Soccer’s Tampa Bay Rowdies and Birmingham are forever connected by fight song | Bham Now

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/bvcukj/soccers_tampa_bay_rowdies_and_birmingham_are/

Soccer’s Tampa Bay Rowdies and Birmingham are forever connected by fight song | Bham Now

Where is the new version of the song hosted? That one looks embedded in the page.

The embedded version says:

"First here is the latest audio version of the Rowdies “Kick in the Grass” courtesy of the Tampa Bay Rowdies."

So the Rowdies organization definitely has it. I have not heard it before, and/or I have heard it at the stadium (depending on how long they have been using it?) and I did not notice that it was a new version.

The Rowdies must have provided a copy of the mp3 to Bham Now, because if you look in the HTML code on that web page, you can find the mp3 location:

https://bhamnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/A-Kick-In-The-Grass.mp3

Don’t know...never heard it outside of the stadium. We’d have to rip it...

As noted above, the Rowdies must have provided the mp3 to Bham Now.

whoa have never heard that second verse wtf?

If you mean the one that ends with "it's exciting to live in a pro soccer town", that was on the original vinyl record.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://bhamnow.com/2019/05/31/soccers-tampa-bay-rowdies-and-birmingham-are-forever-connected-by-the-rowdies-fight-song/

Soccer’s Tampa Bay Rowdies and Birmingham are forever connected by fight song

APRIL 27, 2019 – ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA: The Tampa Bay Rowdies match against Charlotte Independence at Al Lang Stadium. The match ended in a 1-1 tie. (Photo by Matt May/Tampa Bay Rowdies)

On Saturday, June 1st, one of U.S. Soccer’s most legendary teams, the Tampa Bay Rowdies will be taking on the Birmingham Legion F.C. at BBVA Field on the campus of UAB.

Unbeknownst, to both USL teams – the Rowdies famous fight song “Kick in the Grass” was written about 45 years ago by Birmingham native Ed Boutwell, founder of Boutwell Studios and a resident of Episcopal Place.

First here is the latest audio version of the Rowdies “Kick in the Grass” courtesy of the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

And for a vintage look – a rare YouTube version with Rowdies footage from the 70s or 80s.

How did Boutwell write the song?

Earlier this week, Bham Now sat down with Boutwell, who wrote the music and lyrics and Sonny Harris, a local drummer, who was one of the singers on the original piece.

Ed Boutwell with the Tampa Bay Rowdies song sheet and picture of himself at a 1980 Tampa Bay Rowdies game. Photo by Pat Byington

How they came to write “Kick in the Grass”:

Boutwell’s best friend, Tommy Little, who was from Birmingham, worked for an ad agency in Atlanta, that had the Rowdies account back in the mid 1970s. According to Boutwell, Little called him to a do a jingle for the team at the very last minute.

So, Boutwell pulled his regular gang of musicians together that night at Boutwell Studios and worked till dawn to knock out the song.

“Many, many, many jingles were recorded in the middle of the night,” said Boutwell. “I’d run down to the bus station, put it (the recording) on the bus to Atlanta and Tommy would present it at meetings in the morning like he had written it.” Boutwell joked.

“Ed was a creative genius,” added Harris. I don’t remember anything we ever attempted that wasn’t right on the money, and so was this one (Rowdies song).”

Video of Ed Boutwell and  Sonny Harris singing the “A Kick in the Grass”

“I think everybody bought them (jingles) because I was so silly,” laughed Boutwell.  “I really think that because I was so silly everybody could laugh at what I was doing. It was great fun.”

On the Rowdies song, Boutwell admits, he didn’t know anything about soccer, but somehow from that all-nighter they created a song Rowdies fans still sing today.

Meeting Pele

Among all of Boutwell’s stories about his experience with the Rowdies, his most memorable was when he was thanked by the team at a Tampa Bay home game 5 years after he wrote the song.

Original song sheet of “A Kick in the Grass” Tampa Bay Rowdies fight song. Photo by Pat Byington

That evening, he was honored alongside the world’s greatest soccer player, Pele.

Boutwell recounted their introduction, “Pele stands up in front of me and sings the jingle. I’m sitting there smiling like a goober. He came over and hugged me and said this is brilliant, this is great, in a very heavy accent.”

That evening, Boutwell and Pele rode in a convertible around the field at half-time.

“We had a ball, going around the field waving and waving. He (Pele) was singing the song at the top of his lungs,” Boutwell said.

A Generational Song

2018 United Way of Central Alabama Campaign Chairman, Alan Register delivering meals at the local Meals on Wheel program. Photo courtesy of United Way

For many, the Rowdies song is part of the soundtrack of their lives. In a 2018 Bham Now interview with Alan Register, Regions Bank Birmingham Market Executive, and Chair of the United Way of Central Alabama 2018 campaign, he sang the Rowdies jingle during the interview when he described growing up in the Tampa area.

When Bham Now asked about the song and the connection with his growing up as a young person, Register said, “When I talked to my mother about finding Rowdies memorabilia at our home, she said, ‘that was a pretty meaningful time in our lives wasn’t it?’ I said, yeah it really was. My dad worked for Coca-Cola and one of his accounts was Tampa Stadium. We went to all the Buccaneers and Rowdies games when I was growing up. So I was at Tampa Stadium all the time.”

Register added. “I never really played soccer, but it was so interesting to watch, and I’m so glad we did. I got to see Pele in person, Franz Beckenbauer, who played for the German National team that won the World Cup, and Rodney Marsh, who all played for the Rowdies. Got to do all this because my dad worked with Coke.”

Rowdies Visit the Birmingham Legion FC

On June 1st, Ed Boutwell and about 5000 Legion FC fans will get an opportunity to hear members of the Rowdies supporters group “Ralph’s Mob” sing their fight song – a jingle Boutwell and a band of Birmingham musicians created pulling together an all nighter some 45 years ago.

MARCH 16, 2019 – ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA: The Tampa Bay Rowdies match versus Pittsburgh Riverhounds at Al Lang Stadium. (Photo by Matt May/Tampa Bay Rowdies)

“We’re happy to visit Birmingham and play in front of Ed Boutwell,” said a Rowdies spokesperson to Bham Now. “We hope he enjoys the match and the opportunity to see the Rowdies live an in-person once again. The song he wrote so many years ago remains relevant to today’s fans and is played inside Al Lang Stadium before every match. Rowdies supporters both young and old know the lyrics and sing together, bringing two generations of our fans together.”

Photo from the Birmingham Legion Football Club Instagram

Legion FC Awaits Visit From the Rowdies

Legion FC is excited about this Saturday’s Tampa Bay Rowdies visit.

“I owned a full NASL Tampa Bay Rowdies kit as a child. To this day, those bold colors and iconic stripes remain, and the club is among the most recognizable in American soccer. Generations from now, Legion FC aspires to be looked upon in similar fashion,” concluded Doug Hicks, Executive Vice President, Legion FC

Don’t miss the Tampa Bay Rowdies take on the Birmingham Legion FC Saturday night, June 1, 7:00pm.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://beta.canada.com/sports/soccer/mls/vancouver-whitecaps/whitecaps-game-day-battle-of-spanish-mids-highlights-canadian-clash/wcm/58d07f23-25e0-4acf-ba2f-602cf04b4036/amp

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS

Whitecaps Game Day: Battle of Spanish mids highlights Canadian clash

1. History deserves history

Tonight’s game serves as the 40th anniversary celebration of the Whitecaps’ cherished 1979 Soccer Bowl win, and with the New York Cosmos and Tampa Bay Rowdies relegated to history (the original clubs, at least), TFC suitably serves as the foil. The Caps and Reds have played 86 times, with Vancouver holding a 39W-32L-15D all-time advantage.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.al.com/sports/2019/05/legion-fc-plays-undefeated-tampa-bay-rowdies-at-home-saturday.html

Legion FC plays undefeated Tampa Bay Rowdies at home Saturday

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/birmingham-legion-preps-for-match-against-tampa-bay-rowdies/2042698782

Birmingham Legion preps for match against Tampa Bay Rowdies

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.prosoccerusa.com/usl/las-vegas-renaissance-lights-soccer/

Seeking new stadium, Las Vegas Lights FC eyes MLS

The Las Vegas city council has entered into an agreement to hear a proposal on a new soccer stadium.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/3865428/las-vegas-mls-plan-includes-indoor-stadium

Las Vegas' MLS plan includes indoor stadium

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.aroundosceola.com/sports/orlando-city-confirms-it-s-bringing-mls-developmental-training-facility/article_c78eb4f2-83b6-11e9-9649-b34049890d12.html

Orlando City confirms it's bringing MLS, developmental training facility to Heritage Park; Fire Frogs sign deal to leave after this season

A rendering from Orlando City of what its new training and administrative complex might look like, with Bill Beck Boulevard at bottom. The four soccer fields take the place of the baseball fields currently behind Osceola County Stadium, but shows the stadium field intact.

