franchise-153300463.html
Charlotte awarded 30th MLS franchise after paying record-breaking expansion fee
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https://patch.com/north-carolina/charlotte/major-league-soccer-coming-charlotte
Major League Soccer Is Coming To Charlotte
Charlotte was named the 30th expansion city for Major League Soccer Tuesday, beating out Phoenix and Las Vegas.
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https://worldsoccertalk.com/2019/12/17/charlotte-awarded-mls-franchise/
Charlotte awarded MLS franchise
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https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/2019/12/17/panthers-david-tepper-soccer-franchise/
Panthers owner David Tepper lands Charlotte MLS franchise
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https://oldnorthbanter.com/2019/12/17/charlotte-mls-expansion-team/
Everything you need to know about the Charlotte MLS team
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https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/sports/charlotte-announced-as-th-mls-franchise/article_b3536605-4dd8-58c3-b000-bdaa8d48f5bf.html
Charlotte announced as 30th MLS franchise
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https://www.sounderatheart.com/2019/12/18/21027189/charlotte-mls-links
Major Link Soccer: MLS coming to Charlotte
Liverpool’s split squad suffers, Washington Spirit make moves, NYCFC to play games in Queens
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https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/charlotte/news/2019/12/17/charlotte-gets-mls-team
MLS Says 'Yes' to Charlotte, What About Raleigh?
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https://nsjonline.com/article/2019/12/charlotte-lands-mls-expansion-team-to-start-in-21/
Charlotte lands MLS expansion team to start in ’21
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https://www.wrdw.com/content/sports/Pro-soccer-comes-to-Charlotte-566282151.html
Pro soccer comes to Charlotte
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http://investrecords.com/2019/12/17/charlotte-gets-mls-30th-franchise-for-record-325-million/
Charlotte gets MLS’ 30th franchise for record $325 million
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https://www.blackandredunited.com/2019/12/18/21026935/charlotte-mls-major-league-soccer-expansion-ben-olsen-dcu-real-madrid-barcelona-el-clasico
Charlotte joins MLS, Ben Olsen to return, and more: Freedom Kicks for December 18, 2019
And finally, El Clásico takes center stage.
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https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/verify/verify-what-will-charlottes-mls-team-be-named/275-f3ad4472-5862-4666-8b35-d3ebb9a43818
VERIFY: What will Charlotte's MLS team be named?
Some fans noticed the team's use of black and white colors with the name Charlotte or Charlotte FC. Those are just placeholders until they settle on a name.
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https://www.foxbusiness.com/sports/david-tepper-charlotte-mls-franchise-expansion-fee
David Tepper lands Charlotte MLS franchise for record $325M expansion fee
Charlotte franchise to begin play in 2021
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https://www.wbtv.com/2019/12/18/mls-announcement-doesnt-come-with-details-taxpayer-dollars-soccer-project/
MLS announcement doesn’t come with details of taxpayer dollars for soccer project
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https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2019/12/17/charlotte-awarded-major-league-soccer-franchise/pDHGgmlm7pt1K8WSkGDUiN/story.html
Charlotte is awarded 30th Major League Soccer franchise
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https://wlos.com/news/local/major-league-soccer-team-coming-to-north-carolina
Major League Soccer team coming to North Carolina
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https://themediatimes.com/the-major-league-soccer-will-come-to-the-caroline-islands-in-2021/
The Major League Soccer will come to the Caroline Islands in 2021
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https://www.besoccer.com/new/charlotte-awarded-mls-franchise-763582
Charlotte awarded MLS franchise
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https://www.houstonherald.com/news/st-louis-mls-ownership-group-city-to-host-open-house/article_56344ab0-21a4-11ea-a94f-4bf71d925849.html
St. Louis MLS ownership group, city to host open house on stadium roadwork
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https://www.foxcarolina.com/news/major-league-soccer-coming-to-charlotte-in/article_d0db6d5a-2106-11ea-a64f-5fe62b4c2abc.html
Major League Soccer coming to Charlotte in 2021
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https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50843794
Major League Soccer: Charlotte named as 30th franchise and will join MLS in 2021
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https://www.ktsa.com/charlotte-lands-major-league-soccer-expansion-team/
Charlotte lands Major League Soccer expansion team
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http://www.thecharlottepost.com/news/2019/12/17/qcfc/done-deal-charlotte-market-officially-joins-mls-as-30th-franchise/
Done deal: Charlotte market officially joins MLS as 30th franchise
Soccer joins NBA, NFL among city's big-league assets
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https://www.wfdd.org/story/morning-news-briefs-wednesday-december-18th-2019
Daily News
Morning News Briefs: Wednesday, December 18th, 2019
Charlotte Lands Major League Soccer Expansion Team
Charlotte has been awarded a Major League Soccer expansion team. The MLS commissioner announced that Charlotte will begin play in the 2021 season. The team will be allowed to begin signing players immediately.
New Charlotte team owner David Tepper says he hopes to have a general manager and coach in place in about a month. Tepper also owns the NFL's Carolina Panthers.
The team will play its MLS games at the home of the Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in downtown Charlotte. The name of the Charlotte franchise will be announced at a later date.
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https://www.fox46charlotte.com/news/number-of-improvements-needed-before-mls-in-2021-city-hopes-to-use-tax-dollars
Number of improvements needed before MLS in 2021, city hopes to use tax dollars
MLS announces 2021 expansion in Charlotte
MLS will bring its 30th team to Charlotte beginning in March, 2021, officials announced on Tuesday at the Mint Museum.
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https://www.fijitimes.com/soccer-charlotte-awarded-30th-mls-franchise/
SPORT / FOOTBALL
Soccer: Charlotte awarded 30th MLS franchise
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https://www.foxnews.com/sports/charlotte-lands-major-league-soccer-expansion-team
Charlotte lands Major League Soccer expansion team
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https://www.morganton.com/sports/ap-sources-charlotte-getting-mls-team/article_e616be55-f4ac-53ef-8c9a-326eef3422c1.html
AP sources: Charlotte getting MLS team
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https://upnewsinfo.com/2019/12/17/is-the-party-over-the-expansion-of-the-mls-reaches-its-climax-when-charlotte-solidifies-the-final-place/
Is the party over? The expansion of the MLS reaches its climax when Charlotte solidifies the final place
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https://gotechdaily.com/the-party-is-over-the-expansion-of-mls-reaches-its-peak-while-charlotte-solidifies-the-last-place/
The party is over? The expansion of MLS reaches its peak while Charlotte solidifies the last place
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https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article238502753.html
Charlotte is getting an MLS team. Here’s a guide if you’re new to professional soccer
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https://www.wbtv.com/video/2019/12/17/major-league-soccer-awards-charlotte-with-leagues-newest-team/
Major League Soccer awards Charlotte with league’s newest team
MLS Commissioner Don Garber joined Panthers owner David Tepper and Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles for the special announcement at the Mint Museum in uptown Charlotte.
Mayor Jane Castor says she’s coming around to sharing the Rays with Montreal...and she says the Tampa Bay Rowdies would be part of a potential package deal
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/ecnfby/mayor_jane_castor_says_shes_coming_around_to/
Mayor Jane Castor says she’s coming around to sharing the Rays with Montreal...and she says the Tampa Bay Rowdies would be part of a potential package deal
So much to unpack here.
I live on the Tampa side of the bay. The Rowdies are the one team I prefer to have in St.Pete. the iconic waterfront location is part of the package, appeal and our identity!
2)Why is Castor mentioning County locations? None of the aforementioned sites are within Tampa city limits. For reference, everything EAST of US-41 on I-4 is beyond city limits. Anything other than Ybor EAST of downtown is really rough and or industrial as well.
3)Moving to a shared site = shitty pitch, PERIOD. Moving to aforementioned locations = shitty gameday experience. Comparatively.
