For a while, the rumors were flying that Tampa was going to get an A-League team by next summer, but lately everything has been way too quiet. Earlier this year I ran into Farrukh Quraishi and he seemed pretty sure that a team was in the works. I also was talking to a player from the Virginia Beach Mariners before the season started and he also seemed to think it was a done deal. Has anyone got any encouraging words? (Sure hope so--summer sans soccer still sucks (how's that for some fancy alliteration.))
I really hope that the rumours are true. I was at a D License course two weeks ago in New Tampa, and one of the coaches there (who has some connections in the area) seemed pretty confident that it was going to happen. Although, I am a bit concerned because he stated that they would play their first season at UT. It's got a nice backdrop (I long for the old Mayor's Cup games at Pepin Rood), but the facility itself is VERY minor league. But then again, our only other option is USF, and that ain't much better. Bring Back the Rowdies!!!
I think we should push for a SSS in Tampa. Of course not a $50 million facility. But build it in stages, many, many stages. Start with 5,000 or so. How many fans does HS football draw? Could share like Dallas plans too do so in similarly football crazy TX. maybe Glazer would want a Manchester U reserves. First thing to decide, where to put the facility. I'm thinking somewhere about Brandon. Maybe the crosstown when finished will make it accessible from downtown quickly? (doubt it). Maybe a complex of fields a little east of Brandon. I'm thinking this location to make it accesible to Orlando if the team moved up to MLS. Sarasota and New Tampa shouldn't have a problem taking I75 on Saturday's? The left out area would be Pinnelas, NPR? Would Orlando be enough of a draw to distance them? Is all this just way to out there? Glazer passed on the Bucs so things don't look great, but with SSS in all MLS markets by 2010 (I hope) then maybe the league may be close to breaking even and would be a minor investment for him.
IMHO the trouble with Brandon is that it is quite a ride from Carrollwood (where I live and where there is a lot of soccer action, e.g. at Bay Area Indoor Soccer and other carrollwood locations) and also, as you point out, from Pinellas. Another possibility would be to partner with Univ. of Tampa to build an SSS on their property. Or how about those tennis courts north of Tampa Prep? I have never seen more than 2 or 3 of them in use at any one time. And in fact there is presently a soccer field between the tennis courts and the Hillsborough River. Maybe the city could be persuaded to provide some of that land for a stadium and parking--with overflow at the UT parking areas. I like that more central location. Other thoughts??
How much land does UT really have available? I'd like something with possible expansion room for anything from youth fields, training facilities, maybe commercial establishments. I think the key to funding is tying it into high school football.
Although I am VERY in favor of the East of Brandon location (only 5 minutes from my house), that shouldn't play a role in where the SSS is built - LOL. I actually agree that it should be in a more central location, so as to not alienate the Pinellas and North Tampa crowd. I was thinking that the property just to the North of the Aquarium (near Channelside) along the Port would make for a nice venue. We could even tie it in with the whole City of Champions thing with the Lightning being right down the street. I bet this real estate is quite expensive and un-affordable, but the thought is nice.
I have some inside information but I dont want to share that at this time. The only thing that I wanted to add that the above quote is close to on the money. Their are some plans besides the A-League team, I will leave it at that
Any Tampa soccer fans are welcome to visit us here in Orlando on Saturday night at 7pm on UCF campus for the PDL National Championship. It is between Central Florida Kraze and Boulder Rapid Reserves. Let me know if you need directions.
manchesterfootball manchester city Email to a Friend | Your comments Wednesday, 5th May 2004 Bishop calls time to move Stateside FORMER Manchester City and West Ham midfielder Ian Bishop has called last orders on his life as a seaside publican and crossed the Atlantic to spread the footballing gospel. Bishop has sold his pub in Southport and joined New Orleans Shellshockers as a player-coach in the Southern Conference, Mid-South Division of the American Professional Development League. It may represent a far cry from his days as a terrace favourite at Maine Road and Upton Park but Bishop, who turns 39 at the end of the month, will then coach a team in the American A-League next March before setting up his own soccer camps across Florida. He is currently awaiting a visa which will eventually allow him to emigrate to the Sunshine State with his wife Jane and their three children. He enjoyed a highly successful year with Major League Soccer side Miami Fusion three years ago after he was released by Joe Royle in March 2001 following his second spell at Maine Road. The friendships Bishop built during his time in the States remained strong and he was offered a contract to play for and coach the Shellshockers during the three-month PDL season - an amateur league for US college players hoping to break into the A League and professional MLS sides. Loving life Speaking from his current rented base in New Orleans, Bishop said: "I loved my time in Miami and always planned to return permanently to set up home with my family. "It's a fantastic opportunity to continue playing and at the same time get my foot in the coaching door. "There's a good set of lads here at New Orleans, including Steve McAnespie, who used to play for Bolton and we won our first game 3-1 last weekend. "I still feel in great shape physically and the lads here reckon I'm still good enough to play for an MLS side. "After playing here, I'm going to coach sides in the A League next March and then set up my own soccer camps. I've got the contacts through my previous time here and there are people out here who are willing to back me financially to do it. "I could be training the cream of America's young talent and future Olympians, and interest in the game is definitely growing." Bishop will now take his coaching badges in Florida to complement his 20 years' professional playing experience. He caught the coaching bug at Burscough