United Soccer League Awards USL Championship Franchise in San Diego Market

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https://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/1029745

United Soccer League Awards USL Championship Franchise in San Diego Market

WARREN SMITH, CO-FOUNDER OF SACRAMENTO REPUBLIC FC, TO LEAD FRANCHISE; LANDON DONOVAN APPOINTED EVP, SOCCER OPERATIONS

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https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/san-diego-secures-usl-championship-team/

San Diego secures USL Championship team

San Diego has secured a United Soccer League Championship team, with former US national team and Major League Soccer star forward Landon Donovan playing a key role as an investor and the executive vice-president of soccer operations.

Businessman Warren Smith, who co-founded fellow USL team Sacramento Republic in 2012, is the majority owner but is courting local investment.

The team has secured a three-year lease at the 6,000-seat Torero Stadium at the University of San Diego. A formal announcement is expected on June 19.

Donovan had been involved in a separate San Diego bid to land a Major League Soccer expansion team, which failed at the ballot box after a stadium measure was defeated in a public vote.

The USL Championship is the designated second division in the United States soccer pyramid.

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http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/north-carolina-mls-expansion-stadium-plans

Report: North Carolina FC up MLS bid with US$1.9bn stadium site plans

Steve Malik plans 20,000-seater venue that will host “75 other major events” year round.

North Carolina FC are set to ramp up their bid to land a Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion franchise by unveiling plans for a US$1.9 billion stadium site in downtown Raleigh.

Steve Malik, the United Soccer League (USL) Championship club’s owner and chairman, told WRAL TechWire he is partnering with local developer John Kane on the project, which includes a new 20,000-seater multi-use stadium and other entertainment offerings.

Malik added that full details of the project will be revealed at a press conference next week.

Vegas Golden Knights owner wants to bring MLS to Sin City

“Having an urban stadium with great highway access and with entertainment options surrounding it will strengthen our bid,” said Malik, speaking to WRAL TechWire.

“At the same time, this plan is not just about soccer. We are planning 75 other major events and hundreds of smaller events that will activate the development year round.”

MLS revised its expansion plans earlier this year, amending its previous goal of 28 teams to 30.

Sacramento and St Louis are expected to claim the next two expansion slots for an increased fee of US$200 million, adding to franchises in Miami, Nashville and Austin, all of which are joining the league in the coming years.

As a result, North Carolina FC will likely be competing for the final expansion slot with the likes of Las Vegas, which recently announced a new stadium proposal. MLS is yet to decide the expansion fee and timetable for the 30th team.

Malik acquired the Carolina RailHawks in 2015 before rebranding the USL team. He also owns the North Carolina Courage of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).

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https://www.wraltechwire.com/2019/06/19/entrepreneurs-salute-maliks-grit-as-he-pursues-1-9b-development-deal/

Entrepreneurs salute Malik’s ‘grit’ as he pursues $1.9B development deal

Steve Malik dons a North Carolina Football Club cap.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK – From the early days of building healthcare technology firm Medfusion to selling it to Intuit, “retiring” then buying it back to taking on professional soccer as an owner, Steve Malik has created lasting, positive impressions across the Triangle’s entrepreneurial community. And Malik’s latest move – a $1.9 billion soccer/entertainment/mixed use development in Raleigh – has colleagues singing his praises once more.

“Like many entrepreneurs, Steve has a near bottomless supply of grit,” Scot Wingo, serial entrepreneur and investor, tells The Skinny shortly after news broke about Malik’s deal alongside Triangle developer magnate John Kane.

“Once he locks onto something, he won’t let go until he sees it to the endgame.”

Malik is determined to turn his North Carolina Football Club (formerly RailHawks when he bought the team) into a Major League Soccer franchise. The stadium, which would seat 20,000, is crucial. And after one stadium try failed in 2017, Malik has returned with a bigger vision with a lot more land.

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https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2019/06/19/domescape-wins-al-lang-stadium-rowdies-off-season-usage-contest

"Domescape" Wins Al Lang Stadium Rowdies Off-Season Usage Contest

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A contest calling for creative uses for Al Lang Stadium during the Tampa Bay Rowdies's off-season has selected a winner: Domescape.

Domescape creates virtual worlds beneath dome-shaped structures

Rowdies Synapse Challenge accepted submissions through April 2019

Al Lang Stadium could host test appearance of Domescape this fall

More Pinellas County stories

The "Rowdies Synapse Challenge," sponsored by Synapse Florida, the Tampa Bay Rowdies and the Tampa Bay Rays, accepted submissions through April 12, 2019. In the end, they chose the pitch for Domescape out for more than two dozen submissions because it was out-of-this-world in just about every sense of the term.