Photo/Orlando City Soccer

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.insideworldfootball.com/2019/05/31/las-vegas-set-spin-wheel-30th-mls-franchise-bid/

Las Vegas set to spin the wheel for 30th MLS franchise slot

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.elpasoinc.com/lifestyle/forget-an-arena-build-a-soccer-stadium-instead/article_0d002ef4-832a-11e9-a12e-a32b0a0c6489.html

Forget an arena, build a soccer stadium instead

A few weeks back on my sports radio show, I suggested that instead of building a Downtown arena, the city build an outdoor multipurpose facility to serve as the permanent home for El Paso Locomotive FC.

The topic caught the attention of Max Grossman, who has led the nearly three-year fight against the city to protect the Duranguito neighborhood from demolition. Several buildings in that neighborhood in Downtown are slated to be torn down to make room for the multipurpose performing arts and entertainment center – more commonly known as the Downtown arena.

Grossman wondered if I had any insider information about the possibility of the city building an outdoor multipurpose facility.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://longislandweekly.com/the-return-of-the-cosmos/

The Return Of The Cosmos

Aaron Dennis is in his seventh season as a professional player and his first year with the New York Cosmos. (Photo courtesy of Matthew Levine/New York Cosmos)

The New York Cosmos were once a thriving team. Back in the 1970s and early 1980s, as part of the North American Soccer League (NASL), they were one of the most exciting teams in New York with the likes of Randy Horton, Giorgio Chinaglia and Pelé wearing the three-bladed crest on their uniforms. The league and team ceased operations in the mid-’80s.

Luckily, the Cosmos were revived, joining the new NASL in 2013. They won three championships in the five seasons that they were a part of the league, trying to rejuvenate the local love for the franchise. But an antitrust lawsuit against the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) for not keeping the NASL at a Division II level led to the cancellation of future North American Soccer League seasons, leaving the Cosmos without a league to play in.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://theprovince.com/sports/soccer/mls/vancouver-whitecaps/vancouver-whitecaps-79-when-the-city-went-crazy

Vancouver Whitecaps '79: When the city went 'crazy'

Whitecaps players Derek Possee, Ray Lewington, Peter Daniel and Bob Bolitho enjoy some bubbly after their Soccer Bowl championship final win over the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Sept. 8, 1979. PNG files

More than 100,000 fans lined city streets to welcome back the 1979 North American Soccer League champions, a spectacle that's never been equalled by the other sports teams in the city

They were hard players, and many had “hard” livers.

They swigged beer during a game. (Once). They were derided as a “gang of thugs” by an opposing coach.

Their city was famously and unintentionally derided as a “village,” an unfortunate turn of phrase that became a rallying cry that unified a team and the city for which it played.

It all fed the chip on their shoulders. It grew, and grew, and grew. World-famous and revered players on other teams were no more than “a bunch of prima donnas” and summarily dispatched.

They blew kisses to irate and incensed fans in the stands at away games.

And they were the most beloved sports team in Vancouver history.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://stpetecatalyst.com/st-petes-first-entrepreneur-in-residence-brings-passion-energy-to-the-role/

St. Pete’s first entrepreneur in residence brings passion, energy to the role

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/las-vegas-lights-stadium-soccer-mls-bid

Las Vegas to submit stadium plans in fresh MLS bid

City council to consider Cashman Field for stadium construction in latest major league bid.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.mantecabulletin.com/sports/pro-sports/las-vegas-considers-stadium-area-plan-bid-mls-soccer-team/

Las Vegas considers stadium-area plan, bid for MLS soccer team

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/birmingham-legion-preps-for-match-against-tampa-bay-rowdies/2042698782

Birmingham Legion preps for match against Tampa Bay Rowdies

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/vegas-considers-stadium-area-plan-bid-for-mls-soccer-team

Vegas considers stadium-area plan, bid for MLS soccer team

(Follow link for full article.)

https://mlsmultiplex.com/2019/05/31/mls-leagues-cup-provides-perfect-opportunity-growth/

MLS: Leagues Cup provides perfect opportunity for growth

The Leagues Cup is a new competition that will pit four MLS teams against four Liga MX teams. It is the perfect opportunity for growth in Major League Soccer.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/05/31/new-york-city-fcs-nycchris-takes-home-echampions-league-title

New York City FC's NYC_Chris takes home eChampions League title

(Follow link for full article.)

https://sportstalkflorida.com/featured/vegas-says-no-to-a-new-mlb-stadium-but-yes-to-a-new-stadium-to-land-an-mls-team/

Vegas says no to a new MLB stadium, but yes to a new stadium to land an MLS team

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Las Vegas is considering giving a developer exclusive rights to develop a proposal to reshape an aging downtown stadium area to boost a bid for a Major League Soccer expansion franchise.

The City Council plans to vote Wednesday whether to give The Renaissance Companies Inc. six months to come up with a plan involving Cashman Field, which opened in 1983 as a Triple-A baseball stadium and now houses the minor-league soccer team Las Vegas Lights FC.

Rays President Brian Auld Says Focus is on Building in USL, but Still Dreaming Big for Rowdies (OC)

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/butn2q/rays_president_brian_auld_says_focus_is_on/

Rays President Brian Auld Says Focus is on Building in USL, but Still Dreaming Big for Rowdies (OC)

Just give me that stadium expansion Brian (or a variety of it)...

Interesting complement to this article about the Rays training staff. I was listening to the “3 Honest Lads” podcast and one of them knew the head trainer at the Rowdies and mentioned that the Rowdies strategy was to be far more fit than anyone we would play against. (Presumably the Rays sport science staff would help us to do that.). Seems like a little factor, but could be huge for the type of energy and pressing we’ve put on teams to start this season. Especially at this level, where training hasn’t reached that standard universally. (I think it would have served us well in USOC against MLS teams...that still stings).

Interestingly I noticed this at the conclusion of the Swope match. When the whistle blows our guys walk off as normal. The Swope players (mostly younger guys) all collapsed to the ground. At least 5-6 of them in a noticeable way. Now some of that could be “loser’s limp” vs. the adrenaline of winning, but it was really notable.

Saw that too. Playing outdoors in St.Pete is an advantage most pf the year. I honestly think. more so in the early and latter parts of the season when their is a greater temperature and humidity gradient versus other clubs. Playing to that creates a natural advantage that could carry to away games.

Amazing stat: The Rowdies have given up more goals in USOPENCup play (5) than the entire season (4) so far....

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.theunsubs.com/wp/2019/05/30/auld-rays-focused-on-building-rowdies-up-in-usl-still-dreaming-big/4375

Auld: Rays Focused on Building Rowdies Up in USL, Still Dreaming Big

Now over half a year into the Tampa Bay Rays’ tenure as owners of the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Rays President Brian Auld believes the transition has been seamless.

The trick to achieving that has been letting the people who know the ins and outs of the sport and the Rowdies do their thing. Auld, who also serves as vice-chairman for the Rowdies along with Rays President Matt Silverman, says they felt comfortable taking on a more supportive role at the outset after meeting with Rowdies Chief Operating Officer Lee Cohen and Head Coach Neill Collins.

“More than anything with the Rowdies we have done the same thing we try to do with the Rays, which is give really good people the space they need to do their jobs in a really great way,” Auld tells The Unused Substitutes. “Right out of the gates when we met with Lee and Neill it was clear that they had a vision and a plan. It happened to be a vision and a plan that we really liked the sound of also. So we just wanted to support them 100% and see what we had in those two leaders as well as the rest of the organization.”

It’s hard to argue with the results on the field so far. Despite a significant amount of roster turnover the Rowdies remain unbeaten and at the top of Eastern Conference 12 matches into the USL Championship season. The mostly new-look squad did suffer its first setback of the year on Tuesday as it exited the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with 4-3 loss to Oklahoma City Energy FC.

The high number of changes of the roster was at the impetus of Collins and his staff, who aimed to establish a younger energy heading into his first full season in charge. Jordan Doherty, 18, and Caleb Richards, 20, have contributed well to the Rowdies while on loan from Sheffield United and Norwich City. Both of those English sides recently earned promotion to the Premier League and the Rowdies have struck up a formal partnership with Norwich City that the club hopes will see more future youth players make their way to Tampa Bay.

Auld thinks having the Rays onboard, and everything they offer as a major league franchise, helped make the Norwich City partnership happen.

“I think having our training staff at (the Rowdies’) back is enormous, knowing that they can go to Rays’ doctors for the top doctors and trainers anywhere in the area is certainly helpful,” he says. “We made it very clear that we wanted this be an organization that was attractive to players. We weren’t necessarily just competing financially for the best players in the USL, but also through the product that we provide to players as a developmental tool. I think those things have been heard loud and clear.”

Perhaps the biggest difference with the ownership change is between the people cutting the checks. In his time as owner, Bill Edwards liked to have a hand in nearly in every decision across every department at the Rowdies. Rays principal Stuart Sternberg has remained mum on the Rowdies since the purchase. He has taken in a match at Al Lang this year and apparently loves that they’re already winning a lot, but his focus remains primarily on the Rays, according to Auld. Running the Rowdies and seeing that they have what they need to be successful is squarely on Auld and Silverman’s shoulders.

