Rob Stone from FOX Sports Talks 2018 World Cup Draw (Part 3)

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http://atlanta.cbslocal.com/2017/12/06/rob-stone-from-fox-sports-talks-2018-world-cup-draw-part-3/

Rob Stone from FOX Sports Talks 2018 World Cup Draw (Part 3)

I had seen it do very well in the youth system, I had obviously seen some university programs do well but on the professional level really outside of the old-school Tampa Bay Rowdies really kind of struggle. And it’s always hard to say Florida is in the south even though it’s more south than the Carolinas and Georgia and company but I had been tracking the Atlanta market for a long time. I used to work local television in Albany, Georgia. Atlanta always struck me as kind of this fair-weather sports town where you better be doing well or no one is really going to care, so when the Braves were hot back in the day man it was fantastic. I loved watching the games. And then when they dipped I was like ‘wow that brand new stadium seems awfully empty. Here come the Falcons and the Dirty Bird and when they dipped, there go the fans. You just hadn’t seen that popularity of the sport to that type of level to the south and I was not optimistic.

You mentioned the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Tell me about your love for the Rowdies.

ROB: My sports love on the professional side. I was born in Tampa but moved away at a very early age and when I first got involved in the sport of soccer my dad said to me ‘you need a team to follow’ and back then you didn’t follow EPL, you didn’t know what was going on in Germany and Italy. There wasn’t this lifeline to that and he said there was a team in my hometown. Tampa. The Tampa Bay Rowdies. And that just became my team. I loved the green and yellow, I had the fully kit, I loved Rodney Marsh, The Crown-Prince of soccer. I had a poster of him up on my bedroom wall. When I would go to school in Chapel Hill, North Carolina I wouldn’t sign my papers Rob Stone when I was in second grade, I signed them Rodney Stone. So that’s how much I loved Rodney Marsh and the teachers did not know what the hell was going on with young student Stone over there and I’m sure there were some parent teacher meetings where that came up and they had to properly explain why I had to sign my papers that way. But that’s how it started and it just never left.

I’m a Tar Heel at heart I’ll always cheer for North Carolina basketball. I’m a Rowdie at heart. I’ll always cheer for the success of the Tampa Bay Rowdies. But in my business, I don’t really allow myself too many options to be a fan. I’m just a fan of sports in general and a fan of the stories and you need to cover it in an even-keeled manner. People ask me ‘who is your favorite soccer team? Who is your favorite EPL team?’ I don’t really have one. I just love the game and I love watching and I love cheering for American success.

Handling rejection: What happens when MLS says 'no' to your expansion bid?

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https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/mls-expansion-race-rejection-implications

Handling rejection: What happens when MLS says 'no' to your expansion bid?

Four of the 12 finalists in the expansion race will become MLS teams. The implications for each, should it fail, vary greatly.

No shame in minor-league success

There may not be first-division soccer in Raleigh-Durham, Tampa Bay or Indianapolis in the immediate future – or maybe ever – and that’s OK. North Carolina FC, the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Indy Eleven are among the stronger second-division clubs in the country. They’ve proven their markets will support the game, and even better, they’ve (mostly) got business models that continue to ensure their success.

When Steve Malik bought North Carolina FC – then known as the Carolina RailHawks – in 2015, he did so touting his goal to bring the organization into MLS. Shifting the club back to the USL in 2018 after eight seasons in the unstable NASL was a move in that direction. Not getting over the finish line will hurt his pride, but the club has developed a devoted core following in the Triangle, drawing in the 4,000-5,000 range for attendance at its soccer-specific venue, Sahlen’s Stadium.

Meanwhile, the Rowdies have also been a consistent hit at the gate, with attendance growing each year since the club was re-established in 2010 – it topped out at a record 5,894 in 2017. Owner Bill Edwards is deep-pocketed and pumps his own money into the team, including a proposed $28 million refurbing of Al Lang Stadium if Tampa Bay gets the MLS nod. If it doesn’t, he’ll go back to being a good tenant in St. Petersburg with a class organization. MLS could potentially come sniffing around the Tampa Bay area again – it is, after all, the 11th-largest media market in the country. But if David Beckham gets his Miami plans finalized (which is no sure thing), it’s hard to imagine the league putting a third team in Florida, especially with Orlando less than 90 miles away.

