MLS begins 2019 amid a massive transformation: Tenorio on the state of the league

(Follow link for full article.)

https://theathletic.com/840100/2019/02/26/mls-begins-2019-amid-a-massive-transformation-tenorio-on-the-state-of-the-league/

MLS begins 2019 amid a massive transformation: Tenorio on the state of the league

As MLS begins its 24th season, the league is entering a new era and occupying a more prominent place in the global soccer hierarchy. MLS has billed itself over the past few years as a league of choice, and in some key ways, it is beginning to act like it. For two decades, MLS operated beneath a ceiling of its own design. And certain league owners are beginning to push through it.

For too long and for too many, MLS was a final destination. Whether it was the so-called retirement league of David Beckham, Andrea Pirlo and Steven Gerrard or a welcome-home circuit for U.S. internationals like Tim Howard, Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley, the league was decidedly not a launching pad for big careers.

It was as though MLS executives conflated “selling league” with “stepping stone.” As a result, MLS spent its first two decades on an island, trying to build something sustainable before it ventured into the tumult of the global soccer scene. That instinct for...

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2019/02/26/mls-don-garber-reaching-new-heights/2992017002/

Major League Soccer reaching new heights, but this may only be the beginning

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Don Garber has overseen a dramatic transformation.

One which might not have been plausible 20 years ago.

Since becoming MLS commissioner in 1999, the league has grown from a dozen teams, down to 10 at one point, and now sits at 24.

When Garber started his tenure, only one MLS team had its own stadium. Today, 20 teams are playing in their own soccer-specific stadium.

Paid attendance and TV viewership reached new heights in 2018, so it’s easy to see why Garber is giddy as he begins his 20th year as commissioner, and with MLS beginning its season on Saturday, Garber is not only thinking about this year, but the possibilities ahead.

“The time will come at some point when we'll be just managing, like all other years, how you have a better season and higher ratings and higher attendance than the one you had in the past,” Garber said. “For us, it is still very much of a growth story.”

The growth will be apparent this year. FC Cincinnati begins its first season as the league's 24th team. Nashville SC and Inter Miami CF will join in 2020 and Austin FC will make it 27 MLS teams by 2021, with Garber and the rest of MLS in the process of finding its 28th team.

Currently, there are no thoughts of slowing down. 

“We're very thoughtful and strategic about expansion,” Garber said. “It's not out of need, it's out of strategic opportunity. We want to cover more of our country, we want to have more geographic regions that can be connected so that you can have rivalries between potentially a St. Louis and a Kansas City or a Los Angeles and San Jose, and being able to have those kinds of rivalries that we think can drive our fan base.”

When Garber became commissioner in 1999, he had a plan: Turn around a struggling league and bring MLS to the forefront in the U.S., and turn the league into one that can be respected and dip into the global transfer market and lure some of the top players in the world.

"I think there's no end to what this league can be," Garber said. "Not just here, but what we could represent around the world."

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/article-toronto-fc-put-in-deep-freeze-by-panamanians-in-champions-league/

Toronto FC put in deep freeze by Panamanians in Champions League series

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2019/02/26/atlantas-new-major-league-rugby-team-picks-a-name.html

Atlanta's new Major League Rugby team picks a name

Atlanta's newest sports team now has a name for when it joins Major League Rugby in the 2020 season.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2019/02/27/la-galaxy-fans-encouraged-arrive-early-watch-david-beckham-statue-unveiling

LA Galaxy fans encouraged to arrive early to watch David Beckham Statue unveiling

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.wcpo.com/sports/fc-cincinnati/fc-cincinnati-has-message-for-its-fans-were-going-to-fight-for-you

FC Cincinnati has message for its fans: 'We're going to fight for you'

Soccer team faces tough task in first MLS season

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.thesetonian.com/2019/02/27/adams-showing-mls-development-in-the-bundesliga/

Adams showing MLS development in the Bundesliga

(Follow link for full article.)

https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/mls-2019-season-preview-expansion-teams-austin-fc/

The ever-expanding MLS now boasts 24 teams, with another four on the way – so how big is too big?

Canada and the USA’s combined population of just under 350 million can sustain a league of enormous proportions geographically.

What St. Louis can learn about its MLS prospects as commissioner talks expansion again

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2019/02/27/what-st-louis-can-learn-about-its-mls-prospects-as.html

What St. Louis can learn about its MLS prospects as commissioner talks expansion again

It’s still unclear exactly when Major League Soccer will award its 28th team, but Commissioner Don Garber has offered a few more clues regarding league expansion in his latest interview.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2019/02/26/mls-don-garber-reaching-new-heights/2992017002/

Major League Soccer reaching new heights, but this may only be the beginning

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.sportspromedia.com/analysis/out-now-sportspro-issue-104-the-futures-edition

Out now: SportsPro Issue 104 - The Futures Edition

As the quest to innovate occupies creative and business minds across the industry, Issue 104 of SportsPro profiles some of the progressive ideas and concepts, emerging startups and revolutionary technologies that are shaping the sporting experience of tomorrow.

Long-serving commissioner Don Garber reflects on 20 years at the helm of Major League Soccer (MLS) and a career in which he has played a pivotal role in putting soccer in North America on the map. With Sam Carp asking the questions, Garber also looks ahead to explain how he is leading MLS down a golden path.

Steven Impey pays a visit to FC Barcelona’s Nou Camp to discover how a €600 million, technology-driven stadium renovation project will transform the fabled home of one of the world’s most popular soccer clubs.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.sounderatheart.com/2019/2/27/18242654/major-link-soccer-houston-didnt-fail-in-ccl

Major Link Soccer: Houston didn’t fail in CCL

Also: Toronto failed in CCL; B-Rad is in town and still loves puppies; Get your ship to Saltmarsh

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2019/02/26/kraken-leiweke-talks-nhl-seattle-team-names.html

Kraken, Metropolitans, Sockeyes – Tod Leiweke talks NHL Seattle team names

NHL Seattle CEO Tod Leiweke talked to the Puget Sound Business Journal in his office in the Uptown neighborhood on Thursday. In addition to talking about potential names for the franchise, he spoke of how NHL Seattle has a chance to "be an organization built by, of and for the fans."
ANTHONY BOLANTE | PSBJ

The naming of the team is one of the most important decisions that lies ahead for NHL Seattle. It's why the organization talks about it every day.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/3785607/mls-a-major-player-in-world-football-after-seismic-shift-don-garber

MLS a major player in world football after 'seismic shift' - Don Garber Q&A

MLS commissioner Don Garber has told ESPN the league has undergone a "seismic shift" in the way it buys and sells its talent and has become a big player in the global transfer market.

There were claims MLS had become a "selling league" following Miguel Almiron's record transfer to Newcastle United, but Garber -- in an exclusive and wide-ranging interview with ESPN's Taylor Twellman -- said MLS is now also able to buy some of the world's top young players, such as South American player of the year Pity Martinez, who was acquired by Atlanta United last month.

Garber, who has been MLS commissioner since 1999 and recently signed a five-year deal to remain in the role, explained the development of the league in recent seasons and offered updates on potential expansion teams, the playoffs, and what to look out for ahead of the new season.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.dailyrecord.com/story/sports/2019/02/27/new-york-red-bulls-major-league-soccer/2949752002/

Meaningful early games propelling Red Bulls into Major League Soccer season

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/desoto/sports/fc-cincinnati-passes-20-000-season-ticket-holders-for-inaugural-mls-season

FC Cincinnati passes 20,000 season ticket holders for inaugural MLS season

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/soccer/fc-cincinnati/2019/02/27/where-fc-cincinnati-fans-watch-mls-opener/2990824002/

Where FC Cincinnati fans will gather to watch MLS opener

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.prosoccerusa.com/mls/houston-dynamo/houston-dynamo-turn-attention-to-mls-opener-after-concacaf-victory/

Houston Dynamo turn attention to MLS opener after Concacaf victory

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.sporttechie.com/previewing-the-technology-that-will-impact-2019-mls-season/

Previewing the Technology That Will Impact the 2019 MLS Season

(Follow link for full article.)

https://local12.com/sports/fc-cincinnati/fc-cincinnati-ready-for-season-opener-in-seattle-sounders-mls-major-league-soccer

FC Cincinnati ready for season opener in Seattle

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/soccer-roots-grow-deeper-in-the-town/Content?oid=25179999

Soccer Roots Grow Deeper in The Town

The Oakland Roots has signed its first player — Oakland native Devante Dubose. The acquisition is one more sign that pro soccer is returning to The Town.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-sports-2db250a0-4486-4727-8fdb-0bfd8635f961.html

Axios Sports

Good morning! Has your best friend signed up yet?