4)SUMMER WEATHER! Anyone who knows anything about it around here knows that the further you go EAST of TIAirport the shittier the late afternoon summer weather is on a DAILY basis, PERIOD! It's one of the reasons the Airport and Ray-J are located where they are. Major storms start in June along the I-75 cooridor and move WEST. Sure St.Pete gets them, but not at the same rate. Even my volleyball matches along I-275 NORTH of downtown are regularly washed out in summer whereas the ones WEST of the airport are mostly fine.
5)Can't stress this enough! Any deal struck by St.Pete that's worth anything, should be leveraged to include soccer specific upgrades at Al Lang. There's a lot more potential there than people realize.
There’s so many hurdles before this could become a reality (although to some extent I feel like this or the Rays leaving is an inevitability)...but as a St. Pete guy it is really weird to imagine driving to Tampa to watch the Rowdies.
gdamnit leave us out of that shit! ugh lol
Absolutely FUCKING NOT
Why do the Rowdies have to be included.. they already have the Impact
Oh, no...they wouldn’t go to Montreal...they’d just to to Tampa, while the Rays are in Montreal...
Oh right. I just saw the title and reacted haha. Well thats a positive at least. I still think the whole Rays situation is daft and i think $tu needs to get his head out of his ass and realise if you want people to come to games you need to give them a reason why and seriously invest and support the team youve created. Ive spouted my opinion on r/tampabayrays far too many tes about it
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https://www.tampabay.com/news/tampa/2019/12/18/mayor-jane-castor-says-shes-coming-around-to-sharing-the-rays-with-montreal/
Mayor Jane Castor says she’s coming around to sharing the Rays with Montreal
The Tampa mayor is optimistic a deal can be worked out for the team to move to Tampa. And she says the Tampa Bay Rowdies would be part of a potential package deal.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor is optimistic that the Tampa Bay Rays will stay in the region. And she's increasingly warming to the team's split-city concept.
TAMPA — Mayor Jane Castor says she’s an “eternal optimist” when it comes to keeping the Tampa Bay Rays in the region, and part of that confidence is her increasing comfort with the idea of the team...
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/ecepok/how_we_feeling/
How we feeling?
So three new signings and 9 returnees...how we feeling Rowdies fans?!? Personally, If like to see us add as much speed as possible, I really felt that, outside of Malik, last year we really suffered from lack of pace. We also still need to find a really strong Right side defender, with Johnson always looking to go forward, we need someone who can defend that side of the pitch better than Morad did.
I think sniping the Nashville Captain is the biggest splash we make honestly. Rest will be squad players. Feeling good though as the returning players give a good foundation.
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https://twitter.com/Aaronguillen33/status/1207406123709431810
Tampa Bay Rowdies Retweeted
Aaron Guillen
@Aaronguillen33
Very happy and excited for this new challenge! Can’t wait to get to work 💪🏼🙏🏼
Quote Tweet
Tampa Bay Rowdies
@TampaBayRowdies
· 9h
BREAKING: The Rowdies have signed @Aaronguillen33 for the 2020 @USLChampionship season! Guillen spent the last two seasons with @NorthCarolinaFC
Read more: http://bit.ly/2Q0rmGa
4:03 PM · Dec 18, 2019·Twitter for iPhone
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https://twitter.com/TampaBayRowdies/status/1207375225433853952
Tampa Bay Rowdies
@TampaBayRowdies
BREAKING: The Rowdies have signed
@Aaronguillen33
for the 2020
@USLChampionship
season! Guillen spent the last two seasons with
@NorthCarolinaFC
Read more: http://bit.ly/2Q0rmGa
2:01 PM · Dec 18, 2019·Twitter Media Studio
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https://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/1072397
ROWDIES SIGN DEFENDER AARON GUILLEN
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (December 18, 2019) — The Tampa Bay Rowdies have signed another defender with USL Championship experience, welcoming Aaron Guillen to the roster on a two-year contract ahead of the 2020 season, pending league approval. Per club policy, further contract details were not disclosed.
Guillen, 26, joins Forrest Lasso as the first two defenders on a backline that will look drastically different in 2020. He spent the last two seasons with North Carolina FC, making 58 appearances and playing more than 5,000 minutes.
“Aaron had a fantastic season last year at NCFC and was someone we worked tirelessly to bring to club as it is hard to find defenders with his type of qualities in the USL Championship,” Rowdies Head Coach Neill Collins said. “Aaron is excellent on the ball but just as importantly is a very good defender. It is important we continue to build our exciting brand of football and adding Aaron is an important part of doing that.”
Guillen played the third-most minutes for North Carolina FC last season and led the team in interceptions with 37. He was second in clearances with 91.
Born in Mexico, Guillen has Florida ties after a stellar four-year college career at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers from 2012-2015. He then signed a homegrown deal in MLS with FC Dallas.
“I’m excited to get started with the Rowdies and be part of this incredible organization,” Guillen said. “Having played at Al Lang Stadium a couple of times, I have a lot of respect for this club and its fans as a whole. I’m eager to reach new goals and milestones with my teammates. The Rowdies have a rich history of success and I’m thrilled to be part of it. Since I went to school at Florida Gulf Coast University, I am anxious to get back to the Sunshine State and get to work.”
With the additions of Kyle Murphy and Aaron Guillen this morning, Tampa Bay’s roster now stands at 13 players for 2020, with more set to be announced in the coming days. The current squad is below:
GK (1): Macklin Robinson
D (2): Aaron Guillen, Forrest Lasso
M (5): Yann Ekra, Leo Fernandes, Lewis Hilton, Dom Oduro, Zach Steinberger
F (5): Sebastian Guenzatti, Malik Johnson, Lucky Mkosana, Kyle Murphy, Juan Tejada
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https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/9963760/man-city-david-silva-david-beckham-inter-miami-transfer/
BECK 'N CALL Man City legend David Silva set to join Beckham’s Inter Miami in first big transfer next summer
MANCHESTER CITY legend David Silva is set to become the face of David Beckham's Inter Milan by becoming the first major transfer next summer, according to reports.
The Spaniard has already confirmed he will end his hugely successful stint in the Premier League at the end of this upcoming campaign.
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https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2019/12/18/the-worlds-most-valuable-sports-empires-worth-84-billion-kroenke-sports-lands-at-no-1/#10981d4e7bdb
The World’s Most Valuable Sports Empires: Worth $8.4 Billion, Kroenke Sports Lands At No. 1
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https://dentondaily.com/marlins-park-out-as-inter-miamis-2020-home-beckham-mas-have-another-site-in-mind/
Marlins Park out as Inter Miami’s 2020 home. Beckham, Mas have another site in mind
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https://www.indystar.com/story/opinion/columnists/james-briggs/2019/12/18/indy-eleven-stadium-looks-unrealistic-mls-expands-charlotte/2686848001/
Briggs: Indy Eleven's stadium proposal is one of 2019's weirdest stories
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https://berksweekly.com/sports/reading-united-issues-statement-on-declining-u-s-open-cup-invitation/
READING UNITED ISSUES STATEMENT ON DECLINING U.S. OPEN CUP INVITATION
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https://kmox.radio.com/articles/news/state-30-million-in-tax-breaks-is-too-much-for-mls-stadium
Missouri: $30 million in tax breaks is too much for MLS stadium in St. Louis
A spokesperson for the state's economic development board says they didn't believe it's the right decision for the state.
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https://gotechdaily.com/nycfc-to-play-four-games-in-the-mls-within-citi-field-in-2020/
NYCFC to play four games in the MLS within Citi Field in 2020
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https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/84547/reading-united-pulls-out-of-2020-open-cup-over-ab.html
Reading United pulls out of 2020 Open Cup over 'abhorrent scheduling decision'
Soccer America
Reading United AC, the 2019 USL League Two runner-up, has declined an invitation ... The move follows the decision of U.S. Soccer's Open Cup committee to ... The early start prevents teams like Reading United from using college ...