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https://www.blackandredunited.com/dc-united-offseason-2017-2018/2017/12/5/16737666/dc-united-malmo-ff-2018-mls-preseason

D.C. United to play Malmo FF in 2018 MLS preseason

In what is becoming an annual tradition, Malmo FF has announced that they will be playing D.C. United in a preseason game on February 8 at 2:30 PM Eastern. The teams have been playing in most preseasons since 2012, with both MLS and the Allsvensken being in their offseasons.

The release says that the game will take place at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, which is an hour away from Clearwater, Florida, which is what sources have told is us D.C. United’s home for all of preseason. The only exception to that is a trip to Las Vegas to take on Las Vegas Lights FC, in a trip that will no doubt help prepare the team for the long early-season road trip.

Soccer teams have been following in the footstep of baseball teams and have begun clustering their preseasons in Florida and Arizona. D.C. United has settled on Florida as their preseason home, and hopefully familiarity with the location will help get them into a rhythm going into the season. We are still awaiting news on whether or not the Tampa Bay Rowdies will host a Suncoast Invitational as they have the past two years, but a some kind of tournament seems likely.

If you’re looking for a trip in February, you could do a lot worse than Florida.

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http://cincinnatisoccertalk.com/2017/12/05/fc-cincinnati-sign-veteran-forward-tommy-heinemann-2018

FC Cincinnati Sign Veteran Forward Tommy Heinemann for 2018

The former Tampa Bay Rowdies man is no stranger to performing under pressure. He scored a PK for the Deltas in the 2017 Soccer Bowl and scored for Charlotte in the 2010 USSF D2 Championship. Heinemann notched 12 goals in all competitions for San Francisco in 2017. That number is tied for his ...

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7LDVS0QZag

Section Spotlight: General Admission

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on Dec 5, 2017

Want to chant with Ralph's Mob​ the entire 90 minutes? Then general admission is the place to be! Secure your GA season seats today by calling 727-222-2000 or by visiting http://tinyurl.com/TBRSTM18 .

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26vAPIkCTnU

St. Pete Site - Amazon HQ2

St. Petersburg, FL

Published on Dec 5, 2017

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https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2017/12/05/detroits-mls-expansion-bid-gores-gilbert-ford/922442001/

Detroit's MLS expansion bid may hinge on Wednesday presentation in NYC

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http://worldsoccertalk.com/2017/12/05/rocco-commisso-speaks-steve-malik-ussf/

Rocco Commisso speaks out about Steve Malik and USSF

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https://www.si.com/soccer/2017/12/05/kathy-carter-us-soccer-president-election-sunil-gulati-don-garber-sum

Kathy Carter Denies Being Gulati, Garber's Strategic Pick for U.S. Soccer President

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http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2017/12/05/nashville-mls-group-make-final-pitch-new-york-what-you-need-know/923103001/

Nashville MLS group to make final pitch in New York: What you need to know

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https://www.massivereport.com/2017/12/5/16738350/mls-has-had-an-official-lobbyist-in-austin-since-at-least-august-7-2017-columbus-crew-sc-precourt

MLS has had an official lobbyist in Austin since at least August 7, 2017

A recently released letter suggests that MLS has been actively pursuing an Austin franchise since the summer.

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http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article188224514.html

Sacramento makes its pitch for a Major League Soccer team against three other cities

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https://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2017/12/05/jlab-audio-named-official-audio-partner-la-galaxy

JLab Audio named official audio partner of the LA Galaxy

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http://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/cincinnati-set-make-final-expansion-pitch-mls/i5a1oGkV7zeQ5lYXOa3oEL/

FC Cincinnati set to make final expansion pitch to MLS

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https://sports.yahoo.com/stadium-emerges-austin-possible-mls-144051891.html

Stadium site emerges in Austin for possible MLS franchise

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http://www.kentucky.com/sports/article188086474.html

Soccer exec Kathy Carter announces bid as USSF president

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http://www.menafn.com/1096186459/JLab-Audio-Named-Official-Audio-Partner-Of-Major-League-Soccer

JLab Audio Named Official Audio Partner Of Major League Soccer

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http://cincinnatisoccertalk.com/2017/12/05/fc-cincinnatis-case-for-mls-rivalries

FC Cincinnati’s Case for MLS: Rivalries

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https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/05/sports/soccer/kathy-carter-us-soccer-election.html

Kathy Carter Joins a Crowded Race for U.S. Soccer President

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https://ussoccerplayers.com/2017/12/seattle-sounders-nhl-expansion-team-sports-market.html

What if Seattle gets a hockey team?