Their task with the Rowdies is very different from their focus with the Rays, mainly because of the drastic financial differences between the two organizations.

“We are, with the Rays, competing against the New York Yankees. That never leaves our mind. Everything we do is about trying to make sure we fight that uphill battle,” according to Auld. “With the Rowdies it’s a little more fun. We’ve gotten to the top of the table and I think there’s good reason to believe we can stick around there for a while. I think the plan that’s been executed on that front has been a little simpler but every bit as effective. We think if anything we bring a little bit of management expertise, a little bit of cushion financially to the Rowdies organization. But the people who were with the Rowdies are running it today and they’re just doing a darn good job.”

Auld attended a few Rowdies matches with his family before this year, but his trips to Al Lang for match-days this year have been a bit more regular, including last week’s win over Swope Parke Rangers.

“I was just giddy with the number of people in Rowdies shirts and Rays’ hats. The baseball game had gotten delayed so it was being played at the same time and I saw I wasn’t the only person checking the score on my phone. I certainly think the St. Pete and Tampa Bay sports fan definitely has space in their heart for both teams, but the Rays crowds and the Rowdies crowd certainly look different, they feel different.”

The numbers in the stands have been solid so far for the Rowdies. Their season attendance average of 5,963 is only 0.8% down from last year’s number at this point. The May 18 match against New York Red Bulls II drew 7,210, which is the first time they’ve had a crowd above 7,000 for a match that wasn’t a home opener, finale, or attached to post-match concert or fireworks show.

“We need to do better, and we need to build on what I think is a pretty compelling argument that for $20-30 you can watch a great soccer team in one of the best venues on the planet. We need to be selling more tickets in that way,” Auld says. “We need the Rowdies to become a more sustainable enterprise than they are so far. What I’ll say, it’s no different than with the Rays, we’re gonna take whatever revenues we have and reinvest them into the product. It’s about building soccer in the community. It’s about making them the best organization they can be, but one of the ways you do that is with a dedicated fanbase that supports the team financially. That’s the long-term plan.”

Now that the Rays have their bearings with the Rowdies, they’re exploring different ways to synergize the two. Select Rowdies merchandise is already available at Tropicana Field, you can find Rowdies pocket schedules throughout the MLB park, and they’ve had some Rowdies promos play between innings.

A bigger step towards synergizing the two teams is selling combo tickets for both when they’re playing on same day in downtown St. Petersburg and start times line up. A lot would go into pulling it off, but it’s something they hope to implement in the near future.

“I don’t know if it’s going to be a massive success right out of the gates, but on the Saturdays where we have a day game for the baseball team and an evening game for the Rowdies we think it’d be a lot of fun to get those fans of both to figure out a way to build a little community and join one another and sort of head from one site to the other, stop at maybe a couple sponsors along the way and get a cocktail or two and really just make an incredible Saturday out of it. I know I’m planning on doing that so maybe I’m just trying to find an excuse to get some friends to do it with me,” Auld jokes.  “It kinda speaks to how we feel about the Rowdies franchise. It’s such a great place for us to experiment within our larger organization. We’ve given some real leadership opportunities to try special things, so we’ve got someone who’s gonna try to make those days special. We’ll see how well it’ll work, what it works for and what the outcomes are. But regardless I think that trying those makes the organization stronger as a whole.”

Bring the two teams together also presents other challenges, such as with public perception. The Rays stepping to buy the Rowdies caught most by surprise considering the Major League Baseball franchise’s uncertain future in the area. With the Ybor City proposal falling through late last year, the Rays can only seek a new stadium deal in Pinellas County. Meanwhile their lease to play at the Trop is set to expire at the end of 2027. Sternberg expects to give St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman an answer this summer on if the Rays will pursue a new stadium in the city.

All the drama obviously gave Rowdies supporters pause when they learned the Rays would be taking over from Edwards, who included a provision that the Rays keep the Rowdies at Al Lang in St. Pete for five years.

“Regardless of what happens with the Rays, we expect the Rowdies to be here for a very long time. Bill Edwards put some provisions into our agreement to make sure that we would honor that and it wasn’t anything we objected to,” Auld says. “I would tell Rowdies fans this organization is gonna be around for a very long time. I hope to be at the helm to the degree that I am for a very long time too because it’s great fun and I think it’s a really exciting way to be involved in this community. I can see why people would be worried that the future of the Rays is linked to the Rowdies. But we don’t actually see it that way internally. What happens with the Rays is probably going to be largely independent of the Rowdies unless there’s a chance for the two organizations to really grow together in way that’s truly compelling, in which case we’ll try to take advantage of that.”

One of Edwards’ big ambitions with the Rowdies was pushing to bring the club to MLS. That took a backseat in his final year of ownership and the Rays have indicated reigniting that cause is not in their immediate plans. However, Auld admits the idea of MLS is something they find intriguing.

“When we allow ourselves to dream, we get really excited about an MLS franchise, just to be candid about it. The best way for that to happen is to have a phenomenal USL team, and that means crowds that are coming out and willing to pay for soccer at that venue and that means a team that continues to excel on the field and an organization that continues to attract players to this destination. What’s nice about it is I think keeping laser focused on the USL team is the best way for soccer to grow in the area anyway. So we don’t have to make a choice between the two things. If we have great success in the USL, we show that this area really loves soccer, and that there’s an opportunity for expansion, I’m sure some doors will open at some point. We like to think we’re pretty good at taking advantage of doors when they open. We’ll just see what comes. But it’s really important for us not to lose focus on what we’re doing now locally here today because of the possibility of something bigger happening in the future.”

While building the fanbases up is a major goal for Auld with both the Rowdies and the Rays, the unique history of the former does not seem to be lost on him. That is in part due to the fans that have come up to him at Al Lang to express their appreciation.

“The Rowdies fans are the oldest sports fans we’ve got in the entire area. I’ve had so many people come up to me and tell me how much the organization means to them, how important our stewardship of this franchise is to them and their families,” he says. “We want to honor that and do a good job for folks who’ve been Rowdies fans much longer than we have. We’re as deep into the fandom as anyone. You can get there pretty quickly when you get an ownership stake. Hopefully some of the ways we’ve decorated Al Lang, the tributes we’ve put up to the Rowdies history indicate that we appreciate the shoulders on which we stand and that we intend do our very best to take the Rowdies to the next level. What we learn, how we learn, what we implement, that’s still very much to be seen. But the early success on the field and the fact that attendance has maintained a nice clip for us are good signs.”

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.law.com/dailybusinessreview/2019/05/30/beckham-scores-50m-stadium-financing-with-help-from-holland-knight/

Beckham Scores $50M Stadium Financing With Help from Holland & Knight

The Major League Soccer venture plans stadiums in Miami and Fort Lauderdale to get the team off the ground.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.fmfstateofmind.com/2019/5/30/18645407/leagues-cup-mls-liga-mx-tournament-superliga-rivalry-concacaf-champions-league-mexico-usa-america

The Leagues Cup is here but how do we feel about it?

Sadly this is just another hackneyed idea that lacks a clear point and is only here for two things

(Follow link for full article.)

https://knpr.org/headline/2019-05/city-las-vegas-consider-soccer-stadium-downtown

City Of Las Vegas To Consider Soccer Stadium Downtown

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2019/may/29/mls-and-mexicos-liga-mx-launch-competition/

MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX launch competition

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/mls-liga-mx-cross-league-cup-competition-gold-cup-concacaf-campeones-cup

MLS and Liga MX launch cross-league cup competition

Leagues Cup will debut this summer with backing of Concacaf.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://news3lv.com/sports/content/full-sportscast-lv-lights-eyeing-mls-move-tyson-fury-finally-arrives-in-vegas

Full Sportscast: LV Lights eyeing MLS move, Tyson Fury finally arrives in Vegas

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.starsandstripesfc.com/mls-usmnt/2019/5/30/18645578/life-in-1-1-8-leagues-cup-mls-liga-mx-usa-mexico-podcast-stars-stripes-fc-ssfc

Life in 1-1-8: Leagues Cup, MLS vs. Liga MX

Is another MLS-Liga MX competition good for American soccer?

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.oregonlive.com/timbers/2019/05/merritt-paulsons-vision-comes-to-fruition-as-portland-timbers-prepare-to-reopen-renovated-providence-park.html

Merritt Paulson’s vision comes to fruition as Portland Timbers prepare to reopen renovated Providence Park

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ianquillen/2019/05/30/for-mls-and-liga-mx-heres-a-leagues-cup-idea-that-is-actually-compelling/#225f6476666f

To Make 'Leagues Cup' Worth Watching, MLS And Liga MX Should Borrow From ... Tennis And Golf?

