Ralph's Mob has opened a new Discord server for talkin' Rowdies. Open for anyone (you don't have to be a mob member). Invite your friends!

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/etejc5/ralphs_mob_has_opened_a_new_discord_server_for/

Ralph's Mob has opened a new Discord server for talkin' Rowdies. Open for anyone (you don't have to be a mob member). Invite your friends!

https://discordapp.com/invite/vJHxBKC

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/etbms5/back_in_2020_jordan_doherty/

Back in 2020: Jordan Doherty

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https://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/1080222

BACK IN 2020: JORDAN DOHERTY

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/esvb7u/rowdies_sign_goalkeeper_evan_louro/

Rowdies Sign Goalkeeper Evan Louro

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https://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/1079623

ROWDIES SIGN GOALKEEPER EVAN LOURO

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https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/story/2020-01-23/chicharito-hernandezs-move-to-mls-is-not-a-retirement-stop

Column: Chicharito’s move to MLS represents something — but it’s not retirement

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https://www.themaneland.com/2020/1/23/21077477/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-dwyers-hungry-the-mls-cba-and-more-miami-headaches

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Dwyer’s Hungry, the MLS CBA, and more Miami Headaches

Dom looks to rebound, a potential work stoppage for MLS, Beckham’s potentially bad decision, and the loss of a legend.

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https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/five-highway-i--ramps-to-close-permanently-on-feb/article_6c311c99-c464-5506-8296-a994c1c724c3.html

Five Highway 40 (I-64) ramps to close permanently on Feb. 3 for new soccer stadium

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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/01/23/nashville-sc-aim-record-breaking-crowd-inaugural-mls-match

Nashville SC aim for record-breaking crowd in inaugural MLS match

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https://www.bnd.com/news/local/article239566378.html

St. Louis to close I-64 ramps for new soccer stadium. What will it mean for commuters?

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https://soccer.nbcsports.com/2020/01/23/chicharito-tells-father-mls-move-is-beginning-of-my-retirement/

Chicharito tells father MLS move is ‘beginning of my retirement’

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https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/inter-miami-announces-first-head-coach/2180114/

Inter Miami Introduces First Head Coach

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https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/i-64-ramps-close-permanently-feb-3-mls-stadium-plan-st-louis/63-52fd771e-bae2-4d50-b19d-defc274131f2

5 I-64 ramps to close permanently on Feb. 3 as MLS stadium plan moves forward

The City has come up with detailed detours for each of the ramps to ease the transition.

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https://www.prosoccerusa.com/mls/atlanta-united-fc/atlanta-united-puppy-charter-flights-mlspa-union-cba/

Atlanta United’s new ‘designated puppy’ arrives on charter flight

The MLS players union threw some shade at a dog receiving nicer travel accommodations than players do.

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https://theathletic.com/1559988/2020/01/24/systematizing-our-thoughts-on-chicharito-and-mls-as-retirement-league/

Systematizing our thoughts on Chicharito and MLS as a retirement league

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https://www.espn.com/soccer/la-galaxy/story/4039677/what-chicharitos-galaxy-move-means-to-the-future-of-mls-and-mexican-soccer

What Chicharito's Galaxy move means to the future of MLS and Mexican soccer

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https://theathletic.com/1559913/2020/01/24/officially-in-place-at-inter-miami-coach-diego-alonso-looks-to-imprint-a-winning-mentality-on-the-expansion-side/

Officially in place at Inter Miami, coach Diego Alonso looks to imprint a winning mentality on the expansion side

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https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1080466

SIGNINGS: Rowdies Add Doherty on Permanent Deal

HAITIAN INTERNATIONAL HERIVAUX JOINS SAN ANTONIO; INDEPENDENCE SIGN COLLEGE STANDOUTS

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https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2020/01/24/5-i-64-ramps-to-close-permanently-feb-3-as-mls.html

5 I-64 ramps to close permanently Feb. 3 as MLS stadium plan moves forward

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https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2020/01/24/panthers-spending-up-to-20m-to-add-suites-at-field.html

Panthers spending up to $20M to add suites at field level

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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2020/01/18/nashville-sc-unveil-new-2020-mls-jersey-forever-gold-home-kit

Nashville SC unveil new 2020 MLS jersey: Forever Gold home kit

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https://katu.com/sports/content/timbers-bring-back-popular-axe-portrait-photo-shoots-to-celebrate-10th-year-in-mls

Timbers bring back popular axe portrait photo shoots to celebrate 10th year in MLS

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https://www.theledger.com/news/20200125/like-good-cuban-heres-your-ticket-in-lakeland

Like a good Cuban? Here’s your ticket in Lakeland

Restaurateur Dwayne Williams is capitalizing on a growing demand in Florida and elsewhere for Latin and Hispanic foods and flavors like Cuban sandwiches, black beans and rice, tacos and cinnamon-laced churros.

