(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.statesman.com/sports/austin-guerrero-park-becomes-latest-focus-mls-stadium-search/QPbPHPW8M2TOpu0y5QcYLP/
Austin’s Guerrero Park becomes latest focus of MLS stadium search
Activists protested Saturday against the use of parkland for a stadium, but Austin City Council Member Sabino “Pio” Renteria told the American-Statesman that he would like to have a discussion with PSV officials and community members before removing the park from consideration.
The protestors who gathered at the park Saturday complained that they have been left out of the discussion altogether. More than 60 demonstrators calling themselves Friends of Austin Parkland held signs, chanted and sang to protest the use of public parkland for private development.
Similar protests at Butler Shores led City Council Member Ann Kitchen to draft a resolution that called for eliminating all parkland from consideration as a possible stadium site. The resolution was withdrawn after PSV announced it was no longer interested in the Butler Shores tract.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/883848?referrer_id=2349190
USL's Week Ahead – Preseason Opens with Historic Contests
Nashville, Las Vegas make notable debuts, FCC and Rowdies clash at IMG Academy
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7vpyua/darnell_king_makes_move_to_san_antonio_fc/
Darnell King Makes Move to San Antonio FC (uslsoccer.com)
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http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/883967?referrer_id=2364194-news-archive
King Makes Move to San Antonio
Former Rowdies defender brings extensive experience to SAFC back line
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http://blog.mysanantonio.com/the-local-scene/2018/02/soccer-safc-signs-former-nasl-standout-defender/
Soccer: SAFC signs former NASL standout defender
San Antonio FC signed defender Darnell King, pending United Soccer League and U.S. Soccer Federation approval. He joined the local club after previously playing for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and Tampa Bay Rowdies of the NASL.
King appeared in 24 matches last season, making 23 starts, for Tampa Bay and helped the squad to a third-place finish in the NASL Eastern Conference.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2018/2/6/16963144/marcus-epps-looking-forward-to-facing-alma-mater-in-south-florida-scrimmage-philadelphia-usf-bulls
Marcus Epps looking forward to facing alma mater in USF scrimmage
Epps will be scrimmaging his former college team with the Philadelphia Union on Tuesday.
The Bulls played in front of about 1,900 fans at their home field against the Chicago Fire on Saturday night. They also hosted the New York Red Bulls on January 27 and have a game against the Tampa Bay Rowdies scheduled in March.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.espn.com/soccer/united-states/story/3374148/north-american-soccer-league-vs-us-soccer-federation-legal-battle-escalates
North American Soccer League vs. U.S. Soccer Federation legal battle escalates
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7vs1af/back_in_time_vancouver_whitecaps_and_the_days_of/
Back In Time: Vancouver Whitecaps and the days of Team Hawaii (aftn.ca)
(Follow link for full article.)
http://aftn.ca/vancouver-whitecaps-and-the-days-of-team-hawaii/
Back In Time: Vancouver Whitecaps and the days of Team Hawaii
The long wait is over. Vancouver Whitecaps are finally back in action today.
The ‘Caps kick off their first of seven preseason matches tonight when they take on Japanese J1 League side Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo at the University of Hawaii’s training pitch. Three 45 minute periods were planned, but that’s now been amended to two.
This is all preseason of course, but hard as it may be to believe, there once was a time when the Whitecaps played an actual league match on the island, back in the days of the original North American Soccer League (NASL).
The 1970’s were a weird and wacky time in general, and when it came to North American soccer, the NASL seemed to fully embrace the mood of the decade. Say what you want about all the glitz and glamour, and razzamatazz and rule changes, that the league brought to the world’s game, but they attracted some of the best players from around the globe to play over here and attracted some huge crowds to watch them at times.
But some of the NASL’s business decisions were decidedly hit or miss. Over expansion and a failure to understand some markets proved very detrimental to the league. A lot of teams failed and a lot of them were one season “wonders”, and that brings us to the 1977 season and the rise and fall of Team Hawaii.
Team Hawaii’s existence was very short lived. They played their first NASL match at home to Seattle Sounders on April 8th 1977. Four months later they played their last ever NASL match on August 4th, this time in Seattle.
The team played 26 games, winning just 11 of them and finishing fourth in Pacific Conference Southern Division, failing to make the playoffs and playing in front of an average attendance of 4,536 at the cavernous Aloha Stadium, home to this week’s Pacific Rim Cup matches.
When you consider that they had 12,877 fans in attendance for the visit of a New York Cosmos side that included Pele in their second ever match, you can imagine what some of the other games drew. Their lowest crowd of the season was for their 4-1 victory over Rochester Lancers on June 8th, where only 1,896 came to watch. They drew a combined total of 58.967 fans for their 13 home matches, in a stadium that holds 50,000.
Team Hawaii’s existence was a strange one. They began life two years earlier as San Antonio Thunder, but after two poor seasons both on and off the pitch, the team moved from Texas to Honolulu. After failing there, owner Ward Lay Jr (son of the founder of Frito-Lay) upped sticks once again, moving the team to Oklahoma, where they became the much better known and more successful 1983 Soccer Bowl winning Tulsa Roughnecks.
Maybe all that team movement is what inspired Anthony Precourt to take the Crew there this preseason.
The Whitecaps played Team Hawaii twice. Away at Aloha Stadium on Friday April 29th, and then at home at Empire Stadium on Monday July 11th. Now, almost 41 years later, the ‘Caps are back playing football matches on the island and in the same stadium, all of which must give some flashbacks for Whitecaps President Bobby Lenarduzzi.
Lenarduzzi, and his brother Sam, played in both of the matches against Team Hawaii in 1977 and Bobby remembers the game well, or at least the trip, telling Ian Plenderleith in his excellent “Rock ‘n’ Roll Soccer” book, “the game in Hawaii was almost a side-affair compared with the idea of taking a trip out there”.
The away match was Vancouver’s fourth game of the new NASL season and 4,124 fans went along to Aloha Stadium to see the home side come away with a 2-1 victory. Yugoslavian midfielder Marko Vujkovic got Vancouver’s goal, with Brian Tinnion and Jim Henry earning the points for Hawaii.
The Whitecaps got revenge at Empire Stadium three months later, as goals from Derek Possee, Brian Bason. Buzz Parsons, and Bob Bolitho gave Vancouver a 4-3 victory in front of 12,473 fans.
When Team Hawaii departed the island almost as quickly as they arrived, it was 17 years before another pro team tried to make a go of it in Honolulu. That team was the rather dodgy named Hawaii Tsunami, who spent four seasons from 1994 to 1997 in the United States International Soccer League (USISL), who became the USL we know today in 1999.
But the past 20 years has seen nothing since. There are currently no professional football teams in Hawaii, but there is a thriving youth set up across the islands. A three division amateur league, the Men’s Island Soccer Organization, does operate on the island of Oahu, with just under 30 teams competing.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://elitesportsny.com/2018/02/06/new-york-cosmos-danny-szetela-sad-state-us-soccer/
Cosmos midfielder Danny Szetela on the sad state of U.S. Soccer
New York Cosmos midfielder Danny Szetela joins Schwartz on Sports to discuss the sad state of soccer in the United States.
There was a time when Danny Szetela missed a significant portion of his soccer career because of injuries. And now, he’s hoping that his career doesn’t come to an end, not because of injury, but because of the way the sport is governed in the United States.
Just like everyone else that is affiliated with the North American Soccer League, the Cosmos veteran midfielder is suddenly facing life after soccer as the league awaits a ruling from an appeals court on a request for an injunction that would restore the NASL’s Division Two classification from the United States Soccer Federation.
Players from the Cosmos and other teams have left for other teams and leagues, but Szetela’s optioned are limited. The 30-year-old Clifton, New Jersey native has been offered a contract in the Second Division United Soccer League for $3,000 a month with no health insurance while Major League Soccer teams are looking at younger players.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.themaneland.com/2018/2/6/16976402/predicting-who-will-win-the-u-s-soccer-presidential-election
Predicting Who Will Win the U.S. Soccer Presidential Election
Carter, Cordeiro, Wynalda, and Martino are the favorites, but who will win the election?
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.espn.com/soccer/club/united-states/660/blog/post/3373295/world-cup-woe-to-us-soccer-presidential-election-timeline-of-critical-events
From World Cup woe to a USSF presidential election: How we got here
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.espn.com/soccer/united-states/story/3374781/nasl-sues-us-soccer-directors-over-acting-to-protect-interests
NASL sues U.S. Soccer directors over acting to protect interests
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/wynalda-recalls-bad-blood-between-usmnt-players-and-ussf-during-his-playing-days/
Wynalda recalls bad blood between USMNT players and USSF during his playing days
Wynalda and former coach Steve Sampson remember the impact pay disputes had on the team in the 90s
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.starsandstripesfc.com/2018/2/6/16965388/us-soccer-sunil-gulati-defense-presidential-election-change
Sunil Gulati offers a disconnected defense of the USSF and criticizes detractors
Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ‘18
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/76674/nasls-barrage-continues-with-civil-suit-against-u.html
NASL's barrage continues with civil suit against U.S. Soccer's board of directors
U.S. Soccer's board of directors have been dragged into the barrage of legal actions filed by the NASL or those with ties to the NASL.
In the latest one, the NASL filed a civil lawsuit in New York County (Manhattan) court against 14 of the 15 voting members of U.S. Soccer's board of directors and general secretary Dan Flynn.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.nwemail.co.uk/sport/PETE-ON-THE-BEAT-Dont-waste-your-money-Becks-42b01ece-ffe2-427c-b37f-cb8c470122e7-ds
PETE ON THE BEAT: Don't waste your money Becks
IT'S an old story, but it still has a ring of truth even if the figures have escalated: the quickest way for a football club owner to get a bank balance of £1m is to start out with £2m.
So, why was David Beckham looking so pleased with life when he launched his new Miami franchise to an excited audience?
Clearly, he had not listened to the findings of sports management professor Jordan Kobritz. If he had, he might have had second thoughts about putting his cash into a new Florida-based MLS club.
Professor Kobritz was not among those cheering Becks' announcement as a triumph for his Great American Adventure.
Instead, he warned that the former England captain was entering a world of loss-making business – where a stay-at-home TV fan is worth more than the season-ticket holder.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/883841?referrer_id=2364194-news-archive
Nashville Clash with Atlanta Sells Out
NSC’s professional preseason debut continues to build buzz around club
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.kgun9.com/sports/local-sports/fc-tucson-to-become-a-professional-soccer-team
FC Tucson to become a professional soccer team
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/37433863/fc-tucson-turning-professional
Breaking: FC Tucson turning professional
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7vnw3k/drew_fellios_on_twitter_excited_to_spend_a_little/
[Drew Fellios on Twitter] Excited to spend a little more time at home this spring-n-summer as PxP voice of the @TampaBayRowdies @USL #dreamcometrue (twitter.com)
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https://twitter.com/DrewSportsTV/status/960632477462142976
Drew Fellios
@DrewSportsTV
Excited to spend a little more time at home this spring-n-summer as PxP voice of the @TampaBayRowdies @USL #dreamcometrue
1:53 PM - 5 Feb 2018 from Tampa, FL
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7vjcfh/north_carolina_fc_fan_coming_in_peace/
North Carolina FC fan coming in peace... (self.TampaBayRowdies)
Not sure how many of y'all are planning on coming to NCFC's home opener on March 17th. But for those who are, the club is selling $3 green beer and the supporters group "Oak City Supporters" all also have free beer at their tailgate as well for any one who wants to stop by!
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/76672/pushback-after-jermaine-jones-takes-to-instagram-a.html
Pushback after Jermaine Jones takes to Instagram again
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https://www.nation.co.ke/sports/talkup/Built-on-hype-Super-Bowl-keeps-the-cash-flowing-in/441392-4292746-900b73/index.html
Built on hype, Super Bowl keeps the cash flowing in
MLS THE FUTURE
But Mimi Omogeni, yet another Kenyan who has settled in USA, believes Major League Soccer (MLS) will soon take up the NFL’s place as the richest sporting league, not only in USA, but globally.
“MLS is the future of sports in the US,” she argued. “The way states and county governments are investing in soccer is definitely going to overthrow NFL in the next decade.
See how much clubs are investing to hire ex-European league players? This is all for talent and mentorship.”
The Super Bowl experience demonstrates the power of sports marketing in building a strong brand, something Kenyan sports managers ought to study with keen interest.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2018/02/05/jabil-picks-the-site-for-its-new-headquarters.html
Jabil picks the site for its new headquarters
The decision comes after considering many other locations.
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http://futebolcidade.com/grupo-pachuca-soccer-war-mexico/
Grupo Pachuca – The Soccer War in Mexico
While some Americans are familiar with what is termed a “soccer war” between establishment and anti-establishment, reformist camps (the #ProRelforUSA hashtag is one of several reform hashtags that has been used to organized reformist information regarding the USSF), the one to the south in Mexico might not be as known, but seems to operating in similar veins to the USA battle with Grupo Pachuca at the centre of the affair.
However, there is a difference in the political battle. While the USSF has pitted the directors of league associations against each other, the fight within the FMF has been one between owners within one league—Liga MX. There’s also another difference. Unlike in USSF, who is holding presidential elections in the coming weeks, Liga MX owners are the only owners who have any say in the goings-on of the national federation. If something happens with the national team, or with a national team manager or director, then it’s the representatives or directors from only the eighteen clubs in Liga MX who can vote on the decision and only from those eighteen clubs. No players. None of the representatives from the more than 295 clubs who are affiliated with FMF but play in the FMF’s lower divisions. No one else. And it’s been that way since the professional era began.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://lasportshub.com/2018/02/06/la-galaxy-zlatan-ibrahimovic-beckham/
LA Galaxy: Can Zlatan Ibrahimovic be a bigger star than David Beckham?
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https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/soccer/fc-cincinnati/2018/02/06/fc-cincinnati-draws-new-england-1-1-first-preseason-game/313533002/
FC Cincinnati draws New England 1-1 in first preseason game
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http://www.fccincinnati.com/news_article/show/884083?referrer_id=2584136
FCC Draws New England In Preseason Opener
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http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/883841-nashville-clash-with-atlanta-sells-out
Nashville Clash with Atlanta Sells Out
NSC’s professional preseason debut continues to build buzz around club
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.tucsonsentinel.com/sports/report/020618_fc-tucson/fc-tucson-announces-move-pro-level/
FC Tucson announces move to pro level
Local soccer club will is only 2nd to announce membership in newly minted D3
(Follow link for full article.)
https://footballfoyer.com/2018/02/06/around-the-mls-beckham-miami-van-der-wiel-toronto-fc/
Around the MLS: Beckham’s Miami side given green light, Dutch international joins Toronto FC
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http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/882387?referrer_id=2364194-news-archive
FC Tucson Leads USL Division III’s West Coast Expansion
High-performing club acquired by USL’s Phoenix Rising FC joins professional ranks
Tuesday, February 6, 2018
Monday, February 5, 2018
Musical chairs; or the great MLS SSS NIMBY relocation/expansion swap meet, flea market, fish fry, bbq, gossip roundup & sewing circle.
Musical chairs; or the great MLS SSS NIMBY relocation/expansion swap meet, flea market, fish fry, bbq, gossip roundup & sewing circle.
So, I have been watching the MLS expansion/relocation circus and letting my imagination run riot.
Beckham's Miami MLS team has been announced, but the local opposition to the Overtown stadium still hasn't been dealt with. Interesting to see how that works itself out.
FC Cincinnati is still working on their stadium situation. "Councilman Mann: Neighborhoods must have a say in FC stadium site" (see link below); so this situation could go on for a while and delay FC Cincinnati's move to MLS, which gives the Rowdies an opening.
MLS still wants Sacramento to get more and/or bigger investors, which also gives the Rowdies an opening.
MLS obviously does not like Detroit's idea to play in a concrete domed NFL stadium, instead of an open air soccer specific stadium (SSS), which gives the Rowdies an opening.
The Columbus to Austin proposed move puts San Antonio on hold, which gives the Rowdies an opening.
Finally, as shown in news links below, there's lots of local opposition in Austin to an MLS stadium, so, that potentially scuttles or delays Anthony Precourt's plans to move the Columbus Crew to Austin, Texas. That could also potentially give the Rowdies an opening in their MLS bid, if Bill Edwards plays his cards right and things fall together in a particular way (I'm wildly speculating, below, here, but hear me out).
I haven't commented much on the Columbus to Austin situation, as although I hate it, I did not want it to muddy the waters of my main project here, which is getting the Rowdies into MLS, i.e., #MLS2StPete #MLS2TampaBay #Rowdies2MLS ... but now is a good moment to comment: #SaveTheCrew ...
MLS has used American and Canadian soccer supporter culture to grow its brand; it has implied that soccer is indeed different from other North American professional sports; but this business of letting Anthony Precourt buy the Crew with the intention to move them to Austin, ruins that narrative.
If MLS wants long term growth and support, it can't move teams on a whim like this. NFL can get away with this, but MLS can't. It is very short-sighted.
Now, if the move to Austin falls through, Anthony Precourt has also potentially upset the situation for himself in Columbus, if not also undermined the situation for the Crew in Columbus as well.