Fun fact: Minnesota Twins DH Nelson Cruz (38) is older than his boss, Rocco Baldelli (37), who is older than his boss, Derek Falvey (35).

5. ⚽️ Soccer team raises over $500k from folks like you and me

Last month, Chattanooga FC of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) began offering public ownership shares. 30 days later, the club has already raised over $500,000 from investors across 44 states and 10 countries.

Why it matters: Prior to 2016, the only people who could invest in equity crowdfunding campaigns like this one were accredited investors with net worths of at least $1 million.

Now, thanks to the JOBS Act, non-accredited investors like you and me can get in on the action — and Chattanooga FC is the first sports team to capitalize on this brave new world.
Want to invest? Click here.

📺 Tonight, 7 pm ET (FS1): The U.S. women's national team takes on Japan in a rematch of the 2015 and 2011 World Cup finals. The match is part of the SheBelieves Cup. Full preview.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/soccer/fc-cincinnati/2019/02/27/fc-cincinnati-major-league-soccer-stars-cant-spell-city-name/3000837002/

Watch: Major League Soccer stars try to spell 'Cincinnati'

Major League Soccer stars hopefully know by now that FC Cincinnati is its 24th team. But that doesn't mean some of the league's most popular players and biggest stars know how to spell the name of the city the club calls home.

A video tweeted by FOX Soccer features star players Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Jozy Altidore, Wayne Rooney, Bradley Wright-Phillips, Andre Blake and FC Cincinnati's own Kendall Waston misspelling "Cincinnati," while Diego Valeri and FCC's Fanendo Adi spell it correctly.

The Enquirer's Patrick Brennan covered FC Cincy's media day Tuesday and president and general manager Jeff Berding's "state of the team" speech, while Paul Daugherty wrote about Corben Bone's long road to becoming a fan favorite.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/united-states-invites-south-america-teams-to-new-2020-event_158260?profile=1511

United States invites South America teams to new 2020 event

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/437753-us-invites-south-america-teams-to-new-2020-event

US invites South America teams to new 2020 event

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.espn.co.uk/football/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/3784469/mls-became-a-selling-league-in-2019-with-almiron-adams-and-davies-exits-and-thats-a-good-thing

MLS became a 'selling league' in 2019 with Almiron, Adams and Davies exits... and that's a good thing

(Follow link for full article.)

https://sports.yahoo.com/major-league-soccers-greatest-sign-of-progress-producing-famous-names-not-importing-them-034509664.html

Major League Soccer's greatest sign of progress? Producing famous names, not importing them

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/feb/27/mls-2019-predictions-soccer-zlatan-ibrahimovic

MLS 2019 predictions: A new champion and a record-breaking Zlatan Ibrahimovic

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/avghut/rowdies_complete_roster_with_addition_of_chris/

Rowdies Complete Roster With Addition of Chris Konopka

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/999206

ROWDIES COMPLETE ROSTER WITH ADDITION OF CHRIS KONOPKA

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/avj2sa/juan_tejada_on_his_journey_to_becoming_a_pro_with/

Juan Tejada on his journey to becoming a pro with the Rowdies (OC)

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.theunsubs.com/wp/2019/02/27/tejada-excited-to-start-professional-career-with-rowdies/4243

Tejada Excited to Start Professional Career with Rowdies

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.theunsubs.com/wp/2019/02/23/episode-191-phantom-phreak/4239

Episode 191 – Phantom Phreak

The guys review the Rowdies preseason performances from the Suncoast Invitational, roster news, and amazing trophies

In this episode:

Rowdies 0:1 DCU
Rowdies 0:0 MTL
Tejada signs
Laying the Pipeline
Austin’s Amazing Armadillo
Get your Season 5 scarf!

Lockhart proposal in Fort Lauderdale woos jilted soccer fans

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/atiof5/lockhart_proposal_in_fort_lauderdale_woos_jilted/

Lockhart proposal in Fort Lauderdale woos jilted soccer fans

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fort-lauderdale/fl-ne-soccer-fxe-futbol-meeting-20190221-story.html

Lockhart proposal in Fort Lauderdale woos jilted soccer fans

A proposal for a professional soccer team at defunct Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale is catching interest among devoted — but jilted — fans of the former Strikers team.

At a community meeting Wednesday night, the man who hopes to win a Lockhart Stadium deal away from star-powered David Beckham tried to woo what he called “the most hard core soccer fans in Fort Lauderdale.”

Fort Lauderdale city commissioners set a deadline of March 1 for proposals to breathe new life into the Lockhart Stadium acreage, at 1350 NW 55th St., near Fort Lauderdale-Executive Airport (FXE).

About 50 soccer fans gathered at a local bar to hear the pitch from Beckham’s competition, JP Reynal, CEO of FXE Futbol.

Reynal, a former college player, said he would bring Fort Lauderdale its own professional team, a tier lower than major league. He also announced a new partner in the project: Fort Lauderdale-based Stiles Corp.

Some in the crowd said they were left in the lurch when past Fort Lauderdale-based soccer teams folded. They wanted assurance Reynal was committed.

“Are you going to stick it through and stay with us, as opposed to the last ownership?” asked Russell Williams.

Williams said many in the room were fans of the original Fort Lauderdale Strikers professional soccer team in the late 1970s and then a modern-day incarnation that last played in 2016. Another team, the Miami Fusion, also played in Lockhart before folding.

Derek Reese, leader of the local soccer fan club Flight 19, said the local soccer fans want a Fort Lauderdale team. For now, they “own” their own team, a league of amateur players called the Himmarshee Football Cub.

They don’t know Reynal well, but if he could give Broward its own professional team, one that lasts, they’d be elated.

“We’re just as world class as anyone else,” Reese said. “Why can’t we have a team that’s ours?”

They named their group after the U.S. Navy’s Lost Patrol bombers, who went missing in 1945 over the Bermuda Triangle, on a training mission from Fort Lauderdale.

“Kind of fitting, considering the number of teams who have disappeared over the years,” Reese said.

Williams said past team owners “gave us a lot of promises and grand ideas, and ended up leaving us.”

Reynal proposes renovating Lockhart Stadium and creating a “full-on sports entertainment facility” with restaurants, shops, a Topgolf attraction and professional soccer/multipurpose fields. He said young soccer players would have easy access.

Beckham, a former Major League Soccer star, proposes replacing Lockhart with a training stadium for his soon-to-exist Major League Soccer team, Inter Miami CF. A third-tier, United Soccer League One team could play there, also. Top young soccer players would be sponsored to play in a youth academy.

A multipurpose sport stadium and a sport-centric community destination would be part of the renovation.

Paul McDonough, sporting director for Inter Miami CF, said his proposal brings jobs and economic benefits and provides fields and opportunities for young soccer players. Inter Miami is working on a deal to build its main stadium near Miami International Airport.

Though the team would be based in Miami-Dade, McDonough said Fort Lauderdale would be its home, too.

“If I go and bring all my professional players and all my academy players and everything associated with my club to Fort Lauderdale,” he said, “doesn’t that make it our home?”

Fort Lauderdale commissioners will decide later this year whether to enter a deal with Reynal or with Beckham’s group. In a recent public discussion, they said public access and youth sports programs at the 64-acre site would be key.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/USLPRO/comments/atihkc/lockhart_proposal_in_fort_lauderdale_woos_jilted/

Lockhart proposal in Fort Lauderdale woos jilted soccer fans

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.jewishpresspinellas.com/articles/santana-to-play-outdoor-concert-in-st-petersburg/

Santana to play outdoor concert in St. Petersburg

Carlos Santana – whose memorabilia is featured in a current exhibit at the Florida Holocaust Museum – is bringing his Global Consciousness Tour to downtown St. Petersburg’s Al Lang Stadium April 18 at 8 pm.

Santana was a protégé of fabled San Francisco producer Bill Graham. His guitar and other memorabilia are part of the exhibit Bill Graham and the Rock &Roll Revolution, currently at the Florida Holocaust Museum. The exhibit pays homage to Bill Graham who was a Holocaust survivor and went onto become a music promoter and social activist. The exhibit has just been extended until June 30.