LAKELAND — Dwayne Williams’ love for the Cuban sandwich began with his childhood visits to the Port of Tampa, now known as Port Tampa Bay, where his dad worked as a shop supervisor for an oil company.

Saturdays back then were all about soaking up the harbor sights, sounds and smells, and tucking into a fresh-made Cuban, plush with roast pork, ham, Swiss and salami, a signature of Tampa’s version of the celebrated sandwich.

Today, Williams, 53, owns three Ole’ Tampa Cubans sandwich shops — one each in Mulberry, Plant City and Lakeland in Alamo Plaza, which opened in December. He plans on opening at least two more shops before venturing into franchising the concept.

In advance of the larger plan, Williams, who recently moved from Lakeland to the rural Tampa suburb of Lithia, is broadening his menu with creative spins on the classic Cuban. One version features a honey-based sauce and the exterior gets coated in honey butter before taking a spin in a hot press.

Another version borrows from Williams’ recipe for deviled crab rolls, or croquettes, a staple of Tampa Bay’s Cuban-influenced culinary scene. Williams’ crab rolls are a featured item at the new Cigar City Brewing Taproom at Amalie Arena.

He uses the mildly spicy red sauce that helps bind the crab meat to add a new dimension of flavor to his Cuban sandwich.

Additional variations on the theme are spinning around in the head of Williams, who also owns Dwayne’s Place Diner & Grill in Christina Plaza, just north of Mulberry on South Florida Avenue.

“It can’t be just another Cuban,” he said of his creative urges. “It has to be a ‘Wow’ Cuban” without straying too far from tradition.

Williams is capitalizing on a growing demand in Florida and elsewhere for Latin and Hispanic foods and flavors like Cuban sandwiches, black beans and rice, tacos and cinnamon-laced churros.

In Florida, the influx of Hispanics from places like Puerto Rico and Central and South America also has driven an appetite for Latino-inspired culinary goods, said Larry Ross, a former restaurateur and professor emeritus of business administration at Florida Southern College.

The burgeoning Latino population also has fueled a taste for fancier dishes, he said. “There are some notable chefs coming out of South America that are increasing the depth of Latino foods.”

Williams’ plans to grow his Cuban café concept with a more varied menu makes sense, Ross said. “He’s riding a good trend.”

Williams’ base sandwich is all about tradition — the bread is baked by La Segunda Central Bakery in Ybor City, which has been in business since 1915. His classic version is finished with a scatter of pickle slices and a swipe of yellow mustard. Another version goes all-American with a tangle of shredded lettuce and thin slices of tomato.

Emboldened by positive feedback on his more creative versions of the Cuban sandwich, Williams is forging ahead with expanding his menu. He plans to add a palomilla steak sandwich, a thin-cut, quick-fried staple of many Cuban cafés, and a fried shrimp basket.

La Segunda bakery also makes a slightly sweet egg-based baguette — a crucial element for the media noche sandwich, which is filled with traditional ingredients that comprise a classic Cuban. The media noche will soon be added to the menu at Ole’ Tampa Cubans.

Williams, a former director of operations for the Fred’s Market restaurant chain, plans to spend the next year or so fine-tuning recipes and gauging customer reaction before taking his concept into franchise territory.

“The last thing I want is to take people’s money and not have the promise of a future with (an Ole’ Tampa Cubans franchise),” he said. “You don’t want to go too fast. You’ve got to take your time.”

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https://www.tampabay.com/arts-entertainment/food/2020/01/22/a-guide-to-gasparilla-drinks-from-milk-punch-to-rum-concoctions/

A guide to Gasparilla drinks, from Milk Punch to rum concoctions

There’s a lot of history pouring into the glasses along the parade route for the brunch (and even breakfast) cocktails.

Beverage manager for the Tampa Yacht and Country Club, Kasia Nowakowska prepares a Milk Punch cocktail, the club's signature drink for Gasparilla. Milk Punch contains brandy, simple syrup, heavy cream, milk and is garnished with nutmeg. Nowakowska says the club will make more than 120 gallons of Milk Punch for the annual Gasparilla Parade of Pirates on Jan. 25 -- and most of it will be consumed by noon prior to the invasion.

