Sorry to see that after being given an initial sniff by Baltimore government Crystal Palace has seemingly been tossed-over in an effort to bring DC United to the area. I don't know if this is just another position along with studying a proposal for Palace or if the Palace consideration was completely discarded. It would be nice to know one way or the other. Personally I'd rather United stay where they are and we look to build for the Eagles and a potential move to USL-1 or the new off-shoot league that could form from USL-1 dissident teams. Anyone know where the CP stadium proposal stands?
Adauto Neto Signs with Crystal Palace http://www.crystalpalaceusa.com/News09OCT09-NetoSigns.php October 09, 2009 Baltimore MD - Crystal Palace Baltimore is pleased to announce the signing of veteran Brazilian player Neto. Fans will have an opportunity to see the 28-year old attacking midfielder play for the first time on October 17th at Loyola University when Palace take on the U.S. U-17 National Team, kickoff 10:30am (free admission). The 5' 10" playmaker trained extensively with Palace through the summer and is already seen as an integral part of the club's aspirations for the 2010 season and beyond. "We're delighted to have him at the club," said Palace Sporting Director and Co-Manager, Jim Cherneski. "We've been after him almost since the inception of the club. We think he's of the highest quality and he makes everyone else around him on the field better. He's just a great guy all around, which I think is key." "Neto is a creative force who will drive the team offensively and is also a consistent threat to score goals," added Pete Medd, the club's President and Co-Manager. "He has the ability to change a game in an instant and is truly a player worth the price of admission. Fans will love his creative flair and on top of that, he works hard and is a good person and role model. We will build the team around him for years to come." "I'm very excited about playing for Crystal Palace," stated Neto. "I've been trying for three years to be part of this organization and it's finally come through. I'll work hard and do my best to help my team-mates bring the championship to Baltimore next year!" A native of Itabuna, Brazil, Neto (full name Adauto Neto) began his professional career in the Brazilian top flight with Esporte Club Vitoria from 1995 to 1998. He then moved to the United States to attend the University of Mobile, Alabama, from 1999 to 2001 where he was named an NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics ) Division 1 First Team All-American all three years. Neto was subsequently picked by the Dallas Burn in the 4th round of the 2002 MLS Superdraft. USL A-League team the Syracuse Salty Dogs signed him for the 2003 season. His next stop was rival USL club, the Rochester Rhinos where he played the in 2004. Neto has also played indoor soccer, most notably with the Baltimore Blast from 2004 to 2007, garnering League MVP honors for the 2005-2006 season and helping the team win two League Championship titles. He has also played indoors with the Cleveland Force and the New Jersey Ironmen.
Re: Adauto Neto Signs with Crystal Palace This news announcements always confuse me. Is Neto signing with Crystal Palace UK or with Crystal Palace Balitmore (or USA)?
Re: Adauto Neto Signs with Crystal Palace sweet this will help us complete our "Rhinos: Where are they now?" blog. Has he only played indoor the past 4-5 years?
Re: Crystal Palace USA 2008 Thread In the event we aren't washed away by the rain before then, Palace hosts the U.S. U-17 National Team Saturday at Loyola University. It will be our first chance to get a look at a couple of new signings and an opportunity to see what level of players we send overseas for the age group World Cups. The match will be on campus at Geppi-Aikens Field as Loyola's new athletic digs, http://www.loyolagreyhounds.com/view.gal?id=54525, aren't ready for usage yet. Also, before anyone gets too excited about their new field, it will only have 300 parking spaces.
Re: Crystal Palace USA 2008 Thread Fuggedabout it! No way United will move to B'more. Ties to DC too strong and team is recognizable internationally, plus the Latino support in DC is not possible in B'more. Just a publicity scheme. However, State of MD may entice them to build stadium outside of DC (P.G. County). B'more is fairly serious however about soccer and may still build a stadium in Locust Point or near M&T Bank (Ravens) Stadium. Could be home for CP, esp. if they move to USL 1. Rumours are several USL teams and some indoor teams may be folding or on hold - could benefit CP and help them jump up a notch to fill up USL-1 as the west coast teams move up to MLS one by one. B'more would be great addition to USL-1 and help establish an eastern division to balance the western teams and keep several USL-2 teams viable. However, CP needs some investment of time, $$ and personnel (coaching) from UK to bolster the move and entice talent. Could still be opportune time to build, given the economy and availability of land. Look at progress of the Austin TX/Stoke City franchise.
Re: Crystal Palace USA 2008 Thread Given the choices United has right now, it's either Baltimore or St. Louis. PG County and the District have said "No" to a stadium deal, so unless an angel investor pops up or DC politics finally works effectively they're moving. I wonder if CP Baltimore's potential stadium would be built for expansion? If so, how big could they expand it to?