2019 marks the 20th anniversary of Carlos Santana’s groundbreaking album Supernatural and the 50th anniversary of his legendary performance at Woodstock. The ten-time Gammy-Award winner and three-time Latin GrammyAward-winning rock icon will celebrate these historic anniversaries during his concert here.

Santana’s appearance is part of the Al Lang Live Concert Series co-produced by Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts and Live Nation. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://mlsmultiplex.com/2019/02/26/mls-lafc-d-c-united-stadiums-gunning-international-recognition/

MLS: LAFC, D.C. United stadiums gunning for international recognition

MLS stadiums are gaining international recognition with the Stadium Database’s Stadium of the Year award. For LAFC and D.C. United, the two clubs nominated for the award, it is a vindication of their growth.

The first Major League Soccer stadium to win top public recognition as Stadium of the Year might be either home pitch either for Los Angeles FC or D.C. United.

LAFC’s Banc of California Stadium came the closest of three U.S. sports centers in Stadium Database’s 2018 Stadium of the Year jury competition, ninth edition. The Los Angeles FC palace just missed making the final 10. But that pitch and Audi Field of D.C. United still have a chance to win the public vote.

A jury of top architects reviewed them among a field of 27 total stadiums in 11 different countries, with the Banc of California Stadium ranking the higher of the two. The MLS stadiums, however, are now in the public running have only one other U.S. facility to compete with: Sun Devil Stadium in Arizona.

The other competing stadiums span the earth, with seven in Russia and six in Turkey. Russia spruced up their sports arenas for the recent FIFA World Cup. Turkey is completing a government-backed program to update sports centers throughout the country. That has now delivered two dozen new stadiums.

Of the 10 finalists, for the first time in the competition’s history, only five countries have candidates. Russia has four stadiums. Two each are in China and Hungary. The remaining two rest in Australia and Turkey.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2019/02/26/galaxy-to-revamp-plaza-after-naming-rights-deal.html

Galaxy to revamp plaza after naming rights deal, add Beckham statue

LA Galaxy will refresh multiple areas of its stadium, including a revamped plaza that eventually will house a series of statues dedicated to club legends.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/auagxx/rowdies_beat_georgia_southern_40/

Rowdies beat Georgia Southern, 4-0

(Follow link for full article.)

https://twitter.com/TampaBayRowdies/status/1099721690844663813

Tampa Bay Rowdies
‏
Verified account

@TampaBayRowdies

FINAL: Rowdies defeat @GSAthletics 4-0 on Sunday morning, with goals from @brandon21allen (2), @JuanDavidTejada, and Daniel Wintermeier.

9:24 AM - 24 Feb 2019 from Statesboro, GA

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/au3oy2/preseason_tomenta_3_1_rowdies/

Preseason: Tomenta 3 - 1 Rowdies

3-2

3-2 FWIW

Yup... Typo on my part.

well fuck...

We scored 2 goals on the road. That’s close to our total road goals last season (not really, but it feels that way). I’ll take it, friendly or not.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://twitter.com/tormenta_fc/status/1099461261534875648?s=21&

Tormenta FC
‏
@Tormenta_FC

And that's a wrap #TormentaNation! With a brace against his former club, @amorrell9 takes home the game ball against the @TampaBayRowdies.

Final score 3-2.

4:09 PM - 23 Feb 2019

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/au1g8l/irish_prospect_jordan_doherty_faces_childhood/

Irish prospect, Jordan Doherty, faces 'childhood hero' Rooney along the road less travelled

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.the42.ie/jordan-doherty-interview-february-2019-4504505-Feb2019/

Irish prospect faces 'childhood hero' Rooney along the road less travelled

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/aty2bl/preseason_continues_tormenta_fc_vs_rowdies/

Preseason Continues: Tormenta FC -vs- Rowdies - Savannah Morning News

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.savannahnow.com/sports/20190220/sports-briefs-tormenta-fc-plays-friendly-vs-tampa-bay-rowdies-soccer-club

SPORTS BRIEFS: Tormenta FC plays friendly vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies soccer club

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/atvvyl/arlia_three_teams_that_missed_the_2018_usl_cup/

ARLIA: Three Teams That Missed the 2018 USL Cup Playoffs That Will Make the 2019 Field

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/997950

ARLIA: Three Teams That Missed the 2018 Playoffs That Will Make the 2019 Field

WHY COACHING CHANGES, NEW ADDITIONS WILL REVERSE THE FORTUNES FOR TRIO OF BOUNCE-BACK CANDIDATES

TAMPA BAY ROWDIES

After finishing third in the Eastern Conference in 2017, the Tampa Bay Rowdies entered the 2018 Championship campaign with the aspirations of taking their title challenge a step further.

However, a 4-5-0 start to the season saw former Head Coach Stuart Campbell replaced by veteran defender Neill Collins and any lofty expectations for the side were quickly brought back down to earth. While there were still 25 games to right the ship after the coaching change, Collins’ transition from the pitch to the touchline took some time as he led the Rowdies to a 7-10-8 mark and a 12th-place finish in the East.

The Rowdies’ downfall in 2018 came mostly on the offensive end as the club ranked in the bottom 10 in goals scored, managing to strike just 32 times during Collins’ 25 games in charge. That number looks likely to rise in 2019, even after factoring in the offseason departure of Junior Flemmings to Phoenix Rising FC and the retirements of fan favorites Joe Cole and Georgi Hristov.

Sebastian Guenzatti returns to Tampa Bay to lead the line in 2019 and the forward will be joined by a trio of new attacking pieces that are all coming off strong seasons in the Championship. Former All-League First Team selection Brandon Allen netted eight goals in 21 appearances for Nashville SC last year, while Andrew Tinari ranked second in the league in chances created (102) and Antoine Hoppenot ranked third league-wide with 13 assists.

If midfielder Kwadwo Poku can improve on his return of one goal and one assist in his first season with the club, the Rowdies’ attack should be back among the league’s best in 2019. A dynamic attack backed by a resolute defense – that features offseason signings Shawn Barry, Mohamed Kone and goalkeeper John McCarthy – makes the Rowdies contenders in a crowded Eastern Conference.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/at6e29/rowdies_keep_clean_sheet_in_00_draw_against/

Rowdies Keep Clean Sheet In 0-0 Draw Against Montreal

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/997168

ROWDIES KEEP CLEAN SHEET IN 0-0 DRAW AGAINST MONTREAL

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/aspaww/rowdies_sign_forward_juan_tejada/

Rowdies Sign Forward Juan Tejada

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/996947

ROWDIES SIGN FORWARD JUAN TEJADA

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/av72nu/meet_the_team_1_john_mccarthy/

"Meet the Team: 1 - John McCarthy"

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAjscXng4ng

#TogetherRowdies

Meet the Team: John McCarthy

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on Feb 26, 2019

Is he any good at Fortnite? Get to know Rowdies goalkeeper, #1 John McCarthy.

#TogetherRowdies

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m17dHGFjGxo

Montreal Impact vs D.C. United @ Al Lang Stadium

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Streamed live on Feb 23, 2019

Montreal Impact vs D.C. United @ Al Lang Stadium

(Follow link for full article.)

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

Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Montreal Impact---- 2/20/2019

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Streamed live on Feb 20, 2019

Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Montreal Impact---- 2/20/2019

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY0_hEB0uZE

Rowdies Highlights vs Montreal Impact - February 19, 2019

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on Feb 20, 2019

Highlights of Wednesday night's scoreless draw against the Montreal Impact in the Rowdies Suncoast Invitational.

When will MLS award its 28th team? League commissioner says ‘sometime soon’

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2019/02/20/when-will-mls-award-its-28th-team-league.html

When will MLS award its 28th team? League commissioner says ‘sometime soon’

Major League Soccer will award its 28th team “sometime soon,” but the league does not have a “specific timetable” regarding expansion. That’s according to Commissioner Don Garber, who made those comments in a recent interview on Sports Illustrated's Planet Fútbol TV.

“(Team) 28 will have to get resolved sometime soon, and then we’re going to spend some time over the next year figuring out do we go beyond that,” Garber said.

#MLS4THELOU, the ownership group seeking to lure a team to St. Louis, is among those vying for MLS’ 28th team. St. Louis, Sacramento and Phoenix are considered the frontrunners for the professional soccer league’s next expansion team.

In January, MLS awarded Austin, Texas, the league’s 27th team. Garber in December said MLS will award its 28th team within the next 12 months, adding “there’s no doubt in my mind that we can support having more than 28 teams.”