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https://www.wfmz.com/sports/reading-united-declines-u-s-open-cup-entry/article_18786caa-2128-11ea-b2a8-77843abdfb31.html
Reading United declines U.S. Open Cup entry
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https://arizonasports.com/story/2197361/phoenix-rising-sign-former-nashville-sc-right-back-darnell-king/
Phoenix Rising sign former Nashville SC right back Darnell King
n 2017 and 2018, the 29-year-old split time with fellow USL sides Tampa Bay Rowdies and San Antonio FC, respectively. In that span, King accumulated one assist in 24 matches for Tampa Bay in 2017, while scoring twice and capturing four assists in 32 matches for San Antonio the following year.
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https://www.rslsoapbox.com/2019/12/18/21028144/real-monarchs-slc-captain-jack-blake-to-return-for-2020-season
Monarchs captain Jack Blake to return for 2020 season
Blake, 25, is a Nottingham, England native who originally joined the Monarchs on loan from the Tampa Bay Rowdies in June of 2018. The midfielder, who expects to receive a green card in the next several months, has also spent time with NASL sides Jacksonville Armada and Minnesota United after deciding to come to the United States to further his career. He is also the producer of a highly successful YouTube channel on life as a professional football player.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.soccerwire.com/news/us-youth-soccer-announces-skip-gilbert-as-new-ceo/
US Youth Soccer announces Skip Gilbert as new CEO
Mr. Gilbert’s passion for sport extends beyond his professional experience, as Gilbert played soccer for the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the NASL, US Olympic Development Team, and trained with Sheffield United and other clubs in Holland, and Hong Kong. He is a licensed soccer coach and member of the University of Vermont and the Lawrenceville School Athletic Hall of Fame.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.tampabay.com/arts-entertainment/food/2019/12/18/tampa-bay-restaurant-and-bar-openings-chicken-salad-chick-crafty-crab/
Tampa Bay restaurant and bar openings: Chicken Salad Chick, Crafty Crab
St. Petersburg’s Pacific Counter has also announced an expansion across the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
Chicken Salad Chick, which has opened its latest location in Brandon, tops the chicken salad BLT with your choice of chicken salad, crispy bacon, lettuce and sliced tomato. [Courtesy of Chicken Salad Chick]
NOW OPEN
Chicken Salad Chick
Brandon has officially welcomed the latest Chicken Salad Chick location. Southern inspired and fast casual, the Alabama-based chicken salad chain observed its grand opening...
Tampa Bay Times
Tampa Bay's other locations are found in Seminole, Palm Harbor and .... Pacific Counter is the official caterer for the Tampa Bay Rowdies and was a ...
(Follow link for full article.)
https://theathletic.com/1448748/2019/12/17/usmnt-2002-photo-shoot/
The story behind the most famous photo shoot in American soccer history
Editor’s note: Language in this story may be offensive to some readers.
There’s a water fountain at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina, a Most Dependable Fountains model SD440 that lost its factory luster long ago. After two decades under the Carolina sun, the silvery sheen on this unassuming bubbler has dulled a bit, its age marked by patches of rust. You can push the button on its side, but don’t expect to be refreshed — the fountain now runs dry.
The SD440 may be forlorn, but it certainly isn’t forgotten. In the spring of 2002, at the very moment that a 20-year-old Landon Donovan leaned in to let its water ripple over his lips, the fountain took its part in perhaps the most memorable photograph ever taken in the history of U.S. men’s soccer. It’s a photograph — you know the one — that remains a running joke among U.S. soccer fans, part of a larger collection of photos that graced the New York Times Magazine in the run-up to the 2002...
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/ecnfby/mayor_jane_castor_says_shes_coming_around_to/
Mayor Jane Castor says she’s coming around to sharing the Rays with Montreal...and she says the Tampa Bay Rowdies would be part of a potential package deal
So much to unpack here.
I live on the Tampa side of the bay. The Rowdies are the one team I prefer to have in St.Pete. the iconic waterfront location is part of the package, appeal and our identity!
2)Why is Castor mentioning County locations? None of the aforementioned sites are within Tampa city limits. For reference, everything EAST of US-41 on I-4 is beyond city limits. Anything other than Ybor EAST of downtown is really rough and or industrial as well.
3)Moving to a shared site = shitty pitch, PERIOD. Moving to aforementioned locations = shitty gameday experience. Comparatively.
4)SUMMER WEATHER! Anyone who knows anything about it around here knows that the further you go EAST of TIAirport the shittier the late afternoon summer weather is on a DAILY basis, PERIOD! It's one of the reasons the Airport and Ray-J are located where they are. Major storms start in June along the I-75 cooridor and move WEST. Sure St.Pete gets them, but not at the same rate. Even my volleyball matches along I-275 NORTH of downtown are regularly washed out in summer whereas the ones WEST of the airport are mostly fine.
5)Can't stress this enough! Any deal struck by St.Pete that's worth anything, should be leveraged to include soccer specific upgrades at Al Lang. There's a lot more potential there than people realize.
There’s so many hurdles before this could become a reality (although to some extent I feel like this or the Rays leaving is an inevitability)...but as a St. Pete guy it is really weird to imagine driving to Tampa to watch the Rowdies.
gdamnit leave us out of that shit! ugh lol
Absolutely FUCKING NOT
Why do the Rowdies have to be included.. they already have the Impact
Oh, no...they wouldn’t go to Montreal...they’d just to to Tampa, while the Rays are in Montreal...
Oh right. I just saw the title and reacted haha. Well thats a positive at least. I still think the whole Rays situation is daft and i think $tu needs to get his head out of his ass and realise if you want people to come to games you need to give them a reason why and seriously invest and support the team youve created. Ive spouted my opinion on r/tampabayrays far too many tes about it
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.tampabay.com/news/tampa/2019/12/18/mayor-jane-castor-says-shes-coming-around-to-sharing-the-rays-with-montreal/
Mayor Jane Castor says she’s coming around to sharing the Rays with Montreal
The Tampa mayor is optimistic a deal can be worked out for the team to move to Tampa. And she says the Tampa Bay Rowdies would be part of a potential package deal.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor is optimistic that the Tampa Bay Rays will stay in the region. And she's increasingly warming to the team's split-city concept.
TAMPA — Mayor Jane Castor says she’s an “eternal optimist” when it comes to keeping the Tampa Bay Rays in the region, and part of that confidence is her increasing comfort with the idea of the team...
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/ecepok/how_we_feeling/
How we feeling?
So three new signings and 9 returnees...how we feeling Rowdies fans?!? Personally, If like to see us add as much speed as possible, I really felt that, outside of Malik, last year we really suffered from lack of pace. We also still need to find a really strong Right side defender, with Johnson always looking to go forward, we need someone who can defend that side of the pitch better than Morad did.
I think sniping the Nashville Captain is the biggest splash we make honestly. Rest will be squad players. Feeling good though as the returning players give a good foundation.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://twitter.com/Aaronguillen33/status/1207406123709431810
Tampa Bay Rowdies Retweeted
Aaron Guillen
@Aaronguillen33
Very happy and excited for this new challenge! Can’t wait to get to work 💪🏼🙏🏼
Quote Tweet
Tampa Bay Rowdies
@TampaBayRowdies
· 9h
BREAKING: The Rowdies have signed @Aaronguillen33 for the 2020 @USLChampionship season! Guillen spent the last two seasons with @NorthCarolinaFC
Read more: http://bit.ly/2Q0rmGa
4:03 PM · Dec 18, 2019·Twitter for iPhone
(Follow link for full article.)
https://twitter.com/TampaBayRowdies/status/1207375225433853952
Tampa Bay Rowdies
@TampaBayRowdies
BREAKING: The Rowdies have signed
@Aaronguillen33
for the 2020
@USLChampionship
season! Guillen spent the last two seasons with
@NorthCarolinaFC
Read more: http://bit.ly/2Q0rmGa
2:01 PM · Dec 18, 2019·Twitter Media Studio
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/1072397
ROWDIES SIGN DEFENDER AARON GUILLEN
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (December 18, 2019) — The Tampa Bay Rowdies have signed another defender with USL Championship experience, welcoming Aaron Guillen to the roster on a two-year contract ahead of the 2020 season, pending league approval. Per club policy, further contract details were not disclosed.
