WorldGame
24 Aug 2005, 09:03 AM
As reported in this morning's (8/24/05) Orlando Sentinel:
(comment: although this story doesn't indicate much happening in Orlando anytime soon, it's still a cause for hope and some excitement for soccer lovers in Orlando.)
Group interested in MLS teams
Ajax America has its sights on San Jose and Kansas City to help expand its market.
Tim Povtak
Sentinel Staff Writer
August 24, 2005
Orlando-based Ajax America, a leader in American youth soccer development, is in negotiations to purchase an equity share of Major League Soccer teams in both Kansas City and San Jose, Calif.
Although there are no plans yet to move either team to Central Florida -- the issue of a suitable stadium remains a stumbling block -- the purchase of a team will allow players already training in Orlando to be funneled into the top professional men's league in North America.
Ajax is the exclusive American affiliate of AFC Ajax (Amsterdam), one of the top professional soccer clubs in Europe. Its purpose is to identify, develop and recruit top American talent for the parent club.
The MLS franchise would become a bridge between its training schools and developmental leagues here and the team in Amsterdam. It also would give Ajax a higher profile throughout the United States.
"I don't know if Orlando is quite ready for [MLS] yet, but my guess is, it could be soon,'' said Rich Bradley, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Ajax America. "This first step [buying into a current team] will give us an opportunity to really sample the league. It's a natural progression for us.''
Bradley met Tuesday at the Orlando International Airport with potential ownership partners from Kansas City.
Ajax currently operates a youth academy in Orlando and conducts national youth tournaments, bringing world-class Dutch-style soccer training to the United States. It also has a network of scouts throughout the United States, identifying prospects as young as age 7.
Founded in 2003, it is the first American soccer entity to be affiliated with a professional European soccer club. The popularity of American youth soccer has prompted other Europeans teams to start similar operations in other United States cities.
The MLS is in its 10th year of operation. Both teams in San Jose and Kansas City have been for sale, and Ajax is negotiating to become partners with new ownership groups in both cities.
"Orlando is our base, and it's a good market for soccer. We have explored that as a location for expansion,'' Bradley said. "But right now the stadium is an issue. We still believe that the potential exists to bring professional soccer here, but that's down the road somewhere.''
Tim Povtak can be reached at tpovtak@orlandosentinel.com.
(comment: although this story doesn't indicate much happening in Orlando anytime soon, it's still a cause for hope and some excitement for soccer lovers in Orlando.)
Group interested in MLS teams
Ajax America has its sights on San Jose and Kansas City to help expand its market.
Tim Povtak
Sentinel Staff Writer
August 24, 2005
Orlando-based Ajax America, a leader in American youth soccer development, is in negotiations to purchase an equity share of Major League Soccer teams in both Kansas City and San Jose, Calif.
Although there are no plans yet to move either team to Central Florida -- the issue of a suitable stadium remains a stumbling block -- the purchase of a team will allow players already training in Orlando to be funneled into the top professional men's league in North America.
Ajax is the exclusive American affiliate of AFC Ajax (Amsterdam), one of the top professional soccer clubs in Europe. Its purpose is to identify, develop and recruit top American talent for the parent club.
The MLS franchise would become a bridge between its training schools and developmental leagues here and the team in Amsterdam. It also would give Ajax a higher profile throughout the United States.
"I don't know if Orlando is quite ready for [MLS] yet, but my guess is, it could be soon,'' said Rich Bradley, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Ajax America. "This first step [buying into a current team] will give us an opportunity to really sample the league. It's a natural progression for us.''
Bradley met Tuesday at the Orlando International Airport with potential ownership partners from Kansas City.
Ajax currently operates a youth academy in Orlando and conducts national youth tournaments, bringing world-class Dutch-style soccer training to the United States. It also has a network of scouts throughout the United States, identifying prospects as young as age 7.
Founded in 2003, it is the first American soccer entity to be affiliated with a professional European soccer club. The popularity of American youth soccer has prompted other Europeans teams to start similar operations in other United States cities.
The MLS is in its 10th year of operation. Both teams in San Jose and Kansas City have been for sale, and Ajax is negotiating to become partners with new ownership groups in both cities.
"Orlando is our base, and it's a good market for soccer. We have explored that as a location for expansion,'' Bradley said. "But right now the stadium is an issue. We still believe that the potential exists to bring professional soccer here, but that's down the road somewhere.''
Tim Povtak can be reached at tpovtak@orlandosentinel.com.