“Ultimately, I think there are many cities in our country that have ambitious potential owners with great stadium plans that ultimately could help our league be bigger, more influential. And if that’s something that we think is going to make sense, to grow the league, then we’ll expand beyond 28,” Garber told Sports Illustrated. 

Dan Courtemanche, MLS’ executive vice president for communications, told the Business Journal earlier this month the MLS board of governors is considering the feasibility of expanding beyond 28 teams.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://sportstalkflorida.com/soccer/mls/why-do-so-many-investors-want-to-join-the-money-losing-mls/

Why Do So Many Investors Want To Join The Money Losing MLS?

The money people are lining up with checkbooks in hand.

Here is a question that probably cannot be answered. Do any of the teams in Major League Soccer make money? There have been many reports over the years that team owners in the league lose money annually. Yet the MLS has grown from 10 teams to 2004 to 27 franchises although some of those franchises have not yet hit the pitch. Every time a league expands, owners, not players, share the expansion money so there is something of a payback for MLS franchise owners splitting that cash.  But there are people who still are looking to get into the league including a number of investors in Indianapolis. The league claims it has just one expansion slot open but the Commissioner Don Garber also has said that having 28 teams in the league is not set in stone. So it is possible that Phoenix, Sacramento, Detroit and Indianapolis could one day be part of the circuit.

The owners of the United Soccer League’s team in Indianapolis, the Indy 11, have a plan to move up into the MLS. It is going to require hundreds of millions of dollars to meet MLS requirements which includes an expansion fee and a MLS suitable stadium. The Indy 11 ownership group is asking Indianapolis money people to help them out and put up money for a stadium village. It would be a $400 million project with $150 million going to a soccer stadium that would seat about 20,000. Typically an MLS stadium is used about two dozen times a year. The MLS may change its business model. Garber also revealed something interesting recently. The MLS, which funds soccer academies throughout the United States and Canada, may not be all that interested in keeping local talent and will become a seller’s league. The MLS keeps attracting interest from wealthy investors. The question is why.

Orlando City SC’s Dominic Dwyer (18) reacts beside New England Revolution’s Scott Caldwell (6) during the first half of an MLS soccer game in Foxborough, Mass., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/manchester-city-owners-chinese-soccer-sichuan-jiuniu

City Football Group buys third-tier Chinese club

Manchester City owners add Sichuan Jiuniu to global ownership portfolio.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nashvillesc/2019/02/19/nashville-mls-team-name-logo-colors-announcement/2900230002/

Nashville MLS team expected to unveil name, logo, colors at Wednesday event

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.postandcourier.com/sports/rising-us-soccer-star-zack-steffen-in-charleston-for-carolina/article_78e33116-345b-11e9-a48d-573c15689be4.html

Rising US soccer star Zack Steffen in Charleston for Carolina Challenge Cup

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2019/02/19/experience-counts-armas-hopes-red-bulls-deep-runs-in-ccl-open-cup-mls-playoffs-will-propel-team-this-year/

EXPERIENCE COUNTS: Armas hopes Red Bulls deep runs in CCL, Open Cup, MLS playoffs will propel team this year

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.samfordcrimson.com/20190219-nani-from-manchester-united-to-mls-side-orlando-city-football-news/

Nani: From Manchester United to MLS side Orlando City | Football News |

(Follow link for full article.)

https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/02/toronto-fc-independiente-ccl

Toronto FC embarrasses itself in CCL smacking

(Follow link for full article.)

https://ussoccerplayers.com/2019/02/minnesota-united-build-more-than-a-stadium.html

MINNESOTA UNITED BUILDS MORE THAN A STADIUM

(Follow link for full article.)

https://atlantajewishtimes.timesofisrael.com/atlanta-united-from-new-duds-to-men-in-blazers/

Atlanta United: From New Duds to ‘Men in Blazers’

Atlanta United is ready for chapter three, sharing its enthusiasm with a crowd of thousands last week during the new kit reveal.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://theathletic.com/828413/2019/02/20/five-candidates-who-might-be-more-deserving-of-mls-statues-than-david-beckham/

Five things that might be more deserving of MLS statues than David Beckham

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/02/20/nashville-mls-expansion-team-unveils-name-crest

Nashville MLS expansion team unveils name, crest

(Follow link for full article.)

https://ghanasoccernet.com/man-city-nyc-fc-melbourne-city-owners-buy-share-in-chinese-club-sichuan-jiuniu

Man City, NYC FC, Melbourne City owners buy share in Chinese club Sichuan Jiuniu

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2019/02/20/nashville-mls-stadium-state-fair-lawsuit/2927724002/

Tennessee State Fair Association withdraws suit against Nashville MLS stadium construction

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.connecticutmag.com/the-connecticut-story/hartford-athletic-preps-for-first-season-as-expansion-soccer-team/article_6317248e-2fe5-11e9-85cf-f32eb40484ad.html

Hartford Athletic Preps For First Season as Expansion Soccer Team in the USL Championship

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1075776/former-visa-executive-named-chief-commercial-officer-of-joint-venture-between-los-angeles-2028-and-usoc

Former Visa executive named chief commercial officer of joint venture between Los Angeles 2028 and USOC

Sports business executive Chris Pepe has been appointed chief commercial officer of the joint venture between Los Angeles 2028 and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).

Pepe had been consulting with US Olympic and Paralympic Properties for three months prior to his formal appointment to the role, Los Angeles 2028 said.

He will be tasked with the development and execution of the sponsorship strategy for the Los Angeles 2028 and Team USA brands and will report to chief revenue officer Kathy Carter.

The former Visa, Major League Soccer (MLS) and Yahoo executive will help Los Angeles 2028 in its search for partners of the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.

A Los Angeles 2028 spokesperson claimed Pepe "brings a wealth of experience in management, negotiation, market activation and business development working at premier brands, leagues and agencies".

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.newschannel5.com/sports/nashvilles-mls-team-set-to-unveil-logo-branding

Nashville's MLS team to be called "Nashville Soccer Club," unveils new logo

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/02/20/nashville-mls-expansion-team-unveils-name-crest

Nashville MLS expansion team unveils name, crest

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nashvillesc/2019/02/20/nashville-mls-soccer-nashville-sc-logo-crest-usl/2885079002/

Nashville MLS: Team releases new logo, brands itself as Nashville SC

(Follow link for full article.)

https://fox17.com/news/local/nashvilles-new-major-league-soccer-team-unveils-its-new-look

Nashville's new Major League Soccer Team unveils its new look

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nashvillesc/2019/02/21/nashville-mls-nashville-sc-john-ingram-ian-ayre/2902680002/

Nashville SC has our attention, but can they own our hearts in MLS?

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2019-02-22/city-validates-anti-major-league-soccer-petition/

City Validates Anti-Major League Soccer Petition

"Fair Play Austin" PAC hopes to halt plans to build a soccer stadium at McKalla Place

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.thebluetestament.com/2019/2/21/18233357/peter-vermes-on-mls-expansion-were-going-to-go-to-40-teams-in-mls-sporting-kc

Vermes on MLS Expansion: “We’re going to go to 40 [teams in MLS]”

Vermes: “At one point I thought we were going to go to 32, I guarantee we aren’t stopping there.”

(Follow link for full article.)

https://kmox.radio.com/articles/mls-commissioner-don-garber-says-decision-28th-team-will-come-sometime-soon

MLS Commissioner Don Garber says decision on 28th team will come "sometime soon"

St. Louis is likely competing with Sacramento and Phoenix for that spot

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.si.com/soccer/2019/02/21/don-garber-mls-commissioner-expansion-owners-cba

Commissioner Don Garber and the Pressing Issues on the Docket for MLS

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.wcpo.com/news/transportation-development/fc-cincinnati-stadium-deal-9-things-to-know-as-city-council-gets-set-for-final-vote

FC Cincinnati stadium deal: 9 things to know as City Council gets set for final vote

City Council votes on a zoning change Thursday

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2019/02/21/proposal-fund-indy-eleven-soccer-stadium-moves-forward/2936813002/

Indy Eleven stadium deal now would require team cash and MLS buy-in up front

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.wibc.com/news/local-news/senate-panel-says-yes-soccer-stadium-no-eleven

Senate Panel Says Yes to Soccer Stadium, No to Eleven

Bill authorizes state financing for new stadium for an MLS team

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.portada-online.com/2019/02/21/winning-over-hispanic-audiences-key-for-austin-fc-success/

Winning Over Hispanic Audiences Key for Austin FC Success

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6728833/Wayne-Rooney-plays-scores-park-pitch-Florida-DC-Uniteds-pre-season-training-camp.html