What would happen if the Columbus to Austin move does not happen? Would Anthony Precourt want to sell his shares of the Crew to remove himself from a bad situation in Columbus?
Some of the guys on The Unused Substitutes podcast (IIRC - or maybe I read it on reddit or somewhere else, and my memory is playing tricks on me; that is what happens when one listens to podcasts and browses the internet at the same time; in any case...) joked about Anthony Precourt moving the Crew to St. Petersburg and rebranding them as the Tampa Bay Rowdies (i.e. either partner with or buy out Bill Edwards).
As they were quick to add, and I agree, that would be bad. We want the Tampa Bay Rowdies in MLS, but we don't want to steal someone else's team to make it happen. To reiterate: #SaveTheCrew ...
There is another option that occurs to me: Anthony Precourt sells his shares of the Columbus Crew to local Columbus and/or other investors, and uses that money for an expansion fee for a new MLS team somewhere else, i.e., in the Tampa Bay Area, so that he buys into Bill Edwards' #MLS2StPete ownership group and takes the Tampa Bay Rowdies to MLS.
Now, Anthony Precourt is an oil guy and probably he would prefer an MLS team in Texas, if this idea were possible he could also buy into the San Antonio FC ownership group and take them to MLS.
San Antonio FC are owned by the San Antonio Spurs, though, and they probably do not want to have a partner, especially not if Precourt insists on being the majority owner, which seems likely.
I know that some people (i.e., Rowdies fans, members of Ralph's Mob, etc.) assume that Bill Edwards wants to be in charge of the Tampa Bay Rowdies in MLS as majority owner, but due to his age, he is probably more concerned with his legacy in St. Pete and in the Tampa Bay Area, rather than in just running a major league sports club.
In other words, if Bill Edwards gets #MLS2StPete with the Tampa Bay Rowdies playing in MLS at Al Lang Stadium (however reconfigured or rebuilt), he's secured his legacy in St. Pete and it matters less who the other owners are, or who is majority owner. Or so I suppose (yes, I'm just spitballing here; this is my own idea; and I obviously have no inside information).
Why would Anthony Precourt want to do an MLS deal for the Rowdies in St. Petersburg? Well, it isn't Texas, but St. Pete has the same hipsterish vibe as Austin (people mostly aren't aware of St. Pete's relatively recent changes, but it is a fact); the hipster/millennial demographic thing is partly what attracted Precourt and MLS to Austin in the first place, and when the Rays move out of St. Pete, as seems very likely, the Rowdies would not be sharing St. Pete with any other major league teams (which is also what makes Austin attractive to MLS), and the Tampa Bay Area is also a much bigger market than Austin.
And, unlike Austin, the situation in St. Pete is all set up and ready to go, right NOW (with the Al Lang Stadium site already approved with an 87% 'yes' vote from the public, and with the full cooperation of local politicians and business leaders and neighborhood groups, etc.), and thus does not have the issues currently dogging and delaying other markets trying to move to MLS.
Also, the Tampa Bay Area's close geographical proximity to the Orlando and Miami markets is another plus, and not a negative thing at all, as anyone who has been paying attention to the intense local Florida soccer rivalries should be well aware of (going all the way back to 1975). Maybe a bit too intense at times.
With Beckham's new Miami team in MLS coming along in a few years, we could very well see some famous names coming to play in MLS in Miami (Messi and Ronaldo maybe, and other well known players) due to Beckham's influence.
Because of this, owning an MLS team only 4 hours drive away from Miami, in the largest TV market (Tampa/St. Petersburg/Clearwater, the #11 TV market) that does not currently have an MLS team, is an opportunity that should make potential MLS investors sit up and take notice.
The Tampa Bay Area being that geographically close to Miami means being much better placed to take advantage of Beckham's Miami situation (more scheduled local rivalry matches, more traveling away fans, more intense local media coverage, etc.), with all that that implies.
Having more local rivalries helps Beckham's Miami team as well, and would boost the marketing ability and visibility of the Tampa Bay Rowdies (locally, nationally, and internationally), which has greater potential being so geographically close to Miami, than other potential MLS markets have, who would not be able to take advantage of that kind of close geographical proximity to Miami.
Also, if one is trying to attract famous international footballers to play in MLS, and a designated player (DP) spot is not open for them in Miami, well, St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay Area are close enough to Miami as to make the Tampa Bay Rowdies in MLS a very tempting alternative.
The Tampa Bay Rowdies also have the additional advantage of being a well known American soccer brand going back to 1975, which is still recognized internationally by older fans, especially in the UK.
What is currently lacking for #MLS2StPete, apparently, is that MLS wants a larger, richer ownership group for the Tampa Bay Rowdies, and also seems to want a more ambitious Al Lang Stadium rebuilding plan (or so it seems to me, reading between the lines), i.e., not just adding to the existing structure, but building a complete new SSS from scratch on the old Al Lang Stadium footprint, which will take longer and cost more money than Bill Edward's existing #MLS2StPete proposal; and as a totally new Al Lang SSS structure would cost more money, that's another reason for taking on additional investors for the Rowdies.
Maybe Anthony Precourt could be sold on the idea?
I never hurts to ask.
I can already hear the REEEEEEE!!!-ing coming from some of the Ralph's Mob supporters reading this, who don't like Precourt for what he is trying to do to the Crew, and who would not want him as a Rowdies owner; but, if my wild proposal here actually came to pass, it would both #SaveTheCrew and also make #MLS2StPete happen, killing two birds with one stone as it were.
Besides, some of the current (and former) Ralph Mobsters don't like Bill Edwards, either; but as long as the ownership group gets the Tampa Bay Rowdies into MLS and puts enough money into building a quality SSS and putting a quality, winning team on the pitch, they will learn to live with it.
Of course, all of this crazy speculation of mine may all be moot if Anthony Precourt actually gets a new SSS built in Austin, or in Columbus, but all that is up in the air at the moment.
In any case, Bill Edwards really needs to get more big investors, and soon, while this window of opportunity for MLS expansion is still open; hopefully, he can find some big investors who are also local Tampa Bay Area people, but at this point I'll take anyone, if it gets the Tampa Bay Rowdies into MLS.
The Rowdies landing Anthony Precourt as an investor certainly sounds like a far fetched idea at the moment, but stranger things have happened.
So until Bill Edwards makes some kind of announcement, I throw stuff like this up against the wall in case some of it sticks.
It's February, there's no real Rowdies news, and I'm bored.
Pictured below: upset Ralph Mobster setting forth his reasoned objections to this, my lighthearted proposal.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2018/02/04/councilman-mann-neighborhoods-must-have-say-fc-stadium-site/305241002/
Councilman Mann: Neighborhoods must have a say in FC stadium site
As concerns bubble up in two Cincinnati neighborhoods about what a Major League Soccer stadium would mean, Councilman David Mann wants to set some ground rules....
(Follow link for full article.)
https://mlsmultiplex.com/2018/02/04/usl-indy-eleven-adding-impressive-pieces-ahead-usl-debut/
USL: Indy Eleven adding impressive pieces ahead of USL debut
As Indy Eleven heads into their first season in USL, early signings show plenty of promise as they prepare to handle the USL Eastern Conference in 2018.
The Indy Eleven has always been one of the more intriguing clubs within the NASL. With the NASL still waiting on their appeal for an injunction with the anti-trust suite they have filed against USSF, the Eleven have followed fellow league members North Carolina FC former NASL clubs the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Ottawa Fury in rejoining USL.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2018/02/03/2003686948
Miamians call foul over Beckham venture
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http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/3368872/david-beckhams-miami-team-could-attract-messi-and-ronaldo-adrian-heath
David Beckham's Miami team could attract Messi, Ronaldo - Adrian Heath
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https://theimpactnews.com/columnists/tales-of-an-american-redhead/2018/02/03/usld3/
USL D3: Could Promotion & Relegation Come To American Soccer?
With the new third division of American Soccer, United Soccer League D3, set to start play in 2019, I want to look at what this could mean for the future of promotion and relegation in the United States.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.statesman.com/news/local/activists-city-hands-off-guerrero-park-for-pro-soccer-stadium/BwuVolBxnM1BS2cyd6TfVO/
Activists to city: “Hands off Guerrero Park” for pro soccer stadium
Earlier: After a successful effort to remove Austin’s Butler Shores Metropolitan Park from consideration as the possible site of Major League Soccer stadium, community activists are taking a stand against using another parkland site.
Friends of Austin Parkland will gather Saturday at Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Park at noon to voice their opposition to the use of public parkland for private development. The Facebook event page showed 54 planning to attend and more than 300 interested in going.
Precourt Sports Ventures had once considered Butler Shores its dream stadium site as a potential home for its Ohio-based MLS team, Columbus Crew SC.
Last month, Precourt Sports Ventures winnowed down a list of five potential city-owned stadium sites to Guerrero Park and McKalla Place near the Domain. Guerrero is a public park while McKalla is a privately owned property.
The company decided to nix Butler Shores after its selection evoked public outcry. That’s exactly what activists hope to see happen again with Guerrero Park. The group started an online petition about two months ago to push the Austin City Council to do as much.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://kxan.com/2018/02/03/activists-speak-against-roy-guerrero-metropolitan-park-being-possible-major-league-soccer-stadium/
Activists rally against Roy Guerrero Park as possible MLS stadium site
AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the search continues for a plot of land to put a potential 20,000-seat soccer stadium, one neighborhood wants their message heard clear.
“This land is not suitable or sustainable to absorb what is being proposed,” said Linda Guerrero, the daughter of the namesake of Roy G. Guerrero Park in east Austin.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/3371676/protesters-demonstrate-at-potential-mls-stadium-site-in-austin
Protesters demonstrate at potential MLS stadium site in Austin
(Follow link for full article.)
http://lockportpress.com/metropolis-needs-to-postpone-main-league-soccer-stadium-dialogue/
Metropolis needs to postpone Main League Soccer stadium dialogue
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin City Council will likely delay discussing potential Major League Soccer sites at its Feb. 15 meeting.
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http://kxan.com/2018/02/03/activists-speak-against-roy-guerrero-metropolitan-park-being-possible-major-league-soccer-stadium/
Activists rally against Roy Guerrero Park as possible MLS stadium site
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.fox7austin.com/news/local-news/activists-rally-to-protect-east-austin-park-from-becoming-future-soccer-stadium
Activists rally to protect East Austin park from becoming future soccer stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.themalaysianinsight.com/s/35743/
Miami residents unimpressed with Beckham’s stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.sounderatheart.com/2018/2/5/16972486/major-link-soccer-david-beckhams-miami-bid-meets-local-opposition
Major Link Soccer: David Beckham’s Miami bid meets local opposition
The South Beach bid has been hyped for some time, but not all locals feel that way.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://ussoccerplayers.com/2018/02/pro-soccer-bets-las-vegas-atlantic-city-expansion-cities-markets.html
Pro soccer bets on Las Vegas and Atlantic City
(Follow link for full article.)
https://edition.cnn.com/2018/02/05/football/david-beckham-miami/index.html
How David Beckham turned his Miami MLS dream into a reality
(Follow link for full article.)
http://cincinnatisoccertalk.com/2018/02/05/fc-cincinnati-vs-ne-revolution-preseason-5-things-know
FC Cincinnati vs. NE Revolution: Preseason – 5 Things to Know
(Follow link for full article.)
http://torontosun.com/sports/soccer/mls/toronto-fc/mls-10-years-ahead-of-europe-says-toronto-fc-signing-gregory-van-der-wiel
MLS '10 years ahead' of Europe, says Toronto FC signing Gregory van der Wiel
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https://www.prosoccerusa.com/orlando-city-sc/orlando-city-roster-revamp-shows-pro-sports-need-like-mls/
Orlando City roster revamp shows why pro sports need to be like MLS
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https://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/2018/2/5/16967490/the-daily-dirt-february-5-2018-what-do-we-say-to-the-devil
The Daily Dirt February 5, 2018: Bye, Bye, Bye
Super Bowl selfies and a big weekend
Domestic
IT’S GAME WEEK. The Nashville Golden Goal blog has this preview of the match.
The completely wonderful Robert Andrew Powell, author of This Love is not for Cowards, has this analysis of the David Beckham Miami MLS announcement. From the announcement, which seemed a lot alike the last time that a MLS team was announced to be coming to Miami, to the links to terrorism that his co-owners family had.
The husband of Chicago Red Stars and USNWT star Julie Ertz scored the game winner in the Super Bowl.
MLS teams played several friendlies over the weekend, and bless your heart if you watched any of them.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.whatahowler.com/david-beckham-enters-cuban-exile-politics/
David Beckham enters Cuban exile politics
Brand Beckham has long existed as a blank vessel avoiding politics and controversy, a new partner in Miami could make that difficult to continue
(Follow link for full article.)
https://edition.cnn.com/2018/02/05/football/david-beckham-miami/index.html
How David Beckham turned his Miami MLS dream into a reality
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/679738/Lionel-Messi-Barcelona-Cristiano-Ronaldo-Real-Madrid-news-gossip
Barcelona star Lionel Messi has transfer bombshell about Real Madrid ace Cristiano Ronaldo
LIONEL MESSI has told his pals at Barcelona that Cristiano Ronaldo will leave Real Madrid in the summer.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/times2/why-fashion-editors-are-fans-of-a-football-scarf-v52mrjr73
Why fashion editors are fans of a football scarf
Since David Beckham retired, the only evidence of style in a football stadium is to be found in José Mourinho’s slim-fit suits and Pep Guardiola’s salt-and-pepper beard. The fashion pack’s latest It accessory, however, is borrowed straight from the pitch — or rather from the stands.
Football scarves — yes, the acrylic kind that are held aloft in the crowd when they’re not wrapped around fans’ necks — are fast becoming fashion catnip.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.hartfordbusiness.com/article/20180205/PRINTEDITION/302019926
Business owners' passion for soccer, Hartford fuels Dillon Stadium quest
(Follow link for full article.)
https://ussoccerplayers.com/2018/02/pro-soccer-bets-las-vegas-atlantic-city-expansion-cities-markets.html
Pro soccer bets on Las Vegas and Atlantic City
(Follow link for full article.)
https://edition.cnn.com/2018/02/05/football/david-beckham-miami/index.html
How David Beckham turned his Miami MLS dream into a reality
(Follow link for full article.)
https://mlsmultiplex.com/2018/02/04/usl-indy-eleven-adding-impressive-pieces-ahead-usl-debut/
USL: Indy Eleven adding impressive pieces ahead of USL debut
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http://www.tbo.com/news/business/corporate/Jabil-will-rebuild-its-existing-St-Petersburg-headquarters-instead-of-moving-near-the-Trop-w-video-_165180153
Jabil will rebuild its existing St. Petersburg headquarters instead of moving near the Trop (w/ video)
ST. PETERSBURG — After looking at options from moving near Tropicana Field to relocating to Singapore, Jabil executives said Monday the company’s headquarters aren’t going anywhere, but will be rebuilt and expanded on its existing site in St. Petersburg’s Gateway area.
Discussions about Jabil’s long-range plans have been unfolding for a decade, but CEO Mark Mondello told the Tampa Bay Times that the main work has taken place over the last three years.
Mondello said Jabil looked at city-owned land near Tropicana Field but also talked with state and city officials from outside Florida, some with "very aggressive proposals," offering incentives to compete for the headquarters.
"When the day’s done, we’re a Tampa Bay area company, and maybe a derivative of that is we’re a St. Pete company," he said. "We’ve entertained other conversations, but we as a management team and myself are really pleased we landed on St. Pete."
St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman likewise was thrilled with the news.
"We have been working for years to keep Jabil in St. Pete," Kriseman said in an emailed statement. "Gateway is an area of focus for us, and it is comforting to know that Jabil will be there for the long term."
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.lagconfidential.com/2018/2/5/16976512/jermaine-jones-claims-don-garber-rigged-his-chicago-move
Jermaine Jones claims Don Garber rigged his New England move
While endorsing Eric Wynalda for President the former USA regular revealed a bombshell
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https://www.brotherlygame.com/2018/2/5/16958558/atlantic-city-fc-roster-a-blend-of-internationals-local-college-standouts-npsl-stockton-rowan
Atlantic City FC roster a blend of internationals, local college standouts
New NPSL club has been announcing players for its inaugural season over the past couple weeks on social media.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.honolulumagazine.com/Honolulu-Magazine/February-2018/Get-Your-Kicks-and-Root-for-the-Pac-Rim-Cup-at-This-Weeks-Major-League-Soccer-Games/
Get Your Kicks and Root for the Pac Rim Cup at This Week’s Major League Soccer Games
Four matches on Thursday, Feb. 8 and Saturday, Feb. 10 feature teams from the U.S., Japan and Canada—part of an ambitious plan to make Hawai‘i a world soccer hub. Advance and walk-up tickets are still available.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.espn.com/soccer/united-states/story/3374148/north-american-soccer-league-vs-us-soccer-federation-legal-battle-escalates
North American Soccer League vs. U.S. Soccer Federation legal battle escalates
The legal skirmishes between the North American Soccer League and the U.S. Soccer Federation show no signs of abating.
