FC Tampa Bay to Play 2011 and ’12 Season at Al Lang Stadium
FC Tampa Bay announced on Wednesday that they will be playing the next two seasons at Al Lang Stadium, a waterfront baseball stadium in downtown St. Petersburg. Andrew Nestor, president and owner of the team, said they had entered into an agreement not only with the City of St. Petersburg but with the St. Petersburg Baseball Commission as well.
“The partnership with the city and the Baseball Commission really means a lot to me because I am very impressed with what has been done to create a true downtown environment here,” said Nestor. “Fans can come and park their cars and walk around to world class museums, restaurants, bars and the beautiful waterfront.”
Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, FL
FC Tampa Bay were said to be handcuffed last season with their old home of George M. Steinbrenner Field. Not only was it the spring training home of the New York Yankees, it also served as the summer home of the Tampa Yankees, the Class A Advanced affiliate of the New York Yankees.
Al Lang Stadium has been sitting vacant since the spring of 2008. Though far from perfect it will allow FC Tampa Bay to make some alterations and the infield will be covered with grass unlike last season at Steinbrenner Field. Nestor said that with the move, supporters should expect a better fan experience.
“Al Lang Stadium is an ideal home for us,” said Nestor. “FC Tampa Bay will be the stadium’s primary tenant and the stadium will be properly fitted for professional soccer. As a primary tenant we’re going to offer our fans a lot more to the fan experience. There will be better sight lines for the games and lower parking prices and concessions prices, as well as the unique experience St. Pete has to offer.”
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Wrong side of the Bay.
64-year-old stadium.
Two years there – just admitting you won’t have a stadium solution prior to 2013.
The hits just keep on coming for this franchise.
If they can add another stand in the field (in the right side, over the grass) can be a tremendous field for the team.
My question is: how far is St. Petersburg from Tampa Bay? Is far from downtown and the other stadium?
Fans will have easy access to that place?
Cheers
This is an entirely different market than Tampa, and is essentially the equivalent of starting up a new business all over again.
Nestor appears to have significant problems with his team at this point.
Nestor has issues.
From the St. Pete Times story:
The franchise still has long-term goals to build a soccer-specific stadium in a downtown location, Nestor said.
“Where that downtown location is I think will come out in the next few years,” Nestor said.
NEXT FEW YEARS? Oy.
It is 23 miles from Steinbrenner Field to Al Lang Stadium. But it might as well be a world away.
St. Pete is separated from Tampa by a bridge, 20/30 minute drive; the Rowdies have bigger support than probably any other division II team in the US. Average attendance at the new temporary home will be as high, if not higher than last season. The new location, in downtown St. Pete, is simply sublime, right next to bars, museums, and the waterfront. The team does need a soccer-specific stadim, but, make no mistake about it, the Rowdies are here to stay! And the Tampa crowd will travel the extra 20-30 minutes to support their team. Go on the blogs and see that the general opinions are positive, even extatic. Can’t wait for the new season to start,
The Rowdies will be the primary tenant and the keyword is “downtown” how many teams play “downtown”?
I’m currently living about :45 minutes north of Tampa Bay (airport area), and last weekend we traveled to Sarasota on Saturday afternoon and the drive to St Pete’s was about 1:10.The location is being overblown when you think the team plays only 14 home games in the seven month season. Look at the whole metro area of Tampa including the areas to the south and the location is very central. They will now draw more from the southern fans. Tampa will never have a downtown soccer field so this is the best urban/recreation area for the field.
Overall you have to weigh the whole day, a two hour game at GSF and the post game stale airport area, vs downtown St Pete’s on the water with ample tailgating/parking and apres game choices.
The big pulse is it’s a much easier sale to make to the more casual fan; easy access to a waterfront area during the pre-game, the highest level of soccer in Florida, then a night out on the town only a short walk away.
The field has a lot of potential when you envision it with no BB field configuration.
FC Tampa Bay drew very well (at first) in only there first year, and finished 8 in attendance. The biggest complaint from the fans was the field and a lack of atmosphere. I think they will solve that problem, and bring in more people with a new better location.
In my opinion that location could be made into one of the best soccer stadium in america with some work. Much less work than finding the same type of location and building a new stadium. The location could not get any better.
http://screencast.com/t/q7QgRenO
Sorry wrong link,
http://screencast.com/t/XwdP98yaj
Can’t wait until they start to play at Al Lang. Yes, St.Pete is a different city, but Tampa is only 20mins away and most true fans don’t mind making the drive. The Tampa Bay Rays play about 8 blocks away at Tropicana Field, and their average per game is over 23k. So Tampa Bay fans don’t mind driving the distance to support their team.