last year as managerial assistant to his close friend and former Liverpool player Mike Marsh. He said: "Coaching Burscough was a great experience but once Mike left the club, I felt that I couldn't stay either, out of loyalty to him." Pride and principles are an issue with Bishop. He took the unprecedented step of taking the MLS, who effectively own all the clubs, to court because of unpaid wages from his time with the Fusion, who folded after going bankrupt. Out of pocket The fact that the MLS, who own all the sides who play in it, reneged on their deal still rankles with Bishop, as he ended up £200,000 out of pocket. His legal battle proved fruitless and he returned to England to buy his local pub in Birkdale before short spells with Barry Town, Rochdale, Burscough and then Radcliffe Borough. "I even told Gazza not to bother coming here after he was offered a deal to play in the MLS a couple of years ago," explained Bishop. "However, now I'm back here, I don't want to rock the boat too much, although my name keeps getting mentioned when talk about setting up a players' union here crops up." Bishop is currently in the process of selling his Southport home whilst at the same time eyeing up property along the sandy white beaches of Tampa Bay and Fort Lauderdale. "I want to get my family out here as soon as possible and it's just a case of getting my visa through and then further down the line, I can apply for my Green Card," he said. Meanwhile, Bishop is delighted that City have guaranteed their Premiership status - and he thinks he knows the reasons why the Blues have endured such a disappointing season. "I don't think Ali Bernabia has ever really been replaced," he said. "Joey Barton is best suited to the midfield holding role and needs someone like Bernabia or Eyal Berkovic playing further upfield to supply Nicolas Anelka and Robbie Fowler. "But I think the best of Steve McManaman will come out next season. Don't forget, he has come from a Champions League-winning side, full of the world's best players, to a team which has struggled for most of the season. "But there's a lot more to come from him and I think next season could be his year." SoFlaStrikers.com
Man, where have you been? We posted this and had a 100 post thread discussion on it already. Old news. My favorite part is where Ian says something about going to Miami for a new A-League team and can't wait to move back to his home in Tampa. Yeah, Tampa to Miami is small commute. Good times!
With the news that the United States under-20 team will play Brazil at Lockhart Stadium next month comes word that the stadium may have a permanent tenant in 2005. Soccer promoter Eddie Rodger, who is staging the U.S.-Brazil game with Miami-based Traffic USA and U.S. Soccer, said he's in discussions with a prospective investor to field an A-League franchise in Fort Lauderdale beginning next season. Rodger, whose 25-year involvement in South Florida soccer dates back to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, said he's working with ex-Striker star and former Fusion coach Ray Hudson on the project. This is Rodger's second attempt to land an A-League team since the Fusion's demise. But where the first effort faltered, this one may stick. Rodger declined to specify who he was talking with, but described the group as "very serious" and, from the sound of it, ambitious. "These are not first-timers," Rodger said. "These are people that know the game, and they know the market very well. They're looking to make a long-term investment in building an A-league franchise to MLS caliber in South Florida." Rodger held extensive talks with an Argentine group last year, but the partnership broke off in November. The current effort gained momentum with the staging of two friendlies at Lockhart last month, both of which drew in excess of 9,000 fans. The impressive, if not overwhelming, midweek turnouts (for the U.S. under-20s-Haiti select and Honduras-Ecuador) were augmented by a generally well-run game-day operation under Rodger's company KICS International. One of the appeals for placing an A-League team at Lockhart is Rodger's ability to generate revenues by staging international friendlies. "The potential investors came to both games, and they were very impressed with both events," Rodger said. "There are still a lot of things that have to fall in place," Rodger cautioned. "Discussions are being held with the league about Tampa as well, which would bring both of us in at the same time. It would be more viable and sensible to do it if both teams come in; in terms of travel costs, competition with the rivalry and the division setup." Hudson deferred when asked to comment, saying he'll have something to add when the project is further along. Clearly, however, his focus is on working with Rodger to place a new team at Lockhart. Hudson has been involved in meetings with the interested investor and recently turned down an offer to become the color commentator for the San Jose Earthquakes. Bishop's move In an interview posted on Manchester City's Web site, former Fusion midfielder Ian Bishop said he'll set up residence in Florida after completing a season as player-coach with the New Orleans Shell Shockers in the Professional Development League. Bishop, 39, told Man City, where he had two stints in an 18-year English League career, that he "loved" his time in South Florida and would look to get involved with an A-League team next year, should there be one. He sold the pub he owned in Southport, England, and is working to move his wife, Jane, and their three kids stateside. Bring on Brazil United States under-20 coach Thomas Rongen reports that $5,500 was donated to the Nicole Megaloudis Foundation from the April 21 friendly between the U.S. and Haiti select. Megaloudis, 19, who played at Virginia Commonwealth, died in a February car accident. The evening was so splendid, from the money raised in honor of his stepdaughter to the enthusiastic response from fans, that Rongen said it may become an annual event. "We want to do it again next year, be it with the under-20s or an MLS team," he said. "It's going to happen because of the response." Rongen's U-20s will play Brazil on June 16 at Lockhart. By that time, Freddy Adu will have turned 15. "I know I am, and I'm sure the team is looking forward to the challenge of playing Brazil in a place that treated us very well the last time we were there," Rongen said. "It could be even better in terms of spectators and the level of the game."