Guillen, 26, joins Forrest Lasso as the first two defenders on a backline that will look drastically different in 2020. He spent the last two seasons with North Carolina FC, making 58 appearances and playing more than 5,000 minutes.
“Aaron had a fantastic season last year at NCFC and was someone we worked tirelessly to bring to club as it is hard to find defenders with his type of qualities in the USL Championship,” Rowdies Head Coach Neill Collins said. “Aaron is excellent on the ball but just as importantly is a very good defender. It is important we continue to build our exciting brand of football and adding Aaron is an important part of doing that.”
Guillen played the third-most minutes for North Carolina FC last season and led the team in interceptions with 37. He was second in clearances with 91.
Born in Mexico, Guillen has Florida ties after a stellar four-year college career at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers from 2012-2015. He then signed a homegrown deal in MLS with FC Dallas.
“I’m excited to get started with the Rowdies and be part of this incredible organization,” Guillen said. “Having played at Al Lang Stadium a couple of times, I have a lot of respect for this club and its fans as a whole. I’m eager to reach new goals and milestones with my teammates. The Rowdies have a rich history of success and I’m thrilled to be part of it. Since I went to school at Florida Gulf Coast University, I am anxious to get back to the Sunshine State and get to work.”
With the additions of Kyle Murphy and Aaron Guillen this morning, Tampa Bay’s roster now stands at 13 players for 2020, with more set to be announced in the coming days. The current squad is below:
GK (1): Macklin Robinson
D (2): Aaron Guillen, Forrest Lasso
M (5): Yann Ekra, Leo Fernandes, Lewis Hilton, Dom Oduro, Zach Steinberger
F (5): Sebastian Guenzatti, Malik Johnson, Lucky Mkosana, Kyle Murphy, Juan Tejada
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/9963760/man-city-david-silva-david-beckham-inter-miami-transfer/
BECK 'N CALL Man City legend David Silva set to join Beckham’s Inter Miami in first big transfer next summer
MANCHESTER CITY legend David Silva is set to become the face of David Beckham's Inter Milan by becoming the first major transfer next summer, according to reports.
The Spaniard has already confirmed he will end his hugely successful stint in the Premier League at the end of this upcoming campaign.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2019/12/18/the-worlds-most-valuable-sports-empires-worth-84-billion-kroenke-sports-lands-at-no-1/#10981d4e7bdb
The World’s Most Valuable Sports Empires: Worth $8.4 Billion, Kroenke Sports Lands At No. 1
(Follow link for full article.)
https://dentondaily.com/marlins-park-out-as-inter-miamis-2020-home-beckham-mas-have-another-site-in-mind/
Marlins Park out as Inter Miami’s 2020 home. Beckham, Mas have another site in mind
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.indystar.com/story/opinion/columnists/james-briggs/2019/12/18/indy-eleven-stadium-looks-unrealistic-mls-expands-charlotte/2686848001/
Briggs: Indy Eleven's stadium proposal is one of 2019's weirdest stories
(Follow link for full article.)
https://berksweekly.com/sports/reading-united-issues-statement-on-declining-u-s-open-cup-invitation/
READING UNITED ISSUES STATEMENT ON DECLINING U.S. OPEN CUP INVITATION
(Follow link for full article.)
https://kmox.radio.com/articles/news/state-30-million-in-tax-breaks-is-too-much-for-mls-stadium
Missouri: $30 million in tax breaks is too much for MLS stadium in St. Louis
A spokesperson for the state's economic development board says they didn't believe it's the right decision for the state.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://gotechdaily.com/nycfc-to-play-four-games-in-the-mls-within-citi-field-in-2020/
NYCFC to play four games in the MLS within Citi Field in 2020
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/84547/reading-united-pulls-out-of-2020-open-cup-over-ab.html
Reading United pulls out of 2020 Open Cup over 'abhorrent scheduling decision'
Soccer America
Reading United AC, the 2019 USL League Two runner-up, has declined an invitation ... The move follows the decision of U.S. Soccer's Open Cup committee to ... The early start prevents teams like Reading United from using college ...
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.wfmz.com/sports/reading-united-declines-u-s-open-cup-entry/article_18786caa-2128-11ea-b2a8-77843abdfb31.html
Reading United declines U.S. Open Cup entry
(Follow link for full article.)
https://arizonasports.com/story/2197361/phoenix-rising-sign-former-nashville-sc-right-back-darnell-king/
Phoenix Rising sign former Nashville SC right back Darnell King
n 2017 and 2018, the 29-year-old split time with fellow USL sides Tampa Bay Rowdies and San Antonio FC, respectively. In that span, King accumulated one assist in 24 matches for Tampa Bay in 2017, while scoring twice and capturing four assists in 32 matches for San Antonio the following year.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.rslsoapbox.com/2019/12/18/21028144/real-monarchs-slc-captain-jack-blake-to-return-for-2020-season
Monarchs captain Jack Blake to return for 2020 season
Blake, 25, is a Nottingham, England native who originally joined the Monarchs on loan from the Tampa Bay Rowdies in June of 2018. The midfielder, who expects to receive a green card in the next several months, has also spent time with NASL sides Jacksonville Armada and Minnesota United after deciding to come to the United States to further his career. He is also the producer of a highly successful YouTube channel on life as a professional football player.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.soccerwire.com/news/us-youth-soccer-announces-skip-gilbert-as-new-ceo/
US Youth Soccer announces Skip Gilbert as new CEO
Mr. Gilbert’s passion for sport extends beyond his professional experience, as Gilbert played soccer for the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the NASL, US Olympic Development Team, and trained with Sheffield United and other clubs in Holland, and Hong Kong. He is a licensed soccer coach and member of the University of Vermont and the Lawrenceville School Athletic Hall of Fame.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.tampabay.com/arts-entertainment/food/2019/12/18/tampa-bay-restaurant-and-bar-openings-chicken-salad-chick-crafty-crab/
Tampa Bay restaurant and bar openings: Chicken Salad Chick, Crafty Crab
St. Petersburg’s Pacific Counter has also announced an expansion across the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
Chicken Salad Chick, which has opened its latest location in Brandon, tops the chicken salad BLT with your choice of chicken salad, crispy bacon, lettuce and sliced tomato. [Courtesy of Chicken Salad Chick]
NOW OPEN
Chicken Salad Chick
Brandon has officially welcomed the latest Chicken Salad Chick location. Southern inspired and fast casual, the Alabama-based chicken salad chain observed its grand opening...
Tampa Bay Times
Tampa Bay's other locations are found in Seminole, Palm Harbor and .... Pacific Counter is the official caterer for the Tampa Bay Rowdies and was a ...
(Follow link for full article.)
https://theathletic.com/1448748/2019/12/17/usmnt-2002-photo-shoot/
The story behind the most famous photo shoot in American soccer history
Editor’s note: Language in this story may be offensive to some readers.
There’s a water fountain at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina, a Most Dependable Fountains model SD440 that lost its factory luster long ago. After two decades under the Carolina sun, the silvery sheen on this unassuming bubbler has dulled a bit, its age marked by patches of rust. You can push the button on its side, but don’t expect to be refreshed — the fountain now runs dry.
The SD440 may be forlorn, but it certainly isn’t forgotten. In the spring of 2002, at the very moment that a 20-year-old Landon Donovan leaned in to let its water ripple over his lips, the fountain took its part in perhaps the most memorable photograph ever taken in the history of U.S. men’s soccer. It’s a photograph — you know the one — that remains a running joke among U.S. soccer fans, part of a larger collection of photos that graced the New York Times Magazine in the run-up to the 2002...
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Rowdies Sign Defender Forrest Lasso
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/ec49pi/rowdies_sign_defender_forrest_lasso/
Rowdies Sign Defender Forrest Lasso
That's a wild signing...I kind of thought he might be low tier MLS. As a big man he definitely gives more of an imposing presence in the middle of that back 3.
(Also, I hated this guy, right up until today.)