On Feb. 1, the NASL sent a demand letter to the U.S. Soccer Federation, asking for all records and materials related to what it deems to be possible violations of the New York Not-for-Profit Law (N-PCL).
The letter, dated Feb. 1, a copy of which was obtained by ESPN FC, was sent via certified mail to the USSF's general counsel, Lydia Wahlke, by the NASL's counsel, Jeffrey Kessler. The NASL is entitled to view the records so long as it is a "member of record" of the USSF for at least six months prior to the date of the letter.
"NASL is informed and believes that the members of the Board of Directors of the USSF have engaged in certain conduct in violation of the New York Not-for-Profit Corporation Law and in breach of the fiduciary duties," the letter reads.
The letter asks that the USSF turn over all minutes and materials from meetings of the Board of Directors as well as any relevant committees relating to several decisions made by the USSF.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/soccer/mls/sounders-fc/article198554939.html
Sounders unveil new 2018 rave green uniforms
(Follow link for full article.)
http://soccer.nbcsports.com/2018/02/05/jermaine-jones-claims-mls-rigged-his-2014-allocation-draw/
Jermaine Jones claims MLS rigged his 2014 allocation draw
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/881775?referrer_id=2349190
USL Best of 2017 – Marcel Schäfer
Long-range strikes highlighted All-League season for Rowdies
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYidM82QgBU
Best of Marcel Schäfer 2017, Tampa Bay Rowdies
United Soccer League
Published on Feb 1, 2018
The former German international was one of the most clinical passers in the league, managing an 85.9 percent success rate as he played a key role in the Rowdies' run to the USL Cup Playoffs. It was his ability to strike from distance that brought the fans at Al Lang Stadium to their feet regularly throughout 2017, twice finding a place on the ESPN SportsCenter Top 10 thanks to brilliant finishes that punished those that allowed the veteran time and space. Here is a look at some of Schäfer’s best moments of 2017.
http://uslsoccer.com/
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https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7vduzn/musical_chairs_or_the_great_mls_sss_nimby/
Musical chairs; or the great MLS SSS NIMBY relocation/expansion swap meet, flea market, fish fry, bbq, gossip roundup & sewing circle. (supportyourlocalfootballclub.blogspot.com)
Be easy on me. I'm bored. No Rowdies news. Tired of the defeatist "well, I didn't want Rowdies to go to MLS anyway; MLS sucks; etc." talk.
I'm bored. Someone do something. Need Rowdies news.
In short: REEEEEEE!!!!
Haha. It’s the dog days before the actual games start!
I definitely did want the Rowdies to go to MLS, but I will say that I’m okay if they don’t. USL has been really fun and I think is a good landing spot. But still so many cards left to play before we know what US Soccer is going to shape up like.
I think MLS is going beyond 28, for sure. And who knows what other crazy league reorganizations could happen.
Well, I haven't given up yet on the Rowdies getting into MLS sooner rather than later; MLS was supposed to name two teams in December, and has named only one so far.
Obviously MLS aren't quite happy yet with the other three "finalists" and there's still time for the Rowdies to jump ahead of them in line if Bill Edwards can find the additional investor(s) he needs.
We shall see. This expansion process is definitely not going according to any plan or schedule that MLS might have preferred; they are willing to wait if the existing bids aren't quite right yet, and this does give the Rowdies another shot at this, maybe.
I've been waiting for the Rowdies to get back to the top of the North American soccer pyramid since they lost to Toronto Metros-Croatia in the 1976 NASL playoffs, so I've been patient so far.
Relatively patient.
Quite true. I think the playing field has been set. It's abundantly clear what Bill needs to do. I don't think any of this "MLS doesn't want three teams in Florida" stuff or really any other factor matters. It's ownership group wealth and makeup. And that's it.
The good news is we're as much in the game as anyone, because no one (save Detroit) has that part figured out.
In any case, Bill Edwards really needs to get more big investors, and soon, while this window of opportunity for MLS expansion is still open; hopefully, he can find some big investors who are local Tampa Bay Area people, but at this point I'll take anyone, if it gets the Tampa Bay Rowdies into MLS.
This is 100% right. This is it. If Bill wants in, he needs a murderers row of billionaires in on the deal with him. It’s abundantly clear that’s what gave the edge to Nashville (which is a market on the rise, but still fringe). They want Arthur Blank type money, willing to run this like Arthur Blank does...
Due to Bill Edwards' age and health, I have to hope that he wants this #MLS2StPete thing happen, so as to create a legacy for himself in St. Petersburg, rather than it just being an ego thing to insist on being the majority owner calling all of the shots.
That's my hope anyway. If Bill wants this to happen, he's probably not going to be the majority owner of the Tampa Bay Rowdies MLS franchise. But he will definitely be remembered as the key, founding owner.
he needs a murderers row of billionaires
Speaking of murderers row, it's time for grandpa Rowdies1975 to skool you yung-uns on some old school, old timey Tampa Bay Rowdies history:
"Rowdies Press Photos - 1976 Murderers Row"
"The 1976 Rowdies scoring machine, that was called "Murderers Row", with Stewart Scullion, Rodney Marsh, Derek Smethurst, and Clyde Best seated."
http://mytampabayrowdies.blogspot.com/2009/06/rowdies-press-photos-1976-murderers-row.html
So, I have been watching the MLS expansion/relocation circus and letting my imagination run riot.
Beckham's Miami MLS team has been announced, but the local opposition to the Overtown stadium still hasn't been dealt with. Interesting to see how that works itself out.
FC Cincinnati is still working on their stadium situation. "Councilman Mann: Neighborhoods must have a say in FC stadium site" (see link below); so this situation could go on for a while and delay FC Cincinnati's move to MLS, which gives the Rowdies an opening.
MLS still wants Sacramento to get more and/or bigger investors, which also gives the Rowdies an opening.
MLS obviously does not like Detroit's idea to play in a concrete domed NFL stadium, instead of an open air soccer specific stadium (SSS), which gives the Rowdies an opening.
The Columbus to Austin proposed move puts San Antonio on hold, which gives the Rowdies an opening.
Finally, as shown in news links below, there's lots of local opposition in Austin to an MLS stadium, so, that potentially scuttles or delays Anthony Precourt's plans to move the Columbus Crew to Austin, Texas. That could also potentially give the Rowdies an opening in their MLS bid, if Bill Edwards plays his cards right and things fall together in a particular way (I'm wildly speculating, below, here, but hear me out).
I haven't commented much on the Columbus to Austin situation, as although I hate it, I did not want it to muddy the waters of my main project here, which is getting the Rowdies into MLS, i.e., #MLS2StPete #MLS2TampaBay #Rowdies2MLS ... but now is a good moment to comment: #SaveTheCrew ...
MLS has used American and Canadian soccer supporter culture to grow its brand; it has implied that soccer is indeed different from other North American professional sports; but this business of letting Anthony Precourt buy the Crew with the intention to move them to Austin, ruins that narrative.
If MLS wants long term growth and support, it can't move teams on a whim like this. NFL can get away with this, but MLS can't. It is very short-sighted.
Now, if the move to Austin falls through, Anthony Precourt has also potentially upset the situation for himself in Columbus, if not also undermined the situation for the Crew in Columbus as well.
What would happen if the Columbus to Austin move does not happen? Would Anthony Precourt want to sell his shares of the Crew to remove himself from a bad situation in Columbus?
Some of the guys on The Unused Substitutes podcast (IIRC - or maybe I read it on reddit or somewhere else, and my memory is playing tricks on me; that is what happens when one listens to podcasts and browses the internet at the same time; in any case...) joked about Anthony Precourt moving the Crew to St. Petersburg and rebranding them as the Tampa Bay Rowdies (i.e. either partner with or buy out Bill Edwards).
As they were quick to add, and I agree, that would be bad. We want the Tampa Bay Rowdies in MLS, but we don't want to steal someone else's team to make it happen. To reiterate: #SaveTheCrew ...
There is another option that occurs to me: Anthony Precourt sells his shares of the Columbus Crew to local Columbus and/or other investors, and uses that money for an expansion fee for a new MLS team somewhere else, i.e., in the Tampa Bay Area, so that he buys into Bill Edwards' #MLS2StPete ownership group and takes the Tampa Bay Rowdies to MLS.
Now, Anthony Precourt is an oil guy and probably he would prefer an MLS team in Texas, if this idea were possible he could also buy into the San Antonio FC ownership group and take them to MLS.
San Antonio FC are owned by the San Antonio Spurs, though, and they probably do not want to have a partner, especially not if Precourt insists on being the majority owner, which seems likely.
I know that some people (i.e., Rowdies fans, members of Ralph's Mob, etc.) assume that Bill Edwards wants to be in charge of the Tampa Bay Rowdies in MLS as majority owner, but due to his age, he is probably more concerned with his legacy in St. Pete and in the Tampa Bay Area, rather than in just running a major league sports club.
In other words, if Bill Edwards gets #MLS2StPete with the Tampa Bay Rowdies playing in MLS at Al Lang Stadium (however reconfigured or rebuilt), he's secured his legacy in St. Pete and it matters less who the other owners are, or who is majority owner. Or so I suppose (yes, I'm just spitballing here; this is my own idea; and I obviously have no inside information).
Why would Anthony Precourt want to do an MLS deal for the Rowdies in St. Petersburg? Well, it isn't Texas, but St. Pete has the same hipsterish vibe as Austin (people mostly aren't aware of St. Pete's relatively recent changes, but it is a fact); the hipster/millennial demographic thing is partly what attracted Precourt and MLS to Austin in the first place, and when the Rays move out of St. Pete, as seems very likely, the Rowdies would not be sharing St. Pete with any other major league teams (which is also what makes Austin attractive to MLS), and the Tampa Bay Area is also a much bigger market than Austin.
And, unlike Austin, the situation in St. Pete is all set up and ready to go, right NOW (with the Al Lang Stadium site already approved with an 87% 'yes' vote from the public, and with the full cooperation of local politicians and business leaders and neighborhood groups, etc.), and thus does not have the issues currently dogging and delaying other markets trying to move to MLS.
Also, the Tampa Bay Area's close geographical proximity to the Orlando and Miami markets is another plus, and not a negative thing at all, as anyone who has been paying attention to the intense local Florida soccer rivalries should be well aware of (going all the way back to 1975). Maybe a bit too intense at times.
With Beckham's new Miami team in MLS coming along in a few years, we could very well see some famous names coming to play in MLS in Miami (Messi and Ronaldo maybe, and other well known players) due to Beckham's influence.
Because of this, owning an MLS team only 4 hours drive away from Miami, in the largest TV market (Tampa/St. Petersburg/Clearwater, the #11 TV market) that does not currently have an MLS team, is an opportunity that should make potential MLS investors sit up and take notice.
The Tampa Bay Area being that geographically close to Miami means being much better placed to take advantage of Beckham's Miami situation (more scheduled local rivalry matches, more traveling away fans, more intense local media coverage, etc.), with all that that implies.
Having more local rivalries helps Beckham's Miami team as well, and would boost the marketing ability and visibility of the Tampa Bay Rowdies (locally, nationally, and internationally), which has greater potential being so geographically close to Miami, than other potential MLS markets have, who would not be able to take advantage of that kind of close geographical proximity to Miami.
Also, if one is trying to attract famous international footballers to play in MLS, and a designated player (DP) spot is not open for them in Miami, well, St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay Area are close enough to Miami as to make the Tampa Bay Rowdies in MLS a very tempting alternative.
The Tampa Bay Rowdies also have the additional advantage of being a well known American soccer brand going back to 1975, which is still recognized internationally by older fans, especially in the UK.
What is currently lacking for #MLS2StPete, apparently, is that MLS wants a larger, richer ownership group for the Tampa Bay Rowdies, and also seems to want a more ambitious Al Lang Stadium rebuilding plan (or so it seems to me, reading between the lines), i.e., not just adding to the existing structure, but building a complete new SSS from scratch on the old Al Lang Stadium footprint, which will take longer and cost more money than Bill Edward's existing #MLS2StPete proposal; and as a totally new Al Lang SSS structure would cost more money, that's another reason for taking on additional investors for the Rowdies.
Maybe Anthony Precourt could be sold on the idea?
I never hurts to ask.
I can already hear the REEEEEEE!!!-ing coming from some of the Ralph's Mob supporters reading this, who don't like Precourt for what he is trying to do to the Crew, and who would not want him as a Rowdies owner; but, if my wild proposal here actually came to pass, it would both #SaveTheCrew and also make #MLS2StPete happen, killing two birds with one stone as it were.
Besides, some of the current (and former) Ralph Mobsters don't like Bill Edwards, either; but as long as the ownership group gets the Tampa Bay Rowdies into MLS and puts enough money into building a quality SSS and putting a quality, winning team on the pitch, they will learn to live with it.
Of course, all of this crazy speculation of mine may all be moot if Anthony Precourt actually gets a new SSS built in Austin, or in Columbus, but all that is up in the air at the moment.
In any case, Bill Edwards really needs to get more big investors, and soon, while this window of opportunity for MLS expansion is still open; hopefully, he can find some big investors who are also local Tampa Bay Area people, but at this point I'll take anyone, if it gets the Tampa Bay Rowdies into MLS.
The Rowdies landing Anthony Precourt as an investor certainly sounds like a far fetched idea at the moment, but stranger things have happened.
So until Bill Edwards makes some kind of announcement, I throw stuff like this up against the wall in case some of it sticks.
It's February, there's no real Rowdies news, and I'm bored.
Pictured below: upset Ralph Mobster setting forth his reasoned objections to this, my lighthearted proposal.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2018/02/04/councilman-mann-neighborhoods-must-have-say-fc-stadium-site/305241002/
Councilman Mann: Neighborhoods must have a say in FC stadium site
As concerns bubble up in two Cincinnati neighborhoods about what a Major League Soccer stadium would mean, Councilman David Mann wants to set some ground rules....
(Follow link for full article.)
https://mlsmultiplex.com/2018/02/04/usl-indy-eleven-adding-impressive-pieces-ahead-usl-debut/
USL: Indy Eleven adding impressive pieces ahead of USL debut
As Indy Eleven heads into their first season in USL, early signings show plenty of promise as they prepare to handle the USL Eastern Conference in 2018.
The Indy Eleven has always been one of the more intriguing clubs within the NASL. With the NASL still waiting on their appeal for an injunction with the anti-trust suite they have filed against USSF, the Eleven have followed fellow league members North Carolina FC former NASL clubs the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Ottawa Fury in rejoining USL.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2018/02/03/2003686948
Miamians call foul over Beckham venture
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http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/3368872/david-beckhams-miami-team-could-attract-messi-and-ronaldo-adrian-heath
David Beckham's Miami team could attract Messi, Ronaldo - Adrian Heath
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https://theimpactnews.com/columnists/tales-of-an-american-redhead/2018/02/03/usld3/
USL D3: Could Promotion & Relegation Come To American Soccer?
With the new third division of American Soccer, United Soccer League D3, set to start play in 2019, I want to look at what this could mean for the future of promotion and relegation in the United States.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.statesman.com/news/local/activists-city-hands-off-guerrero-park-for-pro-soccer-stadium/BwuVolBxnM1BS2cyd6TfVO/
Activists to city: “Hands off Guerrero Park” for pro soccer stadium
Earlier: After a successful effort to remove Austin’s Butler Shores Metropolitan Park from consideration as the possible site of Major League Soccer stadium, community activists are taking a stand against using another parkland site.
Friends of Austin Parkland will gather Saturday at Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Park at noon to voice their opposition to the use of public parkland for private development. The Facebook event page showed 54 planning to attend and more than 300 interested in going.
Precourt Sports Ventures had once considered Butler Shores its dream stadium site as a potential home for its Ohio-based MLS team, Columbus Crew SC.
Last month, Precourt Sports Ventures winnowed down a list of five potential city-owned stadium sites to Guerrero Park and McKalla Place near the Domain. Guerrero is a public park while McKalla is a privately owned property.
The company decided to nix Butler Shores after its selection evoked public outcry. That’s exactly what activists hope to see happen again with Guerrero Park. The group started an online petition about two months ago to push the Austin City Council to do as much.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://kxan.com/2018/02/03/activists-speak-against-roy-guerrero-metropolitan-park-being-possible-major-league-soccer-stadium/
Activists rally against Roy Guerrero Park as possible MLS stadium site
AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the search continues for a plot of land to put a potential 20,000-seat soccer stadium, one neighborhood wants their message heard clear.
“This land is not suitable or sustainable to absorb what is being proposed,” said Linda Guerrero, the daughter of the namesake of Roy G. Guerrero Park in east Austin.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/3371676/protesters-demonstrate-at-potential-mls-stadium-site-in-austin
Protesters demonstrate at potential MLS stadium site in Austin
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http://lockportpress.com/metropolis-needs-to-postpone-main-league-soccer-stadium-dialogue/
Metropolis needs to postpone Main League Soccer stadium dialogue
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin City Council will likely delay discussing potential Major League Soccer sites at its Feb. 15 meeting.
