Beckham's Miami team to play MLS home opener March 14

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https://www.fox35orlando.com/sports/beckhams-miami-team-to-play-mls-home-opener-march-14

Beckham's Miami team to play MLS home opener March 14

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) - David Beckham's new MLS team will play its first home match against his former club.

Inter Miami officials announced Wednesday that the club's home debut will be March 14 at 2:30 p.m. against the LA Galaxy. That means Inter Miami will begin its inaugural season on the road, since the 2020 MLS season is set to begin in late February.

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https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/soccer/inter-miami/fl-ne-will-a-south-florida-soccer-team-stick-this-time-around-20191116-smeoobxb65f73nsvzhs75rgivm-story.html

How Beckham's Inter Miami plans to thrive as lasting soccer team where others didn't survive

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https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7682305/All-need-know-MLS-new-boys-Inter-Miami.html

A £750m stadium in the works, brand Beckham behind them and a billionaire boardroom looking to sign star players... here's all you need to know about MLS new boys Inter Miami

Inter Miami will face David Beckham's old side LA Galaxy in their first game

Next March, the expansion franchise will make hotly-anticipated debut in MLS

It has been a long road to this point but Inter Miami have grand ambitions

Sportsmail has recapped the story to this point and answered key questions

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http://www.thecharlottepost.com/news/2019/11/16/qcfc/charlotte-s-got-a-lot-in-the-race-for-30th-major-league-soccer-team/

Charlotte’s got a lot in the race for 30th Major League Soccer team

Commissioner: Tepper’s bid ‘to front of the line’

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https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/soccer/inter-miami/fl-ne-beckham-soccer-team-fort-lauderdale-stadium-progress-20191113-eaqdjyqcbzhjlpzrpo33o2p7zu-story.html

Beckham’s Inter Miami soccer stadium taking shape in Fort Lauderdale

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https://www.cltampa.com/food-drink/openings-closings/article/21097251/new-lagerspecific-brewery-barriehaus-beer-co-is-opening-in-ybor-next-month

New lager-specific brewery, BarrieHaus Beer Co., is opening in Ybor next month

It's shooting for a December 14-15 grand opening weekend.

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https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/10339438/david-beckham-mls-inter-miami-first-home-la-galaxy/

MIAMI NICE David Beckham’s MLS side Inter Miami will play first home game against Man Utd legend’s former side LA Galaxy in March

DAVID BECKHAM'S American club Inter Miami will play their first home match in Major League Soccer against former side LA Galaxay.

Beckham is currently preparing for Inter's maiden season as an MLS franchise which begins next February.

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https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/sport/football/luton-town/luton-town-legend-ricky-hill-would-love-to-work-in-the-english-game-again-1-9141034

Luton Town legend Ricky Hill would love to work in the English game again

Ricky Hill pictured as Tampa Bay Rowdies head coach

“It’s just one of those things, since I left Luton in 2000, I’ve never been employed in this country since then.”

Hill has had a number of jobs abroad before and after his time with Luton, as he was player coach with American side Tampa Bay Rowdies, winning two Championships and named coach of the year.

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https://cbssportsradio.radio.com/articles/john-feinstein-soccer-has-genuine-foothold-america

Feinstein: Soccer Has Genuine Foothold In America

Soccer has a legitimate following in the United States – and not just during the World Cup

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http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/champions-league-tv-rights-cbs-univision

Reports: CBS secures shock Champions League US rights deal

Univision retains Spanish-language contract in combined US$150m arrangement.

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https://www.ibj.com/articles/indy-eleven-second-overall-in-usl-championship-home-attendance

Indy Eleven finishes 2nd in league attendance with uptick in home crowds

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https://valliantnews.com/2019/11/17/fort-lauderdale-strikers-key-assets-sold-for-5100-at-public-auction/

Fort Lauderdale Strikers‘ key assets sold for $5,100 at public auction

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https://www.insidemnsoccer.com/mls/inter-miami-interested-in-real-madrid-star-luka-modric

Inter Miami Interested In Real Madrid Star Luka Modric

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https://en.as.com/en/2019/11/17/football/1574008585_450668.html

MLS

Mandzukic: Inter Miami and LA Galaxy want Juventus striker

Manchester United are also interested in the Croatian striker, who has fallen out of favour in Turin and will leave in January.