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/1072304
ROWDIES SIGN DEFENDER FORREST LASSO
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (December 17, 2019) — The Tampa Bay Rowdies have signed one of the USL Championship’s best defenders as the first defender on their 2020 roster, welcoming Forrest Lasso to Tampa Bay on a two-year contract, pending league approval. Per club policy, further contract details were not disclosed.
Lasso is a three-time USL All-League First Team selection, having earned the recognition each of the last three seasons. He was the 2018 USL Championship Defender of the Year with FC Cincinnati.
His three All-League First Team selections came with three different clubs, earning the honors with the Charleston Battery in 2017, FC Cincinnati in 2018 and Nashville SC last season.
“The qualities Forrest brings to our team are pretty obvious to anyone that has seen him play with his fantastic aerial ability and the huge presence he brings to the heart of our defense,” Rowdies Head Coach Neill Collins said. “On top of that he has a real hunger and desire to succeed that I think will help improve us as a team. I think the best way to sum up signing Forrest is I am glad we do not have to play against him next season.”
At 26 years old, Lasso brings more than 100 matches of USL Championship experience and plenty of leadership to Tampa Bay’s roster. He played three seasons with Charleston from 2015-2017 before moving to Cincinnati for that club’s final season in the USL Championship. He transitioned to MLS with FC Cincinnati in 2019, but was loaned to Nashville SC in late July.
Despite joining Nashville late in the season, Lasso made a big enough impact to be awarded the captain’s armband and earn his spot in the All-League First Team.
“To say I’m excited would not come close to doing it justice," Lasso said. "I’ve been able to witness first hand the quality of football the Rowdies have produced throughout the years and to be given the opportunity to be a part of that legacy... well let’s just say it’s time to go to work! History isn’t going to write itself!”
Lasso is the first defender announced for Tampa Bay’s 2020 roster, but more signings will be announced in the coming days.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/ebxfic/rowdies_sign_midfielder_lewis_hilton/
Rowdies Sign Midfielder Lewis Hilton
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/1072114
ROWDIES SIGN MIDFIELDER LEWIS HILTON
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (December 17, 2019) — The Tampa Bay Rowdies have signed midfielder Lewis Hilton to a two-year contract, the club announced Tuesday, welcoming Hilton as the first new member of the Rowdies 2020 USL Championship roster. Per club policy, further contract details were not disclosed.
“I’m delighted to be joining this fantastic club for the next two years,” Hilton said. “I have been really impressed with the Rowdies organization as an opposing player and it was something I wanted to be part of. They have some top players and play an exciting style. I’m an extremely ambitious player and after conversations with Coach Neill, I felt like the Rowdies will provide a great environment for success. I cannot wait to get to work with my new teammates in 2020.”
Hilton, 26, played the last two seasons with Saint Louis FC and two before that with the Charlotte Independence. He brings 126 matches and nearly 9,000 minutes worth of USL Championship experience to the Rowdies midfield.
Hilton joins a central midfield corps that also includes Yann Ekra, Dom Oduro and Zach Steinberger. Hilton and Ekra were teammates with the Independence in 2016 and 2017.
“Lewis is a player that we have pursued for a long time and I am delighted to finally secure,” Rowdies Head Coach Neill Collins said. “While Lewis has many technical attributes that will improve our team, namely his range of passing and dead ball expertise, it is his will to win and professionalism that make him such an important signing for next year.”
Hilton began his career in his native England in the academies of Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City before moving to the United States to play at Young Harris College and for USL League Two side Ocala Stampede before turning professional with Charlotte.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.kcci.com/article/city-council-vote-brings-soccer-stadium-one-step-closer-to-des-moines/30249769#
City Council vote brings soccer stadium one step closer to Des Moines
(Follow link for full article.)
https://stpetecatalyst.com/shuffle/brian-johnson/
The Tampa Bay United Rowdies (TBUR), the youth affiliate soccer program for the Tampa Bay Rowdies, today announced the selection of the Director of Technical Development for the soccer club’s boys teams. Brian Johnson will lead the club in this new position and will oversee the boy’s competitive development programs. Johnson will be responsible for developing the curriculum for a technical standard of shared vision and philosophy, establishing coaching implementation, and creating player development methodology that will further enhance and develop the TBU playing style. Johnson brings significant United States National Team, NCAA Division I, and MLS coaching experience, a passionate commitment to player achievement, and a track record of success at technical development for youth athletes.
“The hiring of Brian Johnson marks a new day for TBU as we strive to become the best soccer club in the country,” said Anthony Latronica, Sporting Director of TBU. “Brian has demonstrated a commitment to inspiring teams to achieve excellence in a way that provides young athletes the opportunities to take their play to the next level. We are excited to have him aboard and look forward to his positive influence in our soccer community.”
Johnson comes to TBUR most recently from the Indiana Fire Juniors in Westfield, IN, where he was responsible for the selection and management of technical staff & the execution of all technical areas: Recreational, Youth, Travel, ECNL & DA. In the role, Johnson collaborated with the Chicago Fire Director of Player Development & Academy Director to develop synergies and objectives between MLS and IFJ affiliates. He was also the Technical Advisor for the Mid-America Division and U-14 Youth National Team Head Coach for U.S. SOCCER in Carmel, IN, responsible for all technical elements of the clubs in the Mid-America Division of the U.S. Development Academy League, player identification for the US U-14, U-15, U-17, U-18 & U-20 National Teams and scouting for the U.S. Men’s National Team.
He coached for five years in the MLS for Real Salt Lake and has NCAA Div 1 coaching experience. He was the Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach for two NCAA DIV 1 schools, West Virginia University and Ohio State University, leading to an NCAA 2nd round and an NCAA quarterfinals run under his leadership. Johnson contributed to the development of the student-athletes, including 8 of which were selected in the MLS draft from his NCAA Div 1 team.
While his experience as a coach is immense, Johnson also achieved recognition as an elite soccer player and has played the sport since he was a youth. He was on the United States National Team: U-23 National Team (1994-1996) Full-time resident, Pan American Games-Argentina, U-20 National Team (1992-1994) CONCACAF Qualifier- Canada, U-20 Youth World Cup-Australia, U-18 National Team (1990-1992), Other international matches played in: Belgium, France, England, Holland, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Bolivia, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, and Egypt. He played in NCAA Division 1 school, California State University Fresno, and was a four-year starter and team captain. He was a first-round draft pick in 1996 for the Kansas City Wizards and a member of the Wizards MLS Cup Championship team in 2001.
Johnson holds coaching licensures in the United States Soccer Federation- National ‘A’ License and the United States Soccer Federation- Technical Director License.
Says Johnson, “I couldn’t be happier to be joining Tampa Bay United as Director of Technical Development. This is an exciting time at TBUR and I am looking forward to providing the support and guidance to develop a player-enhanced environment where the game understanding improves and on-field decision making gets even better. The technical development of players and coaching helps young athletes achieve their aspirations and goals. In my prior position, 99% of our elite players went on to play collegiate soccer. I look forward to helping these teams unlock their potential for achieving great things and working with such a stellar soccer club.”
Johnson will begin the position in January of 2020, leading the organization's' broad depth of competitive boys’ soccer teams in three areas: Developmental Academy, Elite Competitive National League, and Competitive teams in the U13-U19 age ranges.
“Tampa Bay United has the potential to become one of the best clubs in the country with our depth of programming in Elite, Competitive, and Recreational sides of the sport. With the addition of Johnson’s technical expertise, we are looking forward to taking this club to the next level in 2020,” says Latronica.
“We would like to thank our newest sponsor. Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Properties Group, for taking care of Brian and his family’s relocation needs as they transition here to Tampa.
The organization makes quarterly contributions to our Play It Forward Campaign helping players and families in need of financial assistance.”
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2019/12/17/see-where-tampa-ranks-among-best-beer-cities-in.html
See where Tampa ranks among best beer cities in the US
Tampa is among the best beer cities in the U.S., according to a new report from SmartAssets.
Beer lovers may be adding Tampa to their list of places to visit after a recent report by SmartAsset ranked the city among the best beer cities in the nation along with the best in Florida.