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http://kxan.com/2018/02/03/activists-speak-against-roy-guerrero-metropolitan-park-being-possible-major-league-soccer-stadium/
Activists rally against Roy Guerrero Park as possible MLS stadium site
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http://www.fox7austin.com/news/local-news/activists-rally-to-protect-east-austin-park-from-becoming-future-soccer-stadium
Activists rally to protect East Austin park from becoming future soccer stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.themalaysianinsight.com/s/35743/
Miami residents unimpressed with Beckham’s stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.sounderatheart.com/2018/2/5/16972486/major-link-soccer-david-beckhams-miami-bid-meets-local-opposition
Major Link Soccer: David Beckham’s Miami bid meets local opposition
The South Beach bid has been hyped for some time, but not all locals feel that way.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://ussoccerplayers.com/2018/02/pro-soccer-bets-las-vegas-atlantic-city-expansion-cities-markets.html
Pro soccer bets on Las Vegas and Atlantic City
(Follow link for full article.)
https://edition.cnn.com/2018/02/05/football/david-beckham-miami/index.html
How David Beckham turned his Miami MLS dream into a reality
(Follow link for full article.)
http://cincinnatisoccertalk.com/2018/02/05/fc-cincinnati-vs-ne-revolution-preseason-5-things-know
FC Cincinnati vs. NE Revolution: Preseason – 5 Things to Know
(Follow link for full article.)
http://torontosun.com/sports/soccer/mls/toronto-fc/mls-10-years-ahead-of-europe-says-toronto-fc-signing-gregory-van-der-wiel
MLS '10 years ahead' of Europe, says Toronto FC signing Gregory van der Wiel
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.prosoccerusa.com/orlando-city-sc/orlando-city-roster-revamp-shows-pro-sports-need-like-mls/
Orlando City roster revamp shows why pro sports need to be like MLS
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/2018/2/5/16967490/the-daily-dirt-february-5-2018-what-do-we-say-to-the-devil
The Daily Dirt February 5, 2018: Bye, Bye, Bye
Super Bowl selfies and a big weekend
Domestic
IT’S GAME WEEK. The Nashville Golden Goal blog has this preview of the match.
The completely wonderful Robert Andrew Powell, author of This Love is not for Cowards, has this analysis of the David Beckham Miami MLS announcement. From the announcement, which seemed a lot alike the last time that a MLS team was announced to be coming to Miami, to the links to terrorism that his co-owners family had.
The husband of Chicago Red Stars and USNWT star Julie Ertz scored the game winner in the Super Bowl.
MLS teams played several friendlies over the weekend, and bless your heart if you watched any of them.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.whatahowler.com/david-beckham-enters-cuban-exile-politics/
David Beckham enters Cuban exile politics
Brand Beckham has long existed as a blank vessel avoiding politics and controversy, a new partner in Miami could make that difficult to continue
(Follow link for full article.)
https://edition.cnn.com/2018/02/05/football/david-beckham-miami/index.html
How David Beckham turned his Miami MLS dream into a reality
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/679738/Lionel-Messi-Barcelona-Cristiano-Ronaldo-Real-Madrid-news-gossip
Barcelona star Lionel Messi has transfer bombshell about Real Madrid ace Cristiano Ronaldo
LIONEL MESSI has told his pals at Barcelona that Cristiano Ronaldo will leave Real Madrid in the summer.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/times2/why-fashion-editors-are-fans-of-a-football-scarf-v52mrjr73
Why fashion editors are fans of a football scarf
Since David Beckham retired, the only evidence of style in a football stadium is to be found in José Mourinho’s slim-fit suits and Pep Guardiola’s salt-and-pepper beard. The fashion pack’s latest It accessory, however, is borrowed straight from the pitch — or rather from the stands.
Football scarves — yes, the acrylic kind that are held aloft in the crowd when they’re not wrapped around fans’ necks — are fast becoming fashion catnip.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.hartfordbusiness.com/article/20180205/PRINTEDITION/302019926
Business owners' passion for soccer, Hartford fuels Dillon Stadium quest
(Follow link for full article.)
https://ussoccerplayers.com/2018/02/pro-soccer-bets-las-vegas-atlantic-city-expansion-cities-markets.html
Pro soccer bets on Las Vegas and Atlantic City
(Follow link for full article.)
https://edition.cnn.com/2018/02/05/football/david-beckham-miami/index.html
How David Beckham turned his Miami MLS dream into a reality
(Follow link for full article.)
https://mlsmultiplex.com/2018/02/04/usl-indy-eleven-adding-impressive-pieces-ahead-usl-debut/
USL: Indy Eleven adding impressive pieces ahead of USL debut
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.tbo.com/news/business/corporate/Jabil-will-rebuild-its-existing-St-Petersburg-headquarters-instead-of-moving-near-the-Trop-w-video-_165180153
Jabil will rebuild its existing St. Petersburg headquarters instead of moving near the Trop (w/ video)
ST. PETERSBURG — After looking at options from moving near Tropicana Field to relocating to Singapore, Jabil executives said Monday the company’s headquarters aren’t going anywhere, but will be rebuilt and expanded on its existing site in St. Petersburg’s Gateway area.
Discussions about Jabil’s long-range plans have been unfolding for a decade, but CEO Mark Mondello told the Tampa Bay Times that the main work has taken place over the last three years.
Mondello said Jabil looked at city-owned land near Tropicana Field but also talked with state and city officials from outside Florida, some with "very aggressive proposals," offering incentives to compete for the headquarters.
"When the day’s done, we’re a Tampa Bay area company, and maybe a derivative of that is we’re a St. Pete company," he said. "We’ve entertained other conversations, but we as a management team and myself are really pleased we landed on St. Pete."
St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman likewise was thrilled with the news.
"We have been working for years to keep Jabil in St. Pete," Kriseman said in an emailed statement. "Gateway is an area of focus for us, and it is comforting to know that Jabil will be there for the long term."
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.lagconfidential.com/2018/2/5/16976512/jermaine-jones-claims-don-garber-rigged-his-chicago-move
Jermaine Jones claims Don Garber rigged his New England move
While endorsing Eric Wynalda for President the former USA regular revealed a bombshell
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2018/2/5/16958558/atlantic-city-fc-roster-a-blend-of-internationals-local-college-standouts-npsl-stockton-rowan
Atlantic City FC roster a blend of internationals, local college standouts
New NPSL club has been announcing players for its inaugural season over the past couple weeks on social media.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.honolulumagazine.com/Honolulu-Magazine/February-2018/Get-Your-Kicks-and-Root-for-the-Pac-Rim-Cup-at-This-Weeks-Major-League-Soccer-Games/
Get Your Kicks and Root for the Pac Rim Cup at This Week’s Major League Soccer Games
Four matches on Thursday, Feb. 8 and Saturday, Feb. 10 feature teams from the U.S., Japan and Canada—part of an ambitious plan to make Hawai‘i a world soccer hub. Advance and walk-up tickets are still available.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.espn.com/soccer/united-states/story/3374148/north-american-soccer-league-vs-us-soccer-federation-legal-battle-escalates
North American Soccer League vs. U.S. Soccer Federation legal battle escalates
The legal skirmishes between the North American Soccer League and the U.S. Soccer Federation show no signs of abating.
On Feb. 1, the NASL sent a demand letter to the U.S. Soccer Federation, asking for all records and materials related to what it deems to be possible violations of the New York Not-for-Profit Law (N-PCL).
The letter, dated Feb. 1, a copy of which was obtained by ESPN FC, was sent via certified mail to the USSF's general counsel, Lydia Wahlke, by the NASL's counsel, Jeffrey Kessler. The NASL is entitled to view the records so long as it is a "member of record" of the USSF for at least six months prior to the date of the letter.
"NASL is informed and believes that the members of the Board of Directors of the USSF have engaged in certain conduct in violation of the New York Not-for-Profit Corporation Law and in breach of the fiduciary duties," the letter reads.
The letter asks that the USSF turn over all minutes and materials from meetings of the Board of Directors as well as any relevant committees relating to several decisions made by the USSF.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/soccer/mls/sounders-fc/article198554939.html
Sounders unveil new 2018 rave green uniforms
(Follow link for full article.)
http://soccer.nbcsports.com/2018/02/05/jermaine-jones-claims-mls-rigged-his-2014-allocation-draw/
Jermaine Jones claims MLS rigged his 2014 allocation draw
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/881775?referrer_id=2349190
USL Best of 2017 – Marcel Schäfer
Long-range strikes highlighted All-League season for Rowdies
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYidM82QgBU
Best of Marcel Schäfer 2017, Tampa Bay Rowdies
United Soccer League
Published on Feb 1, 2018
The former German international was one of the most clinical passers in the league, managing an 85.9 percent success rate as he played a key role in the Rowdies' run to the USL Cup Playoffs. It was his ability to strike from distance that brought the fans at Al Lang Stadium to their feet regularly throughout 2017, twice finding a place on the ESPN SportsCenter Top 10 thanks to brilliant finishes that punished those that allowed the veteran time and space. Here is a look at some of Schäfer’s best moments of 2017.
http://uslsoccer.com/
Keep up with the latest news and subscribe!
https://twitter.com/USL/
https://www.facebook.com/USLSoccer/
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#USL
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7vduzn/musical_chairs_or_the_great_mls_sss_nimby/
Musical chairs; or the great MLS SSS NIMBY relocation/expansion swap meet, flea market, fish fry, bbq, gossip roundup & sewing circle. (supportyourlocalfootballclub.blogspot.com)
Be easy on me. I'm bored. No Rowdies news. Tired of the defeatist "well, I didn't want Rowdies to go to MLS anyway; MLS sucks; etc." talk.
I'm bored. Someone do something. Need Rowdies news.
In short: REEEEEEE!!!!
Haha. It’s the dog days before the actual games start!
I definitely did want the Rowdies to go to MLS, but I will say that I’m okay if they don’t. USL has been really fun and I think is a good landing spot. But still so many cards left to play before we know what US Soccer is going to shape up like.
I think MLS is going beyond 28, for sure. And who knows what other crazy league reorganizations could happen.
Well, I haven't given up yet on the Rowdies getting into MLS sooner rather than later; MLS was supposed to name two teams in December, and has named only one so far.
Obviously MLS aren't quite happy yet with the other three "finalists" and there's still time for the Rowdies to jump ahead of them in line if Bill Edwards can find the additional investor(s) he needs.
We shall see. This expansion process is definitely not going according to any plan or schedule that MLS might have preferred; they are willing to wait if the existing bids aren't quite right yet, and this does give the Rowdies another shot at this, maybe.
I've been waiting for the Rowdies to get back to the top of the North American soccer pyramid since they lost to Toronto Metros-Croatia in the 1976 NASL playoffs, so I've been patient so far.
Relatively patient.
Quite true. I think the playing field has been set. It's abundantly clear what Bill needs to do. I don't think any of this "MLS doesn't want three teams in Florida" stuff or really any other factor matters. It's ownership group wealth and makeup. And that's it.
The good news is we're as much in the game as anyone, because no one (save Detroit) has that part figured out.
In any case, Bill Edwards really needs to get more big investors, and soon, while this window of opportunity for MLS expansion is still open; hopefully, he can find some big investors who are local Tampa Bay Area people, but at this point I'll take anyone, if it gets the Tampa Bay Rowdies into MLS.
This is 100% right. This is it. If Bill wants in, he needs a murderers row of billionaires in on the deal with him. It’s abundantly clear that’s what gave the edge to Nashville (which is a market on the rise, but still fringe). They want Arthur Blank type money, willing to run this like Arthur Blank does...
Due to Bill Edwards' age and health, I have to hope that he wants this #MLS2StPete thing happen, so as to create a legacy for himself in St. Petersburg, rather than it just being an ego thing to insist on being the majority owner calling all of the shots.
That's my hope anyway. If Bill wants this to happen, he's probably not going to be the majority owner of the Tampa Bay Rowdies MLS franchise. But he will definitely be remembered as the key, founding owner.
he needs a murderers row of billionaires
Speaking of murderers row, it's time for grandpa Rowdies1975 to skool you yung-uns on some old school, old timey Tampa Bay Rowdies history:
"Rowdies Press Photos - 1976 Murderers Row"
"The 1976 Rowdies scoring machine, that was called "Murderers Row", with Stewart Scullion, Rodney Marsh, Derek Smethurst, and Clyde Best seated."
http://mytampabayrowdies.blogspot.com/2009/06/rowdies-press-photos-1976-murderers-row.html
Friday, February 2, 2018
Some Miami residents call foul over Beckham football venture
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/sports/2018/02/02/miami-residents-call-foul-beckham-football-venture/
Some Miami residents call foul over Beckham football venture
MIAMI, United States, Feb 2 – David Beckham has finally achieved his goal of bringing Major League Soccer to Miami, but the prospect of a stadium without parking that drives up housing costs in a low-income neighborhood is no hit with residents.
The former England captain and glitzy star of storied Champions League teams was formally awarded an MLS franchise on Monday, but key details remain up in the air, such as its name and logo and when it will debut.
For the 25,000-stadium, the investor group led by Beckham has acquired land in an area called Overtown, a working class district between downtown and Little Havana.
They still need to buy one more piece of land, but for now the deal is held up in court by a lawsuit. The investors are confident they will prevail.
“Our 24th team now is in Miami. The stadium is in the Overtown site,” MLS commissioner Don Garber said.
One problem is that Miami is already choked with traffic and the stadium will not have its own parking lots.
And people in the neighborhood fear housing costs that are already rising will force them to move away as they keep going up.
“We are largely overwhelmed by the larger forces in the community that are out there. Our voices are not being heard sufficiently,” said Ernest Martin, a member of the Miami River Commission, an association of people living near the waterway.
Martin was especially critical of the lack of parking.
But Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez said Monday that although the stadium itself will have no on-site parking, there are plenty of big lots two to three blocks from the planned arena.
He also pointed to public transport, but people in Miami love their cars.
The problem of rising housing costs comes with gentrification. Overtown is a black-majority neighborhood of some 13,000 people, and 24 percent of the residents earn less than $10,000 a year, well below the poverty level.
Landscaper Williams Charlie is meanwhile skeptical that the new stadium can bring jobs, but says “we need a soccer team” nonetheless.
“Beckham knows what he’s doing. I’ll go right to the game — if they don’t move us out.”
One sign of how deeply opposed some are is the emergence of a Facebook group against the stadium which publishes scary videos of football-related violence as a way of warning against the dangers of hooligans.
“It’s not a done deal!” is the slogan of the Overtown Spring Garden Community Collective.
This is true: the proposed sale of the last piece of land needed is being held up by a millionaire named Bruce Matheson, who argues that the county had no right to cede the first lot without opening it up to bidding.
He lost his first battle in court but has lodged an appeal.
Mayor Gimenez meanwhile remains bullish. “We are very confident that we are going to win the lawsuit,” he told reporters.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://wlrn.org/post/days-after-david-beckham-s-miami-victory-party-warning-it-not-done-deal
Days After David Beckham’s Miami Victory Party, A Warning: ‘It Is Not A Done Deal.’
A group trying to block David Beckham and partners from building a 25,000-seat soccer stadium in Miami’s Overtown neighborhood packed a community center on Thursday night and urged residents to resist the plan.
“It is not a done deal,” said Bishop James Adams, the organizer and a pastor at the St. John Institutional Missionary Baptist Church, who coaxed the audience of about 40 people to repeat the slogan. “Say it again.”
His message captured some of the on-the-ground reality facing Beckham after his triumphant return to Miami on Monday to celebrate Major League Soccer approving an expansion franchise nearly five years after Beckham began his stadium quest. But while Beckham and partners — including Miami business titans Jorge and José Mas — won league approval for a team, the group still has not finalized the purchase of three acres needed for a planned nine-acre Overtown stadium, or won city approval for street closures and zoning changes around the land where Northwest Sixth Street meets Sixth Avenue.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.sport24.co.za/Soccer/International/miami-residents-call-foul-over-beckham-venture-20180202
Miami residents call foul over Beckham venture
Miami - David Beckham has finally achieved his goal of bringing Major League Soccer to Miami, but the prospect of a stadium without parking that drives up housing costs in a low-income neighbourhood is no hit with residents.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://citizen.co.za/news/news-world/1799605/fbl-usa-mls-beckham-miami/
Some Miami residents call foul over Beckham football venture
David Beckham has finally achieved his goal of bringing Major League Soccer to Miami, but the prospect of a stadium without parking that drives up housing costs in a low-income neighborhood is no hit with residents.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.pulse.com.gh/sports/football/-id7926081.html
Football
Some Miami residents call foul over Beckham football venture
David Beckham has finally achieved his goal of bringing Major League Soccer to Miami, but the prospect of a stadium without parking that drives up housing costs in a low-income neighborhood is no hit with residents.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/us-sport/david-beckham-mls-miami-dream-financial-nightmare-analysis-a8190991.html
Why David Beckham is investing in a dying duck in Miami - his MLS dream could yet turn out to be a nightmare
Beckham has bought into a competition that, unlike many of Europe’s leading leagues, is heavily in the red rather than the black
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/david-beckhams-miami-franchise-could-lure-cristiano-ronaldo-or-lionel-messi-stateside-says-mls-a3756306.html
David Beckham's Miami franchise could lure Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi stateside, says MLS veteran
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http://www.espn.com/soccer/minnesota-united-fc/story/3368872/david-beckhams-miami-team-could-attract-messi-and-ronaldo-adrian-heath
David Beckham's Miami team could attract Messi, Ronaldo - Adrian Heath
(Follow link for full article.)
http://vancouversun.com/sports/basketball/mayenknecht-beckham-big-winner-in-mls-franchise-play
Bulls & Bears: Veteran sports icons Beckham, Federer court success
Bulls of the Week
A slow-moving, five-year roller-coaster of on-again, off-again ups and downs finally arrived at the announcement that the David Beckham Major League Soccer ownership group was ready to officially unveil plans for its long-awaited expansion franchise in Miami.