Tampa has been a drinking town since its early days, and the city’s fondness for strong drinks is on display.

Saturday’s Seminole Hard Rock Gasparilla Pirate Fest marks more than 100 years of the city ...

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https://www.cltampa.com/food-drink/openings-closings/article/21111816/food-concept-ryguys-chicken-and-waffles-is-now-located-within-ybors-james-joyces-irish-pub-eatery

Tampa's RyGuy's Chicken and Waffles celebrates new Ybor location with free beer next weekend

And they're hosting a welcome party next Saturday with free beer.

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https://floridapolitics.com/archives/316878-gasparilla-2020-how-to-get-discounted-rides-and-other-ways-to-get-there

TAMPA BAY

Gasparilla 2020: How to get discounted rides and other ways to get there

It might be a good idea to ditch the car.

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https://www.tampabay.com/news/tampa/2020/01/23/arrive-early-gasparilla-transportation-routes-and-tips-to-avoid-traffic-snarls-saturday/

‘Arrive Early’: Gasparilla transportation routes and tips to avoid traffic snarls Saturday

A schedule of road closures beginning Friday night, plus bus lines and shuttles to arrive in time for Gasparilla 2020.

The Jose Gasparilla sails toward the Tampa Convention Center during the annual Gasparilla Pirate Invasion in Hillsborough Bay sailing north to Seddon Channel on Saturday, January 26, 2019. Hundreds of boats join the flotilla.

TAMPA — As the Jose Gasparilla and accompanying flotilla prepare to sail across Hillsborough Bay into Seddon Channel, county transportation officials are gearing up for the thousands of expected attendees at the 2020 ...

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https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/man-city/transfer-talk/news/david-beckham-to-move-for-sergio-aguero_386951.html

Inter Miami owner David Beckham to move for Manchester City's Sergio Aguero?

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https://www.theledger.com/news/20200124/annual-rum-experience-eat-drink-and-be-merry

Annual Rum Experience: Eat, drink and be merry

About 45 rum and food vendors will be on hand Saturday for the Central Florida Rum and Food Experience at the RP Funding Center. Event runs from 4 to 7 p.m.

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https://www.orlandosentinel.com/elsentinel/os-es-festival-sandwich-cubano-kissimmee-2020-20200123-7haeni2cjjardbunjgsxcvsiva-story.html

EL SENTINEL

Regresa a Kissimmee el Festival del Sándwich Cubano

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https://www.dailysignal.com/2020/01/24/tampas-gasparilla-festival-trivializes-historical-evil/

Tampa’s Pirates Festival Trivializes Historical Evil

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https://aftn.ca/once-a-whitecap-where-are-they-now-part-one/

Once A Whitecap: Where are they now? (Part 1)

Without making an appearance for Man City Leftovers FC, Salgado had spells at Tigres II in Mexico, the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the USL, and Jaguares FC in Colombia, before bouncing around the USL between El Paso and Las Vegas for the last two years.

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https://thegabber.com/spb-classic-its-no-ordinary-race/

SPB Classic: It’s No Ordinary Race

Fifteen little tykes took to the streets in the five- to six-year-old race category. They donned race tees far toolarge, “number one” race bibs and started off the run with a bang. It didn’t quite go off without a hitch as a few stumbled and tumbled to the pavement as the horn blew. Those who persevered were met at the finish line by proud parents and St. Petersburg’s beloved sport mascots, DJ Kitty and Raymond of the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team, and Pete the Pelican of the Tampa Bay Rowdies soccer team.

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https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1080076

TRANSACTIONS: San Antonio Installs PC to Midfield

MIAMI RE-SIGNS EXPERIENCED CAPTAIN ROZEBOOM; ATL UTD 2 BOLSTERS DEFENSE WITH JADAMA

The 25-year-old also made 45 appearances across parts of two seasons with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers before being sold to the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the middle of the 2016 season. PC made 14 appearances for Tampa Bay, recording one goal and one assist to close the season for the Rowdies.

The defensive midfielder is no stranger to the USL Championship, having featured in over 100 league matches for several clubs throughout his professional career. Born in Walker, Iowa, Rozeboom joined Miami FC in early 2019 after spending a season with in-state rivals Tampa Bay Rowdies.