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https://www.hammers.news/club-news/west-ham-fans-react-to-rumours-suggesting-jack-wilshere-could-move-to-the-mls/

West Ham fans react to rumours suggesting Jack Wilshere could move to the MLS

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https://valliantnews.com/2019/11/16/miami-dade-commission-approves-sale-of-land-to-david-beckhams-group-paving-path-to-mls-stadium/

Miami-Dade Commission approves sale of land to David Beckham‘s group, paving path to MLS stadium

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https://valliantnews.com/2019/11/16/beckham-representatives-face-public-in-quest-to-bring-mls-to-miami/

Beckham representatives face public in quest to bring MLS to Miami

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https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2019/11/13/ybor-cigar-factory-undergoes-renovations-to.html

Travel & Tourism

Ybor cigar factory undergoes renovations to include a museum

A 124-year-old iconic landmark in Tampa is being renovated into a museum for visitors to understand Ybor City's once-thriving cigar industry.

J.C. Newman is America's oldest family-owned cigar company and the last operating cigar factory in Ybor.

File photo: At the Newman Cigar Factory in Tampa, Eric Newman, president, and his brother, Bobby Newman, executive vice president with cigars made by Tuptim Ploysqwon.
KATHLEEN CABBLE

For the upcoming 125th year milestone of the factory running, the Newmans want to preserve the history of Ybor's cigar-making roots.

"This gives us the ability to tell our story and to tell Ybor's story about why it is Cigar City. Cigars are to Tampa what wine is to Napa Valley ... what Mickey Mouse is to Orlando," said owner Eric Newman, grandson of the founder Julius Caeser Newman.

He said it was his son's idea to create a museum within the 100,000-square-foot factory.

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FOOD & LIFESTYLE

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La La's Sangria Bar

"My son has a vision of it attracting 1,000 people per week," Newman said. "Walking into our factory is like walking into the past."

The Newmans started the renovation process in the summer by building new restrooms, making the building up to code to be a public destination and moving different departments around.

During the renovation process, they discovered a hidden staircase in the building. Newman said the staircase leads down to the basement and into a vault that was used during the time when the mafia would rob cigar factories.

A worker looks down the staircase

COURTESY OF J.C. NEWMAN CIGAR COMPANY

The Newmans believe the vault was used to allow the manager to escape to hide himself and the money. Visitors will get to see the staircase on the walking tours.

Newman said he is planning the museum to have free admission, but experiences such as the guided tour, cigar tastings and cigar making will have a cost.

The factory will continue to operate and produce 60,000 cigars per day.

The plan is to have a factory shop where visitors can purchase cigars and other gifts, a floor featuring videos of Cigar City, antiques and historical items, equipment and getting a first look at seeing cigars being made by hand.

Newman said they anticipate construction being finished by March.

He didn't disclose the amount the renovation is costing, but said it was in the seven-figure range.

Although it is a major investment, Newman said he doesn't believe it will be a major revenue generator but rather a popular destination that will give a nod to Tampa's history.

In its prime, Tampa was once home to 150 cigar factories. However, obstacles such as the Cuban trade embargo and cigarette industry burdened the manufacturers, ultimately leading to the decline.

The J.C. Newman factory has been operated by the Newmans for three generations.

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https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2019/11/13/how-tampa-compares-to-the-cities-most-at-risk-of-a.html

Residential Real Estate

How Tampa compares to the cities most at risk of a housing downturn

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https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2019/11/15/lightnings-kucherov-buys-waterfront-home-in-south.html

Residential Real Estate

Lightning's Kucherov buys waterfront home in South Tampa

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https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2019/11/11/international-plaza-revises-plans-for-new-two.html

Commercial Real Estate

International Plaza revises plans for new two-story bowling alley and movie theater

International Plaza movie theater and bowling alley concept

BALA CONSULTING SERVICES PRESENTATION

The mall's ownership first filed plans with the city in May.

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https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2019/11/13/tech-data-acquired-in-5-4-billion-deal.html

Technology

Tech Data acquired in $5.4 billion deal

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https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2019/11/13/pinstripes-the-bowling-bocce-bistro-concept-will.html

Commercial Real Estate

Pinstripes, the bowling/bocce/bistro concept, will open at Tampa's International Plaza in 2021 (Renderings)

Construction should begin in early 2020 on Pinstripes and the mall's new luxury dine-in theater.