To compile the ranking, SmartAsset looked at a few factors including the total number of breweries each city has, the average number of beers per brewery, number of bars per 100,000 residents and the average price per pint.
The Big Guava ranked as the 37th best beer city among 50, coming in seven spots ahead of Orlando, the only other Florida city on the list. Tampa’s position was helped by its 21 breweries, which average 128.5 beers. The city’s $4 average pint price was also among the cheapest on the list.
Tampa Bay's best breweries
Here Tampa Bay's best breweries, according to Yelp.
The top 10 beer cities include:
Cincinnati, Ohio
St. Louis
Portland, Oregon
Asheville, North Carolina
Pittsburgh
Denver
Bend, Oregon
Madison, Wisconsin
Missoula, Montana
Cleveland
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2019/12/17/tampa-pinpointed-as-a-housing-market-expected-to.html
Tampa pinpointed as a housing market expected to 'outperform' in coming years
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2019/12/17/miami-developer-pitches-ambitious-mixed-use-tower.html
Miami developer pitches ambitious mixed-use tower on city-owned property in downtown St. Pete
(Follow link for full article.)
https://stpetecatalyst.com/real-estate-developer-proposes-massive-downtown-st-pete-project/
Real estate developer proposes massive downtown St. Pete project
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.wbtv.com/video/2019/12/18/mls-announcement-doesnt-come-with-details-taxpayer-dollars-soccer-project/
MLS announcement doesn’t come with details of taxpayer dollars for soccer project
Even after the official announcement awarding Charlotte with Major League Soccer’s 30th team, details about how taxpayer money will be used to move the project forward remain sparse.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.prosoccerusa.com/mls/new-england-revolution/new-england-revolution-sign-veteran-left-back-seth-sinovic/
New England Revolution sign veteran left back Seth Sinovic
The veteran left back re-joins the Revolution as a free agent after nine seasons with Sporting Kansas City.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/12/17/report-atlanta-uniteds-pity-martinez-targeted-gremio-brazil
Report: Atlanta United's Pity Martinez targeted by Gremio in Brazil
(Follow link for full article.)
https://berksweekly.com/sports/reading-united-issues-statement-on-declining-u-s-open-cup-invitation/
READING UNITED ISSUES STATEMENT ON DECLINING U.S. OPEN CUP INVITATION
(Follow link for full article.)
https://dentondaily.com/what-ron-burkles-success-star-power-mean-for-sacramentos-major-league-soccer-bid/
What Ron Burkle’s success, star power mean for Sacramento’s Major League Soccer bid
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-two-city-plan-update
Sternberg 'excited,' still exploring two-city plan
SAN DIEGO -- While St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman ended talks with the Rays last week about a potential sister city agreement between the Tampa Bay area and Montreal, Rays majority owner Stuart Sternberg remains confident in the idea.
"I'm more excited about the plan now than I was a month ago. I'm more excited than I was a month before that, and I'm more excited than when we made the announcement in June," Sternberg said. "Most people we've spoken to in small gatherings and stuff like that, they get what we're trying to do."
Sternberg said he believes both areas would benefit from the idea, despite Kriseman and St. Petersburg not wanting to build a new stadium for a part-time team. Sternberg, however, understands that there are still things that need to be resolved over the next couple of years in order to fully execute the plan that he envisions.
On Tuesday, Sternberg met with a group of reporters and provided an update on the situation, while also answering some of the questions surrounding the plan.
What's the updated timeline?
With mayor Kriseman ending talks last week, the Rays will need to stay at Tropicana Field for the duration of their lease, which ends after the 2027 season. After that, Sternberg is able to continue exploring possibilities for the franchise.
"We're targeting 2028 Opening Day. To this point, there's no way around it," Sternberg said. "We would have to do it with a 2028 start as opposed to a 2024 or 2025 start date. That was clear to us four, five weeks ago. We're moving forward like that."
However, Sternberg indicated that in order to make a potential sister city plan work between the Tampa Bay area and Montreal, they would need to have a concrete plan in place by 2022 or 2023 in order to give potential free agents and team employees an opportunity to plan accordingly.
What has been the reaction from players or Major League Baseball's Players Association?
Sternberg said that he understands some of the difficulties about a sister city plan in terms of housing and planning, but he also believes there are some benefits to the idea. Ideally, the Rays would move their Spring Training facility to the Tampa Bay area, which would allow the players a couple more months in the area before moving to Montreal in late June for the summer.
"I would envision something where they would be more apt to live year-round, because if they have Spring Training [in Tampa Bay] and they have a good chunk of the season [in Montreal], and it's only those 12 weeks -- which by the way, is not the worst place to be in the summer, or 12 weeks -- and I think we'd get even more year-round residences from our ballplayers."
Sternberg said early conversations with players haven't given him enough of an indication of how negotiations would be affected, but he doesn't believe it would be an issue with the players or the MLBPA.
In a proposed plan, which city would get postseason baseball?
This has been a popular topic of discussion regarding the sister city idea, and Sternberg said they would still need to sort out the plan in the case that the team makes the postseason.
Sternberg said there are a couple different ways that the team can approach the situation, with alternating cities in the postseason being the most likely, according to Sternberg. In a perfect situation for the proposed plan, the team would play one postseason series in one city before moving on to play the next series in the other city.
"In baseball, you don't even know [where you're going to play] until sometimes the night before," Sternberg said. "It's possible that you just choose to play the first series in Montreal, the second series in Tampa Bay, or you play them on through. One thing I do know, we couldn't play the same series in both [cities]."
Sternberg admitted that they would need to sort those things out if a sister city plan is ever agreed upon, and it would also need to run through the MLBPA.
So, what are the remaining hurdles?
In order for the plan to work, both cities would need to agree to build a new stadium in their respective areas. Sternberg believes that Montreal is already in position to do so, but the Tampa Bay area remains hesitant in building a new stadium for a part-time team. The area and Sternberg have already had issues trying to find a full-time home for the Rays.
"Oddly enough Montreal is sort of a place already -- we don't know where we are going to be in Tampa Bay -- but Montreal's like, 'Oh yeah, we got a spot.' They don't have it under lock and key yet but I can get that done pretty easy."
(Follow link for full article.)
https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/charlotte-will-reportedly-become-30th-mls-franchise-for-record-325-m-twothirds-more-than-recent-expansions-212710659.html
Charlotte's MLS expansion fee reportedly a record $325M — two-thirds more than recent expansions
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.tampabay.com/arts-entertainment/food/2019/12/17/tampa-bay-restaurants-open-on-christmas-eve-and-christmas-day/
Tampa Bay restaurants open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Just in case you’re dreaming of a no-cook Christmas.
Isabelle's at the Historic Peninsula Inn in Gulfport will do Christmas Eve dinner, plus lunch and dinner on Christmas Day.
Dash out of your kitchen and in to the dining rooms of these Tampa Bay restaurants serving up festive menus for the night before Christmas and the holiday itself. As always, most strongly encourage...
Columbia Restaurant: In addition to the full dinner menu, the iconic Spanish eatery's local outposts in Ybor City, Clearwater and Sarasota put roast ...
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.tampabay.com/news/hillsborough/2019/12/17/in-zion-cemeterys-lost-history-a-glimpse-of-the-memorial-park-it-could-become-again/
In Zion Cemetery’s lost history, a glimpse of the memorial park it could become again
Times reporting spurred action, brought change to Tampa public housing complex.
For some, the lost Zion Cemetery, here in the foreground, and the old Robles Park Village speak to the same issue: a lack of power and respect for black residents.
By late November, life in one corner of the faded cinder-block sprawl of Robles Park Village had quieted. Families were on their way to new homes. They left behind mold-streaked walls, shuttered...
The Tampa Times called it “greatly used,” one of the city's “most prominent” burial grounds. Still, as Tampa swelled, white suburbs crept nearer, and in ...
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/ec49pi/rowdies_sign_defender_forrest_lasso/
Rowdies Sign Defender Forrest Lasso
That's a wild signing...I kind of thought he might be low tier MLS. As a big man he definitely gives more of an imposing presence in the middle of that back 3.