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https://www.mcall.com/sports/mc-spt-bethlehem-steel-returns-to-lehigh-20190619-zqzs2r7ktbhq5f6o7fcd63xtnu-story.html

Bethlehem Steel brings soccer back to the Lehigh Valley this weekend

Fans react during a Bethlehem Steel FC match at Lehigh University in 2018. The Steel return to Lehigh's Goodman Stadium on Saturday to face the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Bethlehem Steel FC brings professional soccer back to the Lehigh Valley on Saturday, seven months after announcing its departure from the area.

The Steel will host the Tampa Bay Rowdies at 5 p.m. at Lehigh’s Goodman Stadium, marking the team’s first local appearance since leaving after the 2018 season. Bethlehem played three seasons of United Soccer League matches at Lehigh before departing because the facility lacked lights.

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https://kckingdom.com/2019/06/19/sporting-kc-childrens-mercy-park-one-best-stadiums-mls/

Sporting KC: Children’s Mercy Park is one of the best stadiums in MLS

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https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/2019/06/the-lights-might-not-be-bright-but-bethlehem-steel-fc-returns-to-bethlehem-anyway.html

The lights might not be bright, but Bethlehem Steel FC returns to Bethlehem anyway

Bethlehem Steel FC will play its next home game at Goodman Stadium despite concerns about the stadium’s lights.

The game time on Saturday, June 22, is moved up to 5 p.m. It was previously scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Lights at the stadium on the campus of Lehigh University in Bethlehem aren’t bright enough to meet USL Championship standards. The home field remains Talen Energy Stadium, the home of the Steel’s parent club, the Philadelphia Union.

But the team has permission under a short-term agreement to play at Goodman on occasion through the 2019 season as it works toward a long-term solution, according to Steel spokesman Rob Hildreth.

The field at Talen couldn’t take the wear and tear of two clubs, so some Steel games were played on the campus of LaSalle University earlier this year.

The match against the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday will be the 100th match for team captain James Chambers. He’s the only member on the squad from the founding season in 2016, Hildreth said.

For ticket information, go to the team website.

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https://www.10news.com/sports/landon-donovan-to-help-launch-professional-soccer-team-in-san-diego

Landon Donovan to help launch professional soccer team in San Diego

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Professional soccer is coming to San Diego, thanks to the efforts of one of the game’s most influential players, Landon Donovan.

Donovan and investor Warren Smith have partnered to help launch a new USL Championship team in San Diego, according to Sports Illustrated .

The new USL franchise is expected to begin play in 2020 or 2021, with the team set to play its first three seasons at the University of San Diego’s Torero Stadium.

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https://sports.yahoo.com/landon-donovan-lead-san-diego-153728689.html

Landon Donovan to lead new San Diego USL franchise

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https://fox5sandiego.com/2019/06/19/report-landon-donvan-to-bring-pro-soccer-to-san-diego/

Landon Donovan to bring pro soccer to San Diego

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https://www.si.com/soccer/2019/06/19/usl-san-diego-landon-donovan-warren-smith

Landon Donovan, Warren Smith Team to Bring USL to San Diego

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https://www.stltoday.com/sports/soccer/stlfc-hosts-major-league-soccer-s-fc-cincinnati-in-u/article_2b7f6358-9787-5997-9219-21936f30ca40.html

STLFC hosts Major League Soccer's FC Cincinnati in U.S. Open Cup

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https://www.wcpo.com/sports/fc-cincinnati/fc-cincy-is-heading-toward-a-sellout-vs-l-a-galaxy-thanks-in-large-part-to-zlatan-ibrahimovic

FC Cincy is heading toward a sellout vs. L.A. Galaxy, thanks in large part to Zlatan Ibrahimovic

MLS' highest-paid player expected to play

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https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2841776-psg-star-kylian-mbappe-drops-mls-hint-you-dont-know-what-can-happen

PSG Star Kylian Mbappe Drops MLS Hint: 'You Don't Know What Can Happen'

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https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2019/06/19/PSG-French-star-Kylian-Mbappe-considers-move-to-MLS/8811560951763/

PSG, French, star Kylian Mbappe considers move to MLS

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https://rew-online.com/2019/06/jll-scores-43m-to-refinance-soccer-league-headquarters/

JLL scores $43M to refinance soccer league headquarters

JLL Capital Markets experts have arranged a $43 million loan on behalf of Witkoff Group to refinance two office condominiums serving as the New York headquarters of Major League Soccer (MLS). Deutsche Bank was the lender on the transaction.