It’s a bullish play for Beckham, who brought star power to MLS in 2007 and was gifted franchise rights for US $25 million as part of his five-year deal with the L.A. Galaxy. With MLS entry fees now pegged at US$150 million, there’s a huge upside for Beckham and his partners, now planning to move ahead with a new stadium on land they’ve bought despite opposition from local community groups.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://ottawacitizen.com/sports/basketball/mayenknecht-beckham-big-winner-in-mls-franchise-play/wcm/0cc660cc-cb98-4146-b844-b91576d224d2
Bulls & Bears: Veteran sports icons Beckham, Federer court success
Bulls of the Week
A slow-moving, five-year roller-coaster of on-again, off-again ups and downs finally arrived at the announcement that the David Beckham Major League Soccer ownership group was ready to officially unveil plans for its long-awaited expansion franchise in Miami.
It’s a bullish play for Beckham, who brought star power to MLS in 2007 and was gifted franchise rights for US $25 million as part of his five-year deal with the L.A. Galaxy. With MLS entry fees now pegged at US$150 million, there’s a huge upside for Beckham and his partners, now planning to move ahead with a new stadium on land they’ve bought despite opposition from local community groups.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/01/31/how-david-beckham-finally-brought-mls-miami
How David Beckham finally brought MLS to Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
http://mancunion.com/2018/02/01/beckham-strikes-story-behind-david-beckhams-newest-soccer-venture/
Beckham strikes back: The story behind David Beckham’s newest soccer venture
The Manchester United legend is making waves in Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mls/article197692004.html
Miami gets yet another pro soccer team — but this one does not involve David Beckham
In the latest Miami soccer news that does not involve David Beckham, Miami FC announced on Wednesday the creation of Miami FC 2, a temporary team that will play in the National Premier Soccer League this spring while awaiting the August start of the North American Soccer League season.
The NASL pushed back its season start from April to August in order to align play with the world calendar and also to give the league time to add clubs after shrinking to five teams. Rather than have the team dormant for eight months, Miami FC CEO Sean Flynn created Miami FC 2 and entered the NPSL.
“Our players and coaches are excited to get back on the field, and the NPSL schedule allows us to face some quality competition in the Sunshine Conference throughout the next few months,” Flynn said. “This is the next step in our continued investment in soccer in Miami. We have a wonderful organization, incredibly talented players, a new head coach in Paul Dalglish and a first-class stadium. Our loyal and growing fanbase can expect further exciting announcements soon.”
(Follow link for full article.)
http://fox40.com/2018/02/01/nothing-is-off-the-table-republic-fc-confident-they-will-find-an-investor/
‘Nothing is Off the Table:’ Republic FC Confident They Will Find an Investor
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/news/2018/02/02/exclusivesa-mayor-meets-in-new-york-with-mls.html
Exclusive: SA mayor meets in New York with MLS commissioner about expansion
Nirenberg said the exchange was an "eye-opener" for the league as it considers potential homes for new teams.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2018/02/01/q-a-armada-fc-owner-talks-the-future-of-soccer-in.html
Q&A: Armada FC owner talks the future of soccer in Jacksonville
The Armada FC will be playing in the National Premier Soccer League, the fourth level of American soccer, from April through July of 2018
(Follow link for full article.)
http://tucson.com/sports/local/mls-spring-training-begins-saturday-with-mobile-mini-sun-cup/article_cf7387c9-8471-527a-bde9-a9aa391241bf.html
major League Soccer in tucson
MLS spring training begins Saturday with Mobile Mini Sun Cup doubleheader in Tucson
(Follow link for full article.)
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?m=1120803203789&ca=62907415-a1aa-4df2-bd2d-ea770be0b096
Have lunch with Tampa Bay Rowdies players and kick-off the 2018 season at Al Lang Stadium!
When
Tuesday, March 20th
11:30 AM Registration & Networking
12:00 PM Lunch
Where
Al Lang Stadium
230 1st St SE
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Individual Tickets $50
Table of 8 with Name Recognition $500
REGISTER
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/881775?referrer_id=2349190
USL Best of 2017 – Marcel Schäfer
Long-range strikes highlighted All-League season for Rowdies
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2018/2/1/16958014/goalkeeper-brandon-miller-penn-fc-city-islanders-charlotte-independence
Goalkeeper Brandon Miller signs with Charlotte Independence
Miller was a bright spot in Harrisburg in 2017
Charlotte had been looking for a new top goalkeeper after losing last year’s starter Cody Mizell to the Tampa Bay Rowdies (who had just lost Matt Pickens to Nashville SC). By picking up an experienced player like Brandon Miller, they’ll have one less hole to worry about as they begin their preseason.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2018/2/1/16944776/philadelphia-union-academy-preseason-aaronson-pellegrino-romero
Union Academy trio with first team in Clearwater
South Jersey trio of Brenden Aaronson, Tomas Romero and Michael Pellegrino are in Clearwater with the Philadelphia Union
Aaronson, of Medford, and Pellegrino, of Wenonah, both made their first professional starts in the midfield for Bethlehem Steel FC in Florida back in October in a game against the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2018/02/01/kriseman-gears-up-for-a-cross-bay-ferry-comeback.html
Kriseman gears up for a Cross Bay Ferry comeback
The mayor is working to arrange funding for the ferry's comeback tour.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.tampabay.com/news/Today-s-Google-Doodle-honors-man-whose-name-adorns-St-Petersburg-museum_165065373
Today’s ‘Google Doodle’ honors man whose name adorns St. Petersburg museum
The daily "Google Doodle" honors Dr. Carter G. Woodson, honored as the father of Black History Month which begins today.
ST. PETERSBURG —Tampa Bay residents saw a familiar face when they visited Google on Thursday.
The ever-changing "Google Doodle" depicts Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who is honored as "the father of Black History Month" and is the namesake of an African-American cultural museum in St Petersburg.
Terri Lipsey Scott, executive director of the Carter G. Woodson African American Museum in the city’s Midtown community, was elated.
"Oh, my God," she recalled saying. "The respect and recognition of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the father of Black History Month, is so long overdue."
Scott said she was doing research for the speech she planned to give at Thursday’s flag raising ceremony in front of St. Petersburg’s City Hall when she made the online discovery. St. Petersburg is the only city that raises a flag in recognition of both the historian and Black History Month, she said. She knows this, Scott said, because the St. Petersburg museum has the only flag honoring Woodson.
"I had this flag created for the Woodson Museum three years ago and I had the idea that I should contact the mayor and ask that he raise the flag over City Hall, and he graciously agreed," she said.
This is the third year that Mayor Rick Kriseman has held the flag raising ceremony.
Woodson was an African-American scholar born to former slaves in 1875. In 1926, he established an annual February observance called "Negro History Week," which became "Black History Month" in 1976.
Thursday marks the first day of Black History Month. Woodson chose February because President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday is on Feb. 12 and the accepted birthday of Frederick Douglass — the former slave, author, orator and abolitionist leader — is Feb. 14. Woodson’s most famous work is The Mis-Education of the Negro, originally published in 1933, in which he argued that black students were being culturally indoctrinated instead of taught. He published more than 30 books and founded a number of journals honoring and documenting the history of African-Americans.
The 12-year-old museum, at 2240 Ninth Ave. S, is the only one in the country named for Woodson, Scott said.
"They are renovating his home in Washington, D.C., and there are schools named in his honor,’ she said.
Over the years, the museum has celebrated important moments in African-American history — most notably, the historic election of President Barack Obama, as well as his inauguration.
The museum has also honored local residents. Deputy Mayor Kanika Tomalin, School Board chairwoman Rene Flowers and U.S. Ambassador to Gambia C. Patricia "Pat" Alsup have been among those recognized as the city’s "First Ladies in African-American History."
"People should know of Woodson’s contribution to Black History Month and the preservation of black history," Scott said. "We are at a place and time in history that we can no longer suppress the contributions that African-Americans have made to history."
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/baybuzz/2018/02/01/ed-turanchik-confirms-hes-running-for-tampa-mayor/
Ed Turanchik confirms he’s running for Tampa mayor
Ed Turanchik is in the race for Tampa mayor.
An unsuccessful run for mayor in 2011 hasn't dimmed Turanchik's appetite to lead the state's third-largest city.
For months, Turanchik's name has swirled among likely candidates to replace term-limited Mayor Bob Buckhorn.
The former Hillsborough County Commissioner (1990-1998) and 2011 mayoral candidate will file at 9:45 a.m. tomorrow at the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections office in downtown Tampa.
A press advisory released by Turanchik said he was filing for "municipal office," but Turanchik confirmed to the Tampa Bay Times that he's running for mayor.
In recent years, Turanchik, 62, has been active in transportation issues, especially the Crossbay Ferry, which he championed along with St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman. The ferry ran from November 2016 through April 2017. It's expected to return next fall.
Former Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor, Tampa council members Mike Suarez and Harry Cohen, philanthropist David Straz are all said to be weighing runs of their own.
So far, businessman Christopher "Topher" Morrison and Michael Anthony Hazard have already filed for the March 2019 election.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.fccincinnati.com/news_article/show/882720?referrer_id=2584136
FCC Adds Third Game at IMG, Faces Chicago Fire Reserves
The Orange and Blue traveled to Bradenton, Fla. today to begin training and will play three exhibition matches as part of their two-week stay. FCC is scheduled to play New England Revolution (Feb. 6) and Tampa Bay Rowdies (Feb. 10) in addition to the Chicago Fire’s reserves.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.journal-news.com/sports/soccer-cincy-heading-florida-for-preseason-camp/q3ch8cY0wEXrUrX4x4YjOI/
Soccer: FC Cincy heading to Florida for preseason camp
FCC opens against the Revolution, then plays four USL opponents before the regular season begins, including the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Feb. 10 at IMG Academy in Bradenton. Koch said the team will pick up a third game in Florida that is not yet on the schedule.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/679199/Joe-Cole-West-Ham-Chelsea-discriminated-school-teachers-England-Tampa-Bay-Rowdies-video
Joe Cole reveals he became 'MARKED MAN' by 'jealous teachers' after West Ham debut
FORMER Chelsea and England star Joe Cole has revealed how he became a “marked man” among full-grown adults at his school.
And he is currently part of the set-up at United States League team Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Joe Cole's sensational bicycle-kick goal for the Rowdies
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2018/02/02/kriseman-gives-an-emphatic-response-to-usf-on-st.html
Kriseman gives an emphatic response to USF on St. Pete campus consolidation
Lawmakers are trying to remove autonomy for the the St. Pete campus it gained in 2006.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7ujb18/a_marked_man_joe_cole_on_the_pitfalls_of_being/
A MARKED MAN | Joe Cole on the pitfalls of being thrust into the spotlight as a young footballer (coachesvoice.com)
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.coachesvoice.com/a-marked-man/
Perspective
A marked man
Joe Cole
Player, West Ham, 1998-2003
“I remember going into school on Monday morning and your world changes. All of a sudden, you’re a marked man.”
Former West Ham and Chelsea player Joe Cole, still playing in the United States at the age of 36, remembers what it was like to grow up in the spotlight. Speaking exclusively with The Coaches’ Voice, he advises young footballers on how they can handle their own journeys.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7uvx7r/united_premier_soccer_league_announces_florida/
United Premier Soccer League Announces Florida Conference Expansion with St. Petersburg Aztecs (upslsoccer.com)
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.upslsoccer.com/news/united-premier-soccer-league-announces-florida-co3
United Premier Soccer League Announces Florida Conference Expansion with St. Petersburg FC Aztecs
Founded in 1987, St. Petersburg (Fla.)-Based Pro Development Team Joins UPSL
February 2, 2018 – Los Angeles – The United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) is excited to announce St. Petersburg Football Club Aztecs as a new member starting with the 2018 Spring Season.
Based in ‘The Sunshine City’, St. Petersburg FC begins UPSL play in the Central Florida Conference, and will host its home games at Shorecrest Preparatory School (5101 1st St. NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33703) in compliance with UPSL Minimum Standards.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.nation.co.ke/sports/football/Miami-residents-call-foul-over-Beckham-football-venture/1102-4288500-4f8p7xz/index.html
Miami residents call foul over Beckham MLS venture
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.nation.co.ke/sports/football/Miami-residents-call-foul-over-Beckham-football-venture/1102-4288500-4f8p7xz/index.html
Miami residents call foul over Beckham MLS venture
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.mid-day.com/articles/miami-residents-upset-with-david-beckham/19011193
Miami residents upset with David Beckham
David Beckham has finally achieved his goal of bringing Major League Soccer (MLS) to Miami, but the prospect of a stadium without parking that drives up housing costs in a low-income neighbourhood is no hit with residents
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.news18.com/news/sports/some-miami-residents-call-foul-over-beckham-football-venture-1649041.html
Some Miami Residents Call Foul Over Beckham Football Venture
David Beckham has finally achieved his goal of bringing Major League Soccer to Miami, but the prospect of a stadium without parking that drives up housing costs in a low-income neighborhood is no hit with residents.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.themalaysianinsight.com/s/35743/
Miami residents unimpressed with Beckham’s stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.mid-day.com/articles/miami-residents-upset-with-david-beckham/19011193
Miami residents upset with David Beckham
David Beckham has finally achieved his goal of bringing Major League Soccer (MLS) to Miami, but the prospect of a stadium without parking that drives up housing costs in a low-income neighbourhood is no hit with residents
https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/sports/2018/02/02/miami-residents-call-foul-beckham-football-venture/
Some Miami residents call foul over Beckham football venture
MIAMI, United States, Feb 2 – David Beckham has finally achieved his goal of bringing Major League Soccer to Miami, but the prospect of a stadium without parking that drives up housing costs in a low-income neighborhood is no hit with residents.
The former England captain and glitzy star of storied Champions League teams was formally awarded an MLS franchise on Monday, but key details remain up in the air, such as its name and logo and when it will debut.
For the 25,000-stadium, the investor group led by Beckham has acquired land in an area called Overtown, a working class district between downtown and Little Havana.
They still need to buy one more piece of land, but for now the deal is held up in court by a lawsuit. The investors are confident they will prevail.
“Our 24th team now is in Miami. The stadium is in the Overtown site,” MLS commissioner Don Garber said.
One problem is that Miami is already choked with traffic and the stadium will not have its own parking lots.
And people in the neighborhood fear housing costs that are already rising will force them to move away as they keep going up.
“We are largely overwhelmed by the larger forces in the community that are out there. Our voices are not being heard sufficiently,” said Ernest Martin, a member of the Miami River Commission, an association of people living near the waterway.
Martin was especially critical of the lack of parking.
But Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez said Monday that although the stadium itself will have no on-site parking, there are plenty of big lots two to three blocks from the planned arena.
He also pointed to public transport, but people in Miami love their cars.
The problem of rising housing costs comes with gentrification. Overtown is a black-majority neighborhood of some 13,000 people, and 24 percent of the residents earn less than $10,000 a year, well below the poverty level.
Landscaper Williams Charlie is meanwhile skeptical that the new stadium can bring jobs, but says “we need a soccer team” nonetheless.
“Beckham knows what he’s doing. I’ll go right to the game — if they don’t move us out.”
One sign of how deeply opposed some are is the emergence of a Facebook group against the stadium which publishes scary videos of football-related violence as a way of warning against the dangers of hooligans.
“It’s not a done deal!” is the slogan of the Overtown Spring Garden Community Collective.
This is true: the proposed sale of the last piece of land needed is being held up by a millionaire named Bruce Matheson, who argues that the county had no right to cede the first lot without opening it up to bidding.
He lost his first battle in court but has lodged an appeal.
Mayor Gimenez meanwhile remains bullish. “We are very confident that we are going to win the lawsuit,” he told reporters.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://wlrn.org/post/days-after-david-beckham-s-miami-victory-party-warning-it-not-done-deal
Days After David Beckham’s Miami Victory Party, A Warning: ‘It Is Not A Done Deal.’
A group trying to block David Beckham and partners from building a 25,000-seat soccer stadium in Miami’s Overtown neighborhood packed a community center on Thursday night and urged residents to resist the plan.
“It is not a done deal,” said Bishop James Adams, the organizer and a pastor at the St. John Institutional Missionary Baptist Church, who coaxed the audience of about 40 people to repeat the slogan. “Say it again.”