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https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/284900/the-business-of-major-league-soccer-ahead-of-mls-cup

The Business of Major League Soccer Ahead of MLS Cup

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https://sports.yahoo.com/sums-kathy-carter-will-run-u-s-soccer-presidency-153728290.html

Soccer United Marketing's Kathy Carter will run for U.S. Soccer president

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http://www.dealerscope.com/article/jlab-audio-named-official-audio-partner-major-league-soccer/

JLab Audio Named Official Audio Partner of Major League Soccer

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http://www.goal.com/en/news/sum-president-kathy-carter-announces-us-soccer-candidacy/13vpw0l4wmvu510ymp3rfj5qk7

SUM president Kathy Carter announces U.S. Soccer candidacy

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http://soccer.nbcsports.com/2017/12/05/stadium-site-emerges-in-austin-for-possible-mls-franchise/

Stadium site emerges in Austin for possible MLS franchise

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https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jlab-audio-named-official-audio-partner-of-major-league-soccer-300565542.html

JLab Audio Named Official Audio Partner Of Major League Soccer

Multi-year partnership brings amazing audio to the player and fan experience

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https://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/soccer-exec-kathy-carter-announces-bid-as-ussf-president-120517

Soccer exec Kathy Carter announces bid as USSF president

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http://www.kentucky.com/sports/article188086474.html

Soccer exec Kathy Carter announces bid as USSF president

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http://soccer.nbcsports.com/2017/12/05/kathy-carter-announces-she-will-run-for-us-soccer-president/

Kathy Carter announces she will run for US Soccer president

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2017/12/05/u-s-soccer-will-have-a-new-president-but-sunil-gulati-isnt-going-to-disappear/?utm_term=.7f284e126ee2

U.S. Soccer will have a new president, but Sunil Gulati isn’t going to disappear

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https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics-extra/2017/12/05/px-why-didnt-major-league-soccer-make-exception-fc-cincinnati/920904001/

PX: Why didn't Major League Soccer make an exception for FC Cincinnati?

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http://www.kcra.com/article/sacramento-republic-fc-makes-pitch-in-nyc-for-mls-team/14109601

Sacramento Republic FC makes pitch in NYC for MLS team

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http://www.mesquite-news.com/local-soccer-fans-cry-foul/

Local soccer fans cry ‘Foul!’

San Antonio’s dream of a Major League Soccer team could be shattered by a potential relocation to Austin.

In early October, Sports Illustrated  broke the news that Anthony Precourt, owner of the Columbus Crew SC, announced intentions to move the team to Austin, Texas.

This potential move would have an obvious impact on San Antonio’s chances of getting an MLS expansion team. Many local soccer fans were not too happy about this move by MLS and Precourt.

Benji Mendoza, owner and operator of Soy San Antonio Futbol, has been a supporter of soccer for 15 years. Mendoza believes it is unfair to the city of San Antonio to lose out on a franchise to Austin.

“[The city] tried to attract a team to San Antonio,” Mendoza said. “Unfortunately, the way politics and favoritism is working right now with the commissioner of MLS and ownership [of Columbus], I think the true color of basic business is being shown.”

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http://www.sacbee.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/ailene-voisin/article188261629.html

Why does Republic FC belong in Major League Soccer? This was love at first kick

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https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/75971/mls-expansion-the-four-sales-pitches-and-quest.html

MLS Expansion: The four sales pitches -- and questions that will be asked

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http://www.oaoa.com/news/us_news/article_7289bb6f-62ae-55ed-8500-ba0c05ed78e1.html

BC-SOC--USSF President-Carter, 3rd Ld-Writethru,503

Soccer exec Kathy Carter announces bid as USSF president

Eds: Updates.

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https://www.forbes.com/sites/bobbymcmahon/2017/12/06/a-big-day-for-cincinnati-detroit-nashville-and-sacramento-as-they-vie-for-two-mls-expansion-teams/

A Big Day For Cincinnati, Detroit, Nashville, and Sacramento As They Vie For Two MLS Expansion Teams

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http://www.espn.com/soccer/united-states/story/3297955/kathy-carter-running-for-united-states-soccer-federation-presidency?src=com

SUM's Kathy Carter announces candidacy for U.S. Soccer president

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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/12/05/mls-cup-jerseys-throughout-years-visual-history

MLS Cup jerseys throughout the years: a visual history

Four Cities, Two Spots: Who Would You Like to See Added to MLS?

