Hey everyone, I hope all is well and you are enjoying a great holiday. I am just writing to check in and let you know I finally finished my update on pro soccer in central Florida for the SP Times. I spoke with the Times who are allowing me to post a longer version on my blog: http://gamedaymls.blogspot.com/ I got some really interesting info from ESPN commentator and Tampa resident Rob Stone and USL Vice President Tim Holt-- who fills us in on rumors of a potential Tampa a-league team for 2009. Feel free to check it out and forward this on to anyone who may be interested. Thanks again and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Chris
Great work and from what I read the group that USL are in talks with is West Ham United which looks like a promising partnership
I truly believe a USL-1 side would be great for Tampa. The lower operating costs and more intimate setting would be perfect. I must say as a guy who grew up in the area and lived next door to Mutiny players, the biggest thing is youth involvement. That area has the largest School District in the state and I believe is one of the largest in the country. High School soccer is huge with deep rivalries and traveling team clubs are very passionate. I was lucky to have guys like Ralston and Yallop come to my team's practices and show us stuff and little things like that create lifelong, diehard fans. Sure every player won't be able to go to every youth club and hang out with the kids but any type of interaction goes a LONG way toward sustaining and growing the fan base. Especially in a such a soccer fanatical area.