His message captured some of the on-the-ground reality facing Beckham after his triumphant return to Miami on Monday to celebrate Major League Soccer approving an expansion franchise nearly five years after Beckham began his stadium quest. But while Beckham and partners — including Miami business titans Jorge and José Mas — won league approval for a team, the group still has not finalized the purchase of three acres needed for a planned nine-acre Overtown stadium, or won city approval for street closures and zoning changes around the land where Northwest Sixth Street meets Sixth Avenue.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.sport24.co.za/Soccer/International/miami-residents-call-foul-over-beckham-venture-20180202
Miami residents call foul over Beckham venture
Miami - David Beckham has finally achieved his goal of bringing Major League Soccer to Miami, but the prospect of a stadium without parking that drives up housing costs in a low-income neighbourhood is no hit with residents.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://citizen.co.za/news/news-world/1799605/fbl-usa-mls-beckham-miami/
Some Miami residents call foul over Beckham football venture
David Beckham has finally achieved his goal of bringing Major League Soccer to Miami, but the prospect of a stadium without parking that drives up housing costs in a low-income neighborhood is no hit with residents.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.pulse.com.gh/sports/football/-id7926081.html
Football
Some Miami residents call foul over Beckham football venture
David Beckham has finally achieved his goal of bringing Major League Soccer to Miami, but the prospect of a stadium without parking that drives up housing costs in a low-income neighborhood is no hit with residents.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/us-sport/david-beckham-mls-miami-dream-financial-nightmare-analysis-a8190991.html
Why David Beckham is investing in a dying duck in Miami - his MLS dream could yet turn out to be a nightmare
Beckham has bought into a competition that, unlike many of Europe’s leading leagues, is heavily in the red rather than the black
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/david-beckhams-miami-franchise-could-lure-cristiano-ronaldo-or-lionel-messi-stateside-says-mls-a3756306.html
David Beckham's Miami franchise could lure Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi stateside, says MLS veteran
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.espn.com/soccer/minnesota-united-fc/story/3368872/david-beckhams-miami-team-could-attract-messi-and-ronaldo-adrian-heath
David Beckham's Miami team could attract Messi, Ronaldo - Adrian Heath
(Follow link for full article.)
http://vancouversun.com/sports/basketball/mayenknecht-beckham-big-winner-in-mls-franchise-play
Bulls & Bears: Veteran sports icons Beckham, Federer court success
Bulls of the Week
A slow-moving, five-year roller-coaster of on-again, off-again ups and downs finally arrived at the announcement that the David Beckham Major League Soccer ownership group was ready to officially unveil plans for its long-awaited expansion franchise in Miami.
It’s a bullish play for Beckham, who brought star power to MLS in 2007 and was gifted franchise rights for US $25 million as part of his five-year deal with the L.A. Galaxy. With MLS entry fees now pegged at US$150 million, there’s a huge upside for Beckham and his partners, now planning to move ahead with a new stadium on land they’ve bought despite opposition from local community groups.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://ottawacitizen.com/sports/basketball/mayenknecht-beckham-big-winner-in-mls-franchise-play/wcm/0cc660cc-cb98-4146-b844-b91576d224d2
Bulls & Bears: Veteran sports icons Beckham, Federer court success
Bulls of the Week
A slow-moving, five-year roller-coaster of on-again, off-again ups and downs finally arrived at the announcement that the David Beckham Major League Soccer ownership group was ready to officially unveil plans for its long-awaited expansion franchise in Miami.
It’s a bullish play for Beckham, who brought star power to MLS in 2007 and was gifted franchise rights for US $25 million as part of his five-year deal with the L.A. Galaxy. With MLS entry fees now pegged at US$150 million, there’s a huge upside for Beckham and his partners, now planning to move ahead with a new stadium on land they’ve bought despite opposition from local community groups.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/01/31/how-david-beckham-finally-brought-mls-miami
How David Beckham finally brought MLS to Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
http://mancunion.com/2018/02/01/beckham-strikes-story-behind-david-beckhams-newest-soccer-venture/
Beckham strikes back: The story behind David Beckham’s newest soccer venture
The Manchester United legend is making waves in Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mls/article197692004.html
Miami gets yet another pro soccer team — but this one does not involve David Beckham
In the latest Miami soccer news that does not involve David Beckham, Miami FC announced on Wednesday the creation of Miami FC 2, a temporary team that will play in the National Premier Soccer League this spring while awaiting the August start of the North American Soccer League season.
The NASL pushed back its season start from April to August in order to align play with the world calendar and also to give the league time to add clubs after shrinking to five teams. Rather than have the team dormant for eight months, Miami FC CEO Sean Flynn created Miami FC 2 and entered the NPSL.
“Our players and coaches are excited to get back on the field, and the NPSL schedule allows us to face some quality competition in the Sunshine Conference throughout the next few months,” Flynn said. “This is the next step in our continued investment in soccer in Miami. We have a wonderful organization, incredibly talented players, a new head coach in Paul Dalglish and a first-class stadium. Our loyal and growing fanbase can expect further exciting announcements soon.”
(Follow link for full article.)
http://fox40.com/2018/02/01/nothing-is-off-the-table-republic-fc-confident-they-will-find-an-investor/
‘Nothing is Off the Table:’ Republic FC Confident They Will Find an Investor
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/news/2018/02/02/exclusivesa-mayor-meets-in-new-york-with-mls.html
Exclusive: SA mayor meets in New York with MLS commissioner about expansion
Nirenberg said the exchange was an "eye-opener" for the league as it considers potential homes for new teams.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2018/02/01/q-a-armada-fc-owner-talks-the-future-of-soccer-in.html
Q&A: Armada FC owner talks the future of soccer in Jacksonville
The Armada FC will be playing in the National Premier Soccer League, the fourth level of American soccer, from April through July of 2018
(Follow link for full article.)
http://tucson.com/sports/local/mls-spring-training-begins-saturday-with-mobile-mini-sun-cup/article_cf7387c9-8471-527a-bde9-a9aa391241bf.html
major League Soccer in tucson
MLS spring training begins Saturday with Mobile Mini Sun Cup doubleheader in Tucson
(Follow link for full article.)
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?m=1120803203789&ca=62907415-a1aa-4df2-bd2d-ea770be0b096
Have lunch with Tampa Bay Rowdies players and kick-off the 2018 season at Al Lang Stadium!
When
Tuesday, March 20th
11:30 AM Registration & Networking
12:00 PM Lunch
Where
Al Lang Stadium
230 1st St SE
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Individual Tickets $50
Table of 8 with Name Recognition $500
REGISTER
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/881775?referrer_id=2349190
USL Best of 2017 – Marcel Schäfer
Long-range strikes highlighted All-League season for Rowdies
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2018/2/1/16958014/goalkeeper-brandon-miller-penn-fc-city-islanders-charlotte-independence
Goalkeeper Brandon Miller signs with Charlotte Independence
Miller was a bright spot in Harrisburg in 2017
Charlotte had been looking for a new top goalkeeper after losing last year’s starter Cody Mizell to the Tampa Bay Rowdies (who had just lost Matt Pickens to Nashville SC). By picking up an experienced player like Brandon Miller, they’ll have one less hole to worry about as they begin their preseason.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2018/2/1/16944776/philadelphia-union-academy-preseason-aaronson-pellegrino-romero
Union Academy trio with first team in Clearwater
South Jersey trio of Brenden Aaronson, Tomas Romero and Michael Pellegrino are in Clearwater with the Philadelphia Union
Aaronson, of Medford, and Pellegrino, of Wenonah, both made their first professional starts in the midfield for Bethlehem Steel FC in Florida back in October in a game against the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2018/02/01/kriseman-gears-up-for-a-cross-bay-ferry-comeback.html
Kriseman gears up for a Cross Bay Ferry comeback
The mayor is working to arrange funding for the ferry's comeback tour.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.tampabay.com/news/Today-s-Google-Doodle-honors-man-whose-name-adorns-St-Petersburg-museum_165065373
Today’s ‘Google Doodle’ honors man whose name adorns St. Petersburg museum
The daily "Google Doodle" honors Dr. Carter G. Woodson, honored as the father of Black History Month which begins today.
ST. PETERSBURG —Tampa Bay residents saw a familiar face when they visited Google on Thursday.
The ever-changing "Google Doodle" depicts Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who is honored as "the father of Black History Month" and is the namesake of an African-American cultural museum in St Petersburg.
Terri Lipsey Scott, executive director of the Carter G. Woodson African American Museum in the city’s Midtown community, was elated.
"Oh, my God," she recalled saying. "The respect and recognition of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the father of Black History Month, is so long overdue."
Scott said she was doing research for the speech she planned to give at Thursday’s flag raising ceremony in front of St. Petersburg’s City Hall when she made the online discovery. St. Petersburg is the only city that raises a flag in recognition of both the historian and Black History Month, she said. She knows this, Scott said, because the St. Petersburg museum has the only flag honoring Woodson.
"I had this flag created for the Woodson Museum three years ago and I had the idea that I should contact the mayor and ask that he raise the flag over City Hall, and he graciously agreed," she said.
This is the third year that Mayor Rick Kriseman has held the flag raising ceremony.
Woodson was an African-American scholar born to former slaves in 1875. In 1926, he established an annual February observance called "Negro History Week," which became "Black History Month" in 1976.
Thursday marks the first day of Black History Month. Woodson chose February because President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday is on Feb. 12 and the accepted birthday of Frederick Douglass — the former slave, author, orator and abolitionist leader — is Feb. 14. Woodson’s most famous work is The Mis-Education of the Negro, originally published in 1933, in which he argued that black students were being culturally indoctrinated instead of taught. He published more than 30 books and founded a number of journals honoring and documenting the history of African-Americans.
The 12-year-old museum, at 2240 Ninth Ave. S, is the only one in the country named for Woodson, Scott said.
"They are renovating his home in Washington, D.C., and there are schools named in his honor,’ she said.
Over the years, the museum has celebrated important moments in African-American history — most notably, the historic election of President Barack Obama, as well as his inauguration.
The museum has also honored local residents. Deputy Mayor Kanika Tomalin, School Board chairwoman Rene Flowers and U.S. Ambassador to Gambia C. Patricia "Pat" Alsup have been among those recognized as the city’s "First Ladies in African-American History."
"People should know of Woodson’s contribution to Black History Month and the preservation of black history," Scott said. "We are at a place and time in history that we can no longer suppress the contributions that African-Americans have made to history."
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/baybuzz/2018/02/01/ed-turanchik-confirms-hes-running-for-tampa-mayor/
Ed Turanchik confirms he’s running for Tampa mayor
Ed Turanchik is in the race for Tampa mayor.
An unsuccessful run for mayor in 2011 hasn't dimmed Turanchik's appetite to lead the state's third-largest city.
For months, Turanchik's name has swirled among likely candidates to replace term-limited Mayor Bob Buckhorn.
The former Hillsborough County Commissioner (1990-1998) and 2011 mayoral candidate will file at 9:45 a.m. tomorrow at the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections office in downtown Tampa.
A press advisory released by Turanchik said he was filing for "municipal office," but Turanchik confirmed to the Tampa Bay Times that he's running for mayor.
In recent years, Turanchik, 62, has been active in transportation issues, especially the Crossbay Ferry, which he championed along with St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman. The ferry ran from November 2016 through April 2017. It's expected to return next fall.
Former Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor, Tampa council members Mike Suarez and Harry Cohen, philanthropist David Straz are all said to be weighing runs of their own.
So far, businessman Christopher "Topher" Morrison and Michael Anthony Hazard have already filed for the March 2019 election.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.fccincinnati.com/news_article/show/882720?referrer_id=2584136
FCC Adds Third Game at IMG, Faces Chicago Fire Reserves
The Orange and Blue traveled to Bradenton, Fla. today to begin training and will play three exhibition matches as part of their two-week stay. FCC is scheduled to play New England Revolution (Feb. 6) and Tampa Bay Rowdies (Feb. 10) in addition to the Chicago Fire’s reserves.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.journal-news.com/sports/soccer-cincy-heading-florida-for-preseason-camp/q3ch8cY0wEXrUrX4x4YjOI/
Soccer: FC Cincy heading to Florida for preseason camp
FCC opens against the Revolution, then plays four USL opponents before the regular season begins, including the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Feb. 10 at IMG Academy in Bradenton. Koch said the team will pick up a third game in Florida that is not yet on the schedule.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/679199/Joe-Cole-West-Ham-Chelsea-discriminated-school-teachers-England-Tampa-Bay-Rowdies-video
Joe Cole reveals he became 'MARKED MAN' by 'jealous teachers' after West Ham debut
FORMER Chelsea and England star Joe Cole has revealed how he became a “marked man” among full-grown adults at his school.
And he is currently part of the set-up at United States League team Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Joe Cole's sensational bicycle-kick goal for the Rowdies
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2018/02/02/kriseman-gives-an-emphatic-response-to-usf-on-st.html
Kriseman gives an emphatic response to USF on St. Pete campus consolidation
Lawmakers are trying to remove autonomy for the the St. Pete campus it gained in 2006.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7ujb18/a_marked_man_joe_cole_on_the_pitfalls_of_being/
A MARKED MAN | Joe Cole on the pitfalls of being thrust into the spotlight as a young footballer (coachesvoice.com)
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.coachesvoice.com/a-marked-man/
Perspective
A marked man
Joe Cole
Player, West Ham, 1998-2003
“I remember going into school on Monday morning and your world changes. All of a sudden, you’re a marked man.”
Former West Ham and Chelsea player Joe Cole, still playing in the United States at the age of 36, remembers what it was like to grow up in the spotlight. Speaking exclusively with The Coaches’ Voice, he advises young footballers on how they can handle their own journeys.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7uvx7r/united_premier_soccer_league_announces_florida/
United Premier Soccer League Announces Florida Conference Expansion with St. Petersburg Aztecs (upslsoccer.com)
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.upslsoccer.com/news/united-premier-soccer-league-announces-florida-co3
United Premier Soccer League Announces Florida Conference Expansion with St. Petersburg FC Aztecs
Founded in 1987, St. Petersburg (Fla.)-Based Pro Development Team Joins UPSL
February 2, 2018 – Los Angeles – The United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) is excited to announce St. Petersburg Football Club Aztecs as a new member starting with the 2018 Spring Season.
Based in ‘The Sunshine City’, St. Petersburg FC begins UPSL play in the Central Florida Conference, and will host its home games at Shorecrest Preparatory School (5101 1st St. NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33703) in compliance with UPSL Minimum Standards.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.nation.co.ke/sports/football/Miami-residents-call-foul-over-Beckham-football-venture/1102-4288500-4f8p7xz/index.html
Miami residents call foul over Beckham MLS venture
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.nation.co.ke/sports/football/Miami-residents-call-foul-over-Beckham-football-venture/1102-4288500-4f8p7xz/index.html
Miami residents call foul over Beckham MLS venture
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.mid-day.com/articles/miami-residents-upset-with-david-beckham/19011193
Miami residents upset with David Beckham
David Beckham has finally achieved his goal of bringing Major League Soccer (MLS) to Miami, but the prospect of a stadium without parking that drives up housing costs in a low-income neighbourhood is no hit with residents
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.news18.com/news/sports/some-miami-residents-call-foul-over-beckham-football-venture-1649041.html
Some Miami Residents Call Foul Over Beckham Football Venture
David Beckham has finally achieved his goal of bringing Major League Soccer to Miami, but the prospect of a stadium without parking that drives up housing costs in a low-income neighborhood is no hit with residents.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.themalaysianinsight.com/s/35743/
Miami residents unimpressed with Beckham’s stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.mid-day.com/articles/miami-residents-upset-with-david-beckham/19011193
Miami residents upset with David Beckham
David Beckham has finally achieved his goal of bringing Major League Soccer (MLS) to Miami, but the prospect of a stadium without parking that drives up housing costs in a low-income neighbourhood is no hit with residents
Thursday, February 1, 2018
The Unused Substitutes: Episode 146 - Max-imum Effort (theunsubs.com)
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7ufhpi/the_unused_substitutes_episode_146_maximum_effort/
The Unused Substitutes: Episode 146 - Max-imum Effort (theunsubs.com)
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.theunsubs.com/wp/2018/01/31/episode-146-max-imum-effort/3454
Episode 146 – Max-imum Effort
Dan fights off the flu and Matt fights off several technology issues to deliver toasty warm takes about the latest Rowdies signing, USL rule changes for 2018, and more!
In this episode:
Rowdies sign Max Lachowecki
Porter to Ottawa, Brown to Spain, Guerra to Indy
U23 on hiatus
2018 USL rule changes
Heinemann dropped by Cincy
Indy Eleven to play in Lucas Oil Stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7ubzqb/rowdies_wont_field_ru23_in_the_pdl_again_this/
Rowdies won't field RU23 in the PDL again this season. IMG Academy & Lakeland Tropics will be the only Bay Area teams (twitter.com)
(Follow link for full article.)
https://twitter.com/jakenutting/status/958747329099632640
Jake Nutting
@jakenutting
Jake Nutting Retweeted USL PDL
Rowdies won't be fielding a U23 team in the PDL this year. I'm told they're reassessing their approach to player development and might release info on a new program soon.
