|
Post by epjr on Feb 5, 2014 20:54:57 GMT -6
David Beckham's Miami partner Marcelo Claure says team hopes to begin play in 2017MIAMI – David Beckham and MLS Commissioner Don Garber didn't give a specific target date as to when the recently announced Miami franchise hopes to begin playing. However, Beckham’s Bolivian ownership partner did. Speaking to substantially fewer reporters than Beckham in a more private area at Perez Art Museum Miami on Wednesday following the global icon’s announcement, billionaire Marcelo Claure revealed just when the club expects to officially kick things off and other details surrounding their current plans. “Three years, three years, 2017,” said Claure of when he hopes the club will begin playing. "That’s the idea if it all works out like we hope." www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/02/05/three-years-david-beckhams-miami-partner-marcelo-claure-says-team-hopes-begi
|
|
|
Post by epjr on Feb 5, 2014 21:44:52 GMT -6
Phil Rawlins resigns from Stoke City board to focus on Orlando MLS teamStoke City have announced the resignation of Phil Rawlins from the club's board of directors. Rawlins has sold his shares in the club to Stoke Holdings after almost 14 years on the club's board because of his commitments with the new Major League Soccer team in Orlando. In a statement released by the Potters, Rawlins said: "My commitments in the States and the elevation of Orlando City to MLS unfortunately mean that I can no longer put the necessary time into my duties as a Stoke director. "I have thoroughly enjoyed my tenure on the board and have many great memories to cherish. www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/stoke-city/news/rawlins-resigns-from-stoke-board_135437.html
|
|
|
Post by epjr on Feb 6, 2014 12:19:39 GMT -6
|
|
|
Post by epjr on Feb 6, 2014 21:51:52 GMT -6
Orlando City ink El Salvador national team captain Darwin Ceren for 2015 MLS seasonOrlando City SC continue to build their roster in anticipation of their 2015 MLS debut, announcing another player acquisition Wednesday with the signing of El Salvador national team captain Darwin Cerén. Pending his International Transfer Certificate and visa, Cerén will join OCSC as their third MLS signing. He’ll compete with the club for the 2014 USL PRO season and will be guaranteed an MLS roster spot for the following season. “We’re extremely delighted that Darwin is joining us as our third MLS signing,” Orlando City president Phil Rawlins said on the club's website. “We fought very hard to get him here, as several other MLS clubs were also interested. We believe that he is a great prospect for the future.” www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/02/06/orlando-city-ink-el-salvador-national-team-captain-darwin-ceren-2015-mls-sea
|
|
|
Post by epjr on Feb 7, 2014 9:50:39 GMT -6
Atlanta Falcons president says team inching closer to Major League Soccer expansion franchiseEXPANSION PROGRESS IN ATLANTA In one of the clearest indications yet that Atlanta could be next in line of a Major League Soccer expansion franchise, Atlanta Falcons President Rich McKay told local officials Thursday that his side is "far along in negotiations" with MLS about bringing a team to the city, the league's first foray into the Southeast outside of Florida in league history. The Falcons want a soccer team to play at a new $1.2 billion retractable-roof stadium that will break ground just south of the Georgia Dome sometime in the spring. www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/02/07/kick-atlanta-falcons-president-says-team-inching-closer-major-league-soccer-
|
|
|
Post by epjr on Feb 10, 2014 16:06:01 GMT -6
Beckham 'asks PSG for MLS funding' David Beckham has asked the wealthy Qatari owners of Paris Saint-Germain to help fund his new Major League Soccer franchise in Miami, according to Le Parisien. Beckham, who was last month invited to a PSG charity function, hopes QSI will join him and backers Marcelo Claure and Simon Fuller in helping re-establish football in Florida's main city. "Yes, David Beckham has asked us for help," Le Parisien quotes a QSI source as saying. "No decision has been taken yet." espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1710757/david-beckham-ask-psg-mls-funding?cc=5901
|
|
|
Post by epjr on Feb 12, 2014 16:09:26 GMT -6
Report reveals potential names, logo, kits for David Beckham's proposed Miami MLS expansion teamDavid Beckham said he had some proposed names for his new Miami-based MLS expansion team when he met the media last week in South Florida, but it was anyone's guess at the time what that team might actually look like on the field. On Wednesday, however, a local newspaper may have offered a glimpse into Miami's soccer future. The Palm Beach Post published images of a jersey and a logo that the paper claims is "one of the logo designs used by the Beckham group in its presentations" in recent meetings with local officials and prospective investors. The report cites sources for three of the potential team names being entertained: Miami Vice, Miami Current and an undisclosed name tied to a corporate sponsor. www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/02/12/report-reveals-potential-names-logo-and-kits-david-beckhams-proposed-miami-m
|
|
|
Post by epjr on Feb 26, 2014 16:00:33 GMT -6