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https://www.burgundywave.com/2017/12/4/16732312/four-cities-two-spots-who-would-you-like-to-see-added-to-mls-expansion-teams

Four Cities, Two Spots: Who Would You Like to See Added to MLS?

Who will be the next two expansion teams?q

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http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2017/12/04/metro-asks-judge-dismiss-lawsuit-seeks-stop-nashville-mls-stadium-plans/918974001/

Metro seeks dismissal of lawsuit aimed at stopping Nashville MLS stadium plans

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https://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/news/2017/12/04/mls-deferral-on-sas-expansion-bid-gives-austin.html

MLS deferral on SA's expansion bid gives Austin more time to cut in line

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https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2017/12/04/downtown-austin-park-emerges-as-frontrunner-for.html

Downtown Austin park emerges as frontrunner for pro soccer stadium

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http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/major-league-soccer-and-la-galaxy-partner-with-jlab-audio

Major League Soccer and LA Galaxy partner with JLab Audio

Headphone and speaker brand becomes league's first audio partner.

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https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/toronto-fc-seattle-sounders-mls-cup-rematch-money-ambition-evolution

All that money can buy: MLS Cup rematch underscores league’s evolution toward wealth, ambition

Seattle-Toronto Part 2 is another telling sign of Major League Soccer's evolution. Spend or be left behind.

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http://cincinnatisoccertalk.com/2017/12/04/fc-cincinnatis-case-for-mls-fan-base

FC Cincinnati’s Case for MLS: Fan base

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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/12/04/jlab-audio-named-official-audio-partner-major-league-soccer-0

JLab Audio named official audio partner of Major League Soccer

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http://www.columbiachronicle.com/metro/article_6ea0791a-d70b-11e7-ad49-1b78c637f69a.html

Soccer stadium could score goal in North Side

With a new United Soccer League stadium scheduled to arrive on Chicago’s North Side in 2020, fans and urban planning experts are still unsure it can survive.

The USL is a minor league of teams below Major League Soccer. The stadium is being developed by Sterling Bay, a Chicago real estate company, which will also own the stadium’s team; however, the company still does not have a team for the location. The stadium will have 20,000 seats and a retractable roof for year-round events.

The stadium is part of the 70-acre Lincoln Yards development project and has been linked to Chicago’s bid to house Amazon’s second headquarters.

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https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2017/12/04/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/MLS-finance.aspx

League flexes muscles in securing $425M loan

By Daniel Kaplan, Staff Writer

Published December 4, 2017, Page 5

Major League Soccer borrowed $425 million from a consortium of banks led by JP-Morgan and Bank of America, underscoring the quickly changing financial fortunes of the soccer league as it prepares to award lucrative expansion franchises. MLS confirmed the loan, though not the amount, whi...

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http://thecomeback.com/soccer/sum-president-kathy-carter-looking-run-ussf-president-will-face-many-challenges.html

SUM President Kathy Carter “exploring” run for US Soccer President, will face many challenges

Kathy Carter is reportedly is at a "95 percent" chance of running for US Soccer President.

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2017/12/04/path-to-2019-womens-world-cup-will-begin-at-home-for-u-s-team/?utm_term=.d1eea2d28ad3

Path to 2019 Women’s World Cup will begin at home for U.S. team

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https://www.starsandstripesfc.com/2017/12/4/16734026/usa-host-2018-concacaf-womens-world-cup-qualifying

USA will host Women’s World Cup qualifying

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https://nypost.com/2017/12/04/face-of-us-soccer-since-2006-wants-out/

Face of US Soccer since 2006 wants out

U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati will not seek a fourth term, announcing his decision two months after the Americans failed to qualify for next year’s World Cup.

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http://www.richmond.com/news/latest-news/ap/gulati-will-not-seek-th-term-as-us-soccer-president/article_90fcfd8f-6b5f-5945-982c-bed43f08e8eb.html

Gulati will not seek 4th term as US Soccer president

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2017/12/04/that-nutty-idea-of-a-world-cup-for-failed-countries-dont-hold-your-breath/?utm_term=.7ad5abee57a5

That nutty idea of a World Cup for failed countries? Don’t hold your breath.