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.rslsoapbox.com/2019/5/30/18644826/the-salt-why-i-dont-care-about-the-leagues-cup

The Salt: Why I don’t care about the Leagues Cup

RSL’s entry into the competition doesn’t have me inspired.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Vegas-considering-stadium-area-plan-bid-for-MLS-13907475.php

Vegas considers stadium-area plan, bid for MLS soccer team

(Follow link for full article.)

https://sports.yahoo.com/portland-timbers-revamped-stadium-is-just-part-of-the-marquee-mls-clubs-overall-reboot-150102144.html

Portland Timbers' revamped stadium is just part of the marquee MLS club's overall reboot

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/las-vegas-making-renewed-mls-push/

Las Vegas making renewed MLS push

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.prosoccerusa.com/mls/orlando-city-sc/orlando-city-orlando-pride-training-ground-updates/

Orlando City shakes up training facility plans to better fit player development goals

Luiz Muzzi hasn’t been shy about saying he wants to Orlando City’s development pyramid to be integrated in a way that creates a pipeline from the academy level to the first team.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/downtown/las-vegas-soccer-stadium-could-follow-5-recent-mls-stadiums-1675840/

Las Vegas soccer stadium could follow 5 recent MLS stadiums

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.chicago-fire.com/post/2019/05/30/5-things-know-about-inaugural-leagues-cup

5 things to know about the inaugural Leagues Cup

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/bur9i9/2019_usoc_pickem_round_3_results_now_in_5th_place/

2019 USOC Pick'em: Round 3 Results! (Now in 5th place

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/buqxq4/j_kings_player_value_project_week_12/

J King's Player Value Project Week 12

Spreadsheet:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kcs5D_0BPsGORIv_Nf1HPXzxzqpphkIKNdybGRtynn4/edit#gid=0

Impact Manual:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XbelZmSNEGIy05vAx1DAf_qL9v5TlUdKExq6V4hptIs/edit

As I continue to gather more data over the course of this film study, there are some fascinating trends and consistencies I'm beginning to notice in the numbers. I think what organizing these numbers in this system has done is highlighting which players are making a considerable impact in certain areas of the game.

On offense, you can see the Rowdies are mostly reliant on the passing ability of Fernandes and Tinari who have been the team's best playmakers in terms of playing balls to their teammates. Where the offense tends to struggle though is with the ball at their feet. Fernandes, Tinari, and Tejada are all negatives in dribbling not because they are bad with the ball at their feet, but because they can be turnover prone. Guenzatti at the other hand is superior to his attackers with the ball at his feet and is really good at hold up play where his other attackers will succumb to pressure or have bad touches. Guenzatti may bother me with his lack of finishing, but I've grown an appreciation for his ability to playmake by being a solid centre-forward. There's a reason he's the only forward who ranks positive in dribbling.

Defensively the entire Rowdies team is ludicrous. I've been working on trying to find more negative defensive plays during games but there are so few. The Rowdies team pressing ability is one of their most valuable assets.

Fernandes set a new record for highest point total in a single game. Steinberger had an 11 point game in week 2 against Pitt which has been usurped by Fernandes' 16 against Swope. Fernandes got 8 of those points through passing and 5 through defense. Fernandes leads the Rowdies on positive defensive plays. Fernandes is no doubt the Rowdies MVP this season passing by Diakite's bid due to the fact that Fernandes is not only getting back and creating havoc on defense but he's also controlling and producing for the Rowdies offensively. After a slow start to the season, Fernandes is in midseason form and hopefully he continues to drive this Rowdies team to more wins and hopefully more goals.

I'm honestly shocked by Poku. I wrote him off before the season because he seemed like he was going through the motions. Poku has now started two straight games where he's making an impact in the passing game. He's getting the ball where it needs to go fastly and accurately. Also, Poku hasn't been turning the ball over. I'm so happy to see Poku come in and immediately click with this offense. He wasn't able to develop a good rhythm with the squad last year. This fresh start has positively impacted the few returning Rowdies.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://mlsmultiplex.com/2019/05/30/austin-fc-mls-expansion-done-right-new-franchise/

Austin FC: MLS expansion done right for new franchise

MLS expansion club Austin FC will play their first game in their own soccer-specific stadium, downtown in the Texas capital. They are doing MLS expansion right.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/soccer/fc-cincinnati/2019/05/30/fc-cincinnati-host-louisville-city-us-open-cup/1291848001/

The Dirty River Derby lives: FC Cincinnati to host Louisville City in US Open Cup

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.ktnv.com/sports/new-stadium-at-cashman-site-could-revitalize-area

New stadium at Cashman Field site could revitalize area

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.thetelegraph.com/news/article/Vegas-considering-stadium-area-plan-bid-for-MLS-13907475.php

Vegas considers stadium-area plan, bid for MLS soccer team

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.insideworldfootball.com/2019/05/31/mls-liga-mx-launch-leagues-cup-format-debut-july/

MLS and Liga MX launch Leagues Cup format for debut this July

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/sports/article230944548.html

MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX launch competition

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/las-vegas-lights-stadium-soccer-mls-bid

Las Vegas to submit stadium plans in fresh MLS bid

City council to consider Cashman Field for stadium construction in latest major league bid.

Kriseman talks the Rays, the marina, affordable housing and Israel

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2019/05/29/kriseman-talks-the-rays-the-marina-affordable-housing-and-israel/

Kriseman talks the Rays, the marina, affordable housing and Israel

St. Petersburg’s mayor touched on a host of issues at his latest sit-down interview

ST. PETERSBURG — Mayor Rick Kriseman sat down with the Tampa Bay Times recently for a wide-ranging hourlong interview inside his City Hall office. He touched on affordable housing, the renovation of the city’s marina, the future of the Tampa Bay Rays and his recent trip to Israel.

Marina

Those who dock their boats at the city’s marina know: it needs work. A complete renovation, the mayor said, could cost $50 million.

That sum would require the issuance of a bond, which would mean the price goes up as the city pays interest.

So when an unsolicited bid came in recently from Safe Harbor Marinas, the company that manages the city’s Harborage marina, it perked some ears in City Hall. Under Safe Harbor’s plan, the company would pay to renovate the marina, and then would manage it for a fee.

Legally, though, the city can’t consider an unsolicited proposal without seeking other bids. The period to submit alternative proposals ends June 7.

Whether the city decides to go at it alone or contract with a private entity, Kriseman said rates will have to go up.

“There’s no way we can maintain them at the current level and do the improvements,” he said. “Living on a boat in our marina is the best deal in all of downtown.”

Also, he assured residents no matter what happens, the marina isn’t for sale.

“We will never give up that asset,” he said.

Rays’ future

As far as Kriseman knows, Stu Sternberg is still on schedule to tell him by the end of the summer whether the Tampa Bay Rays will double down on St. Petersburg as the team’s future home, or go elsewhere.

The mayor expects that means by August. By September, he said, it’s already fall.

Kriseman maintains that St. Petersburg is the best place for the team. Development around the Tropicana Field property has exploded, and the Tampa Bay area is still one of the largest media markets in the country.

“You go to Portland, you’re not going to get the same media market. Which means you’re not going to get the same amount of dollars.”

What about the perpetually poor attendance? “It doesn’t appear to be stellar anywhere else in the country, either,” the mayor said.

He mentioned a recent game at Guaranteed Rate Field, when the Rays visited the Chicago White Sox.

“It looked empty in Chicago.”

Though, the Rays did just break a record on Tuesday for the team’s lowest attendance ever at the Trop: just 5,786 showed up to watch the Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays.

Developments around the Trop site ARE blowing up! The Trop site will be literally surrounded by high density residential before the current MLB lease is up.

Current average MLB attendance is 28k. If St Pete keeps booming another year or two, the Trop site might just be the best place for the Rays to stay and play!

Sounds like the weed labs have hit St.Pete and the Mayor is hanging out. They had a real opportunity a couple of years ago. Kriseman simply tells Stu get out of St.Pete as fast as you can. In fact, we'll help on the lease. Then St.Pete builds a duel-use spring training stadium right where the the Trop is. Make a deal with one of the amusement parks to build a huge water slide attraction in the same area.

Atlanta and Toronto were looking for new digs. These 2 teams could share like they do in AZ. saving the ballclubs plenty.

Nope Kool-Aid Kriseman blew it and sounds like he's still blowing it.

Sounds like the reefer labs have hit St.Pete and the Mayor is hanging out. They had a real opportunity a couple of years ago. Kriseman simply tells Stu get out of St.Pete as fast as you can. In fact, we'll help on the lease. Then St.Pete builds a duel-use spring training stadium right where the the Trop is. Make a deal with one of the amusement parks to build a huge water slide attraction in the same area.

Atlanta and Toronto were looking for new digs. These 2 teams could share like they do in AZ. saving the ballclubs plenty.

Nope Kool-Aid Kriseman blew it and sounds like he's still blowing it.

Development around the Tropicana Field property has exploded? What a crock. I guess if you say something enough you start believing it. Kriseman is a horrible leader. The Rays are leaving St. Pete...why doesn't he work out a deal with them and Tampa that will let the current employees keep their jobs. They could work across the bay...but not in another state or Canada. I can't believe the people of St. Pete voted for him.