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https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2019/11/12/ruth-eckerd-hall-announces-new-cfo-after-the.html

Media & Marketing

Ruth Eckerd Hall announces new CFO

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https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2019/11/15/spirit-airlines-launches-new-nonstops-out-of-tampa.html

Travel & Tourism

Spirit Airlines launches new nonstops out of Tampa, plans to grow regional presence

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https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/10354995/jack-wilshere-transfer-david-beckham-inter-miami/

BECKS APPEAL Jack Wilshere puts David Beckham’s Inter Miami on red alert as he is ‘interested in MLS transfer’

JACK WILSHERE has put David Beckham's Inter Miami on red alert after it was revealed he is interested in a move to the MLS.

The West Ham midfielder, 27, is out of contract at the end of the 2020-21 season - by which time he will still only be 29-years-old.

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https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/mario-mandzukic-man-utd-transfer-news-juventus-training-december

Mario Mandzukic wants to start Manchester United training ASAP - but David Beckham could tempt him away from Old Trafford

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https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/nov/15/football-transfer-rumours-beckham-to-sign-modric-for-inter-miami

Football transfer rumours: Beckham to sign Modric for Inter Miami?

Today’s fluff is still finding its bearings

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https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/live-rugby-league-news-updates-3540823

Rugby League news: Sean O'Loughlin to retire, surprise GB team news, RFL announces more double-headers

All the rugby league news and rumours throughout the day

Hello and welcome along to today's rugby league blog where we will be bringing you all the latest news and rumours all day long.

Yesterday was a big day for Super League as Toronto Wolfpack unveiled marquee signing Sonny Bill Williams at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium.

We've got the New Zealand superstar on the comparisons with David Beckham and LeBron James and his hunger for success with the Canadian club.

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https://yen.com.gh/137909-7-powerful-photos-david-beckhams-expensive-mansion-9-bathrooms-pop-up.html

7 powerful photos of David Beckham's expensive mansion with 9 bathrooms pop up

David Beckham is a former English professional footballer, the current president of Inter Miami CF and co-owner of Salford City - The former Manchester United player has reportedly rented an over $25m/GHc 144m (£20m) Beverly Hills mansion which cost over GHc 139,000 ($25,000) a month

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https://techballad.com/rumour-has-it-gentleman-city-united-want-inters-martinez-as-atletico-eye-rakitic/

Rumour Has It: Gentleman City & United want Inter’s Martinez as Atletico eye Rakitic

– Zlatan Ibrahimovic out and Edinson Cavani in for LA Galaxy? In accordance to Gianluca Di Marzio, MLS side the Galaxy are focusing on Paris Saint-Germain’s Cavani adhering to Ibrahimovic’s exit. The Uruguay ahead is out of agreement at the finish of the time and has been joined to David Beckham’s Inter Miami franchise, who will open their inaugural year towards the Galaxy following 12 months.

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https://abc7.com/sports/major-league-soccer-will-miss-zlatan-ibrahimovic-even-if-he-wont-miss-mls/5699370/

SPORTS

Major League Soccer will miss Zlatan Ibrahimovic, even if he won't miss MLS

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http://hilltopmonitor.com/2019/11/sonny-bill-williams-closes-nrl-door-but-will-box-on/

Sonny Bill Williams closes NRL door but will box on

Speaking to Sky Sports News, the 34-year-old, who has also ventured into boxing, highlighted the importance of his Islamic faith and how it has helped him thrive in different sporting environments.

"This deal came to fruition in such a short space of time", Williams told reporters.

"I understand why they've done it, though.to get traction in North America". I just touched on congratulations for what they achieved so far. It all kind of lined up.

"Probably when I was a youngster I cared a lot about what people would think". Now, their prized signing is embracing the challenge of being the face of rugby league in North America.

"I stepped up and represented not just the Muslim community that was hurting, but also the New Zealand community", Williams said.

Williams, who met his new teammates at the Wolfpack training camp Wednesday, has been compared to David Beckham and LeBron James as game-changers in their sport.