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https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2017/12/04/metro-fires-back-in-mls-stadium-lawsuit.html

Metro fires back in MLS stadium lawsuit

Wasting no time, Metro Nashville is calling for the dismissal of a lawsuit over plans for a soccer stadium at The Fairgrounds Nashville.

Metro filed its motion to dismiss Friday, two days after a coalition of fairgrounds advocates filed their suit.

The plaintiffs — including the Save Our Fairgrounds organization, its leader Rick Williams, former Metro Councilman Duane Dominy and former Metro fair board member Neil Chaffin — have asked a Davidson County Chancery Court judge to halt plans for the potential Major League Soccer stadium as well as separate plans to convert 46 acres at the fairgrounds into parkland and recreational soccer fields.

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https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/dec/04/sunil-gulati-us-soccer-president-re-election

US Soccer president Gulati will not seek reelection after World Cup failure

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https://sports.yahoo.com/sunil-gulati-will-not-run-re-election-u-s-soccer-president-221259114.html

Sunil Gulati will not run for re-election as U.S. Soccer president

List of retired numbers in association football

This wiki lists two Rowdies numbers retired, 6 and 12, in 2010-13; I think there was another number retired back in the original Rowdies era circa 1975-1993 but I'd have to research that as my memory may well be faulty. 

I'm not crazy about the idea of retiring numbers in soccer, especially numbers 1-11. These numbers mean something in soccer which they don't mean in typical American sports with large squads and unlimited substitution. It doesn't translate well.
 
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_retired_numbers_in_association_football

List of retired numbers in association football

This practice, long established in the major North American sports, is a recent development in football since squad numbers for specific players were not widely used until the 1990s. Before then, it was typical for players in the starting lineup to be issued numbers 1 to 11 by formation/position on a match-by-match basis, and substitutes to be numbered from 12 upwards, meaning a player might wear different numbers during the season if they were to play in different positions for tactical reasons, or simply not be a regular in the starting lineup.

Retiring a player's number usually occurs after the player has left the team or retired. It honours a player who has meant so much to his club that they retire the shirt number that the player wore during their time there, meaning no other player is permitted to use that number in the future. In some cases, such as those of Jason Mayélé, Vittorio Mero, Marc-Vivien Foé, Miklós Fehér, Ray Jones, Dylan Tombides, François Sterchele, David di Tommaso, Antonio Puerta, Besian Idrizaj and Piermario Morosini, numbers have been retired to posthumously honour a player who died while still active. Also, Norwegian club Fredrikstad retired Dagfinn Enerly's number following an on-pitch accident that left him paralysed. In Britain, only Bobby Moore's and Jack Lester's shirt numbers have been retired due to great service to the club as opposed to a tragic incident. Although it has not been officially retired, Gianfranco Zola's No. 25 shirt has not been reissued by Chelsea since he left the club in 2003.

The Argentina, Ecuador and Cameroon national teams have been prevented from retiring the numbers of Diego Maradona (10), Christian Benítez (11)[1] and Marc-Vivien Foé (17), respectively, by FIFA rules dealing with squad numbers for Finals tournaments; in other competitions or friendlies, national associations may assign numbers according to criteria of their choosing. Similarly, several clubs have been required to reissue retired numbers for continental club competitions due to squad numbering rules of continental confederations. For example, CAF and CONMEBOL have such rules in their club competitions, but CONCACAF does not.

Some South American teams (such as Universitario de Deportes or Flamengo, and even Mexican teams invited for the occasions) have occasionally had to re-issue their retired numbers for special cases due to CONMEBOL rules, which state that shirts must be numbered 1–25 in continental club competitions (such as Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana, among others).

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

United States

Tampa Bay Rowdies    

6    

South Africa

Mike Connell    

Defender    

1975–1984    

Number retired 10 August 2013[28]

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

United States

Tampa Bay Rowdies    

12    

United States

Perry Van der Beck    

Midfielder    

1978–1982, 1984, 1991–1993    

Number retired 1 October 2010[29]

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wrap Up Your Rowdies Season Tickets This Holiday Season!

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR0pCHyFd3s

Wrap Up Your Rowdies Season Tickets This Holiday Season!

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on Dec 2, 2017

For information on how to become a 2018 Rowdies season ticket member, call 727-222-2000 or visit www.RowdiesSoccer.com/Season-Tickets.

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7hdxo3/open_letter_december_2_2017/

Open Letter: December 2, 2017 (supportyourlocalfootballclub.blogspot.com)

One more open letter, just mailed them out today. No idea if these are having any effect, but why not put these ideas out there.