The development around the Trop is crazy right now. Every block has something under construction, permits waiting on approval or planning in progress.

Kriseman should talk about all the doody he dumped in the streets of St. Pete, he seemed to enjoy that.

You seem to post a lot about doody.

Israel?!?

I hear you. The timing. Israel has done some smart things as have other countries. So a group of mayors and the connections they establish among themselves makes sense versus DeSantis who is inking contracts while considering only one countries work whilst doing “foreign policy.” Many of these ideas tho are already happening here and a couple of the Dem candidates focus on them pretty much exclusively. Why the field so big—to gather all the knowledge, hopefully, into one coherent plan given enormous challenges facing us.

I think I hear you too -- it's OK by you that the Collaborationist Mayor of St. Petersburg accepts the raving loony agenda set by Anti-Governor DeSatán.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.sportsvideo.org/2019/05/29/espn-inks-deal-for-all-26-matches-of-the-2019-conmebol-copa-america/

ESPN+ Inks Deal for All 26 Matches of the 2019 CONMEBOL Copa America

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.sportbible.com/football/transfers-david-beckham-wants-daniele-de-rossi-to-join-inter-miami-20190529

David Beckham Wants Daniele De Rossi To Join Inter Miami

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.brotherlygame.com/2019/5/29/18643365/brotherly-game-daily-links-union-prepare-for-midweek-clash-with-colorado

Brotherly Game Daily Links: Union prepare for midweek clash with Colorado

Union face Colorado, MLS Power Rankings, and ESPN+ gets the Copa America

U.S. Soccer News

2019 US Open Cup Round 3: OKC Energy wins weather-delayed, back-and-forth shootout with Tampa Bay Rowdies

The fans that remained for the 10 p.m. kickoff from John Crain Field on the campus of the University of Oklahoma were treated to an explosion of goals as Oklahoma City Energy FC dropped the Tampa Bay Rowdies, 4-3.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.wfla.com/video/wfla-now-soccer-great-rodney-marsh-on-women-s-world-cup-men-s-gold-cup_20190529195631/2036930865

WFLA NOW: Soccer great Rodney Marsh on Women's World Cup, Men's Gold Cup

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/3863630/mls-and-liga-mx-announce-leagues-cup

MLS and Liga MX announce Leagues Cup

(Follow link for full article.)

https://lasvegassun.com/news/2019/may/29/las-vegas-considering-stadium-for-pro-soccer-team/

Las Vegas considering stadium for MLS soccer team

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/orlando-city-owner-flavio-augusto-da-silva-sell-team-2022

Orlando City owner could sell franchise by 2022

Flávio Augusto da Silva announces plans to focus on philanthropy.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/sports-columns/ron-kantowski/soccer-greats-eric-wynalda-paul-caligiuri-reunite-at-us-open-cup-1674059/

Soccer greats Eric Wynalda, Paul Caligiuri reunite at US Open Cup

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.starsandstripesfc.com/mls-usmnt/2019/5/29/18643982/community-corner-mls-liga-mx-leagues-cup-superliga-campeones-cup

Community Corner: Is the Leagues Cup a good idea?

More competition is good, but is this the best way?

Yesterday, The Athletic reported that Major League Soccer and Liga MX were set to announce a new tournament between the two leagues called the Leagues Cup. Set to begin this summer, the Leagues Cup would have 4 teams from each league playing against each other in a single elimination tournament that would end with a Leagues Cup champion.

According to the report, and also reported by NBC Sports, Real Salt Lake, the Houston Dynamo, the Chicago Fire, and the LA Galaxy would face off against Tigres, Club America, Cruz Azul, and Club Tijuana in July. It’s not known why those 8 teams were chosen. All matches would take place in the United States, which means no trips to Mexico for fans of the 4 participating MLS teams.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/3863630/mls-and-liga-mx-announce-leagues-cup

MLS and Liga MX announce Leagues Cup

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/05/29/mls-liga-mx-announce-new-leagues-cup-competition-debuts-july

New Leagues Cup tournament pits MLS vs. Liga MX, coming in July

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2019/05/29/MLS-Mexicos-Liga-MX-to-resume-rivalry-in-annual-Leagues-Cup/8361559146114/

MLS, Mexico's Liga MX to resume rivalry in annual Leagues Cup

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2019/05/29/orlando-city-development-academy-set-make-osceola-heritage-park-official-training

Orlando City Development Academy Set to Make Osceola Heritage Park Official Training Grounds

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20190529/sports/305299919

MLS and Mexico's Liga MX launch competition

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/mls-and-liga-mx-launch-leagues-cup/

MLS and Liga MX launch Leagues Cup

(Follow link for full article.)

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2838555-mls-liga-mx-announce-creation-of-leagues-cup-tournament-beginning-in-july

MLS, Liga MX Announce Creation of Leagues Cup Tournament Beginning in July

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.fox35orlando.com/news/local-news/orlando-city-development-academy-set-to-make-osceola-heritage-park-official-training-grounds

Orlando City Development Academy set to make Osceola Heritage Park official training grounds

(Follow link for full article.)

https://news3lv.com/sports/las-vegas-city-council-to-explore-building-mls-stadium-at-cashman-field

Las Vegas City Council to explore building MLS stadium at Cashman Field

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.prosoccerusa.com/mls/chicago-fire/mls-liga-mx-announce-leagues-cup-8-team-tournament/

MLS, Liga MX announce Leagues Cup 8-team tournament

The four MLS teams participating are the Chicago Fire, Houston Dynamo, LA Galaxy and Real Salt Lake

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/politics-and-government/las-vegas/las-vegas-council-to-explore-deal-for-soccer-stadium-mls-franchise-1674890/

Las Vegas council to explore deal for soccer stadium, MLS franchise

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.si.com/soccer/2019/05/29/mls-liga-mx-leagues-cup-competition

MLS, Mexico's Liga MX Launch New Leagues Cup Competition

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.fox5vegas.com/news/las-vegas-city-council-considering-deal-to-bring-mls-stadium/article_630e61c8-8256-11e9-9aee-0f44e476ea48.html

Las Vegas City Council considering deal to bring MLS stadium to Cashman site

(Follow link for full article.)

https://lasvegassun.com/news/2019/may/29/las-vegas-considering-stadium-for-pro-soccer-team/

Las Vegas considering stadium for MLS soccer team

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.ktnv.com/sports/las-vegas-city-council-to-explore-mls-new-soccer-stadium-options-at-cashman-field-site

City of Las Vegas exploring MLS, soccer stadium options for Cashman Field

(Follow link for full article.)

https://sports.yahoo.com/mls-mexicos-liga-mx-launch-competition-172239006--mls.html

MLS and Mexico's Liga MX launch competition

Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber speaks at a news conference in Los Angeles, Thursday, April 18, 2019. Sacramento and St. Louis have been invited to submit formal bids for franchises as the MLS Board of Governors formally unveiled plans Thursday to expand to 30 teams. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

NEW YORK (AP) -- Major League Soccer and Mexico's Liga MX are launching an annual competition called the Leagues Cup but are not including MLS champion Atlanta United.

Eight teams will participate in the single-elimination tournament, which starts July 23-24 with quarterfinals.

U.S. teams are all home for the quarterfinals, which feature Chicago Fire-Cruz Azul and LA Galaxy-Club Tijuana on July 23, followed by Houston Dynamo-Club America and Real Salt Lake-Tigres the following day. Tigres is the reigning Clausura champion.

Semifinals are scheduled for Aug. 20, and the final will be at a U.S. venue on Sept. 18.

MLS and the Mexican league launched a SuperLiga competition that began in 2007 and stopped after 2010.

MLS said Wednesday that Mexican teams were picked based on results in recent competitions and MLS teams were invited

(Follow link for full article.)

https://communityimpact.com/austin/sports/2019/05/29/austin-fc-announces-first-crop-of-youth-academy-players/

Austin FC announces first crop of youth academy players

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/bujfs7/j_kings_corner_okc_v_tbr_43/

J King's Corner OKC v TBR 4-3

The Wheels Come Off- This match reminds me of when basketball teams that aren't the Warriors try to play like the Warriors. Not to say that OKC Energy is anywhere comparable to the Warriors, but this match had a major stylistic disadvantage for Tampa Bay. OKC was able to establish an open and free-flowing game early, and the Rowdies did their best to respond in kind by attacking the generous amounts of field that was open for most of the first half. The key issue with the Rowdies being so willing to attack early and often, was that their defense was ill-equipped to deal with the counter. The Rowdies defend as a unit, and it starts with the high press and continued pressure in the midfield. The Rowdies usually don't allow too many easy passes. OKC didn't have to work heavily through precise midfield action and instead played on the counter and by pushing the pace with long balls forward. With so many Rowdies playing forward, it was harder for them to track back defensively, and left Diakite, Felix, and Kone on an island. with at least two attackers to deal with.