NASL's San Antonio Scorpions supporters launch online petition to push city toward MLS expansion In San Antonio a group completely independent of the local team or city that's making the most MLS expansion-related noise this week. The supporters of the North American Soccer League's (NASL) San Antonio Scorpions have launched an online petition in an attempt to unify their efforts to bring MLS to town. "We're giving San Antonio fans the opportunity to come together, in one single voice, and say, 'Yes, we are ready for Major League Soccer," Michael Macias, founder of the Crocketteers, a 1,500-member independent soccer supporters group based in San Antonio, told MLSsoccer.com by phone on Tuesday. www.mlssoccer.com/sideline/news/article/2014/02/25/nasl-san-antonio-scorpions-supporters-online-petition-push-mls-expansion
|
|
|
Post by epjr on Mar 4, 2014 10:05:19 GMT -6
San Antonio Scorpions know what it will take to join MLS ranks: "This has to be a community effort"SAN ANTONIO – A possible preview of future MLS matchups took place Saturday night, as a sellout crowd of 8,000 fans watched FC Dallas play the San Antonio Scorpions to a 1-1 draw in the NASL team's stadium. For a team looking to make the step up, the combination of an interested owner, capable venue and energetic fanbase could be key to making San Antonio's MLS dream a reality. www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/03/04/san-antonio-scorpions-know-what-it-will-take-join-mls-ranks-has-be-community
|
|
|
Post by epjr on Mar 6, 2014 16:07:36 GMT -6
Minneapolis is on the short list for MLS expansion During today’s 2014 MLS Season Kick Q&A w/ Commissioner Don Garber, the commissioner said Minneapolis is on the short list for MLS expansion (start at 16:40.) He also mentioned by name that there has been a high level of activity with Minnesota United FC. In Garber’s words, MN United are a strong, passionate group that are very embedded in the community. They are smart, focused, and great community citizens that really care about their city. They are asking how a MLS team can really enhance the city (similar to what happened in KC). www.mls4mn.com/minneapolis-short-list-mls-expansion/
|
|
|
Post by epjr on Mar 29, 2014 17:17:50 GMT -6
Fury FC Unveil Inaugural Game KitsOttawa Fury FC today unveiled their home and away game kits (uniforms) that the club will wear during its inaugural North American Soccer League (NASL) season. With season ticket holders and the supporters groups in attendance for the event at Ottawa's Tailgators Sports Bar, Fury FC players modelled the newly released kits produced by Admiral Sportswear. www.reddit.com/tb/21oh8h
|
|
|
Post by epjr on Apr 6, 2014 19:10:33 GMT -6
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution A Major League Soccer expansion franchise is coming to Atlanta. An announcement is scheduled for April 16 in Atlanta, a person with knowledge of the situation said Sunday. The Atlanta team would become the 22nd franchise in MLS and would open play in 2017, which is also when the new $1 billion downtown stadium is scheduled to open. Falcons owner Arthur Blank has been pursuing a franchise for several years. Both sides have acknowledged that they have been in deep discussions but neither seemed to have a timetable. A Major League Soccer official issued this statement on Sunday: “We are continuing discussions with Arthur Blank to bring a Major League Soccer expansion team to Atlanta; however, we have not finalized an agreement at this time.” www.ajc.com/news/sports/pro-sports/mls-is-coming-to-atlanta/nfSzm/
|
|
|
Post by epjr on Apr 11, 2014 20:03:59 GMT -6
|
|
|
Post by epjr on Apr 12, 2014 15:33:05 GMT -6
Minneapolis is considered a front-runner for a final spot in MLS expansion plans to reach 24 teams by 2020, a league source told Sports Illustrated this week. Also, Twins owner Jim Pohlad confirmed this week that his family is interested in investing in a possible MLS franchise with United owner Bill McGuire. Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank is expected to pay between $70 million and $100 million to bring an expansion franchise to Atlanta, possibly in 2017, SI.com said. "MLS would be smart to pick a city like Minneapolis," said Aaron Pitchkolan, a United defender who played five years in MLS. "I think there is a lot of support here for a team." www.twincities.com/sports/ci_25547363/united-fc-kicks-off-soccer-season-amid-mls
|
|
|
Post by epjr on Apr 17, 2014 14:37:34 GMT -6
Atlanta expansion signifies changing landscape ahead for Major League Soccer Expect the board to shift even more, however, when Atlanta and (potentially) Miami join in 2017. The most realistic solution at that point is that Sporting Kansas City will join an already loaded Western Conference, giving the West 11 teams and the East 12. Then, barring a surprise expansion move to the North Carolina region, whichever team comes on board as No. 24 (multiple outlets have listed Minnesota and San Antonio as frontrunners, with Sacramento also in the mix and St. Louis as a darkhorse) slides nicely into the Western Conference. Therefore, the 2017 landscape might look like this: Eastern Conference (12): Atlanta, Chicago, Columbus, D.C., Miami, Montreal, New England, New York City, New York Red Bulls, Orlando City, Philadelphia, Toronto. Western Conference (11): Colorado, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, LA Galaxy, unnamed Los Angeles franchise, Portland, Real Salt Lake, Seattle, San Jose, Vancouver. www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/04/17/atlanta-expansion-signifies-changing-landscape-ahead-major-league-soccer
|
|