(Also, I hated this guy, right up until today.)
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/1072304
ROWDIES SIGN DEFENDER FORREST LASSO
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (December 17, 2019) — The Tampa Bay Rowdies have signed one of the USL Championship’s best defenders as the first defender on their 2020 roster, welcoming Forrest Lasso to Tampa Bay on a two-year contract, pending league approval. Per club policy, further contract details were not disclosed.
Lasso is a three-time USL All-League First Team selection, having earned the recognition each of the last three seasons. He was the 2018 USL Championship Defender of the Year with FC Cincinnati.
His three All-League First Team selections came with three different clubs, earning the honors with the Charleston Battery in 2017, FC Cincinnati in 2018 and Nashville SC last season.
“The qualities Forrest brings to our team are pretty obvious to anyone that has seen him play with his fantastic aerial ability and the huge presence he brings to the heart of our defense,” Rowdies Head Coach Neill Collins said. “On top of that he has a real hunger and desire to succeed that I think will help improve us as a team. I think the best way to sum up signing Forrest is I am glad we do not have to play against him next season.”
At 26 years old, Lasso brings more than 100 matches of USL Championship experience and plenty of leadership to Tampa Bay’s roster. He played three seasons with Charleston from 2015-2017 before moving to Cincinnati for that club’s final season in the USL Championship. He transitioned to MLS with FC Cincinnati in 2019, but was loaned to Nashville SC in late July.
Despite joining Nashville late in the season, Lasso made a big enough impact to be awarded the captain’s armband and earn his spot in the All-League First Team.
“To say I’m excited would not come close to doing it justice," Lasso said. "I’ve been able to witness first hand the quality of football the Rowdies have produced throughout the years and to be given the opportunity to be a part of that legacy... well let’s just say it’s time to go to work! History isn’t going to write itself!”
Lasso is the first defender announced for Tampa Bay’s 2020 roster, but more signings will be announced in the coming days.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/ebxfic/rowdies_sign_midfielder_lewis_hilton/
Rowdies Sign Midfielder Lewis Hilton
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/1072114
ROWDIES SIGN MIDFIELDER LEWIS HILTON
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (December 17, 2019) — The Tampa Bay Rowdies have signed midfielder Lewis Hilton to a two-year contract, the club announced Tuesday, welcoming Hilton as the first new member of the Rowdies 2020 USL Championship roster. Per club policy, further contract details were not disclosed.
“I’m delighted to be joining this fantastic club for the next two years,” Hilton said. “I have been really impressed with the Rowdies organization as an opposing player and it was something I wanted to be part of. They have some top players and play an exciting style. I’m an extremely ambitious player and after conversations with Coach Neill, I felt like the Rowdies will provide a great environment for success. I cannot wait to get to work with my new teammates in 2020.”
Hilton, 26, played the last two seasons with Saint Louis FC and two before that with the Charlotte Independence. He brings 126 matches and nearly 9,000 minutes worth of USL Championship experience to the Rowdies midfield.
Hilton joins a central midfield corps that also includes Yann Ekra, Dom Oduro and Zach Steinberger. Hilton and Ekra were teammates with the Independence in 2016 and 2017.
“Lewis is a player that we have pursued for a long time and I am delighted to finally secure,” Rowdies Head Coach Neill Collins said. “While Lewis has many technical attributes that will improve our team, namely his range of passing and dead ball expertise, it is his will to win and professionalism that make him such an important signing for next year.”
Hilton began his career in his native England in the academies of Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City before moving to the United States to play at Young Harris College and for USL League Two side Ocala Stampede before turning professional with Charlotte.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.kcci.com/article/city-council-vote-brings-soccer-stadium-one-step-closer-to-des-moines/30249769#
City Council vote brings soccer stadium one step closer to Des Moines
(Follow link for full article.)
https://stpetecatalyst.com/shuffle/brian-johnson/
The Tampa Bay United Rowdies (TBUR), the youth affiliate soccer program for the Tampa Bay Rowdies, today announced the selection of the Director of Technical Development for the soccer club’s boys teams. Brian Johnson will lead the club in this new position and will oversee the boy’s competitive development programs. Johnson will be responsible for developing the curriculum for a technical standard of shared vision and philosophy, establishing coaching implementation, and creating player development methodology that will further enhance and develop the TBU playing style. Johnson brings significant United States National Team, NCAA Division I, and MLS coaching experience, a passionate commitment to player achievement, and a track record of success at technical development for youth athletes.
“The hiring of Brian Johnson marks a new day for TBU as we strive to become the best soccer club in the country,” said Anthony Latronica, Sporting Director of TBU. “Brian has demonstrated a commitment to inspiring teams to achieve excellence in a way that provides young athletes the opportunities to take their play to the next level. We are excited to have him aboard and look forward to his positive influence in our soccer community.”
Johnson comes to TBUR most recently from the Indiana Fire Juniors in Westfield, IN, where he was responsible for the selection and management of technical staff & the execution of all technical areas: Recreational, Youth, Travel, ECNL & DA. In the role, Johnson collaborated with the Chicago Fire Director of Player Development & Academy Director to develop synergies and objectives between MLS and IFJ affiliates. He was also the Technical Advisor for the Mid-America Division and U-14 Youth National Team Head Coach for U.S. SOCCER in Carmel, IN, responsible for all technical elements of the clubs in the Mid-America Division of the U.S. Development Academy League, player identification for the US U-14, U-15, U-17, U-18 & U-20 National Teams and scouting for the U.S. Men’s National Team.
He coached for five years in the MLS for Real Salt Lake and has NCAA Div 1 coaching experience. He was the Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach for two NCAA DIV 1 schools, West Virginia University and Ohio State University, leading to an NCAA 2nd round and an NCAA quarterfinals run under his leadership. Johnson contributed to the development of the student-athletes, including 8 of which were selected in the MLS draft from his NCAA Div 1 team.
While his experience as a coach is immense, Johnson also achieved recognition as an elite soccer player and has played the sport since he was a youth. He was on the United States National Team: U-23 National Team (1994-1996) Full-time resident, Pan American Games-Argentina, U-20 National Team (1992-1994) CONCACAF Qualifier- Canada, U-20 Youth World Cup-Australia, U-18 National Team (1990-1992), Other international matches played in: Belgium, France, England, Holland, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Bolivia, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, and Egypt. He played in NCAA Division 1 school, California State University Fresno, and was a four-year starter and team captain. He was a first-round draft pick in 1996 for the Kansas City Wizards and a member of the Wizards MLS Cup Championship team in 2001.
Johnson holds coaching licensures in the United States Soccer Federation- National ‘A’ License and the United States Soccer Federation- Technical Director License.
Says Johnson, “I couldn’t be happier to be joining Tampa Bay United as Director of Technical Development. This is an exciting time at TBUR and I am looking forward to providing the support and guidance to develop a player-enhanced environment where the game understanding improves and on-field decision making gets even better. The technical development of players and coaching helps young athletes achieve their aspirations and goals. In my prior position, 99% of our elite players went on to play collegiate soccer. I look forward to helping these teams unlock their potential for achieving great things and working with such a stellar soccer club.”
Johnson will begin the position in January of 2020, leading the organization's' broad depth of competitive boys’ soccer teams in three areas: Developmental Academy, Elite Competitive National League, and Competitive teams in the U13-U19 age ranges.
“Tampa Bay United has the potential to become one of the best clubs in the country with our depth of programming in Elite, Competitive, and Recreational sides of the sport. With the addition of Johnson’s technical expertise, we are looking forward to taking this club to the next level in 2020,” says Latronica.
“We would like to thank our newest sponsor. Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Properties Group, for taking care of Brian and his family’s relocation needs as they transition here to Tampa.
The organization makes quarterly contributions to our Play It Forward Campaign helping players and families in need of financial assistance.”
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2019/12/17/see-where-tampa-ranks-among-best-beer-cities-in.html
See where Tampa ranks among best beer cities in the US
Tampa is among the best beer cities in the U.S., according to a new report from SmartAssets.
