I've had the brief pleasure of meeting and speaking with Cole and his mom. Cole is a neat kid, very polished and mature for his age, and Exhibit A for the spectacular potential that is saved when able to successfully treat aggressive diseases like pediatric brain cancer. I hope anyone that is on the fence about attending Saturday's game does decide to go. This is truly a worthy cause. COYR!
I don't know. The Strikers were in the last one. There is one U.S. team still to be invited at least.
Rowdies Marketing putting on the full-court press: (#GoldTogether) A sold out Rowdies game tonight = $10K donation to pediatric cancer research -Let's make it happen! TIX: (727) 222-2000 or bit.ly/TBRvCAR Ticket agent put the hard-sell on me to buy tickets for tonight's game when I called in earlier this week for tickets to a game in October. Bill Edwards has these guys working it.
JUST IN: The Rowdies announce they are donating $10,000 to @allchildrens! pic.twitter.com/391UMFVQd5— Tampa Bay Rowdies (@TampaBayRowdies) September 18, 2016
Yes. It's been talked about in other forums but I should post the link here. http://www.si.com/planet-futbol/201...tawa-fury-tampa-bay-rowdies-usl-bill-peterson
With Edwards' attempt to take over the Strikers rebuffed, maybe he has figured out that he is wasting time and energy on the NASL. If the USL rumor is credible, the Strikers deal might have been the last straw. I am grateful that the two groups who split into the NASL and USL both found success in their own way. The USSF guidelines have helped nurture clubs like Rowdies, Minnesota, Railhawks, and Indy, but there has developed a split in the league with weak links becoming serious problems. The MLS involvement in the USL has grown a stable league structure that is growing organically. For all his faults, Edwards seems to have figured out the grass is indeed greener elsewhere. Being in the USL would greatly benefit the Rowdies. Financially it would reduce their travel costs. The USL has already talked about a three division setup and with an influx of NASL clubs they could even do a four way split. Either way it would likely save them from having to make trips out of the eastern time zone. Would be nice to see the club invest in stadium upgrades and continue to grow the fanbase. Being in a stable league might be able to allow him to attract MLS level investment. Even if MLS isn't in the cards, it is good to see the club have a good future.
BREAKING: @RachelPlatten to Perform Postgame Concert on Oct. 22 at Al Lang StadiumTICKETS: (727)222-2000 / https://t.co/JleGjWZMSU pic.twitter.com/8ug9JGAe1b— Tampa Bay Rowdies (@TampaBayRowdies) October 14, 2016 That's a pretty big get. Unless everyone is over Fight Song I guess.
USL move is official now. A new journey begins...The Rowdies are joining the @USL ahead of the 2017 season.#TampaBayIsUnitedRead more: https://t.co/K0ljkHVaCV pic.twitter.com/7MigokBAEr— Tampa Bay Rowdies (@TampaBayRowdies) October 25, 2016 Hmm... long-term goals and objectives.
Well, I guess all I really care about is having a local club that plays meaningful games and offers a fun fan experience. I am waiting to see if this means shedding costs too, as in game-day experience, marketing, or quality of the players on the roster. I would hate to see a step backwards from the likes of Joe Cole back to the likes of Shane Hill.
Should be noted that Cole's contract runs through 2017 with a club option for 2018, so I don't think he's going anywhere soon. I guess he could retire, though.
Good luck in the USL forums guys. Losing TB really does hurt NASL, but an owner has to do what he/she feels is better for his team, good luck next year in USL.
Help me out. I'm having trouble getting excited about this move. 1) Playing MLS II teams is not that exciting. 2) Division 3 status (could change...) not great. 3) Not being part of a free wheeling independent league with few rules...which is good for our type of owner who doesn't play nice with others. 4) quality of play against "inferior" teams. 5) Smaller payroll = no more J Cole's. Maybe? 6) Not playing against Cosmos & Strikers...I just love to hate them! The positives may be 1) NASL is doomed and its better to get out now. 2) Div 2 bestowed on USL which eventually kills NASL (see #1) 3) Retooled USL to further divide the more elite teams from other teams and the MLS II teams 4) Stepping stone to MLS for Edwards, "long-term goals and objectives of the club." statement. There is more that we don't know that is happening behind the scenes so I'll just keep up my support and see what comes. COYR!