Let's Break Down the Goals-

1st Goal OKC: This was mostly Omar Gordon's brilliance. Dude was feasting on Felix all night, but as Kerr pointed out on the broadcast, Felix didn't do anything wrong here. Gordon put the perfect shot in the perfect place. Konopka not getting his hands on that ball go to show why he's the backup keeper. It's a laser shot yes, but I expect an average keeper to save that 8/10 times. Gordon telegraphed by his movement he was shooting and Felix had the inside angle cut off.

1st Goal TBR: Hoppenot dove. He waited for the slightest bit of contact and got the call. It's part of the game at every level. Whether you think it's a weak move or it's a veteran play, it got a goal on the board. Allen's finish was nice. Good to see the Rowdies are 4/4 on penalties this season.

2nd Goal TBR: Hoppenot with class. Steinberger played a nice ball to Hoppenot's feet and Hoppenot did the rest. OKC's defense wasn't having a night to remember either until they were able to stiffen up in the second half. Hope to see Hoppenot able to get more shots on target in the USL season if he can continue to get subbed into games or get some starts. Hoppenot, when he gets some open field to work with, has looked really good. I just haven't seen him perform well when he's under pressure which is why Guenzatti has had more offensive value than him.

2nd Goal OKC: This was the moment I knew the Rowdies were in deep deep trouble. If Diakite is being sloppy, it does not bode well for the rest of the defense. A very poor clearance followed by a great shot that should've never happened. The pall dropped to Bosetti on a tee. All that was left was for him to bang it home which he did because he was also giving the Rowdies defense fits all night long.

3rd Goal OKC: If you freeze frame the highlights video at 1:19, you can see everything wrong about the Rowdies defense last night. Kone and Diakite are both on their heels and about to press the midfielder who has an easy pass through to Eissele. Why Diakite steps up here? I have no idea. This play would end up being an offside if it wasn't for Felix who is miles away from the play. Felix needed better defensive awareness there in order to catch OKC in a much needed offside trap.

3rd Goal TBR: OKC's defense gets caught ball watching here and Steinberger flips yet another great pass forward to Allen who has an easy one time shot with nobody in front of him beside the keeper. It's a beautiful touch by Steinberger that makes this play work coming off the Hoppenot pass.

4th Goal OKC: If the second and third goals weren't depressing enough, the fourth was like being dunked on by Shaq. Diakite again is the subject of ire here even though the whole defense had a whale of a time here. Diakite falls over his own feet likely trying to turn and clear the ball. The ball lands to a wide open Bosetti who I thought was going to easily put the ball away. Instead, Bosetti brings Kone over, passes the ball up to Brown who gets an awful looking sliding attempt from Felix, and then Diakite goes down again trying to block the ball. Brutal.

The Lineup- This is where the Rowdies really missed the talent that's currently out with injury. Ekra and Barry would be essential to this lineup. Barry could've taken Poku's spot and added a lot more defensive value and possession control. And Barry could've been in Johnson's spot. I wanted to see Johnson out there, and I pray the injury wasn't bad, but I think Barry was another crucial piece missing especially when Najem was the replacement right mid. Richards isn't an ideal option at left mid especially with how crucial Fernandes has been but with Steinberger the offense still had a player to go through so the offense made sense. It might not be fair to judge Felix on this performance but he was really really bad. It didn't help that Diakite was having a career poor night.

The Bright Side: There may not be a deep Open Cup run, but the Rowdies are still the #1 team in the USL. Neill Collins is probably not happy with himself or his team for their preparedness for the OKC game, but it's already time to put that game behind him. The Rowdies have to get that loss out of their heads quickly and get right back to playing like the team we've seen all season long. My one curiosity with the OKC game though will be if future opponents try to adapt their game to playing counter long balls and trying to play over and through the Rowdies defense.

This game just proved how reliant we are on Diakite for our defensive shape. He has a bad game and the whole backline struggles. Not having McCarthy didn't help either.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/bue3z5/match_highlights_usoc_tbr_vs_okc_energy_fc/

Match Highlights: USOC TBR vs OKC Energy FC

What a crazy offensive game. Sad to see another relatively early exit from the us open cup.

This just shows that we don't really have the depth to make a deep Open Cup run while doing well in the USL. It's unfortunate as I wanted a rematch with Orlando but I'd rather win the USL than do ok in both competitions.

Absolutely pissed at the lineup that was put out there in what was the most important game of our season. Really really disappointing.

Honestly can’t be pissed at the lineup as much as the shocking play of our back line. I don’t want to give them excuses but the rain delay must have screwed a few guys up.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2262599900721320

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Rowdies Highlights at OKC Energy FC - May 28, 2019

🎥 FULL HIGHLIGHTS of the Rowdies 4-3 loss to Energy FC in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/bueovy/rowdies_fall_43_to_okc_in_open_cup_exit/

Rowdies Fall 4-3 To OKC In Open Cup Exit

I wasn’t expecting much. At least we scored. Hopefully next year we have our ducks in a row to go a bit farther in the competition. As it is, it seems we’re treating it a bit like a friendly in order to test the waters with our subs/reserves. A bit sad that our unbeaten run has ended, but at least we are still unbeaten in regular season *knocks on wood*

I was expecting some rotation in the lineup after a pretty tough match on Saturday, but felt more comfortable with Diakite and Oduro back and fully rested. Can't really be too bummed with the first loss of the season coming against a pretty good side in a week night cup match that was delayed over two hours. We all wanted to get to the next round but by no means did I lose sleep over this one.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/1024477

ROWDIES FALL 4-3 TO OKC IN OPEN CUP EXIT

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDuxgz2NSL8

Rowdies Highlights at OKC Energy FC - May 28, 2019

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on May 28, 2019

🎥 FULL HIGHLIGHTS of the Rowdies 4-3 loss to OKC Energy FC in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.espn.com/soccer/club/new-england-revolution/189/blog/post/3863865/new-england-is-playing-catch-up-after-being-left-behind-by-the-growth-of-mls

New England is playing catch-up after being left behind by the growth of MLS

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/sports-columns/ed-graney/note-to-mayor-goodman-las-vegas-doesnt-need-mls-franchise-1675256/

Note to Mayor Goodman: Las Vegas doesn’t need MLS franchise

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.theunsubs.com/wp/2019/05/29/episode-205-developmental/4371

Episode 205 – DevelopMENTAL

Here’s another 90 minutes of the Green and Gold Gospel; delivering the latest in news, opinion, and the hottest takes you can squeeze in your ears – Tonight the guys talk about…

Rowdies 1:0 Swope Park
OKC 4:3 Rowdies
USL in USOC action
Notable USL results from last weekend
Games to keep an eye on this weekend
Updated PPG Table
Birmingham Preview
Disciplinary Report Details

(Follow link for full article.)

https://stpetersburgfoodies.com/podcast/interview-with-david-benstock-ronald-randall-from-il-ritorno-st-petersburg-foodies-podcast-episode-39/

Interview with David Benstock & Ronald Randall from IL Ritorno – St. Petersburg Foodies Podcast Episode 39

Interview with David Benstock & Ronald Randall from IL Ritorno

Welcome to the St. Petersburg Foodies Podcast Episode 39! Our featured interview today is with David Benstock & Ronald Randall from IL Ritorno. We talk to David & Ronald about their extensive experience in the business, all over the country, and the world, how they both worked at The Modern in NY before coming together at IL Ritorno... and we play he said she said with David and a clip from wife Erica when she was previously on the show. Today, our music comes from Mallory Moyer. We will feature the song, "Where Do We Go From Here?" from the EP "Solo Going" after Mallory answers The Fast Five Foodies Questions.

The St. Petersburg Foodies Podcast features interviews with chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers, bartenders, and more, and covers the burgeoning food scene in St. Petersburg, Florida. Episodes air every Tuesday.

This episode of the St. Petersburg Foodies Podcast is brought to you by Buya Ramen, Annata Restaurant & Wine Bar, Engine No. 9, and Alto Mare Fish Bar.

Please keep them in mind the next time you are hungry for some fantastic food.

Our announcer is Candice Aviles from Meet the Chef and Channel 10 News. Our theme music is provided by The Chris Walker Band.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.tampabayfoodtruckrally.com/rowdies-soccer-food-trucks

Rowdies Soccer
Food Truck Schedule
Select Games
Outside: 4pm - 7:30pm and Inside: 5pm - End of Game

Saturday 6/8
Outside:
Melt Machine
Bacon Boss
Krepelicious

Inside:
Cocos Latin Food Truck
Vanchetta
Slammer Shop

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.facebook.com/events/tampa-bay-food-trucks/food-trucks-at-tampa-rowdies/316255399074984/

JUN 8

Food Trucks at Tampa Rowdies

Public · Hosted by Tampa Bay Food Trucks

Tampa Bay Food Trucks
4901 W Rio Vista Ave, Tampa, Florida 33634

Join us at our first ever Rowdies Game! We will have food trucks both inside and outside the stadium to help you pregame - and feed you during the game! Check out the food truck line up below -

Tampa Bay Rowdies May 25th
5pm-7:30pm Outside
Vanchetta Food Truck
Kebablicious
Fiesta Bowls

6:30pm-End of Match Inside
The Melt Machine Gourmet Grilled Cheese Food Truck
Casablanca Fusion
Lolis Mexican Food Truck

Rowdies Home Attendance Thread - Game 7 vs. Swope Park Rangers [5/25]

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/btmojg/rowdies_home_attendance_thread_game_7_vs_swope/

Rowdies Home Attendance Thread - Game 7 vs. Swope Park Rangers [5/25]

Attendance Thread

5,688 was the number in the books. I was surprised. It felt like mid-6k to me. Not a bad number for sure (last year Game 7 was 5,369), so not out of place at all. Weather was great and crowd energy felt good to me.