A far cry from Wembley and Old Trafford as Wayne Rooney plays and scores on park pitch in Florida during DC United's pre-season training camp

Wayne Rooney scored for DC United in their latest pre-season friendly match

MLS side took on Philadelphia Union on little more than a park pitch in Florida

Game at the Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex in Clearwater ended in 2-1 defeat

The 33-year-old was grateful for minutes ahead of MLS kick-off on March 3

Former Man United and England star about to start first full season in MLS

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2019/02/21/indy-eleven-stadium-deal-funding-mls-expansion/2939309002/

An Indy Eleven stadium deal would require an MLS team. Here's why that's unlikely.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/liga-mx-presidents-interested-in-north-american-league-with/5byxkjt58yow1vhu51s1w8lnm

Liga MX presidents interested in 'North American league' with MLS

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2019/02/21/city-of-austin-major-league-soccer-deal-would-not.html

City of Austin: Major League Soccer deal would not be affected by petition

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.sportsmediapass.com/2019/02/22/why-the-mls-wont-grow-unless-it-goes-full-europe/

Why the MLS Won’t Grow Unless it Goes Full Europe

CEO counters Beckham MLS plan in Fort Lauderdale with promise of pro team, TopGolf

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2019/02/22/reynal-counters-beckham-mls-plan-at-lockhart.html

CEO counters Beckham MLS plan in Fort Lauderdale with promise of pro team, TopGolf

Both David Beckham and JP Reynal want to be awarded a USL franchise in Fort Lauderdale.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2019/02/25/city-reveals-logo-for-new-st-pete-pier.html

City reveals logo for new St. Pete Pier

(Follow link for full article.)

https://stpetecatalyst.com/kriseman-talks-business-at-state-of-the-city/

Kriseman talks business at State of the City

But there was one big issue he didn’t mention. There were no comments about the Tampa Bay Rays or the 85-acre Tropicana Field site, which Kriseman and other officials previously have described as a place for transformational change downtown.

“We’ve been talking so much about the Trop and really didn’t have anything new that would have been groundbreaking at this point in time. We’re continuing to talk to the Rays and see where we go,” Kriseman told the St. Pete Catalyst just before taking the stage at the Palladium. “If the team is ready to work on putting something together, we’re ready.”

(Follow link for full article.)

https://stpetecatalyst.com/as-st-pete-looks-toward-2050-visions-of-growth-are-evolving/

As St. Pete looks toward 2050, visions of growth are evolving

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.statesboroherald.com/local/tormenta-stadium-break-ground-march-27/

Tormenta Stadium to break ground March 27

Grocery store chain to be named, too

A rendering of Tormenta Stadium is shown on Old Register Road, just south of The Clubhouse entertainment complex. During halftime of an exhibition match Saturday, Tormenta formally announced that it will break ground on the stadium during a ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, March 27 at 5:30 p.m. - photo by Special

The first professional season for South Georgia Tormenta FC is only a month away, but it was talk of the 2020 season that stole the show during a preseason scrimmage against the Tampa Bay Rowdies Saturday evening at Erk Russell Park.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/998219

Toros Take Victory Against Bold FC

BONOMO LEADS REPUBLIC FC PAST RENO; SAINT LOUIS, CHARLOTTE TAKE WINS AGAINST CHAMPIONSHIP FOES

SOUTH GEORGIA TORMENTA FC 3, TAMPA BAY ROWDIES 2: The Tampa Bay Rowdies got goals by Leo Fernandes and Antoine Hoppenot, but fell to USL League One’s South Georgia Tormenta FC on Saturday at Erk Russell Park in Statesboro, Ga.

Tormenta FC took the lead in the 15th minute as Marco Micaletto found the net for the hosts. South Georgia doubled its lead eight minutes later as former Rowdies midfielder Alex Morrell curled home a finish, but Tampa Bay pulled a goal back through a free kick by Fernandes in the 26th minute to leave it a one-goal game at halftime.

Morrell struck again against his former club to restore Tormenta FC’s two-goal lead 11 minutes into the second half, and while the Rowdies responded with 10 minutes to go as Hoppenot finished after a good piece of interplay with Andrew Tinari, the hosts held on for victory.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.tbreporter.com/government/kriseman-create-vision-st-petes-future/

KRISEMAN: LET’S CREATE A VISION FOR ST. PETE’S FUTURE

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2019/02/23/rick-kriseman-st-petersburg-is-coming-of-age/

Rick Kriseman: St. Petersburg is 'coming of age’

“This is our coming of age,” Kriseman told the crowd in his annual address. Among those in the audience were political allies like State Sen. Darryl Rouson, Pinellas County Commissioner Ken Welch and State Rep. Ben Diamond.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.dispatch.com/news/20190222/columbus-crew-commissioner-don-garber-discusses-his-parallel-path-vision

Columbus Crew: Commissioner Don Garber discusses his ‘parallel path’ vision

Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber defended his, and the league’s, handling of the once-potential move of Crew SC to Austin, Texas, while expressing confidence in new ownership and the new stadium plans for the club.

Garber was the most recent guest on Sport Illustrated’s Planet Futbol podcast with reporter Grant Wahl and was again asked about Columbus.

“Sitting here with you about a year ago, this was a pretty black cloud hanging over things. It’s in a different place now,” Wahl said to Garber. “I thought the Crew was out of Columbus. Did you?”

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.sporttechie.com/mls-gambling-google-disrupt-consoles-more-women-in-esports/

Friday Briefing: MLS May Embrace Gambling, Google to Disrupt Consoles, More Women Tune Into Esports

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.12up.com/posts/6303563-mls-must-make-an-example-of-bob-kraft-since-the-nfl-definitely-won-t-one-and-dunn?view_source=leagues_page&view_medium=[nfl]

MLS Must Make an Example of Bob Kraft Since the NFL Definitely Won't | ONE AND DUNN

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.tampabay.com/sports/2019/02/22/heres-the-latest-montreal-proposal-to-share-the-rays-with-tampa-bay/

Here’s the latest Montreal proposal to share the Rays with Tampa Bay

Such reports “unfortunately come with the territory” of not having a new stadium plan, said Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg Friday.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2019/02/20/how-st-petersburg-won-dynasty-financial-partners.html

How St. Petersburg won Dynasty Financial Partners' HQ over Charlotte, Nashville

"It felt like an environment that was welcoming," Dynasty's CEO said of St. Petersburg.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.tampabay.com/transportation/a-new-focus-on-weekend-trips-has-passengers-flocking-to-the-cross-bay-ferry-20190221/

A new focus on weekend trips has passengers flocking to the Cross-Bay Ferry

Halfway through its second season, the ferry sold more than 23,000 tickets, a 40 percent increase from its pilot year in 2017.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2019/02/21/indy-eleven-stadium-deal-funding-mls-expansion/2939309002/

An Indy Eleven stadium deal would require an MLS team. Here's why that's unlikely.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.richmond.com/sports/richmond-kickers/kickers-hope-usl-league-one-presents-opportunity-for-breakthrough/article_dd77924e-3cde-548b-b244-74547eec3e7d.html

Kickers hope USL League One presents opportunity for breakthrough

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.brotherlygame.com/2019/2/21/18232905/franklin-field-a-soccer-venue-again

Franklin Field a soccer venue again?

The beautiful game appears to be returning to the historic University of Pennsylvania venue

(Follow link for full article.)

https://pittsburghsoccernow.com/2019/02/21/pittsburgh-hotspurs-step-up-to-fill-void-by-joining-npsl-as-expansion-club/

Pittsburgh Hotspurs step up to fill void by joining NPSL as expansion club

(Follow link for full article.)

https://scroll.in/field/913809/former-manchester-united-winger-nani-signs-three-year-contract-with-mls-club-orlando-city

Former Manchester United winger Nani signs three-year contract with MLS club Orlando City

The 32-year-old, who helped Portugal win the 2016 European crown, joined the Florida side on a free transfer from Sporting Lisbon.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.sportda.com/news/football/tampa-bay-rowdies-vs-montreal-impact-live-stream-date-time-preview-match-details-watch-online/

Tampa Bay Rowdies VS. Montreal Impact: live stream, date, time, preview, match details & watch online

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.sportda.com/news/football/fc-cincinnati-vs-chicago-fire-live-stream-date-time-preview-match-details-watch-online/

Watch Live TV with fuboTV

Over 100 live channels. Free Cloud DVR included. Watch from any device. fuboTV

Sternberg optimistic about 2019, Rays' stadium

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.mlb.com/news/stuart-sternberg-talks-rays-stadium-season/c-304180656

Sternberg optimistic about 2019, Rays' stadium

The stadium situation was another topic of conversation Tuesday, as Sternberg sat down with the media for the first time since the Ybor City stadium plans came to an end in December.