Jake Nutting added,
USL PDL
Verified account
@USLPDL
The newest PDL division graces the Southern Conference in 2018, as the Deep South Division makes its debut. ⬇️
@Tormenta_FC and @msbrillafc make the move to the new…
9:02 AM - 31 Jan 2018
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2018/01/31/st-petes-economy-is-kicking-but-the-city-is.html
St. Pete's economy is 'kicking' but the city is running out of office space
St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman delivered his first State of the Economy address since being re-elected to a second term.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.cfjctoday.com/article/607218/james-easton-named-canadian-premier-league-vice-president-soccer-operations
Canadian Cyle Larin introduced by Turkish champion Besiktas after transfer deal
TORONTO — The Canadian Premier League has named former Canadian international James Easton its vice-president of soccer operations.
Easton, 52, played professionally for the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the NASL, Scotland's Dundee United and the Vancouver '86ers. The midfielder was inducted into the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame in 2004 as a member of the 1989 Vancouver '86ers.
The new domestic league is scheduled to kick off in spring 2019.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://cincinnatisoccertalk.com/2018/01/31/5-unique-sightseeing-trips-watch-fc-cincinnati
5 “Unique” Sightseeing Trips to Watch FC Cincinnati
Tampa Bay
Tampa – Don’t be confused, the Tampa Bay Rowdies play in St. Petersburg, but don’t forget to check out the real city in the area, Tampa. There is an awesome zoo, Busch Garden’s theme park, killer parks and a whole lot more. Honestly, just commute back and forth from Tampa to the game.
The Two-Headed Goat – The St. Petersburg Museum of History is home to a goat that had two heads and three pairs of legs. The creature actually lived for six weeks and now is stuffed and on display at the museum. While there, make sure to check out the Alligators & Oddities section where you can visit with the “Alligator-Girl” and civil-war era skulls. Creepy.
St. Petersburg Saturday Morning Market – Every Saturday from October to May, more than 10,000 people have been showing up to see what there is to eat and what they can buy IN THE PARKING LOT OF AL LANG STADIUM! That’s right, the home of the Rowdies is a flea-market 7 hours before game time! Nothing screams “we belong in MLS” more than hosting a fruit and veggie sale hours before kick off. Seriously though, if we want to tailgate and buy all of our food, it’s right there.
See Point 1 – Stay in Tampa – Check out this list of the top 25 attractions in St. Pete. A lot of Segway tours and disappointment.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://vacationidea.com/florida/best-things-to-do-in-st-petersburg-fl.html
25 Best Things to Do in St. Petersburg, Florida
A beautiful weekend destination on Florida's gulf coast, St. Petersburg offers a diverse choice of excellent museums, fascinating gardens, tours and restaurants. Top things to do in St. Pete, FL, for art lovers include the Dali Museum, the Morean Arts Center and the Museum of Fine Arts. Best things to do in St. Petersburg, Florida with kids include the Sunken Gardens, Great Explorations Children's Museum and Boyd Hill Nature Preserve.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.phillysoccerpage.net/2018/01/31/predicting-the-usl-east/
Predicting the USL East
Tampa Bay Rowdies: Stuart Campbell continues to field a strong, experienced, expensive USL side. He has replaced keeper Matt Pickens with Cody Mizell from Charlotte, and striker Martin Paterson with Joachim Graf from Rochester. He has added midfielder Junior Flemings and left back David Najem from New York Red Bulls 2. Georgi Hristov has re-signed, and Joe Cole and Marcel Shafer return. The Rowdies will be old and tough once again.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/881747?referrer_id=2349190
Indy Signs Venezuelan Midfielder Guerra
Veteran praised for leadership skills, excited for new season
INDIANAPOLIS – Indy Eleven announced on Wednesday the club had signed Venezuelan international Juan Guerra to its 2018 roster pending league and federation approval. A former member of both the New York Cosmos and Tampa Bay Rowdies, the veteran midfielder is expected to bring strong leadership to the club.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/881893?referrer_id=2349190
Heinemann Released by Cincinnati
Forward failed entry physical after offseason move to FCC
CINCINNATI – FC Cincinnati announced on Wednesday forward Tommy Heinemann had been released due to a failed entry physical. The club worked with Heinemann and his representation over the last two weeks getting additional medical opinions, ending with Wednesday’s release.
Heinemann was acquired from the San Francisco Deltas in the offseason and was officially introduced in December.
FCC travels to Bradenton, Fla., this Fri. to begin training at IMG Academy. The team will play the New England Revolution on Feb. 6 and the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Feb. 10 with both matches kicking off at 3:30 p.m. ET.
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7ufhpi/the_unused_substitutes_episode_146_maximum_effort/
The Unused Substitutes: Episode 146 - Max-imum Effort (theunsubs.com)
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.theunsubs.com/wp/2018/01/31/episode-146-max-imum-effort/3454
Episode 146 – Max-imum Effort
Dan fights off the flu and Matt fights off several technology issues to deliver toasty warm takes about the latest Rowdies signing, USL rule changes for 2018, and more!
In this episode:
Rowdies sign Max Lachowecki
Porter to Ottawa, Brown to Spain, Guerra to Indy
U23 on hiatus
2018 USL rule changes
Heinemann dropped by Cincy
Indy Eleven to play in Lucas Oil Stadium
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.reddit.com/r/TampaBayRowdies/comments/7ubzqb/rowdies_wont_field_ru23_in_the_pdl_again_this/
Rowdies won't field RU23 in the PDL again this season. IMG Academy & Lakeland Tropics will be the only Bay Area teams (twitter.com)
(Follow link for full article.)
https://twitter.com/jakenutting/status/958747329099632640
Jake Nutting
@jakenutting
Jake Nutting Retweeted USL PDL
Rowdies won't be fielding a U23 team in the PDL this year. I'm told they're reassessing their approach to player development and might release info on a new program soon.
Jake Nutting added,
USL PDL
Verified account
@USLPDL
The newest PDL division graces the Southern Conference in 2018, as the Deep South Division makes its debut. ⬇️
@Tormenta_FC and @msbrillafc make the move to the new…
9:02 AM - 31 Jan 2018
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2018/01/31/st-petes-economy-is-kicking-but-the-city-is.html
St. Pete's economy is 'kicking' but the city is running out of office space
St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman delivered his first State of the Economy address since being re-elected to a second term.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.cfjctoday.com/article/607218/james-easton-named-canadian-premier-league-vice-president-soccer-operations
Canadian Cyle Larin introduced by Turkish champion Besiktas after transfer deal
TORONTO — The Canadian Premier League has named former Canadian international James Easton its vice-president of soccer operations.
Easton, 52, played professionally for the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the NASL, Scotland's Dundee United and the Vancouver '86ers. The midfielder was inducted into the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame in 2004 as a member of the 1989 Vancouver '86ers.
The new domestic league is scheduled to kick off in spring 2019.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://cincinnatisoccertalk.com/2018/01/31/5-unique-sightseeing-trips-watch-fc-cincinnati
5 “Unique” Sightseeing Trips to Watch FC Cincinnati
Tampa Bay
Tampa – Don’t be confused, the Tampa Bay Rowdies play in St. Petersburg, but don’t forget to check out the real city in the area, Tampa. There is an awesome zoo, Busch Garden’s theme park, killer parks and a whole lot more. Honestly, just commute back and forth from Tampa to the game.
The Two-Headed Goat – The St. Petersburg Museum of History is home to a goat that had two heads and three pairs of legs. The creature actually lived for six weeks and now is stuffed and on display at the museum. While there, make sure to check out the Alligators & Oddities section where you can visit with the “Alligator-Girl” and civil-war era skulls. Creepy.
St. Petersburg Saturday Morning Market – Every Saturday from October to May, more than 10,000 people have been showing up to see what there is to eat and what they can buy IN THE PARKING LOT OF AL LANG STADIUM! That’s right, the home of the Rowdies is a flea-market 7 hours before game time! Nothing screams “we belong in MLS” more than hosting a fruit and veggie sale hours before kick off. Seriously though, if we want to tailgate and buy all of our food, it’s right there.
See Point 1 – Stay in Tampa – Check out this list of the top 25 attractions in St. Pete. A lot of Segway tours and disappointment.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://vacationidea.com/florida/best-things-to-do-in-st-petersburg-fl.html
25 Best Things to Do in St. Petersburg, Florida
A beautiful weekend destination on Florida's gulf coast, St. Petersburg offers a diverse choice of excellent museums, fascinating gardens, tours and restaurants. Top things to do in St. Pete, FL, for art lovers include the Dali Museum, the Morean Arts Center and the Museum of Fine Arts. Best things to do in St. Petersburg, Florida with kids include the Sunken Gardens, Great Explorations Children's Museum and Boyd Hill Nature Preserve.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.phillysoccerpage.net/2018/01/31/predicting-the-usl-east/
Predicting the USL East
Tampa Bay Rowdies: Stuart Campbell continues to field a strong, experienced, expensive USL side. He has replaced keeper Matt Pickens with Cody Mizell from Charlotte, and striker Martin Paterson with Joachim Graf from Rochester. He has added midfielder Junior Flemings and left back David Najem from New York Red Bulls 2. Georgi Hristov has re-signed, and Joe Cole and Marcel Shafer return. The Rowdies will be old and tough once again.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/881747?referrer_id=2349190
Indy Signs Venezuelan Midfielder Guerra
Veteran praised for leadership skills, excited for new season
INDIANAPOLIS – Indy Eleven announced on Wednesday the club had signed Venezuelan international Juan Guerra to its 2018 roster pending league and federation approval. A former member of both the New York Cosmos and Tampa Bay Rowdies, the veteran midfielder is expected to bring strong leadership to the club.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/881893?referrer_id=2349190
Heinemann Released by Cincinnati
Forward failed entry physical after offseason move to FCC
CINCINNATI – FC Cincinnati announced on Wednesday forward Tommy Heinemann had been released due to a failed entry physical. The club worked with Heinemann and his representation over the last two weeks getting additional medical opinions, ending with Wednesday’s release.
Heinemann was acquired from the San Francisco Deltas in the offseason and was officially introduced in December.
FCC travels to Bradenton, Fla., this Fri. to begin training at IMG Academy. The team will play the New England Revolution on Feb. 6 and the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Feb. 10 with both matches kicking off at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Is a fight brewing for David Beckham over the MLS stadium location?
(Follow link for full article.)
https://miami.curbed.com/2018/1/31/16956782/mls-soccer-stadium-opponents
Is a fight brewing for David Beckham over the MLS stadium location?
Opposition is heating up in Overtown
The congratulations flowed freely at Monday’s David Beckham’s Miami MLS team official launch. But the community opposition to the soccer team’s proposed stadium seems to be heating up. According to the Miami Herald’s Doug Hanks, community organizers in Overtown are passing out fliers that look like eviction notices to public housing residents near the planned stadium site.
Leaders of the opposition said the notices weren’t meant to be misleading, they were just advertising a community meeting planned for Thursday. Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Mayor Carlos Gimenez told the paper that there are no plans for demolition or eviction.
The city of Miami still must approve zoning changes and permits to allow the stadium, and Gary Nelson at CBS Miami uses a soccer metaphor in a story about the growing backlash against the Overtown site. “There are many bureaucratic goals Beckham’s group has yet to score, and no shortage of opponents to the project will be defending against it,” he writes.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.bisnow.com/south-florida/news/construction-development/david-beckham-miami-stadium-lawsuit-84383
Slow Your Roll, David Beckham: Critics Vow To Fight His Miami Soccer Stadium Plan
After four years of false starts and a surprising last-minute injection of cash, David Beckham and his business partners announced Monday that Major League Soccer awarded them a new franchise and that a team will launch in Miami in 2020.
But despite confetti guns that blasted during the announcement, a dozen-plus celebrities congratulating Beckham in video clips and Diddy offering to be the goalie, there is still a legal challenge to securing the land for a stadium, and some neighbors are vowing to fight the project every step of the way.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2018/01/31/david-beckham-eviction-fake-public-housing/
After Beckham Announcement, Fake Eviction Notices Pop Up At Public Housing Community
MIAMI (CBSMiami) — Just hours after David Beckham announced soccer would be coming to a new stadium in Overtown, eviction notices appeared at the public housing community right across the street from the stadium site.
Thaddeus Napper, a Culmer Place resident, quickly figured out the notice was not real.
“It was somewhat alarming in the sense of eviction. So how can you have no control over where you stay,” he said.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/5465906/inside-the-seedy-miami-club-david-beckham-and-brooklyn-partied-at-until-5am-to-celebrate-us-move/
BENDY LIKE BECKHAM Inside the ‘seedy’ Miami club David Beckham and Brooklyn partied at until 5am to celebrate US move
The football star partied with his teenage son until the early hours at the celebrity haunt
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/family/551297/david-beckham-confirms-miami-move-without-family
David Beckham confirms he's moving to Miami without wife Victoria and the children
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.si.com/soccer/2018/01/30/beckham-urges-ex-team-mate-stay-manchester-united-following-la-galaxy-interest
David Beckham Wants to See Zlatan Ibrahimovic in MLS – at Some Point
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.si.com/mls/video/2018/01/30/david-beckham-mls-miami
Why It Took David Beckham So Long to Get His Miami MLS Team
(Follow link for full article.)
https://pagesix.com/2018/01/30/beckham-toasts-new-mls-team-in-miami/
Beckham toasts new MLS team in Miami
(Follow link for full article.)
https://borneobulletin.com.bn/david-beckham-reveals-painful-struggle-to-launch-his-soccer-team/
David Beckham reveals ‘painful’ struggle to launch his soccer team
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/5461309/david-beckham-seedy-night-out-miami-hotel-brooklyn/
BOYS NIGHT OUT David Beckham catches the eye of a hot brunette in Miami after night out at ‘seedy’ club with son Brooklyn as they celebrate Stateside move
The former footballer was spotted looking worse for wear the next morning as he left his hotel room just hours after rolling in at 5am, amid reports Victoria is 'seething' about his decision move to the US
DAVID Beckham hit the town for a 'seedy' night out with his son Brooklyn in Miami to celebrate his Stateside move - and appeared to get his head turned by a hot brunette.
The former England captain headed out with his 18-year-old boy to party after it was announced he is moving to the US to launch his own football team.
David, 42, revealed his big news yesterday, confirming he is finally moving forward with plans to create his own MLS team after spending four years trying to get the venture off the ground.
After the press conference, he headed out to dinner with Brooklyn in Miami, the home of his club, to celebrate the milestone.
They enjoyed a fancy meal at restaurant Komodo, and David appeared to get his head turned by a mystery woman outside.
After the dinner, the father and son duo continued their night out with a trip to 'seedy' Rockwell nightclub.
Rockwell - a favourite of P Diddy and Usain Bolt - is owned by Chris Paciello, a convicted killer turned FBI informant who is a former member of the Italian mafia Cosa Nostra who have been linked to murder and bank robberies in the 90s.
The group, which has its origin in Sicily became infamous in the US in the 1920s Prohibition era and, according to the FBI, has heroin trafficking still at its core.
For his part, Paciello has apologised, saying in 2012: "I regret the mistakes I made in the past. I am working hard to make a positive impact and to build a new life for myself in Miami."
It is unclear whether he was in the club at the same time as David and Brooklyn, who were seen leaving the venue at 5am.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/video/sport/video-1617556/Video-David-Beckhams-career-launched-Major-League-Soccer-franchise-Miami.html
David Beckham's career as he has launched his MLS franchise
This is a look back at David Beckham's career now he has launched his long-awaited Major League Soccer franchise in Miami.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://en.rfi.fr/sports/20180130-beckham-completes-dream-miami-soccer-franchise
Beckham sees 'dream come true' with Miami soccer franchise
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/victoria-beckham-said-to-be-furious-over-selfish-husband-davids-move-to-miami/news-story/b6d7ecca6dca4443ea85e6e7db5415b9
Victoria Beckham said to be ‘furious’ over ‘selfish’ husband David’s move to Miami
AS David Beckham launches a new soccer club in Miami, things may be not so rosy as home with wife Victoria reportedly angry over the star’s decision to spend more time in the US.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/01/30/miami-messi-argentine-superstar-congratulates-beckham-mls-expansion
Miami Messi? Argentine superstar congratulates Beckham on MLS expansion
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/3365844/ronaldofabregasjames-which-stars-could-join-beckhams-miami-megaclub
Ronaldo, Fabregas, James: Who could join Beckham's Miami megaclub?
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/stars-at-his-beck-and-call
Football: Stars at his Beck and call
Big names dial Beckham in hope of MLS gig as he finally gets green light for Miami expansion team
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/3366003/miami-finally-has-an-mls-franchise-back-so-what-should-it-be-named
Miami finally has an MLS franchise, so what should it be named?
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.astonvilla.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=7524199
David Beckham Has A Dream - Is Steve Bruce Part Of It?