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https://www.si.com/soccer/2019/11/15/usl-pro-women-soccer-league-rival-nwsl-new-league

Sources: USL Serious in Launching Women's Pro League to Rival NWSL

According to sources, several ownership groups of USL men’s teams—which play in the second and third divisions on the men’s side—have already confirmed their interest in having a team in the proposed D1 women’s league, that would directly compete against the NWSL.

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https://www.abqjournal.com/1391762/lawmakers-hear-pitch-for-soccer-stadium-in-albuquerque-ex-100-million-project-would-become-home-to-the-successful-new-mexico-united-team.html

Lawmakers hear pitch for soccer stadium in Albuquerque

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https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/soccer/2019/11/15/history-its-side-carpathia-fc-jumps-national-premier-soccer-league/4200107002/

With history on its side, Carpathia FC jumps to National Premier Soccer League

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https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1064916

Matured Mulholland Brings Balance to Monarchs

CHAMPIONSHIP'S 2011 ROOKIE OF THE YEAR HAS BECOME ROLE MODEL FOR REAL'S PROFESSIONAL NEWCOMERS

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https://nmpoliticalreport.com/2019/11/15/nm-united-tells-legislators-about-need-for-their-own-stadium/

NM United tells legislators about need for their own stadium

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https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/usl-plans-to-launch-rival-womens-league-to-nwsl/

USL ‘plans to launch rival women’s league to NWSL’

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https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/southern-soccer-academy-joins-usl-league-two

Southern Soccer Academy Joins USL League Two

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https://sports.yahoo.com/report-usl-looks-to-launch-womens-league-rivaling-nwsl-bring-in-uswnt-players-183612512.html

Report: USL looks to launch women's league rivaling NWSL, bring in USWNT players

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https://patch.com/new-york/queens/queens-gets-new-pro-soccer-team-queens-week-review

Queens Gets A New Pro Soccer Team | Queens Week In Review

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https://www.easternnewmexiconews.com/story/2019/11/17/voices/let-citizens-decide-on-stadium/163732.html

Let citizens decide on stadium

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https://techballad.com/southern-soccer-academy-joins-usl-league-two/

Southern Soccer Academy Joins USL League Two

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https://canpl.ca/article/cpl-commissioner-clanachan-talks-expansion-prorel-growth-on-keeping-score-podcast

CPL Commissioner Clanachan talks expansion, pro/rel, growth on Keeping Score podcast

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http://www.aroundosceola.com/sports/florida-sports-hall-of-fame-welcomes-new-members/article_f89a54fc-07be-11ea-bbbc-8fe2e5a11405.html

Florida Sports Hall of Fame welcomes 10 new members

Other inductees included former Stetson baseball coach Pete Dunn, Florida Southern College volleyball icon Lois Webb, Tampa Bay Rowdies goaltender Winston DuBose and former Gator linebacker David Little (posthumously). Former UCF and Minnesota Vikings star Daunte Culpepper was also name to the class but elected to postpone his induction because of scheduling issues.

Next year’s class will be announced next summer and the enshrinement ceremonies are scheduled for the south Florida area.

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https://valliantnews.com/2019/11/16/detroit-area-sees-spike-in-semi-pro-soccer/

Detroit area sees spike in semi-pro soccer

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https://patch.com/florida/stpete/layoffs-heading-locale-market-farmtable-cucina-st-pete

Layoffs heading to Locale Market and FarmTable Cucina in St. Pete

Up to 131 workers could lose their jobs by January if they are not hired by new owner BE-1 Concepts.

St. Pete Catalyst is reporting that layoffs are coming to the workers at Locale Market and FarmTable Cucina. The market and restaurant concepts have been a part of Downtown St. Petersburg for nearly half a decade.

Up to 131 restaurant workers could be laid off as BE-1 Concepts absorbs the property at the Sundial in Downtown St. Petersburg and begins renovations for a new food hall concept. Layoffs are expected to begin January 5th, but could occur before.

Sundial developer Bill Edwards from BEMC, LLC wrote in their WARN Notice:

"BEMC will no longer operate either of the businesses after closing. It is our understanding that a new business owner intends to open a similar business at the same location. It is also our understanding that the new owner intends to offer continued employment to some, or perhaps many, of the affected employees. BEMC is therefore hopeful that few, if any employees will suffer an employment loss. However, BEMC cannot predict or guarantee what will happen after closing its businesses, and therefore cannot be certain that the new business will open, or that employees will be retained."