I don't like seeing people write off our chances for MLS. While I think we should be in MLS no matter what, Miami not working out would certainly help our cause a lot.

It is hard to say if Tim Leiweke's comments were simply made out of frustration without any deeper meaning, or if he in fact knows something about the Miami situation which hasn't come out yet which may delay or kill the stadium deal altogether.

Certainly the MLS owners wouldn't be sad to see some other market pay full price for Miami's expansion slot rather than give Beckham his discount, but they also would like to see Beckham be involved in MLS ownership. At this point Beckham's stake in an MLS team will be so diluted with other, larger owners that it is kind of silly to think of MBU as Beckham's team, or why the other MBU owners should benefit from the Beckham discount given Beckham is going to be a minority owner.

If MLS really wanted Miami to happen, they would have allowed MBU to launch next year alongside LAFC, but playing in a temporary stadium, until their SSS issues could be worked out, much as they allowed NYCFC to do. But MLS isn't allowing that to happen in Miami. MBU either gets this current SSS deal done next year or it isn't happening at all, IMHO.

Parsing Tim Leiweke's comments is very interesting, and shows some potential for the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Bill Edwards teaming up with the MBU ownership group, in my humble but obviously biased opinion:

“I’m helping any way I can with David,” Leiweke told the Sun. “I hope it gets done, but it’s not done. I have my fears as to whether it’s going to get done because things like this that drag on this long that’s always tough on a process. But for David I hope he lands somewhere.”

“It would be unfortunate for the league to not honour the job he did and the decision he made,” Leiweke added. “His best work would still be ahead of us if we could figure out a way to get him involved with a franchise.

“But our company has a lot of different projects. I haven’t spent a lot of time on Miami lately so I’m not sure if that gets done. I hope it does for David’s sake.”

...But for David I hope he lands...somewhere...

...if we could figure out a way to get him involved with...a...franchise...

Interesting choice of words, no?

But in any case whether MBU joining the TBR ownership group does or doesn't happen, we still need to get more local Tampa Bay Area owners on board the TBR ownership group alongside Bill Edwards.

(Follow link for full article.)

https://supportyourlocalfootballclub.blogspot.com/2017/12/open-letter-december-2-2017.html

Open Letter: December 2, 2017

Open Letter: December 2, 2017

Open Letter: December 2, 2017  

 

December 2, 2017

Hello all; this is another open letter in my ongoing campaign to get the Tampa Bay Rowdies into Major League Soccer (MLS), as documented in my blog. 

Updated. The letter writing campaign so far:

http://supportyourlocalfootballclub.blogspot.com/2016/11/updated-letter-writing-campaign-so-far.html

 

I was not going to be writing any more letters for a while but some recent news headlines prompted me to write this short letter:

Tim Leiweke fears David Beckham’s MLS franchise won’t come to fruition.

http://torontosun.com/sports/soccer/mls/toronto-fc/totally-unfair-ridiculous-ex-toronto-fc-head-honcho-tim-leiweke-backs-bradley-checks-in-with-sun-in-exclusive-chit-chat

 

MLS has selected Cincinnati, Detroit, Nashville & Sacramento as the finalists for the 1st 2 expansion spots. Owners & officials from the 4 markets will make formal presentations to MLS Commissioner Don Garber & the league’s expansion committee in New York on Dec. 6.

https://twitter.com/byIanThomas/status/935872362553147392?s=17

 

Statement from Rowdies Chairman & CEO Bill Edwards on Recent MLS Expansion News.

http://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/861499?referrer_id=2929375-news-archive

It is my understanding that the Tampa Bay Rowdies bid is not currently under consideration due to the need for additional investors, so I am writing this to encourage additional investors to join the Rowdies MLS ownership group, especially potential investors in the Tampa Bay Area. The Tampa Bay Area had a very strong start for professional soccer in the 1970s but has been consistently scoring own goals since that time, letting other markets steal our place. It would be a shame if this was allowed to happen again. 

In addition, if the Miami Beckham United project really does not come to fruition, this seems to me an obvious case of a logical pooling of resources: MBU has the additional ownership money Bill Edwards needs to take the Tampa Bay Rowdies to MLS; the Tampa Bay Rowdies have an urban, waterfront, downtown stadium, an active fan base and very strong supporters group, and a 42 year old well known soccer brand name and history and tradition to match that, all of which are lacking in Miami. 

