The Stars ruined Tampa Bay's playoff hopes last year. I would love to see Jamie help them screw the Rowdies again this year.
What's going on with the Orlando Sentinel's Sports page? First they removed the page tab that was labeled "Soccer," and now the Sports homepage is newly redesigned with the citys' team's icons, including the Solar Bears, but not Orlando City Soccer Club. The paper has also recently hired a former Washington Post reporter with years of experience covering DC United along with Steve Goff (among other beats in and around DC). It would seem the Sentinel is well positioned to cover Orlando's growing soccer team and community, so why is their coverage of soccer now suddenly invisible? Note: the former "Soccer" page can still be accessed and appears still to be regularly updated, but you have to manually type "soccer" into the URL (ie: "http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/soccer").
Coach Heath re-signs for 3 years, says no thanks to Toronto FC http://www.soccerbyives.net/2012/10/toronto-fc-courting-orlando-citys-heath-for-assistant-role.html http://www.soccerbyives.net/2012/10/heath-turns-down-toronto-fc-signs-new-orlando-city-deal.html http://www.wftv.com/news/sports/soccer/heath-turns-down-mls-offer-remain-head-coach-orlan/nSmB4/
As a Stars fan, props to you guys for sticking with your man in the off season. (And thanks, btw Any truth to the rumor that Ralph's Mob will be sending a fan bus down to the game?
Matt Luzunaris has left the team. He is going to explore his options overseas again. He left UCF after his freshman year and spent a couple years in Austria before resurfacing at San Jose.
From the annual State of the League event at MLS Cup: (link)http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/11/26/garber-future-expansion-south-requires-new-stadiums Money quote (no stadium-finance-related pun intended): "The same position applies for Orlando and the bid led by USL club Orlando City and owner Phil Rawlins (above, left). 'We’ll continue to monitor what's happening down there and I think at some point, if they’re able to finalize a stadium plan that makes sense, we’d be very interested in working with them on an MLS team.'"
He did effectively say, "If you build it, we will come." Essentially, if we get our stadium plan together, MLS will come calling.
No MLS won't "come calling" if you build a stadium. That isn't how it works. They will, however, likely be all ears when Rawlins goes to them with a stadium built. And even then it isn't a guarantee, but you'd certainly be right back on top of the list.
ORL has a contract with USL til 2013. I guarantee ORL going to NASL in 2014. No way they will be in MLS in 5 years like Rawlins said.
Whitestar, please, for the love of BigSoccer, here is some friendly advice. Never use the phrase "I guarantee" ever again. How in the world can you guarantee that or anything? Either Orlando goes to MLS or not, theres really no strong reason for them to switch otherwise, unless there is a USL/Rawlins falling out, which is in the realm of possibility.
I wonder if this rumor has any weight? Group proposing to build a $400 Million SSS and training complex in Tampa.
W While this could be big news, the writers conclusion that its some indication that Orlando is, as he states, a also run for expansion is nonsense.
Well, seeing as the writer used to work for MLS, he probably has some inside sources/knowledge. I wouldn't say that Orlando's dead for MLS expansion as we've all seen these things pop up and fall apart at the last minute before (St. Louis anyone?). This definitely puts some pressure on Orlando and Rawlins to not only get a SSS plan in place, but also to secure more investors. One thing also to consider is that when MLS grants an expansion franchise the other owners in MLS and the Board of Governors is accepting the Investor/Operator group as a new investor in MLS as a whole (due to MLS' single entity nature). This is quite different then all of the other American sports leagues. This is also probably the most frustrating part of expansion, and the most confusing part. Orlando certainly has all of the boxes checked from a fan perspective: growing organic supporter culture/fan base, attractive locale, on-field success, and a supportive owner. The question is do they have the long term financially stable investors that MLS is looking for, and that will enhance the league as a whole.
If MLS had any idea this was happening, then The Don would've mentioned Tampa in the State of the League address. Which, he didn't. And I think the $400m price tag smells of bull. But if this has even one iota of truth to it, it puts pressure on both the Rowdies AND Orlando City. Orlando City for an MLS slot, and the Rowdies for their very existence. Then again, if they erect their 8,000-seat temporary stadium, and only 1,000 consistently show up... There is no evidence the mechanism is there for VSI to actually attract fans at this magnitude. VSI had terrible attendance, even by Southeast Division standards. They averaged 168 per game. Only Bradenton was worse.
Not that I think Garber knows or knew anything about this before today (we can't know, but might find out later. Still doubt it) but if he HAD mentioned Tampa in the State of the League address I actually think that would have been more suspicious and would have risked letting the cat out of the bag. Considering Garber has rarely if ever mentioned Tampa.
I don't put a lot of faith in this project getting off the ground; sounds pretty unrealistic taken at face value. It does beg the question if its an either or situation regarding Tampa and Orlando; can there only be one, or a some point would there be room for both to have MLS franchises? As far short term it definitely wouldn't look good for Orlando, but who knows years and years down the road.
The question is which ownership group has the most money? Rawlins and his investors or Vinik owner of NHL Lightning and VSI. The owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning (Syracuse Crunch Affiliate) allegedly has some ownership take to acres in downtown Tampa which he could use- it also helps to know that this owner is also on the board at EPL side Liverpool FC.