You forgot 5 substitutions, and video replay for goals coming in for negatives. Also FTC for the positives.
I don't think this is a cost cutting move at all. Ownership has shown a financial commitment to the club. I think this boils down to the USL has grown into a stronger organization and he wants to be in the best league possible.
Why? Do you think he cares that he's playing in the D3 enough to leave money on the table? I don't think so, as long as the checks clear he'll show up.
I completely agree. I don't know what the Chicken Littles on Reddit and FB are talking about when they keep saying "get those Cole jerseys while they last" and stuff like that. As for the future, payroll may be scaled back as far as not shelling out for a bajillion redundant midfielders like we've done lately to keep up with the Cosmos/Joneses, but there's no reason we can't continue to have a Joe Cole type with some good outreach.
Exactly, USL teams have made similar signings to Joe Cole before and I think TB will always sign one or two players of that ilk because Edwards is that type of owner. The USL isn't MLS there's no salary cap and I don't understand this whole there's more "freedom" in the NASL. There's equal amounts of "freedom" in the USL they just occasionally play MLS reserve teams which if you look at the standings aren't exactly pushovers.
Having been with the Scorpions and then SAFC this year, I echoed a lot of what you are saying. However being in the USL, I have came around. Looking at your negatives: 1 and 4. MLSII teams are not as bad as the perception. (at least in the West) It sucks watching them on away games, and seeing the crowd being so small, it makes the Strikers look like they have good attendance. But on the field they are not "inferior" outside of a couple of teams. But majority of the teams, are just as solid as the teams in NASL. They may not be as deep as say the Cosmos, but I would say that this years SAFC team was a better overall team than the last Scorpions team. I have a feeling that when it comes to home games, that Ralphs Mob and all the Rowdies supporters will still be there and in full support of the team. I also think that the talent is only going to grow as well. What may change is that it will be younger talent, and not older Euro vets. 2. Division 2 or 3: Who knows what's going to happen, but I have a feeling we could see a flip in D2 and D3 between USL and NASL with all the changes going on. But I do not see how USL does not get D2 with adding strong teams in Tampa and Ottawa. 3. and 5 I loved the NASL, so no complaints and I am still not used to the 5 subs. or MLSII teams stacking teams with MLS players on certain games. From my understanding, there is no cap on payroll, and you can see the teams that do pay tend to be better Sac Rep and FCC as an example. 6. For you guys is something the Scorpions did not have to worry about since we had no local rivals. So that has been a huge plus, but for the Rowdies and the Florida Derby I can understand the frustration. However, you will build new rivals, and you do get to see more teams, than just playing the same teams over and over.
Rumors have Rowdies2 moving from NPSL to PDL. One would suppose they will have to move their home field to somewhere with real seating if they do....hopefully they move to somewhere in Tampa, maybe USF, UT, or one of the public fields with some facilities as PDL has a 1k seat requirement.
Good Luck in the USL. I can understand why such a move was made. The Rowdies are a great team with Ralph's Mob and a committed FO. As a Cosmos Fan, the Rowdies will be missed, just when a rivalry was brewing... Hope to play you guys again in the Open Cup (Semi's I guess).
I think this was a move forced by the failure of several NASL teams to put a decent organization together. When you have a league that is floundering and in some clubs' cases, failing at a time when soccer clubs are growing like craft brewers it is a terrible sign that something was very wrong. A 30 team league with several clubs drawing big crowds is a huge step up on the current MLS in which decent crowds are the exception. I feel like Bill Edwards is protecting his investment and hope, like Duke Kickass, that the fan experience is maintained because it is part of what makes downtown St Pete so great.