Sternberg has made it clear that his plan is to keep the Rays in the Tampa Bay area well beyond the 2027 season, which is when the team's lease with Tropicana Field expires. With the Ybor City plan no longer in play, Sternberg said the organization is starting from scratch but has had initial talks with St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman.

"We spoke a little over a month ago," Sternberg said. "We agreed to get back to him. It's my expectation that we would have something to be able to come back to him with at some point in the summer. We're starting from scratch again, but I want to at least have a good sense of things before we get into it strongly with the mayor and his staff."

Overall, Sternberg is hoping for increased attendance at the Trop, especially if the team contends for a playoff spot in 2019.

"If we had 30-35,000 people walking through the door every night, and we had naming rights and big sponsors, the funding would be a layup," he said. "If we continue to have 8,000, 12,000, 15,000 people a night and not expand our sponsorship roles and everything, we can have all the funding in the world and it's meaningless."

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.fox13news.com/sports/rays/rays-sternberg-discusses-future-of-stadium-plans

Rays' Sternberg discusses future of stadium plans

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (FOX 13) - Two months after the collapse of the Ybor stadium plan, Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg is at spring training looking forward to a more immediate future when it comes to his ball team.

"The thing we're here first and foremost, A-Z, is to win baseball games, and to have an organization that's going to be sustainable for years," said Sternberg during his "state of the team" session with the media Tuesday afternoon.

The proposal to build a new stadium in Ybor was squashed in December. The team then sent a letter to St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman to formally tell him the search was over in Hillsborough County, at least for now.

"When we saw this thing was coming to a close, coming to an end around Thanksgiving time, it sort of spurred a lot to happen after that which was a bit too little and a bit too late," explained Sternberg. 

Now, the Rays have to start from scratch and potentially come up with a plan to build a new stadium in Pinellas County. Sternberg says he's been speaking with Kriseman.

"We agreed to get back to him. It's my understanding, it's my expectation that we would have something to be able to come back to him with -- I'd like to, I'm pushing the organization -- at some point this summer," said Sternberg.

Support and funding continue to be the biggest hurdles, moving forward, with a new stadium.

"If we continue to have 8,000, 12,000, 15,000 a night, and not expand our sponsorship roles and everything, there could be all the funding in the world and it's meaningless," said Sternberg.

Still, Sternberg says, he's confident a new stadium deal can be done here in the Bay area.

"I feel great that we have a great partner with the Mayor and the city of St. Pete. The growth within St. Pete, the growth in Tampa Bay, that we took this big swing at what we tried to do, and I'm still very committed to seeing things through in Tampa Bay," said Sternberg.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2019/02/19/billion-dollar-new-york-wealth-management-firm-to.html

Billion-dollar New York wealth management firm to relocate to St. Petersburg

The decision to relocate the company’s HQ was based on several factors, including “a rising group of talented financial services professionals in Florida,” the area’s good weather and vibrant community.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.tampabay.com/business/dynasty-financial-partners-will-trade-new-york-city-for-st-pete-20190219/

Dynasty Financial Partners will trade New York City for St. Pete

The wealth management firm was courted for nearly a year by the Greater St. Petersburg Area Economic Development Corporation.

Priatek Plaza, once known as the Bank of America building, stands at 200 Central Ave. in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg. [Times (2015)]

New York City wealth management firm Dynasty Financial Partners is relocating its headquarters to downtown St. Petersburg later this year.

The move comes after the Greater St. Petersburg Area Economic Development Corporation spent nearly a year courting the firm. Dynasty will relocate to the 15th floor of Priatek Plaza, the 28-story tower at 200 Central Ave.

J.P. DuBuque, president of the economic development corporation, called Dynasty a “rising star in the financial services world.” The company's high salaries and promise of local hiring, he said, will be a significant draw.

“For us, they’re going to come here and bring quite a few jobs,” DuBuque said. “(They) really want to be a part of this community and invest in this community.”

He said the company will not receive local subsidies. What clinched the deal was the community.

“St. Pete offers a great quality of life and a diverse workforce,” Dynasty spokeswoman Sally Cates said. “It’s a better tax environment and a lower cost of doing business in Florida.”

She said the region’s airports and low cost of living were also factors.

The company expects to have 35 to 40 employees by the end of the year, Cates said, which will be a combination of existing employees and new hires. She declined to specify how many would be new hires.

“It will be our primary growth hub for business,” she said. Dynasty currently has 60 employees, located primarily in New York City, Miami, San Francisco and Chicago. It also works with 47 registered investment advisors in 11 states and "partners" with wealth management firms across the country.

The new hires will be in fields including compliance, client services, investments, operations, technology human resources, business development and relationship management.

"The visibility that comes with this is amazing," DuBuque said, because Dynasty's board of directors is "stacked" with influential financial industry executives.

Among those board members are Todd Thompson, former CEO of Citigroup’s global wealth management division; William H. Donaldson, member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s Systemic Resolution Advisory Committee; and Harvey Golub, former CEO and chairman of American Express.

Dynasty is slated to move in the spring.

“We’re thrilled to have a company like Dynasty in our building,” said Ken Jones, CEO of Third Lake Capital, which bought the Priatek tower for $65.7 million in 2017. But he said there are other companies in similar discussions with St. Petersburg, too, so he’s looking for more big announcements to come.

“When I look at our investment in St. Petersburg, I think we’re in the second or third inning of the game,” Jones said. “I think there’s a lot more to come.”

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.barrons.com/articles/dynasty-financial-partners-relocates-to-florida-51550618469

Dynasty Financial Partners Relocates to Florida

Dynasty Financial Partners is moving its headquarters from the Big Apple to the Sunshine State.

The company, which provides wealth management and technology platforms to RIA firms, is relocating to St. Petersburg, Fla., although it will maintain a New York office as well as client service locations in Chicago and San Francisco.

Dynasty had been looking for a year for a new home providing “economic leverage, a high quality of life for our team, a robust infrastructure, and a strong talent pool,” Shirl Penney, the company’s CEO, said in a news release. It was also looking for a home base in a growing financial services market.

Penney said the move would allow Dynasty to invest “more aggressively” in employees and resources to serve its growing client base. The company works with 47 RIAs with assets of more than $30 billion on its platform.

Dynasty expects to make new hires in business development, relationship management, technology and operations, among other areas.

“There is a rising group of talented financial services professionals in Florida as a result of other financial firms based there,” Penney added. “The young and vibrant community in St. Petersburg will allow us to hire professionals from various backgrounds at various levels of the firm.”

(Follow link for full article.)

https://riabiz.com/a/2019/2/19/shirl-penney-flies-south-taking-dynasty-financial-partners-to-st-petersburg-in-advance-of-a-hiring-spree-but-wont-kiss-off-the-big-apple-just-yet

Shirl Penney flies south, taking Dynasty Financial Partners to St. Petersburg in advance of a hiring spree, but won't kiss-off the Big Apple just yet

The CEO and co-founder is taking his firm to Raymond James' hometown, where he hopes to tap local talent and recruit some snow birds, as well

Brooke's Note; We expect big firms to shift operations to second- or third-tier cities. Fidelity and LPL moved much to Charlotte, N.C. Schwab moved much to Denver, Colo. Merrill Lynch is heavy in Jacksonville. But the boutique-sized firms that make up the disruptive class in the RIA world tend to stay put -- often in the most expensive markets like Chicago, San Francisco and New York. Amazon was a real anomaly moving toward an expensive market in New York City. No longer. But Dynasty's move makes sense. The firm is conceived as a back- and middle-office for big-time financial firms that have no choice but to inhabit expensive urban environments. It's where the assets are. So putting Dynasty somewhere cheap and livable makes intuitive sense. Besides, New York isn't all it's cracked up to be -- at least according to people who live in Sausalito, Calif.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://stpetecatalyst.com/financial-services-ceo-tells-how-st-pete-won-his-billion-dollar-firm/

Financial services CEO tells how St. Pete won his billion dollar firm

A “community bear hug” from business and government leaders in St. Petersburg was among the factors that convinced Shirl Penney, co-founder and CEO of Dynasty Financial Partners, to relocate the financial services firm.