We've got a couple weeks before the next home game against NCFC on 6/8 (followed with a back-to-back against Charleston on 6/15).

We need rankings by % of stadium sold

The stats are very interesting. In the past ee talked about standard matches versus ones with a concert, and how that affected our numbers. The club did little to nothing for the Memorial weekend. I can't do anything but believe our numbers would've been stronger if the Paratroopers jumped again and there was more of a promoted military tie-in.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2019/05/27/getting-closer-acf-fiorentina-calls-extraordinary-board-meeting-for-friday-commissos-bid-could-be-considered/

GETTING CLOSER: ACF Fiorentina calls extraordinary board meeting for Friday; Commisso’s bid could be considered

Rocco B. Commisso could wind up owning two soccer clubs. (FrontRowSoccer.com Photo)

Rocco B. Commisso’s bid to purchase ACF Fiorentina could come to fruition as early as this week.

The Italian Serie A club has called an extraordinary board meeting for Friday, the team said in a one-sentence statement on its website Monday. There was no other information available.

The Cosmos owner and chairman of Mediacom is interesting in purchasing Fiorentina from the Della Valle family and reportedly has offered $150 million for the club.

Commisso, 69, who has owned the Cosmos since January 2017, saving it from oblivion, came close to buying A.C. Milan last year. His bid, however, was rejected.

In 2002, the Della Valle brothers bought the Italian team when bankruptcy forced Fiorentina to rebrand itself and start again in the country’s fourth tier of soccer. Slowly, but surely, the team moved up the Italian soccer ladder.

The Cosmos are playing in the amateur National Premier Soccer League this spring and summer. In August, they will kick off their participation in the NPSL Founders Cup, a pro soccer league.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.seacoastonline.com/news/20190527/lets-talk-wine-well-being-in-tampa

Let’s Talk Wine: WELL-Being in Tampa

When planning destinations to feature here in Let’s Talk Wine, the first thing I look for is a location that has a vibrant wine scene. Then everything else falls into place (like catching the Boston Red Sox play their AL East rival Tampa Bay Rays). There are direct flights to Tampa from Manchester; Portland, Maine; and Boston.

In Tampa, Bern’s Steak House has been on my list to taste since I started appreciating wine, a true landmark for wine lovers. The famed steak house cellars over 500,000 bottles, some date back to the 18th century. You can find 150 wines by the glass and close to 7,000 bottles on their list.

Bern and Gert Laxer started Bern’s Steak House in 1956 with an admiration for the finest food (steaks are dry-aged and cut in-house), wine and organic farming - back when farm-to-table was the norm. Today, their son David Laxter and his wife, Christina, run the show.

Dining at Bern’s is much like a show, one that consistently receives great reviews for their wine list -including the Grand Award by Wine Spectator since 1981. You should allow at least two hours for dinner, beginning in a well-appointed dining room (or in the lounge), followed by a tour of the kitchen and wine cellar, then finished in the upstairs dessert room - with private dining booths built into large redwood wine casks dimly lit. A long list of dessert wines, port, cognac and more pair well with Bern’s homemade sweets. Visit bernssteakhouse.com.

Part of the Laxter Family hospitality is the Epicurean Hotel, conveniently located across the street from the restaurant, in the desirable Hyde Park neighborhood - close to the 4.5-mile stretch of sidewalk known as Bayshore Boulevard. The perfect place for jogging and biking. The downtown area is hip, featuring an array of eateries, shops and fun places to hang out.

Epicurean Hotel is an elegant boutique hotel catering to food and wine lovers. You can find their own exquisite wine shop in the lobby. The rooms are spacious, and the food at Elevage, the hotel’s restaurant, puts a modern twist on traditional American cuisine. Up on the roof, The EDGE Social Drinkery bar is a fun place to relax before or after dinner. On site, adjacent to the pool, is Spa Evangeline, a great place to primp. I thoroughly enjoyed the Caudalie Antioxidant Facial which uses elements of wine in the treatment. My skin looked radiant for all the fun festivities Tampa offers. Visit epicureanhotel.com.

Tampa is a hotbed of award-winning restaurants and the hub of craft brewing in the state of Florida. You can find plenty of fresh local seafood, traditional fare, food trucks, creative farm-to-table cuisine, micro-breweries, and more.

Recently opened in November 2018, Sparkman Wharf on Water Street is a group of colorful shipping containers that consist of local eateries featuring a side box to some of the city’s top chefs. There’s also an open air beer garden where you can listen to live music, while taking in amazing waterfront views and the Amalie Arena, home of the Tampa Bay Lightning, the hockey team owned by Jeffrey Vinik, a Harvard MBA graduate and Boston businessman.

Vinik is responsible for a multi-billion dollar project reinventing 40 acres around the arena. This development once complete will be world’s first WELL-Being Certified district - better air and water, greener construction, and more healthful options for food and fitness - presented in the framework of a connected community intended to help improve the physical and emotional health of the people living there.

The Tampa waterfront is full of new construction and cranes are everywhere familiar to what’s happening to Boston’s seaport, but with better weather!

The newly completed Tampa Riverwalk stretches 2.5 miles. Many of the city’s cultural attractions, including the Tampa Museum of Art, are connected along this route with public parks that offer concerts and outdoor yoga classes, shopping and even more dining options.

Armature Works can be found on the Riverwalk. It is a century-old beautifully restored former trolley barn that houses Heights Public Market, with event space, two high-end restaurants and M. Bird, a rooftop bar with city views. Hemingway’s, located inside, was voted number one for their Cuban Sandwich - Cuban bread, sliced roast pork, glazed ham, Swiss cheese, mustard, and thinly sliced dill pickles are added in layers. Of course, there’s a wine bar, Cru Cellars, which has a lovely list of wines is a fun place to people watch and work up an appetite.

While strolling around Armature Works. you can experience the historic architectural details of the building. Steelbach, a Southern-inspired chophouse lures you in with aromas from its oak and mesquite open fire grill and offers a sophisticated and innovative menu. The restaurant partners with Florida’s top producers to raise and deliver grass-fed beef and chops. The wine selection is tastefully done to match meat and local fresh seafood dishes. Visit steelbach.com. http://steelbach.com

Tampa has an interesting history, more than you would imagine. There’s a blend of Cuban, Spanish, German and Italian immigrants who built historic Ybor City in the late 1880s into the Cigar Capital of the World. This is just one of three National Historic Landmark Districts in Florida. The area still has original wooden worker cottages, many of them remodeled, many turned into wine bars and nightclubs.

There are endless things to do in Tampa. If you love warm weather, water sports, great food, wine and beer, culture and history, it’s a thriving city to visit or to relocate to. I suggest Tampa, in any season. Beaches are just a short drive. Their baseball team plays the Red Sox so why not fly down now, before the masses. If dodging winter is your thing, be sure to arrive in time (end of January) for the annual Gasparilla Pirate Fest, a large parade celebrating the famous pirate Gasparilla. After all, don’t we all have a wee bit of pirate stuck inside?

For more information, www.visittampabay.com

Cheers!

(Follow link for full article.)

https://oklahoman.com/article/5632463/energy-fc-to-meet-storied-tampa-bay-rowdies-in-us-open-cup

Energy FC to meet "storied" Tampa Bay Rowdies in U.S. Open Cup

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/btzeto/today_is_open_cup_day_hype_thread/

“TODAY IS OPEN CUP DAY” HYPE THREAD

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/bu160l/unused_substitutesthe_bench_vol_4_issue_3_oc/

Unused Substitutes’The Bench Vol 4 Issue 3 (OC)

In this issue we’ve got interviews with keeper John McCarthy, assistant coach Martin Paterson, head coach Neill Collins, and Rowdies legend Perry Van Der Beck on his memories of the historic Lockhart Stadium. Enjoy.

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.theunsubs.com/wp/2019/05/28/the-bench-volume-4-issue-3/4368

The Bench, Volume 4 Issue 3

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/bu28s6/okc_vs_tbr_live_streaming_possible_link/

OkC vs TBR live streaming - possible link?

I am watching on ESPN+, or would be, but for the rain delay....

