MLS Commissioner Don Garber to make special announcement in Charlotte

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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/12/16/mls-commissioner-don-garber-make-special-announcement-charlotte

MLS Commissioner Don Garber to make special announcement in Charlotte

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https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/scott-fowler/article238407163.html

Goooaaaallll! An MLS team in Charlotte will work, as long as Tepper makes right moves

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https://mlsmultiplex.com/2019/12/16/usl-championship-soccer-rapid-rise/

USL Championship soccer: The rapid rise

USL soccer’s saw a record 750 members, a new USL Championship team, and several stadium announcements. USL is rising, rapidly. Blink and you’ll miss it.

USL has expanded rapidly beyond the careful, calculated pace of MLS. Yet the faster-paced USL has made their expansion work as they mount their largest-ever winter summit in Florida where more than 750 members attended. They are not to be outdone by the debut of David Beckham’s Inter Miami in MLS this spring.

USL soccer has taken Miami FC from the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) out of the shadow of Inter Miami in MLS and brought it intol the USL. Miami FC acquired Ottawa Fury FC and the new version of the team will compete in the USL Championship (Division 2) beginning March 2020.

Miami FC will play in the 20,000-seat Riccardo Silva Stadium in the heart of Miami. They established their move into the higher-level of competition in USL Championship by winning the Eastern Conference of NISA. They went 4-0-2 (W-L-D) in the six-game season, which is an impressive record.

But now their new venture will feature 17 games at home alone. It is a size and stature of competition that the team is not yet used to and will have to seriously prepare for this offseason.

Yet, for all the hard work that is required, it is also a terrific opportunity. Miami FC president and general manager Paul Dalglish said the move up in competition and large venue will enable the club to build on what already is an army of supporters. Top brass from Miami FC were front and center at the USL winter summit. The league is excited to welcome them.

Other topics were covered at the summit, from ticketing, communications, social media, merchandise to full team operations. This year’s summit even included a job fair to populate the growing soccer universe of the USL.

It is because of detailed and organized planning such as this annual summit that USL has been able to manage their rapidly growing complex of teams and divisions of competition, now numbering three: Championship, League One and League Two. In addition, there is an Academy.

Besides growing in teams and competition, USL is growing in stadium capacity and attendance expectations. Miami FC will play its first USL game in a 20,000-seat venue.

OKC Energy FC has just gotten voter approval for a $37 million, 10,000-seat stadium in Oklahoma, the announcement being made during the summit, while the Colorado Springs Switchbacks announced a stadium deal of their own. Their organization has broken ground on a new 8,000-seat multi-use stadium in the city’s downtown.

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https://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/news/2019/12/16/check-out-louisville-city-fcs-new-logo.html

Check out Louisville City FC's new logo (PHOTOS)

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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/12/16/extratime-are-inter-miami-about-sign-next-josef-martinez-cavallini-caps

Extratime: Are Inter Miami about to sign the next Josef Martinez? Cavallini to 'Caps

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https://thatssotampa.com/jimmys-tacos-quietly-debuts-in-ybor-city/

Jimmy’s Taco’s quietly debuts in Ybor City

When the owner of Dysfunctional Grace, my personal favorite shop in Ybor City, recommends a taco joint, I make a point to go. Welcome Jimmy’s Tacos to the historic neighborhood!

The popular food hub has popped up at markets all over Tampa Bay, including St. Pete Beach’s booming Corey Avenue Market. So, what’s makes Jimmy’s so special?

Start with the Oaxacadilla featuring Oaxaca Cheese in a flour quesadilla served with a side of sour cream or pico de gallo.

From there, the menu is short and sweet. I’m a big a proponent of shrimp tacos, and Jimmy’s offers arguably the best in the area. Indulge in grilled Gulf shrimp tacos on blue corn tortillas topped with mango salsa.

I’m a sucker for a good Cuban sandwich, and while I haven’t tried the one at Jimmy’s, the excellence of the rest of its menu gives me faith.  Jaimie’s Cuban is made with roasted pork, layered with ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and yellow mustard.

The new taco joint is located at 1604 N 17th Street. A ribbon cutting ceremony is set for January 3 from 11:30am-10pm.

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https://www.sacbee.com/sports/mls/article238449908.html

Republic FC has a new coach for an ‘exciting time for football in Sacramento’

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https://patch.com/florida/southtampa/snow-7th-parade-brings-winter-cheer-historic-ybor-city

Snow on 7th Parade brings winter cheer to Historic Ybor City

Marching bands, local leaders, and krewes marched down 7th Avenue in Ybor City to mark the occasion on December 14th.

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https://www.83degreesmedia.com/features/ybor-city-preserves-old-while-shaping-new-in-tampa-121719.aspx

Ybor City: Rediscovering its history, building for the future

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https://www.caughtoffside.com/2019/12/17/david-beckhams-inter-miami-may-miss-out-on-world-class-striker-as-la-galaxy-make-contact/

David Beckham’s Inter Miami may miss out on world class striker as LA Galaxy make contact

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https://the18.com/soccer-news/why-mls-expansion-fees-are-so-high-charlotte

Why MLS Expansion Fees Are So Damn High But Also Kind Of A Great Deal

CHARLOTTE WILL BE PAYING AN INSANE FEE TO ENTER MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER AS THE 30TH TEAM.

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https://www.wcnc.com/article/sports/mls-commissioner-don-garber-to-join-david-tepper-vi-lyles-for-special-announcement/275-5bfb7962-7027-4aca-976e-ab9ce9c52577

SPORTS

MLS Commissioner Don Garber to join David Tepper, Vi Lyles for 'special announcement' Tuesday

Tepper has been pushing for a Major League Soccer franchise since purchasing the Carolina Panthers in 2018.

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https://www.prosoccerusa.com/mls/charlotte-mls-expansion/

EXPANSION

MLS to make ‘special announcement’ Tuesday in Charlotte

Charlotte is expected to be announced as Major League Soccer’s 30th franchise.

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https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2019/12/16/special-announcement-mls-expected-to-name-charlotte-n-c-latest-expansion-team/

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: MLS expected to name Charlotte, N.C. latest expansion team

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https://www.wfae.org/post/mls-commissioner-headed-charlotte-team-announcement#stream/0

MLS Commissioner Headed To Charlotte For Team Announcement

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https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/mls-to-formally-announce-charlotte-team-this-tuesday/

MLS to formally announce Charlotte team this Tuesday

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https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/charlotte-to-be-awarded-major-league-soccer-franchise-on-tuesday/

Charlotte to be awarded Major League Soccer franchise on Tuesday

Charlotte is set to become the latest city to join the MLS

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https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/where-will-charlottes-new-mls-team-practice-short-term/J2M3BVGC65EKRKHPF6RQYEFSHQ/

Where will Charlotte’s new MLS team practice in the short-term?

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https://www.salisburypost.com/2019/12/16/charlotte-expected-to-get-new-mls-team/

Charlotte expected to get new MLS team