The company announced Tuesday morning it would move its headquarters from Manhattan to St. Petersburg. It will lease the entire 15th floor of 200 Central Ave. and plans to have 35 to 40 people in the space by year’s end, Penney said.

“We looked at a lot of options and found St. Petersburg would be the right fit for us,” Penney told St. Pete Catalyst. He cited the quality of life, lower taxes, a more affordable cost of living, access to talent and the airport as playing roles in the decision.

Dynasty provides wealth management and technology platforms for independent financial advisory firms, with billions of dollars in assets on its platforms. The company’s board of directors is made up of executives from Citigroup, Smith Barney and other financial industry leaders.

Dynasty brings high-skill, high-wage jobs, with an average annual compensation of more than $200,000.

“I am so pleased to have one of today’s most innovative and entrepreneurial firms in the wealth management industry choose St. Pete for their next headquarters location, where they will be among one of the best financial services sectors in the nation,” Mayor Rick Kriseman said in a news release.

Dynasty spent the past year visiting eight cities, including Nashville, Charlotte, West Palm Beach and Lexington, Kentucky, talking with mayors, economic development agencies and other businesses.

“Because our entire platform is technology-based we can run our business anywhere,” Penney said. “A lot of cities we looked at were overheated. We see this nice inflection point now in St. Pete where there’s a healthy level of growth and with a commitment from local leadership to invest in the infrastructure to support that growth.”

It also helped that St. Petersburg is home to Raymond James Financial (NYSE: RJF), a home-grown financial services firm.

“We’re an early stage Raymond James, a young scrappy company looking to grow aggressively like Raymond James did,” Penney said.

Dynasty worked closely with the St. Petersburg Area Economic Development Corp.

“Dynasty’s relocation is an incredible win for our community and will continue to build our region’s reputation as a financial services hub,” said Chad Loar, 2019 chairman of the St. Petersburg EDC. “Not only is Dynasty bringing high-wage jobs to St. Pete, but the firm is looking to invest in and play an integral role in building this community.”

Penney said Dynasty was offered economic incentives to relocate, but he said the incentives did not play a major role in making the decision to move. He said the biggest incentive was community support, including from the Tampa Bay Rays and owner Stu Sternberg, a former Goldman Sachs partner.

“The Rays have been incredible. Stu and the ownership of the Rays have been so welcoming to us, coming into the community,” Penney said. “Many CEOs of other businesses that the mayor connected me with have been really proactive in reaching out. It’s been what I would call a community bear hug with local entrepreneurs, with some of the CEO s of the larger businesses, it’s been very supportive.”

Another key factor was diversity, Penney said. Forty percent of Dynasty’s employees are women, double the financial services industry average, and finding a community that is supportive of diversity was really important.

A thriving arts and culture scene in St. Pete also played a role, he said.

Robert Teachey, a senior associate at CBRE, worked with Dynasty on leasing the space. Dynasty also will have signage on the building, which has been known as Priatek Plaza and One Progress Plaza.

Dynasty is growing quickly and is in acquisition mode.

“We’re looking at opportunities to buy smaller competitors. As we do that, we’ll look where it makes sense to consolidate the back offices into St. Pete. So that, in addition to our rapid organic growth, I think will pretty quickly require us to need more space,” Penney said. “We love the building but we’re watching very closely a lot of the development going on in town, and I think we’ll be a big contributor to the economic growth of the city.”

Penney, who plans to be on the ground full-time when the buildout is complete, likely in May, is already settling in with a home in ONE St. Petersburg and season tickets to the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Dynasty, with about 175 advisors, will maintain its New York office, Penney said.

Dynasty last year topped $15 billion in assets on its turnkey asset management platform. In addition, Dynasty’s investment platform is approaching $1 billion in alternative assets. Overall, Dynasty Financial Partners works with 47 registered investment advisors across the U.S. with assets over $30 billion on the firm’s platform.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.si.com/soccer/video/2019/02/19/mls-commissioner-sports-gambling-we-might-well-find-way-monetize-it-0

MLS Commissioner On Sports Gambling: "We Might As Well Find A Way To Monetize It

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.rheaheraldnews.com/sports/article_045b9b6b-c404-5f3d-a391-a3ef7ce8f27c.html

Surging Kentucky should challenge Mizzou's toughness

IS IT NOW OR NEVER FOR MLS TO STL?

MLS with Garber

Carolyn Kindle Betz and Jim Kavanaugh, leaders of the group hoping to land a Major League Soccer franchise for St. Louis, flank commissioner Don Garber in a visit to the league's headquarters in New York. (Photo courtesy of MLS4STL)

QUESTION: Do you think it's now or never for MLS to St. Louis? If they choose Sacramento instead of St. Louis, should STL just be done with the league?

GORDO: No, St. Louis will always be a good soccer market and I don't believe the capital behind this bid is going anywhere. St. Louis made a late re-entry into the process. Had the city started with the bid it has now, I believe it would already have a team.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://extra.ie/2019/02/18/sport/soccernews/watch-salford-city-teen-recreates-becks-screamer-in-front-of-the-man-himself

WATCH: SALFORD CITY TEEN RECREATES BECKS SCREAMER IN FRONT OF THE MAN HIMSELF

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/articles/international/categories/international/zlatan-ibrahimovic-vows-to-break-every-record-in-major-league-soccer/650473

Zlatan Vows To 'Break Every Record In The MLS'

(Follow link for full article.)

https://lastwordonsoccer.com/2019/02/19/the-thing-about-the-david-beckham-statue-a-league-or-club-honor/

The thing about the David Beckham Statue: A league or club honor?

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.sounderatheart.com/2019/2/19/18231492/city-sign-portugal-star-nani-from-sporting-cp-mls-news

Major Link Soccer: Orlando City sign Portugal star Nani from Sporting CP

The future of the Gold Cup is up in the air, Marco Fabian is excited to get started in MLS, and lightsaber fencing is a sport now.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.goal.com/en-om/news/atlanta-united-red-bulls-lead-the-charge-as-mls-resumes-quest-to-/1r9ma86jj5y1m1jwj4uxh1o7pm

Atlanta United, Red Bulls lead the charge as MLS resumes quest to conquer the CCL

(Follow link for full article.)

https://sports.yahoo.com/atlanta-united-red-bulls-lead-163531229.html

Atlanta United, Red Bulls lead the charge as MLS resumes quest to conquer the CCL

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/02/19/sporting-kansas-city-announce-inaugural-patterson-cup-u-12-tournament

Sporting Kansas City announce inaugural Patterson Cup U-12 tournament

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.tv360nigeria.com/nani-makes-major-league-soccer-move/

Nani Makes Major League Soccer Move

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.statesman.com/sports/20190219/soccer-notebook-young-prospects-already-benefiting-from-austin-pro-soccer

Soccer notebook: Young prospects already benefiting from Austin pro soccer

[Tampa Bay Rowdies on Twitter] Hey Orlando City SC, it looks like you made a mistake on your new jerseys and left Pinellas County off the map. We went ahead and fixed it for you free of charge!

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/ase4y1/tampa_bay_rowdies_on_twitter_hey_orlando_city_sc/

[Tampa Bay Rowdies on Twitter] Hey Orlando City SC, it looks like you made a mistake on your new jerseys and left Pinellas County off the map. We went ahead and fixed it for you free of charge!

(Follow link for full article.)

https://twitter.com/tampabayrowdies/status/1097877638050447360?s=21

Tampa Bay Rowdies
‏
Verified account

@TampaBayRowdies

Hey @OrlandoCitySC, it looks like you made a mistake on your new jerseys and left Pinellas County off the map. We went ahead and fixed it for you free of charge!

10:16 AM - 19 Feb 2019

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/asgwyg/match_preview_suncoast_invitational_day_two_vs/

Match Preview: Suncoast Invitational Day Two vs. Montreal Impact

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/996697

MATCH PREVIEW: SUNCOAST INVITATIONAL DAY TWO

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/ascs8d/wednesdays_game/

Wednesdays game
Hey, a few questions about the game Wednesday:

Parking in lot is 5$ right?

Any cool things going on before the game wednesday?

Anyone up for a scarf trade?

Where y'all gonna be pregame? @RalphsMob

Thanks also I was the Impact fan with the Quebec flag in the top row at the game Saturday, if you see me tomorrow say hello :)

I don't expect much of a Mob presence with it being right after work on a Wednesday, and pre-season...just a heads up. Other wise most peeps will be either tailgating or over at Thirsty First, Courigans, or one of the many other pubs near by.