Beer lovers may be adding Tampa to their list of places to visit after a recent report by SmartAsset ranked the city among the best beer cities in the nation along with the best in Florida.
To compile the ranking, SmartAsset looked at a few factors including the total number of breweries each city has, the average number of beers per brewery, number of bars per 100,000 residents and the average price per pint.
The Big Guava ranked as the 37th best beer city among 50, coming in seven spots ahead of Orlando, the only other Florida city on the list. Tampa’s position was helped by its 21 breweries, which average 128.5 beers. The city’s $4 average pint price was also among the cheapest on the list.
Tampa Bay's best breweries
Here Tampa Bay's best breweries, according to Yelp.
The top 10 beer cities include:
Cincinnati, Ohio
St. Louis
Portland, Oregon
Asheville, North Carolina
Pittsburgh
Denver
Bend, Oregon
Madison, Wisconsin
Missoula, Montana
Cleveland
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2019/12/17/tampa-pinpointed-as-a-housing-market-expected-to.html
Tampa pinpointed as a housing market expected to 'outperform' in coming years
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2019/12/17/miami-developer-pitches-ambitious-mixed-use-tower.html
Miami developer pitches ambitious mixed-use tower on city-owned property in downtown St. Pete
(Follow link for full article.)
https://stpetecatalyst.com/real-estate-developer-proposes-massive-downtown-st-pete-project/
Real estate developer proposes massive downtown St. Pete project
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.wbtv.com/video/2019/12/18/mls-announcement-doesnt-come-with-details-taxpayer-dollars-soccer-project/
MLS announcement doesn’t come with details of taxpayer dollars for soccer project
Even after the official announcement awarding Charlotte with Major League Soccer’s 30th team, details about how taxpayer money will be used to move the project forward remain sparse.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.prosoccerusa.com/mls/new-england-revolution/new-england-revolution-sign-veteran-left-back-seth-sinovic/
New England Revolution sign veteran left back Seth Sinovic
The veteran left back re-joins the Revolution as a free agent after nine seasons with Sporting Kansas City.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/12/17/report-atlanta-uniteds-pity-martinez-targeted-gremio-brazil
Report: Atlanta United's Pity Martinez targeted by Gremio in Brazil
(Follow link for full article.)
https://berksweekly.com/sports/reading-united-issues-statement-on-declining-u-s-open-cup-invitation/
READING UNITED ISSUES STATEMENT ON DECLINING U.S. OPEN CUP INVITATION
(Follow link for full article.)
https://dentondaily.com/what-ron-burkles-success-star-power-mean-for-sacramentos-major-league-soccer-bid/
What Ron Burkle’s success, star power mean for Sacramento’s Major League Soccer bid
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-two-city-plan-update
Sternberg 'excited,' still exploring two-city plan
SAN DIEGO -- While St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman ended talks with the Rays last week about a potential sister city agreement between the Tampa Bay area and Montreal, Rays majority owner Stuart Sternberg remains confident in the idea.
"I'm more excited about the plan now than I was a month ago. I'm more excited than I was a month before that, and I'm more excited than when we made the announcement in June," Sternberg said. "Most people we've spoken to in small gatherings and stuff like that, they get what we're trying to do."
Sternberg said he believes both areas would benefit from the idea, despite Kriseman and St. Petersburg not wanting to build a new stadium for a part-time team. Sternberg, however, understands that there are still things that need to be resolved over the next couple of years in order to fully execute the plan that he envisions.
On Tuesday, Sternberg met with a group of reporters and provided an update on the situation, while also answering some of the questions surrounding the plan.
What's the updated timeline?
With mayor Kriseman ending talks last week, the Rays will need to stay at Tropicana Field for the duration of their lease, which ends after the 2027 season. After that, Sternberg is able to continue exploring possibilities for the franchise.
"We're targeting 2028 Opening Day. To this point, there's no way around it," Sternberg said. "We would have to do it with a 2028 start as opposed to a 2024 or 2025 start date. That was clear to us four, five weeks ago. We're moving forward like that."
However, Sternberg indicated that in order to make a potential sister city plan work between the Tampa Bay area and Montreal, they would need to have a concrete plan in place by 2022 or 2023 in order to give potential free agents and team employees an opportunity to plan accordingly.
What has been the reaction from players or Major League Baseball's Players Association?
Sternberg said that he understands some of the difficulties about a sister city plan in terms of housing and planning, but he also believes there are some benefits to the idea. Ideally, the Rays would move their Spring Training facility to the Tampa Bay area, which would allow the players a couple more months in the area before moving to Montreal in late June for the summer.
"I would envision something where they would be more apt to live year-round, because if they have Spring Training [in Tampa Bay] and they have a good chunk of the season [in Montreal], and it's only those 12 weeks -- which by the way, is not the worst place to be in the summer, or 12 weeks -- and I think we'd get even more year-round residences from our ballplayers."
Sternberg said early conversations with players haven't given him enough of an indication of how negotiations would be affected, but he doesn't believe it would be an issue with the players or the MLBPA.
In a proposed plan, which city would get postseason baseball?
This has been a popular topic of discussion regarding the sister city idea, and Sternberg said they would still need to sort out the plan in the case that the team makes the postseason.
Sternberg said there are a couple different ways that the team can approach the situation, with alternating cities in the postseason being the most likely, according to Sternberg. In a perfect situation for the proposed plan, the team would play one postseason series in one city before moving on to play the next series in the other city.
"In baseball, you don't even know [where you're going to play] until sometimes the night before," Sternberg said. "It's possible that you just choose to play the first series in Montreal, the second series in Tampa Bay, or you play them on through. One thing I do know, we couldn't play the same series in both [cities]."
Sternberg admitted that they would need to sort those things out if a sister city plan is ever agreed upon, and it would also need to run through the MLBPA.
So, what are the remaining hurdles?
In order for the plan to work, both cities would need to agree to build a new stadium in their respective areas. Sternberg believes that Montreal is already in position to do so, but the Tampa Bay area remains hesitant in building a new stadium for a part-time team. The area and Sternberg have already had issues trying to find a full-time home for the Rays.
"Oddly enough Montreal is sort of a place already -- we don't know where we are going to be in Tampa Bay -- but Montreal's like, 'Oh yeah, we got a spot.' They don't have it under lock and key yet but I can get that done pretty easy."
(Follow link for full article.)
https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/charlotte-will-reportedly-become-30th-mls-franchise-for-record-325-m-twothirds-more-than-recent-expansions-212710659.html
Charlotte's MLS expansion fee reportedly a record $325M — two-thirds more than recent expansions
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.tampabay.com/arts-entertainment/food/2019/12/17/tampa-bay-restaurants-open-on-christmas-eve-and-christmas-day/
Tampa Bay restaurants open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Just in case you’re dreaming of a no-cook Christmas.
Isabelle's at the Historic Peninsula Inn in Gulfport will do Christmas Eve dinner, plus lunch and dinner on Christmas Day.
Dash out of your kitchen and in to the dining rooms of these Tampa Bay restaurants serving up festive menus for the night before Christmas and the holiday itself. As always, most strongly encourage...
Columbia Restaurant: In addition to the full dinner menu, the iconic Spanish eatery's local outposts in Ybor City, Clearwater and Sarasota put roast ...
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.tampabay.com/news/hillsborough/2019/12/17/in-zion-cemeterys-lost-history-a-glimpse-of-the-memorial-park-it-could-become-again/
In Zion Cemetery’s lost history, a glimpse of the memorial park it could become again
Times reporting spurred action, brought change to Tampa public housing complex.
For some, the lost Zion Cemetery, here in the foreground, and the old Robles Park Village speak to the same issue: a lack of power and respect for black residents.
By late November, life in one corner of the faded cinder-block sprawl of Robles Park Village had quieted. Families were on their way to new homes. They left behind mold-streaked walls, shuttered...
The Tampa Times called it “greatly used,” one of the city's “most prominent” burial grounds. Still, as Tampa swelled, white suburbs crept nearer, and in ...
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