(Follow link for full article.)
http://newburghgazette.com/2018/01/30/manchester-united-striker-zlatan-ibrahimovics-arrival-would/
Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic's arrival would enrich MLS, David Beckham says
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.miamiherald.com/entertainment/celebrities/article197644569.html
While David Beckham soaked up the love in Miami, his son got some of his own
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.tnp.sg/sports/football/class-92-blueprint-miami-beckham
'Class of 92' blueprint for Miami: Beckham
David Beckham wants to emulate Manchester United's tradition of youth development as he looks to build success with his new Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise in Miami.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://expressnewsline.com/2018/01/31/lionel-messi-salutes-david-beckham-hints-at-future-miami.html
Lionel Messi Salutes David Beckham, Hints At Future Miami MLS Move
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-5336813/David-Beckham-returns-London-beauty-launch.html
Beck so soon? David Beckham returns to London for grooming brand launch after living it up on the Miami party scene
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/678634/Beckham-Miami-MLS-gang-ghetto-football-club-base
Beckham picks BULLET-RIDDLED gang ghetto for his new football club's base
DAVID Beckham has picked a bullet-riddled gang ghetto to base his new football club.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/3365844/ronaldofabregasjames-which-stars-could-join-beckhams-miami-megaclub
Ronaldo, Fabregas, James: Who could join Beckham's Miami megaclub?
As David Beckham made the media rounds following Monday's announcement that Miami had finally been awarded a Major League Soccer expansion franchise, he did his best acrobatics to avoid naming players he might target.
Despite those attempts to avoid hype and rumors, however, Beckham did admit he had a list of targets for the 2020 season. He also let slip that plenty of "top players" had already given him a call to let him know they are "in" for a move to Miami. Beckham might target some younger stars out of South America a la Atlanta United, but he almost certainly will add a big name or two.
Lionel Messi's congratulatory video suggesting Beckham give him a call in a few years put him atop the list of players rumored to move to Miami but here are five more players Beckham might try to lure stateside for his team's inaugural season in South Florida.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.sportskeeda.com/athletics/usain-bolt-offers-to-play-for-ex-manchester-united-star-david-beckham-miami-franchise-in-mls
Usain Bolt offers to play for ex-Manchester United star David Beckham's Miami franchise in MLS
Will the eight-time Olympics gold medalist be seen playing for David Beckham in the MLS?
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.gonzagabulletin.com/lifestyles/entertainment/article_d1b937aa-3923-5ee4-bbf6-516b61c205fa.html
David Beckham is moving to the US
(Follow link for full article.)
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2018/01/31/mls-in-miami-will-be-a-great-success-says-jorge-mas/
MLS In Miami Will Be A “Great Success,” Says Jorge Mas
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/678686/david-beckham-nightclub-miami-rockwell-mls-franchise-brooklyn-inside-pictures-usain-bolt
Golden Ball: Inside raunchy Miami Club where David Beckham partied until 5am
DAVID Beckham celebrated the launch of his new MLS footie team by partying at an exclusive celeb haunt.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11230688/miami-welcomes-david-beckham-as-he-launches-mls-franchise
Miami welcomes David Beckham as he launches MLS franchise
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/i-begged-harlequins-to-sign-george-ford-to-boost-my-career-jokes-danny-care-cwlmpcg7v
I begged Harlequins to sign George Ford to boost my career, jokes Danny Care
Danny Care once dreamt of being a footballer and joked this week about how he could pull the strings in midfield for David Beckham’s new Major League Soccer franchise in Miami.
On Sunday Care’s first mission will be to secure Francesco Totti’s old locker in the Roma changing room that England will use when they face Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in the first round of the NatWest Six Nations Championship. After that, the scrum half known for his scampering, instinctive style plans to put his football skills on display.
Care will draw level with Matt Dawson, England’s most-capped scrum half, when he plays his 77th Test on Sunday and Eddie Jones may hand him a rare start.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/5474154/david-beckham-hits-the-town-for-the-second-night-in-a-row-after-partying-with-son-brooklyn-in-miami/
BECK TO FACE THE MUSIC? David Beckham flies into London for product launch after partying with Brooklyn in Miami… but Posh is nowhere to be seen
After his wild night in Miami with his teen son, Becks flew back to London for the launch of his grooming line, and while he was joined by his mum, sister and newborn niece – but Posh was nowhere to be seen
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mls/article197692004.html
Miami gets yet another pro soccer team — but this one does not involve David Beckham
In the latest Miami soccer news that does not involve David Beckham, Miami FC announced on Wednesday the creation of Miami FC 2, a temporary team that will play in the National Premier Soccer League this spring while awaiting the August start of the North American Soccer League season.
The NASL pushed back its season start from April to August in order to align play with the world calendar and also to give the league time to add clubs after shrinking to five teams. Rather than have the team dormant for eight months, Miami FC CEO Sean Flynn created Miami FC 2 and entered the NPSL.
“Our players and coaches are excited to get back on the field, and the NPSL schedule allows us to face some quality competition in the Sunshine Conference throughout the next few months,” Flynn said. “This is the next step in our continued investment in soccer in Miami. We have a wonderful organization, incredibly talented players, a new head coach in Paul Dalglish and a first-class stadium. Our loyal and growing fanbase can expect further exciting announcements soon.”
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/01/31/how-david-beckham-finally-brought-mls-miami
How David Beckham finally brought MLS to Miami
https://miami.curbed.com/2018/1/31/16956782/mls-soccer-stadium-opponents
Is a fight brewing for David Beckham over the MLS stadium location?
Opposition is heating up in Overtown
The congratulations flowed freely at Monday’s David Beckham’s Miami MLS team official launch. But the community opposition to the soccer team’s proposed stadium seems to be heating up. According to the Miami Herald’s Doug Hanks, community organizers in Overtown are passing out fliers that look like eviction notices to public housing residents near the planned stadium site.
Leaders of the opposition said the notices weren’t meant to be misleading, they were just advertising a community meeting planned for Thursday. Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Mayor Carlos Gimenez told the paper that there are no plans for demolition or eviction.
The city of Miami still must approve zoning changes and permits to allow the stadium, and Gary Nelson at CBS Miami uses a soccer metaphor in a story about the growing backlash against the Overtown site. “There are many bureaucratic goals Beckham’s group has yet to score, and no shortage of opponents to the project will be defending against it,” he writes.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.bisnow.com/south-florida/news/construction-development/david-beckham-miami-stadium-lawsuit-84383
Slow Your Roll, David Beckham: Critics Vow To Fight His Miami Soccer Stadium Plan
After four years of false starts and a surprising last-minute injection of cash, David Beckham and his business partners announced Monday that Major League Soccer awarded them a new franchise and that a team will launch in Miami in 2020.
But despite confetti guns that blasted during the announcement, a dozen-plus celebrities congratulating Beckham in video clips and Diddy offering to be the goalie, there is still a legal challenge to securing the land for a stadium, and some neighbors are vowing to fight the project every step of the way.
(Follow link for full article.)
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2018/01/31/david-beckham-eviction-fake-public-housing/
After Beckham Announcement, Fake Eviction Notices Pop Up At Public Housing Community
MIAMI (CBSMiami) — Just hours after David Beckham announced soccer would be coming to a new stadium in Overtown, eviction notices appeared at the public housing community right across the street from the stadium site.
Thaddeus Napper, a Culmer Place resident, quickly figured out the notice was not real.
“It was somewhat alarming in the sense of eviction. So how can you have no control over where you stay,” he said.
(Follow link for full article.)
https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/5465906/inside-the-seedy-miami-club-david-beckham-and-brooklyn-partied-at-until-5am-to-celebrate-us-move/
BENDY LIKE BECKHAM Inside the ‘seedy’ Miami club David Beckham and Brooklyn partied at until 5am to celebrate US move
The football star partied with his teenage son until the early hours at the celebrity haunt
(Follow link for full article.)
http://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/family/551297/david-beckham-confirms-miami-move-without-family
David Beckham confirms he's moving to Miami without wife Victoria and the children
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https://www.si.com/soccer/2018/01/30/beckham-urges-ex-team-mate-stay-manchester-united-following-la-galaxy-interest
David Beckham Wants to See Zlatan Ibrahimovic in MLS – at Some Point
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https://www.si.com/mls/video/2018/01/30/david-beckham-mls-miami
Why It Took David Beckham So Long to Get His Miami MLS Team
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https://pagesix.com/2018/01/30/beckham-toasts-new-mls-team-in-miami/
Beckham toasts new MLS team in Miami
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https://borneobulletin.com.bn/david-beckham-reveals-painful-struggle-to-launch-his-soccer-team/
David Beckham reveals ‘painful’ struggle to launch his soccer team
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https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/5461309/david-beckham-seedy-night-out-miami-hotel-brooklyn/
BOYS NIGHT OUT David Beckham catches the eye of a hot brunette in Miami after night out at ‘seedy’ club with son Brooklyn as they celebrate Stateside move
The former footballer was spotted looking worse for wear the next morning as he left his hotel room just hours after rolling in at 5am, amid reports Victoria is 'seething' about his decision move to the US
DAVID Beckham hit the town for a 'seedy' night out with his son Brooklyn in Miami to celebrate his Stateside move - and appeared to get his head turned by a hot brunette.
The former England captain headed out with his 18-year-old boy to party after it was announced he is moving to the US to launch his own football team.
David, 42, revealed his big news yesterday, confirming he is finally moving forward with plans to create his own MLS team after spending four years trying to get the venture off the ground.
After the press conference, he headed out to dinner with Brooklyn in Miami, the home of his club, to celebrate the milestone.
They enjoyed a fancy meal at restaurant Komodo, and David appeared to get his head turned by a mystery woman outside.
After the dinner, the father and son duo continued their night out with a trip to 'seedy' Rockwell nightclub.
Rockwell - a favourite of P Diddy and Usain Bolt - is owned by Chris Paciello, a convicted killer turned FBI informant who is a former member of the Italian mafia Cosa Nostra who have been linked to murder and bank robberies in the 90s.
The group, which has its origin in Sicily became infamous in the US in the 1920s Prohibition era and, according to the FBI, has heroin trafficking still at its core.
For his part, Paciello has apologised, saying in 2012: "I regret the mistakes I made in the past. I am working hard to make a positive impact and to build a new life for myself in Miami."
It is unclear whether he was in the club at the same time as David and Brooklyn, who were seen leaving the venue at 5am.
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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/video/sport/video-1617556/Video-David-Beckhams-career-launched-Major-League-Soccer-franchise-Miami.html
David Beckham's career as he has launched his MLS franchise
This is a look back at David Beckham's career now he has launched his long-awaited Major League Soccer franchise in Miami.
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http://en.rfi.fr/sports/20180130-beckham-completes-dream-miami-soccer-franchise
Beckham sees 'dream come true' with Miami soccer franchise
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http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/victoria-beckham-said-to-be-furious-over-selfish-husband-davids-move-to-miami/news-story/b6d7ecca6dca4443ea85e6e7db5415b9
Victoria Beckham said to be ‘furious’ over ‘selfish’ husband David’s move to Miami
AS David Beckham launches a new soccer club in Miami, things may be not so rosy as home with wife Victoria reportedly angry over the star’s decision to spend more time in the US.
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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/01/30/miami-messi-argentine-superstar-congratulates-beckham-mls-expansion
Miami Messi? Argentine superstar congratulates Beckham on MLS expansion
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http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/3365844/ronaldofabregasjames-which-stars-could-join-beckhams-miami-megaclub
Ronaldo, Fabregas, James: Who could join Beckham's Miami megaclub?
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http://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/stars-at-his-beck-and-call
Football: Stars at his Beck and call
Big names dial Beckham in hope of MLS gig as he finally gets green light for Miami expansion team
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http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/3366003/miami-finally-has-an-mls-franchise-back-so-what-should-it-be-named
Miami finally has an MLS franchise, so what should it be named?
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http://www.astonvilla.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=7524199
David Beckham Has A Dream - Is Steve Bruce Part Of It?
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http://newburghgazette.com/2018/01/30/manchester-united-striker-zlatan-ibrahimovics-arrival-would/
Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic's arrival would enrich MLS, David Beckham says
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http://www.miamiherald.com/entertainment/celebrities/article197644569.html
While David Beckham soaked up the love in Miami, his son got some of his own
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http://www.tnp.sg/sports/football/class-92-blueprint-miami-beckham
'Class of 92' blueprint for Miami: Beckham
David Beckham wants to emulate Manchester United's tradition of youth development as he looks to build success with his new Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise in Miami.
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http://expressnewsline.com/2018/01/31/lionel-messi-salutes-david-beckham-hints-at-future-miami.html
Lionel Messi Salutes David Beckham, Hints At Future Miami MLS Move
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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-5336813/David-Beckham-returns-London-beauty-launch.html
Beck so soon? David Beckham returns to London for grooming brand launch after living it up on the Miami party scene
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https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/678634/Beckham-Miami-MLS-gang-ghetto-football-club-base
Beckham picks BULLET-RIDDLED gang ghetto for his new football club's base
DAVID Beckham has picked a bullet-riddled gang ghetto to base his new football club.
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http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/3365844/ronaldofabregasjames-which-stars-could-join-beckhams-miami-megaclub
Ronaldo, Fabregas, James: Who could join Beckham's Miami megaclub?
As David Beckham made the media rounds following Monday's announcement that Miami had finally been awarded a Major League Soccer expansion franchise, he did his best acrobatics to avoid naming players he might target.
Despite those attempts to avoid hype and rumors, however, Beckham did admit he had a list of targets for the 2020 season. He also let slip that plenty of "top players" had already given him a call to let him know they are "in" for a move to Miami. Beckham might target some younger stars out of South America a la Atlanta United, but he almost certainly will add a big name or two.
Lionel Messi's congratulatory video suggesting Beckham give him a call in a few years put him atop the list of players rumored to move to Miami but here are five more players Beckham might try to lure stateside for his team's inaugural season in South Florida.
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https://www.sportskeeda.com/athletics/usain-bolt-offers-to-play-for-ex-manchester-united-star-david-beckham-miami-franchise-in-mls
Usain Bolt offers to play for ex-Manchester United star David Beckham's Miami franchise in MLS
Will the eight-time Olympics gold medalist be seen playing for David Beckham in the MLS?
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https://www.gonzagabulletin.com/lifestyles/entertainment/article_d1b937aa-3923-5ee4-bbf6-516b61c205fa.html
David Beckham is moving to the US
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http://miami.cbslocal.com/2018/01/31/mls-in-miami-will-be-a-great-success-says-jorge-mas/
MLS In Miami Will Be A “Great Success,” Says Jorge Mas
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https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/678686/david-beckham-nightclub-miami-rockwell-mls-franchise-brooklyn-inside-pictures-usain-bolt
Golden Ball: Inside raunchy Miami Club where David Beckham partied until 5am
DAVID Beckham celebrated the launch of his new MLS footie team by partying at an exclusive celeb haunt.
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http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11230688/miami-welcomes-david-beckham-as-he-launches-mls-franchise
Miami welcomes David Beckham as he launches MLS franchise
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https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/i-begged-harlequins-to-sign-george-ford-to-boost-my-career-jokes-danny-care-cwlmpcg7v
I begged Harlequins to sign George Ford to boost my career, jokes Danny Care
Danny Care once dreamt of being a footballer and joked this week about how he could pull the strings in midfield for David Beckham’s new Major League Soccer franchise in Miami.
On Sunday Care’s first mission will be to secure Francesco Totti’s old locker in the Roma changing room that England will use when they face Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in the first round of the NatWest Six Nations Championship. After that, the scrum half known for his scampering, instinctive style plans to put his football skills on display.
Care will draw level with Matt Dawson, England’s most-capped scrum half, when he plays his 77th Test on Sunday and Eddie Jones may hand him a rare start.
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https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/5474154/david-beckham-hits-the-town-for-the-second-night-in-a-row-after-partying-with-son-brooklyn-in-miami/
BECK TO FACE THE MUSIC? David Beckham flies into London for product launch after partying with Brooklyn in Miami… but Posh is nowhere to be seen
After his wild night in Miami with his teen son, Becks flew back to London for the launch of his grooming line, and while he was joined by his mum, sister and newborn niece – but Posh was nowhere to be seen
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http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mls/article197692004.html
Miami gets yet another pro soccer team — but this one does not involve David Beckham
In the latest Miami soccer news that does not involve David Beckham, Miami FC announced on Wednesday the creation of Miami FC 2, a temporary team that will play in the National Premier Soccer League this spring while awaiting the August start of the North American Soccer League season.
The NASL pushed back its season start from April to August in order to align play with the world calendar and also to give the league time to add clubs after shrinking to five teams. Rather than have the team dormant for eight months, Miami FC CEO Sean Flynn created Miami FC 2 and entered the NPSL.
“Our players and coaches are excited to get back on the field, and the NPSL schedule allows us to face some quality competition in the Sunshine Conference throughout the next few months,” Flynn said. “This is the next step in our continued investment in soccer in Miami. We have a wonderful organization, incredibly talented players, a new head coach in Paul Dalglish and a first-class stadium. Our loyal and growing fanbase can expect further exciting announcements soon.”
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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/01/31/how-david-beckham-finally-brought-mls-miami
How David Beckham finally brought MLS to Miami
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