Thanks

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.firstpost.com/sports/los-angeles-galaxys-zlatan-ibrahimovic-vows-to-break-every-record-in-mls-this-season-6112451.html

Los Angeles Galaxy's Zlatan Ibrahimovic vows to 'break every record in MLS this season'

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.firstpost.com/sports/major-league-soccer-portuguese-winger-luis-nani-signs-for-orlando-city-from-sporting-lisbon-on-free-transfer-6110361.html

Major League Soccer: Portuguese winger Luis Nani signs for Orlando City from Sporting Lisbon on free transfer

(Follow link for full article.)

https://abc30.com/sports/la-galaxys-ibrahimovic-vows-to-break-every-record-in-mls/5144794/

LA Galaxy's Ibrahimovic vows to 'break every record in MLS'

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/hearts/why-would-i-not-try-it-hearts-striker-steven-naismith-on-possible-mls-switch-1-4875163

‘Why would I not try it?’ - Hearts striker Steven Naismith on possible MLS switch

(Follow link for full article.)

https://futaa.com/article/173463/louis-nani-joins-mls-side

Louis Nani joins MLS side

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.sportingkc.com/post/2019/02/19/sporting-kc-host-inaugural-patterson-cup-featuring-six-prominent-mls-youth-academies

Sporting KC to host inaugural Patterson Cup, featuring six prominent MLS youth academies

(Follow link for full article.)

https://ussoccerplayers.com/2019/02/atlanta-toronto-and-the-red-bulls-in-the-concacaf-champions-league.html

ATLANTA, TORONTO, AND THE RED BULLS IN THE CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12096/11641711/nani-from-manchester-united-to-mls-side-orlando-city

Nani: From Manchester United to MLS side Orlando City

Nani signed a three-year deal with Orlando ahead of the new MLS season

(Follow link for full article.)

https://mlsmultiplex.com/2019/02/19/mls-ranking-5-ccl-teams/

MLS: Ranking the 5 CCL teams

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/3778840/la-galaxys-ibrahimovic-vows-to-break-every-record-in-mls

LA Galaxy's Ibrahimovic vows to 'break every record in MLS'

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/wayne-rooney-news-dc-united-laureus-sports-awards-2019-fabio-capello-a8785976.html

Wayne Rooney had lost 'everything' before MLS transfer says Fabio Capello

England's record goalscorer plumped for a return to boyhood club Everton in July 2017 but he stayed just one season before leaving to sign for DC United

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.espn.com/soccer/united-states/story/3778839/former-united-states-coach-jurgen-klinsmann-received-$335m-settlement-from-ussf

Former U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann received $3.35m settlement from USSF

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.espn.com/soccer/united-states/story/3778789/us-soccer-boss-carlos-cordeiro-no-decision-on-gold-cup-after-2021

U.S. Soccer boss Carlos Cordeiro: No decision on Gold Cup after 2021

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.starsandstripesfc.com/2019/2/19/18230464/cindy-parlow-cone-elected-us-soccer-vice-president

Cindy Parlow Cone elected U.S. Soccer vice president

The former USWNT star is now U.S. Soccer’s #2

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/spfl/other-football/dundee-uniteds-former-chairman-stephen-15855194

Dundee United’s former chairman Stephen Thompson behind new American team

The former Terrors chief is one of the men who will form a brand new division in American soccer

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2019/02/19/jumping-leagues-boca-raton-fc-moves-from-npsl-to-upsl/

JUMPING LEAGUES: Boca Raton FC moves from NPSL to UPSL

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2019/02/19/back-home-diosa-returns-to-the-cosmos/

BACK HOME: Diosa returns to the Cosmos

(Follow link for full article.)

https://menafn.com/1098143369/United-Premier-Soccer-League-Announces-Boca-Raton-Football-Club-as-New-League-Member

United Premier Soccer League Announces Boca Raton Football Club as New League Member

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.brewbound.com/news/florida-craft-brewers-collaborate-on-a-house-that-beer-built-belgian-wit

Florida Craft Brewers Collaborate on ‘A House That Beer Built’ Belgian Wit

CLEARWATER Fla. – Several Pinellas County craft breweries are teaming up with Habitat for Humanity to raise money for A House that Beer Built.  The brewers hope to raise $50,000 to help a local family in need.

Part of the money will be raised through the sale of a special collaboration beer the breweries have created for this cause.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to give back to the community and by working together we are crafting both a home and hope for a Pinellas family,” said Big Storm Brewing owner L.J. Govoni.

Big Storm Brewing Co. is one of the local breweries participating in the program.  Others include Dissent Craft Brewing and Flying Boat Brewing Co.

“Habitat is beyond excited to be working with the craft beer community here in Pinellas County,” said Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County VP of corporate partnerships and marketing Alison Riley. “We are always looking for new and innovative ways to partner with businesses and individuals in the area as well as spread the word of the Habitat mission. We are thankful to Big Storm and all of the breweries who have made this project possible!”

The collaboration beer, called “A House That Beer Built,” is now available in the Big Storm Clearwater taproom located at 12707 49th St. N.

Big Storm Head Brewer Joel Moore says the beer is a Belgian Wit (white) that is brewed with white wheat and barley malt for a refreshing and flavorful, hazy golden-white ale.  He says the addition of orange peel, coriander and grains of paradise add layers of sweet citrus and pleasant spice. A traditional Belgian wit yeast completes the perfect beer for a great cause.

About Habitat for Humanity Pinellas County

Since 1985, Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County has constructed over 510 homes for struggling families in Pinellas County, using locally raised funds. Volunteers and the future homeowners construct the homes, which are sold at no profit and financed with a zero-interest loan. Habitat Pinellas homeowner candidates earn 30 to 80 percent of area median income. For Pinellas County, that translates to as little as $27,000 a year for a family of four. Candidates must also demonstrate need for adequate shelter; ability to pay back a zero-interest loan and willingness to partner with Habitat Pinellas to invest 350 to 450 sweat equity hours. Mortgage monies are used to build even more homes, making each donation to Habitat a perpetual legacy to the community. Habitat believes that home ownership contributes to family stability, leading, in turn, to community stability. Additionally, Habitat Pinellas raises funds through their ReStore, a home improvement outlet where donated household and building items are sold to the public. For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County, contact 727-536-4755 or visit habitatpinellas.org.

About Big Storm

Big Storm is one of the fastest growing independent craft breweries in Florida.  Founded in 2012 by Mike Bishop, Big Storm currently has three taprooms in the Sunshine State; Clearwater, Odessa and Cape Coral. Led by head brewer Joel Moore, Big Storm’s innovative craft beers have received critical acclaim for the past six consecutive years, winning 2016’s Best Florida Beer Championship with its Oktoberfest Märzen Lager. Big Storm is an official partner of both the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Tampa Bay Rowdies and has brewed beer for both sports franchises. Today, Big Storm is a true pioneer using locally sourced ingredients like citrus and wildflower honey, brewing more than 50 different beers, including their popular Arcus IPA, Wavemaker Amber Ale, Tropic Pressure Florida Ale, Palm Bender Gulf Coast IPA and Oats in Hose Oatmeal Stout.   For more information, visit bigstormbrewery.com.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/fp/former-dundee-united-chief-thompson-to-take-up-reins-at-us-club/

Former Dundee United chief Stephen Thompson to take up reins at US club after passing fit and proper persons test

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.insideworldfootball.com/2019/02/19/us-set-get-new-third-tier-pro-league-nisa-provisionally-given-ok/

US set to get new third-tier pro league as NISA provisionally given OK

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/3897635/former-dundee-united-owner-stephen-thompson-return-to-football/

AMERICAN DREAM Former Dundee United owner Stephen Thompson set for return to football with new US club

The ex-Tangerines chief is set to start up a new club in Norwich, Conneticut under a fresh US league system

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/sports/2019/02/19/lansing-ignite-soccer-united-usl-league-one-football-club/2916264002/

Lansing Ignite has a 'United' feel as USL League One club holds first practice

(Follow link for full article.)

https://nationalpost.com/sports/soccer/mls/ottawa-fury-fc/concacaf-silliness-hurt-ottawa-fury-fc-in-pursuit-of-star-scorers/wcm/13dac056-ca48-4c13-9a54-9a595cce803b

CONCACAF silliness hurt Ottawa Fury FC in pursuit of star scorers