David Beckham enjoys statue reveal by LA Galaxy, comments on Inter Miami CF struggles

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http://magiccity.soccer/2019/03/04/david-beckham-enjoys-statue-reveal-by-la-galaxy-comments-on-inter-miami-cf-struggles/

David Beckham enjoys statue reveal by LA Galaxy, comments on Inter Miami CF struggles

Saturday was a day of high honor for David Beckham. The legendary winger returned to Los Angeles, where the LA Galaxy unveiled a Beckham statue. It is the first statue of any Major League Soccer player by a MLS team. However, as always, at least a little bit of attention was dedicated to another MLS club(-to-be), Inter Miami CF.

Rob Stone, the Fox Sports play-by-play man who was also master of ceremonies for the statue reveal, caught up with Beckham on the sideline before kickoff of Galaxy’s game against Chicago Fire. Stone focused on two topics: Beckham’s L.A. nostalgia and what lies ahead for Miami.

“It’s such a humbling moment for me to hear so many great and nice things said about me by so many people that have been part of this journey,” Beckham told Stone on Fox Sports 1. “It was incredible to share it with the fans, my family, my friends. It’s very emotional. I thought I got past it up until I saw the kids on the screen and then I went a little bit.”

After reflecting on his past, Beckham then playfully eluded to his future with the league.

“Today was very emotional, and a great day. I’m not sure I’m going to be as popular in about a year’s time when I bring our team to L.A. and [Inter Miami CF] play against the Galaxy.”

Miami struggles

Stone quickly transitioned to Miami, giving Beckham an opportunity to speak on the struggles of getting the team off the ground.

“Miami has taken a lot longer than I ever expected it to, but we’ve got some great owners, we’ve got some great people that are working on the team. And we’re building a club that’s going to be part of this league for a long, long time.

“Yes, there’s a lot of hard work to be done. But I’ve always said, some of the best things in life, in business, take time. And this has taken time.

“When I first arrived in 2007, it wasn’t just about my commitment to the LA Galaxy, it was my commitment to the MLS. And I always said that I would continue that journey. Miami is the next part of this journey, but this is where it all started, and this is where I regard as my second home.

“But Miami is coming.”

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/03/04/few-good-minutes-with-mls-commissioner-don-garber/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.722f753ca92d

A few good minutes with MLS Commissioner Don Garber

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http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/3790985/don-garber-mls-ready-to-embrace-legalized-gambling

Don Garber: MLS ready to embrace legalized sports gambling

Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber is ready to embrace legalized sports gambling.

"I've been to a lot of games in England," Garber said in a short Q&A before D.C. United hosted Atlanta United on Sunday evening. "I've never really objected to the fact that somebody would come into the owner's box and take a bet on a game.

"If people are going to do it, you might as well manage it, organize it. You might as well generate tax revenue for it and find ways that the league could use it as a marketing tool to have people engage more with our players and our clubs."

The commissioner said he thinks the value of legalized gambling will be to bring the fans closer to the sport and help attract a wider audience.

"At the end of the day, the most important thing for Major League Soccer as it relates to the potential of legalized sports betting is not necessarily revenue-driven," he said. "It's how do we engage more and more fans to participate, to get closer to our teams, to participate more deeply in our games."

Garber also addressed a report that the naming rights to Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey are potentially going to be purchased by a gaming company.

"If there's a possibility with a gaming company naming one of our stadiums, I'm all for it," he said. "We're in the process of getting close to a major league-wide sponsorship with a respected gaming company, and I'm very supportive of that as have the other leagues.

"It's an evolving process. I think we have to see how it plays out state by state, but once the government says it's okay, we're certainly not going to do anything other than support it."

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https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/mar/04/david-beckham-statue-la-galaxy-mls-soccer

Why many LA Galaxy fans don't believe David Beckham deserves a statue

The former England captain has been honoured for his time in LA. But players like Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan were far more crucial to the team

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https://theathletic.com/390737/2018/06/13/stark-how-mlb-expansion-could-lead-to-realignment-a-new-playoff-format-a-universal-dh-and-more/

Stark: How MLB expansion could lead to realignment, a new playoff format, a universal DH and more

“I want to be clear about expansion. … We’ve made clear we have two big issues — Tampa Bay and Oakland — that need to be resolved before we think about it. But the fact of the matter is, we’re blessed. We’ve got cities out there that want to have Major League Baseball. And I think Major League Baseball has to show some receptivity to that because down the road, we are interested in it.”

-Commissioner Rob Manfred, to the Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal last month

Close your eyes and imagine baseball in the year 2025. Close your eyes and imagine baseball after Rob Manfred’s expansion dreams come true.

Imagine a sport that could look dramatically different with 32 teams instead of 30.

Imagine a realignment, based almost solely on geography, that could blow up the structure of the leagues and divisions as we’ve always known them.

Imagine a postseason that could also expand, to 12 or even 16 teams.

Imagine a totally...