If the MBU stadium plans don’t come to fruition, as I understand it, the Beckham MLS expansion fee discount can’t be transferred to another market; however the ownership group that Beckham has put together could still buy into (with full MLS expansion fee price) a team in another market, and as I have been advocating in these open letters for the past two+ years, the Tampa Bay Rowdies are an obvious solution to this problem if the Miami stadium situation proves to be untenable.

#COYR #Rowdies2MLS #MLS2StPete #MLS2TampaBay

Statement from Rowdies Chairman & CEO Bill Edwards on Recent MLS Expansion News

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http://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/861499?referrer_id=2929375-news-archive

Statement from Rowdies Chairman & CEO Bill Edwards on Recent MLS Expansion News

By Rowdies Communications, 11/29/17, 1:00PM EST

Statement from Tampa Bay Rowdies Chairman & CEO Bill Edwards

“This morning Major League Soccer (MLS) announced four finalists for the next two expansion teams, to be awarded this year.  While the Rowdies were not one of the four, MLS made it clear that we remain in consideration for the expansion spots to be announced at a later date.

On behalf of the Rowdies organization, I am very proud of what we have accomplished on and off the pitch.  We set modern day records in nineteen categories this past season.

I personally had a medical set back that put us behind – but undaunted. I continue to invest in refining our stadium plan and other elements of our bid to make it as strong and competitive as possible, and remain in communication with Commissioner Garber and MLS.  I firmly believe that this MLS expansion will come to pass.”

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http://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/861797?referrer_id=2929375-news-archive

Rowdies Chairman & CEO Bill Edwards on Matt Pickens Departure to Nashville

By Rowdies Communications, 11/30/17, 9:30AM EST

Message from Rowdies Chairman & CEO Bill Edwards on goalkeeper Matt Pickens joining Nashville SC:

“We’d like to thank Matt Pickens for everything he’s done during his time here at the Rowdies. He is an excellent person both on and off the field and we wish him the very best at Nashville Soccer Club.”

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http://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/862033?referrer_id=2929375-news-archive

Rowdies Announce Initial Roster Moves Including Return of Joe Cole and Marcel Schäfer

By Rowdies Communications, 11/30/17, 4:30PM EST

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (November 30, 2017) — With 2018 and a new United Soccer League season rapidly approaching, the Tampa Bay Rowdies have made their first set of roster transactions for the season ahead.  The club announced on Thursday that at least nine members of the 2017 roster are set to return next season.

Headlining the group of returnees are international midfielders Joe Cole and Marcel Schäfer, who both are under contract until the end of the 2018 season. Cole will be entering his third season with the Rowdies, scoring 16 goals and tallying 12 assists in 52 matches.

Schäfer joined the Rowdies ahead of the 2017 season and led the club with 11 assists, setting a Modern-Era club record for most assists in a season. The German midfielder also scored seven goals, which ultimately landed him a spot in the 2017 USL All-League First Team.

“We’re excited to bring back a strong core of the 2017 roster, which helped us break multiple club records in our first season in USL,” said Rowdies Chairman & CEO Bill Edwards. “I believe we have a great coaching staff that is prepared to bring the USL Cup to St. Petersburg in 2018 and they are working extremely hard to prepare an even stronger roster for the upcoming season. Our amazing fans deserve a championship team after all the fantastic support the club has received season-after-season.”

Returning players include goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald, who had four shutouts in his six starts during the 2017 season. Defenders Neill Collins and Zac Portillos will both be back to anchor a strong defensive third, which posted a Modern-Era club record 14 shutouts in the Rowdies inaugural USL season.

Midfielders Michael Nanchoff, Alex Morrell (option exercised) and Martin Vingaard and forward Sebastian Guenzatti will all be returning for the 2018 season, as they look to build upon a record-breaking 2017 season. All four players played an instrumental role in breaking the Modern-Era club record for most points in a regular season (53).

The Rowdies continue to have discussions with Nico Campbell, Darnell King, Kyle Porter, Tamika Mkandawire, Hunter Gorskie, Keith Savage, Leo Fernandes, Justin Chavez, Walter Restrepo, Darwin Jones, Martin Paterson and Georgi Hristov, who are all currently not under contract for the 2018 season.

The Rowdies will continue to build upon their 2017 achievements, with several new additions to the roster being announced in the coming weeks.