Re: Crystal Palace USA 2008 Thread Interesting side note to the announcement about the stadium is that one of the principals of Blue Devil, Brian Davis, was part of an investment group that tried to buy DC United before Chang and Mcfarland. Blue Devil also, as of 2005, was looking to invest 300 million in Baltimore as well as what they spend on their Durham investments. I'm guessing that is when they acquired the land Palace is looking at and are hoping to parlay it into a bigger project, especially since the city slots casino will be going in the neighborhood too. A funnier element is there is a bar near the mentioned intersection, Carl's Little House, which I'm guessing is a little house with a bar owned by a guy named Carl
Re: Crystal Palace USA 2008 Thread Interesting. Could this have implications for CP Baltimore's potential stadium, or United's potential stadium? Could Blue Devil Venture's just be hedging their bets, stadium wise? Or do they actually intend to build two stadiums? Complete speculation, but perhaps they only intend to build one stadium, but figured if they have two economic impact studies performed by the MD Stadium Authority, they have a better chance of one of them coming up 'positive' for net economic impact?
Re: Crystal Palace USA 2008 Thread I can't imagine Baltimore going from zero to 2 soccer stadiums. Plus the CP Baltimore stadium is a ~7,000 seater for $25 million vs. probably $150-$200 million for a 25,000 seater for DC United. CP Baltimore is much better, short term decision.
Agreed that the stadium for Crystal Palace Baltimore would seem a better fit. Drove by the area that was mentioned for the CP stadium today and it is still pretty industrial and would require a lot of demolition which would explain the 2012 timeline. The Westport area proposed for DC United is already cleared, but is on hold as the economy has stymied the residential, retail, and office stuff that was to go in there. With the casino going in the same corridor as the proposed CP stadium it should provide ample opportunity for Blue Devil to do a major development project as well as garner additional events for a reasonable size venue. Stood in the rain today to see Palace take on the U-17 National team, and it wasn't that bad considering the Eagles have been out of season for about two months. Our new additions looked good while the veterans showed the form that should earn them spots in the new year. The U-17 side started slowly, it was an all around miserable day weather-wise which may have slowed their progress, but they were able to find the back of the net once in each half. Here's wishing them good luck as they open in Nigeria on the 26th. Finally, sorry about missing the Blue Devil link as current DC United minority owners
Re: Crystal Palace USA 2008 Thread CP UK doesn't have enough money to support itself let alone CP USA. They have a transfer embargo over their head because they can't afford the additional fees they owe to Ipswich for the signing of Alan Lee.
Keep your eyes peeled wide for some changes in USL - perhaps new league "ownership" has created a few interesting dilemmas along with the continued exodus of western USL-1 teams to MLS. CPUSA may be destined for USL-1 as early as this spring. USL-2 may become a super PDL if new teams/franchises aren't developed or old ones saved. Also, there may be shifts in the talent pools. Announcements could come soon as the 2010 schedules need to be set in the next month or so and teams need to begin transfers/siginings to meet their needs.
I saw the new Crystal Palace USA website and I noticed that the pics show them wearing Nike kits? Are we finally getting out own kit next season and not the CPUK's left overs? Kevin
I've heard from a few sources that Crystal Palace will be moving up to USL-1 in 2010... Likely will be announced following the "Owners Summit" at NIKE headquarters in Beaverton, OR next week. Possibly also with other USL-2 or PDL teams in big markets.
Hopefully CPB makes a successful move. It'll be nice to have another rivals in USL1. As for the Nike thing, Crystal Palace (the original) is now sponsored by Nike, so you'll still be getting the same thing.
Re: Crystal Palace USA 2008 Thread FYI Right after we had this discussion, Blue Devil announced they sold their remaining shares in DC United to new sole owner Will Cheng. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2009/10/dcu_and_usa.html?wprss=soccerinsider So now there is no conflict of interest. But I can't see DC moving to Baltimore.
CPUSA will wear the new Nike kits a la UK - however, the advertising on the US kits can be different (as was agreed last year) and can only help the B'more franchise (who ever heard of GAC Logistics?). Also, Nike apparently sold stake in USL to private group but could remain active in the management. Another nice connection. USL1 likely to include resurrected Tampa squad and CPUSA for 2010. Eagles need big time infusion of international talent up top (how about a Matthew Mbuta look-a-like?) and improved mid-field to compete. Maybe a big (eg 6'2" - 6"4') keeper and central defender of same size. Decent nucleus remains but depth and overall speed is problemmatic. Some of last year's squad lacked speed to keep up with pace of match. Team needs to get on the mark and start training/try-outs. Other teams already running camps and snatching up players. Lots of good college talent also available.
I would love to see CPUSA in USL-1, particularly to be able to see the PR Islanders in town from time to time But aside from that, the continued rumors about a brand new stadium for CP seems like great news.