On the chopping block:

9 Managers
5 Supervisors
4 Bakers
3 Baristas
4 Bartenders
12 Bussers, Runners, Barbacks
3 Butchers
38 Cooks/Chefs
16 Dishwashers
8 Interns
6 Hosts
2 Maintanence worker
4 Porters
2 Purchasers
2 Receivers
9 Servers
1 Sommelier
3 Stockers

Locale Market and FarmTable Cucina recently were in the news when it was reported that Armature Works acquired the outlets in the Sundial and that the two businesses would be closing at the end of December 2019, just five years after opening with Chef Michael Mina and Chef Don Pintabona at the helm. The concepts have undergone many changes over the years.

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https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/2019/11/15/131-layoffs-as-locale-market-farm-table-cucina-close-at-sundial/

131 layoffs as Locale Market, Farm Table Cucina close at Sundial

In a notice to the state of Florida, Sundial owner Bill Edwards said the layoffs are expected to take place the first week of January.

A total of 131 employees are scheduled to be laid off in January as Locale Market and Farm Table Cucina close at the Sundial to make way for a new food hall created by the developers of the Heights Public Market at the Armature Works in Tampa. [CHRIS URSO | TIMES]

ST. PETERSBURG — The transformation of part of the Sundial into a food hall will mean the loss of 131 jobs as the Locale Market and Farm Table Cucina close at the beginning of the year.

In a notice...

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https://theathletic.com/1379646/2019/11/15/no-country-for-usmnt-fans/

No country for USMNT fans

I don’t know about you, but soccer is the place where I come to Feel Things. The glittering of a million pricks of light representing so many souls joining together in something akin to a spiritual embrace. Or the crushing depths of defeat — the rain driving, the wind howling, the universe pummeling your shoulders. A delighted screech when a goalkeeper comes up for a last-second header and actually connects with the ball in the box. It’s a concert, a mountaintop, a church, a living room full of your friends. What I’m trying to say is, at its best, the divine madness of the game is the most reliable mechanism I know for bringing a tear to the eye and a lump to the throat.

Lately I’ve discovered that soccer can generate an unfamiliar feeling. The best way I can describe it is, basically, that it’s like being trapped in a room with someone who might be about to murder you. If you’re unfamiliar with that particular shade of emotion, let me explain using my favorite...

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https://www.starsandstripesfc.com/2019/11/15/20960081/no-good-time-ussf-fire-gregg-berhalter-usmnt-out-of-time

There is no good time to fire Gregg Berhalter

The simple truth is that the USMNT is running out of time.

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https://www.jacksonville.com/sports/20191112/armada-wins-committee-backing-for-downtown-jacksonville-stadium

Armada wins committee backing for downtown Jacksonville stadium

The Jacksonville Armada’s bid for a downtown soccer-specific stadium cleared one hurdle Tuesday, winning approval from the Mayor’s Budget Review Committee.

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https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2019/11/14/will-the-anticipated-addition-of-mls-impact.html

Will the anticipated addition of MLS impact Charlotte's existing soccer club?

On Sept. 20, Mecklenburg County held a public event at the stadium and the adjacent Grady Cole Center to kick off a $35 million makeover of the stadium. The project is scheduled to be completed by the spring of 2021.

Executives with the minor league soccer club said they intend to play at a renovated Memorial Stadium even if, as expected, David Tepper lands an MLS team for nearby Bank of America Stadium.

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https://theathletic.com/1379222/2019/11/14/don-garber-says-the-state-of-mls-is-healthy-the-reality-is-more-complicated/

Don Garber says the state of MLS is healthy. The reality is more complicated.

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https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/article-us-mens-soccer-coach-gregg-berhalter-gets-vote-of-confidence-from/

U.S. men’s soccer coach Gregg Berhalter gets vote of confidence from soccer federation director

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https://valliantnews.com/2019/11/18/miami-beckham-united-could-receive-mls-approval-in-coming-days/

Miami Beckham United could receive MLS approval in coming days