For information on how to become a 2018 Rowdies season ticket holder, please call (727) 222-2000 or click here.

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7gqlcd/rowdies_announce_initial_roster_moves_including/

Rowdies Announce Initial Roster Moves Including Return of Joe Cole and Marcel Schäfer (rowdiessoccer.com)

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http://www.rowdiessoccer.com/news_article/show/862033

Rowdies Announce Initial Roster Moves Including Return of Joe Cole and Marcel Schäfer

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7gmovy/breaking_matt_pickens_traded_to_nashville_sc/

Breaking: Matt Pickens traded to Nashville SC (imgur.com)

https://imgur.com/a/FriYY

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7gn7uf/s_y_n_e_r_g_y_rowdies_offering_free_tickets_to/

S Y N E R G Y - Rowdies offering free tickets to Florida Tropics home games in December (fltropics.com)

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http://www.fltropics.com/rowdies

Rowdies Special Ticket Offer

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7gfcar/statement_from_tampa_bay_rowdies_chairman_ceo/

Statement from Tampa Bay Rowdies Chairman & CEO Bill Edwards on the recent @MLS expansion announcement (twitter.com)

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https://twitter.com/tampabayrowdies/status/935934397156601857

Tampa Bay Rowdies

‏Verified account

@TampaBayRowdies

Statement from Tampa Bay Rowdies Chairman & CEO Bill Edwards on the recent @MLS expansion announcement.

10:12 AM - 29 Nov 2017

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7gf5w8/republic_cincy_nashville_and_detroit_are_4/

Republic, Cincy, Nashville, and Detroit are 4 finalists for two MLS spots in 2020 (twitter.com)

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https://twitter.com/byIanThomas/status/935872362553147392?s=17

Ian Thomas‏

@byIanThomas

MLS has selected Cincinnati, Detroit, Nashville & Sacramento as the finalists for the 1st 2 expansion spots. Owners & officials from the 4 markets will make formal presentations to MLS Commissioner Don Garber & the league’s expansion committee in New York on Dec. 6.

6:05 AM - 29 Nov 2017

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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7gania/report_beckham_partner_casts_doubts_on_mls_in/

Report: Beckham partner casts doubts on MLS in Miami (local10.com)

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https://www.local10.com/news/local/miami/report-beckham-partner-casts-doubts-on-mls-in-miami

Report: Beckham partner casts doubts on MLS in Miami

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http://www.espn.com/soccer/league/_/name/usa.1

Beckham partner shares fears on MLS bid

One of David Beckham's partners in a bid to form a Major League Soccer franchise in Miami has expressed serious doubts over the future of the project.

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https://socceramerica.com/publications/article/75858/doubts-raised-about-beckhams-miami-mls-bid.html

Doubts raised about Beckham's Miami MLS bid

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https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2017/11/29/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/Miami-MLS.aspx

Leiweke Worried Beckham's Expansion MLS Franchise In Miami Won't Come To Fruition

Published November 29, 2017

Oak View Group CEO Tim Leiweke fears David Beckham’s MLS franchise in Miami "wont come to fruition," according to Kurtis Larson of the TORONTO SUN. This comes after MLS Commissioner Don Garber in August said that the league "could officially unveil Miami as an expansion team 'pe...

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http://miami.cbslocal.com/2017/11/29/miami-excluded-from-mls-expansion-finalists-but-beckhams-franchise-still-in-play/

Miami Excluded From MLS Expansion Finalists, But Beckham’s Franchise Still In Play

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http://www.tampabay.com/Tampa-Bay-misses-out-on-MLS-expansion-this-time_163107862

Tampa Bay misses out on MLS expansion this time

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http://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/post/rowdies-out-running-expansion-year

Rowdies Out Of The Running For Expansion This Year

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http://www.fox13news.com/sports/mls-eliminates-rowdies-from-expansion-team-running

MLS eliminates Rowdies from expansion team running

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https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2017/11/29/tampa-bay-officially-out-of-this-round-of-major.html

Tampa Bay officially out of this round of Major League Soccer expansion

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http://www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/news/article.html/content/news/articles/bn9/2017/11/29/no_mls_team_for_tamp.html

No MLS team for Tampa market, at least for now

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http://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/2017/11/30/nashville-sc-signs-goalkeeper-matt-pickens-3-others-inaugural-roster/905510001/

Nashville SC signs goalkeeper Matt Pickens, 3 others to inaugural roster