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https://sports.yahoo.com/while-the-presence-of-rightwing-extremist-fans-in-mls-is-obvious-rooting-out-the-problem-isnt-042404612.html

While the presence of right-wing extremist fans in MLS is obvious, rooting out the problem isn't

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https://www.huffpost.com/entry/new-york-city-football-club-far-right-extremists_n_5c76d679e4b062b30eba721a?ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000016&section=politics

How New York City Soccer Fans Are Fighting Fascism In The Stands

With the start of the new season, fans want to know what the team will do about the far-right extremists in their midst.

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https://www.prosoccerusa.com/mls/week-1-mls-recap-41-goals-3-reds-snow-and-the-next-big-thing/

Week 1 MLS recap: 41 goals, 3 reds, snow and the next big thing

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https://www.advocate.com/sports/2019/3/04/popular-soccer-chant-anti-gay-slur-now-be-banned

Popular Soccer Chant With Antigay Slur Now Banned

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https://www.theroar.com.au/2019/03/04/why-australian-football-must-stop-trying-to-conquer-the-past/

Why Australian football must stop trying to conquer the past

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https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rowdies/2019/03/06/us-women-provides-hope-in-shebelieves-cup-finale/

U.S. Women provide hope in SheBelieves Cup finale

After struggling defensively in prior matches, the Americans shut out Brazil at Raymond James Stadium

United States' Tobin Heath, second from right, is congratulated on her goal by Mallory Pugh (11), Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan (13) during the first half of a SheBelieves Cup soccer match against Brazil Tuesday at Raymond James Stadium. [AP Photo/Mike Carlson]

TAMPA — That’s more like it.

After two inconsistent matches in the SheBelieves Cup, the United States National Team took out its frustrations on Brazil Tuesday night with a 1-0 win in front of 14,009 at Raymond James Stadium. The attendance is a record for a women’s national team game in Tampa.

It’s the first win in the three team round robin tournament for the U.S. It tied both Japan and England in the first two matches. It’s also the first shutout.

While it wasn’t a dominant win, it does put the team back on track and it prepares for the World Cup.

“It’s good to get a win and it’s good to be challenged like this,’’ team captain Alex Morgan said. “We’re learning a lot about each other. It’s tough to lose the trophy to England, but there could be a silver lining. It could push us as we get closer to the World Cup.’’

Tobin Heath set up and then eventually scored the game’s first and only goal. In the 20th minute she slotted a perfect pass to Alex Morgan on the left side of the 18-yard box. Morgan got within 10 yards of the goal, but Brazil goalkeeper Aline made a sliding save.

The ball went back into play. Heath settled it and hit a line drive from 18 yards out that went into the upper left corner. It was her 27th international goal.

Brazil amped up the pressure in the second half, but the U.S. was able to keep the ball out of the net. Goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris made a diving save in the 75th minute to keep Brazil from scoring.

Both teams had no chance at winning the tournament championship after England beat Japan in the opening match. But that was secondary to getting ready for the World Cup.

After Tuesday night’s match, the U.S. has five more tune up matches before the World Cup. The next one is April 4 against Australia. The U.S. starts World Cup play on June 11 against Thailand in France.

“There are a lot of things we can take away from this,’’ Heath said. “There were some good things and there were some mistakes. I think we can do better as we go forward.’’

England wins the Cup

England has never won a Women’s World Cup, or even played in the championship match. But it can claim a SheBelieves Cup championship after decisively defeating Japan 3-0. England, which won two matches and tied the United States in the tournament, scored three first half goals to seal the match.

“I think there’s a belief,’’ said England forward Karen Carney, who scored her team’s second goal on a header. “This group has confidence and a swag. It just feels really good right now.’’

It is England’s first SheBelieves Cup title. It was runner-up last year.

Stuck on 99

Team captain Alex Morgan still has 99 career national team goals after being shut out against Brazil. She had a good look at goal in the first half, which eventually resulted in Heath’s goal. In the 73rd minute she had a header from 10 yards sail wide left.

Morgan, 29, notched her 158th start for the national team. She is seventh on the national team’s all-time scoring list.

“I think Alex would say that winning the game is the first priority,’’ National Team coach Jill Ellis said prior to the match. “But stepping back from that, it’s a great milestone to achieve on the national team. Hopefully it’s not too far from coming.’’

Goalkeeper shuffle

Ashlyn Harris started in goal Tuesday night. She is the third keeper used in as many matches for the U.S. Regular starter Alyssa Naeher is out with a shoulder injury sustained in the first game of the Cup against Japan. Adrianna Franch earned her first national team start on Saturday against England. But Harris was selected over Franch for the third game.

Naeher is considered the first-stringer and should be able to go once the national team resumes play on April 4 against Australia. Ellis was able to get her reserves minutes in the last two games.

Home away from home

The National Team doesn’t really have a home field, but if it did it might pick Raymond James Stadium. The U.S. is now 5-0 in Tampa. The four previous wins were also by one goal.

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https://sbcamericas.com/2019/03/06/mls-edges-closer-to-embracing-sports-betting-partnerships/

MLS edges closer to embracing sports betting partnerships