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.101greatgoals.com/news/oklahoma-city-energy-vs-tampa-bay-rowdies-live-streaming/amp/

Oklahoma City Energy vs Tampa Bay Rowdies live streaming: Watch online, preview & prediction

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/btq8oo/j_kings_corner_tbr_v_spr_week_12/

J King's Corner- TBR v SPR (Week 12)

They All Fall Down- One of the most revealing tonal shifts in the Rowdies is watching the players the moment a match ends. On a breezy but hot St. Petersburg day in May it was clear there would be some tired legs before the 90th minute. While the Rowdies remained on the gas for the full 90, Swope Park hung in there valiantly. But the moment the final whistle blows, you can visibly see the difference in fatigue and fitness. The Rowdies players walk off the field, and Swope Park players fall to the ground in a heap. In hot and humid matches in years past, it wouldn't be incredulous to see Rowdies players completely gassed after a match. For a team that gets up and down the field as much as this iteration of the Rowdies does, it amazes me the level of energy this team has. That supreme level of fitness is why the Rowdies walked out of this match with a win instead of a draw or even a loss.

Close but no Cigar Moments- Before Leo Fernandes moment of brilliance, the Rowdies offense was back in stall mode. There were quality chances. Leo had put a shot across the net. Guenzatti had a shot point blank that was saved. Poku ripped a shot that was blocked in the box. It's no secret at this point, the Rowdies biggest weakness is a lack of a true prolific finisher. This may be the one offseason oversight as the acquisitions started rolling in at the forward spot. Allen was signed as the guy who's consistently scored goals every season. Allen hasn't been able to make the most of his opportunities this season and it's got flashbacks of the Graf acquisition last year. We as Rowdies fans have been spoiled by Georgi's craftiness. Georgi wasn't going to give you Dane Kelly numbers, but he's reliable. One defensive mistake was all it took with Georgi on the field. The Rowdies have put defense's in tough spots but haven't been able to capitalize. It's the one area to watch as the season progresses.

Defensive adjustments- I wasn't as worried about Doherty in Oduro's spot as much as I was worried about the reshuffled back line. Outside of a shaky opening half hour of the game, Morad and Kone were able to settle in. I would expect Diakite and Oduro are back in the Open Cup lineup. I was honestly a bit surprised that Oduro only got a one-game suspension, but it's certainly better for the Rowdies to have Oduro as an option with two more games this week. Oduro and Diakite will have their hands full with DeShorn Brown most likely.

Consistency- There's not too much else to say. I have to do my video study to get a better idea of individual performances. On a macro level everyone in the squad performed up to what we would expect out of them. I think it's actually a positive that there are higher levels some of these young guys can reach if they continue to improve. The two guys I would hope to continue to see marginal improvement from is Tejada and Richards. Tejada has been really good but he'll be a better offensive playmaker if he releases the ball sooner when there's a play to be made. I've been impressed with how well Richards has played and I think there's another level he can get too offensively overlapping with Fernandes. If Richards can continue to create space for the offense and become a better passer, the Rowdies offense will have unlocked another option to take a load off of Fernandes' shoulders.

Reminder- John McCarthy didn't have to make any saves in this game. Don't let that distract you from the fact that he's absolutely ridiculous and one of the best offseason acquisitions. If he isn't starting in the MLS next season I'd be shocked.

Thanks for keeping up with these post match reviews. Definitely my favorite post to read every Sunday or Monday!

Thank you 🙏🏽

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/btnka3/looking_at_the_uslc_table_and_admiring_what_neil/

Looking at the USL-C table and admiring what Neil Collins has accomplished!

https://imgur.com/OaPMJSv

Last season was rough, and it makes our undefeated/26pts all the more stunning!

SO SO SEXY

I was hopeful in the lead up to the season, but wow...I don't think anyone would have expected something like this so far. Let's keep it up!

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/btmibm/usl_power_ratings_may_27_2019_oc/

USL power ratings: May 27, 2019 [OC]

Rowdies remain the top team in both the projected table and overall team quality. Having a special year (though challenging for Cincinnati's points record is probably going to require an even stronger run of form at some point).

what a fkn season so far! this is crazy. fkn loving it

Alas, the Rowdies are taking a little bit of the drama out of the East when it comes to the eventual champion, but there's so much action every week. It's great.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://clubcountryusa.com/2019/05/27/usl-power-ratings-may-27-2019/

For Club and Country

USL power ratings: May 27, 2019

Welcome to the USL power ratings! Herein, I’ll give weekly updates on a couple different sets of power ratings.

Don’t forget to follow the site on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for all the content on USL, US Soccer, and Nashville SC.

Table Power

This rating method combines points per game with the quality of opposition played (also measured in points per game). It’s blind to home/away splits as well as scoring margin. The goal is to project a final table based on the games already played.

USL East power rankings:

Tampa Bay – 71.87 projected points
Saint Louis (+1) – 69.30 points
Indy (+1) – 64.84 points
Ottawa (-2) – 61.90 points
Nashville (+1) – 60.34 points
NYRB2 (-1) – 59.73 points
North Carolina (+3) – 55.36 points
Charleston Battery (-1) – 51.84 points
Louisville City (-1) – 48.16 points
Pittsburgh (-1) – 45.03 points
Birmingham – 38.85 points
Atlanta 2 – 36.06 points
Bethlehem – 33.54 points
Loudoun – 31.89 points
Memphis – 27.27 points
Charlotte (+1) – 24.30 points
Swope Park (-1) – 23.33 points
Hartford – 14.32 points

It was a draw-tastic week in the East: six out of the nine games played ended with the teams level. That meant moves up for those that actually won (Nashville, North Carolina – Tampa doesn’t have a lot of upward mobility but they also took a victory against Swope Park Rangers), and moves down for the losers (NYRB2, Birmingham Legion, Swope). Beyond that, the shifts are basically in the “was it bad to draw the team you drew against?” genre.

The one for whom said draw was the worst was Ottawa, because that draw came against Hartford. I mentioned last week that I thought Ottawa’s positioning was a little bit of a paper tiger because they had beaten every bad team but lost to basically every good team they’d played… and now they have dropped a game in the former category. Still a very good team, of course, but second on the projected table wasn’t accurately depicting where they should have stood.

Nashville moved up slightly with the only four-point week in the conference. They have two full weeks off from conference play now, so whatever happens with their ranking will be about the out-of-town scoreboard for them (if you’re rooting for the numbers to look good, you want past NSC opponents to beat squads that Nashville hasn’t played yet, a clear winner in games between two past opponents, and a draw between North Carolina and Hartford).

Of course things are continuing to shift week-to-week, but right now the tiers look like so: a top two of Tampa and Saint Louis (I think just about every observer would say that is also what the eyeball test has told us), a four-team cohort below them that’s basically playoff locks and favorites to avoid that opening round, and the 7-10 spots still have a healthy gap on Birmingham. The Legion still looks like the only team below the playoff line to have a chance of crashing the party, but their midweek loss to Nashville prevented them from gaining any ground on Louisville and Pittsburgh (which sagged slightly after draws against Bethlehem and Charlotte, respectively).

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/btn9ve/poku_forged_in_open_cup_fires/

Poku - Forged in Open Cup Fires

One game at a time.... But I want F*lorlando in St.Pete!!

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2019/05/poku-forged-in-open-cup-fires

POKU - FORGED IN OPEN CUP FIRES

TAMPA BAY ROWDIES MIDFIELDER KWADWO POKU HAS DEEP HISTORY IN (AND RESPECT FOR) THE U.S. OPEN CUP. JOIN USSOCCER.COM FOR A CLOSER LOOK.

Kwadwo Poku’s reputation was born in the U.S. Open Cup.

“Chances come in this competition that you have to be ready to take,” said the dynamic Tampa Bay Rowdies midfielder who went from nobody to hot commodity in the 2014 edition of the competition. “It’s your chance, to show what you’re made of and to move up. To prove yourself.”

The Kumasi-born Ghanaian did just that five years ago when playing for second-tier Atlanta Silverbacks under Eric Wynalda, an avowed and unabashed advocate of the 106-year-old Open Cup and the magic it can conjure for clubs and players. “Eric saw that I had potential,” said Poku, who came to the States to chase a collegiate career before opting for the pro game. “He told me I could play at the highest level and he always stressed the Open Cup and how it was a place where I could prove who I was.”

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dh_dh-ShS3U

#TogetherRowdies

Rowdies' Boy Band

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on May 28, 2019

Which Rowdies player could you see on the big stage singing your favorite hits?

#TogetherRowdies

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsY6-AiABdY

Cocktails with Collins: Episode 2

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on May 28, 2019

On this month's episode of "Cocktails with Collins" presented by The Don CeSar, Coach Collins tell us why he wanted to sign Juan Tejada, reflects on his first year as a head coach and reveals his drink of choice.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/orlando-city-owner-might-sell-club-by-2022/

Orlando City owner might sell club by 2022

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.metrotimes.com/detroit/detroit-city-fc-is-going-pro-whether-american-soccer-wants-it-or-not/Content?oid=21757908

Detroit City FC is going pro, whether American soccer wants it or not

(Follow link for full article.)

https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2019/05/28/miami-seeks-law-firm-to-cut-deal-with-david-beckham-group/

Miami seeks law firm to cut deal with David Beckham group