Aaron Appel, Keith Kurland, and Jonathan Schwartz, Vice Chairmen; Adam Schwartz, Managing Director; Jackson Sastri, Executive Vice President; and Michael Ianno, Anaylst, negotiated the financing.

“Witkoff has extensive knowledge of the office condominium market and has been involved in many notable acquisitions and projects in Midtown and throughout Manhattan,” said Appel. “We are pleased to have been able to refinance with the existing lender on terms that benefit both parties.”

420 Fifth is a 28-story institutionally managed Class-A office condominium that occupies the entire block between 37th and 38th streets in Midtown Manhattan.

Built in 1990, the property has 45 condominium units occupied by a prestigious roster of companies and institutions, including the Rockefeller Foundation, Marist College and Italian eyewear company, Luxottica.

MLS first took occupancy at 420 Fifth Avenue in May 2005 and has steadily renewed and expanded within the property, signing a long-term lease for its current 64,211 s/f of office space across the entire sixth and seventh floors.

“Midtown continues to be one of the most sought after and active office markets in Manhattan,” said Kurland. “With MLS’ continued commitment to the property and best-in-class ownership such as Witkoff, the unparalleled appeal of this offering was unquestionable.”

420 Fifth Avenue is the only Class-A office condominium on Fifth Avenue. The 605,515 s/f building has a dramatic, contemporary two-story lobby that is attended 24/7, and modern building systems. It is located at the heart of Midtown and accessible to the entire metropolitan region via mass transportation at Grand Central Station, the Port Authority Bus Terminal, and Penn Station.

Created in 1993, MLS now has 24 professional teams located in the U.S. and Canada. With an average attendance of over 20,000 per game, it has the third highest average attendance of any sports league in the U.S. after the National Football League (NFL) and Major League Baseball (MLB).

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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/06/19/report-paraguayan-left-back-miguel-samudio-could-join-mls

Report: Paraguayan left back Miguel Samudio could join MLS

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https://www.wfmz.com/sports/steel-fc-return-to-goodman-for-a-match/1087671875

Steel FC return to Goodman for a match

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Bethlehem Steel FC will be making a return to the Valley this weekend when they take on the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Steel FC left their home field a little over six months ago due to the lack of lighting at Goodman Stadium for night games.

The game against Tampa Bay will be played at Goodman Stadium this Saturday night at 5:00pm.

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https://www.koat.com/article/new-mexico-united-taking-on-dallas/28100321

New Mexico United defeats FC Dallas, makes top 8 teams for Lamar Hunt US Open Cup

New Mexico United upsets FC Dallas

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https://www.tbnweekly.com/beach_beacon/article_b989bc5a-929b-11e9-be09-3382cdfaa683.html

St. Pete Beach officials spar with St. Pete mayor over Bus Rapid Transit

ST PETE BEACH — The war of words between PSTA, the county agency that wants to bring Bus Rapid Transit into St. Pete Beach, and city officials got even more heated during a special City Commission meeting June 13, fueled in part by a letter from St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman that island officials viewed as insulting and threatening.

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https://kplr11.com/2019/06/19/rising-hopes-for-mls-team-as-st-louis-fc-advances-in-us-open-cup/

Rising hopes for MLS team as St. Louis FC advances in US Open Cup

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https://www.fcdallas.com/post/2019/06/19/postgame-luchi-gonzalez-following-2-1-loss-against-new-mexico-united-61919?autoplay=true

POSTGAME: Luchi Gonzalez Following the 2-1 Loss Against New Mexico United | 6.19.19

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https://www.abqjournal.com/1330645/united-beat-fc-dallas-to-advance-in-u-s-open-cup.html

United beats FC Dallas to advance in U.S. Open Cup.

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https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2019/06/new-mexico-united-saint-louis-fc-upsets-second-night-2019-us-open-cup-round-of-16

NEW MEXICO UNITED, SAINT LOUIS FC PULL SHOCK UPSETS ON SECOND NIGHT OF 2019 U.S. OPEN CUP ROUND OF 16

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https://www.nccourage.com/news_article/show/1029690

SAHLEN'S STADIUM AT WAKEMED SOCCER PARK TO HOST 2019 NWSL CHAMPIONSHIP

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https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/soccer/soccer/2019/06/20/fc-dallas-crashes-2019-us-open-cup-2-1-loss-new-mexico-united?tab=conversation

FC Dallas crashes out of the 2019 US Open Cup with 2-1 loss to New Mexico United

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https://www.stltoday.com/sports/soccer/fink-s-goal-late-in-match-lifts-stlfc-to-cup/article_83596fe1-d106-57e4-b3d6-f6451189a443.html

Fink's goal late in match lifts STLFC to Cup victory