Plus with this new venue comes more weekend games, which means more attendance.
GO ROWDIES..err umm FC TAMPA BAY!
And there is a history of Tampa Bay Rowdies soccer in St. Pete. Al Lang Field is literally a couple hundred yards from the old Bayfront Center, where they played their NASL indoor games in the 70′s and 80′s (in front of good crowds, I might ad)
While this isnt the Sangri La that everyone wants, its a very wise choice for the team and fans! You would be hard pressed to find anyone close to the team/supporters who views this move as negative. Another draw to this location is its proximity to the counties to the south – Manatee and Sarasota – which have good Youth league set-ups, huge potential for fans, and were widely ignored by playing in Central Tampa.
If for nothing else…we are the primary tenants in a scenic, downtown location, and have complete control over scheduling and parking. Anyone who went to games last year knows what Im talking about…
“St. Pete is separated from Tampa by a bridge, 20/30 minute drive.”
There’s also a psychological barrier there that natives recognize.
“The Rowdies have bigger support than probably any other division II team in the US.”
And they do everything except, you know, actually go to games. Rochester’s attendance last year was 67% higher. So, no, you’re wrong.
“Average attendance at the new temporary home will be as high, if not higher than last season.”
I’ll take that bet right here, right now, today. The experience for those who go will be better than those who went at Steinbrenner, but I’m extremely skeptical that MORE people will go.
“The new location, in downtown St. Pete, is simply sublime, right next to bars, museums, and the waterfront.”
In St. Petersburg, unfortunately. If it was next to bars, museums and the waterfront in Tampa, you might have something.
“The team does need a soccer-specific stadim, but, make no mistake about it, the Rowdies are here to stay!”
You can never ever say that about any division 2 team. Ever.
“And the Tampa crowd will travel the extra 20-30 minutes to support their team.”
a – it’s 23 miles, not 20 minutes, from Steinbrenner to Al Lang.
b – How come they didn’t go when they DIDN’T have to go the extra distance/time?
“Go on the blogs and see that the general opinions are positive, even extatic.”
Oh, GENERAL OPINIONS ON BLOGS, AWESOME! Why didn’t you SAY THAT? My arguments are completely shredded because people who post general opinions on blogs ALWAYS BUY TICKETS!
“And there is a history of Tampa Bay Rowdies soccer in St. Pete. Al Lang Field is literally a couple hundred yards from the old Bayfront Center, where they played their NASL indoor games in the 70′s and 80′s (in front of good crowds, I might ad)”
Bayfront only sat 5,500, but, yes, they used to draw quite well there. Back when the Rowdies were quite the commodity. They also played there in the AISA and didn’t draw flies. Because after about 1980 or 1981, the brand took a bit of a nosedive. The latest incarnation has not captured that. Not that anything could.
@All Rowdies Fans – Just ignore Kenn T. and his usual borish bashing of everything NASL. Haters like him can go climb a tree while those of us with a vested interest in our teams and the league can start making our plans for the upcoming season. Well, still waiting on my damn Strikers to wrap up their offseason stuff, but maybe now that the Rowdies had their day and are set, we can get to the Strikers business.
To me, even if it isn’t a SSS, it sounds like it has the right kind of other things going for it to be a good temporary home and grow the fanbase. Location seems ideal for casual sports fans with all the other night time activities close by. Plus if the new location helps tap heretofore untapped markets, while not being too much of a drive for last year’s supporters, then it sounds like a smart choice.
Sorry if it isn’t brand-spanking new PPL Park they’re moving into Kenn. Sorry if it isn’t going to be averaging 10k plus this season Kenn. Go find something better to do then spew hate driven cynicism. You know, you do realize that NASL will succeed or fail on its own, you have no actual control over it, right?
Now, just one more order of business for Tampa FC, getting that Rowdies trademark, or at least the use of it back………..
Kenn, were you like the kid that no one played with so you grew up angry at the world and resolved to lash out everywhere, at everyone? I mean, wtf dude? In the way of ACTUAL FACTS you provided a comparison between Tampa and Rochester’s attendance figures last year. That’s it. Everything else is simply YOUR OPINION, which after reading your posts here and other places for the last year, seem to mean a whole lot more inside your head then outside of it in the real world. Giving YOUR OPINION is exactly what BQ provides a place for, and even encourages here. Only you seem to think that it is your right alone to do so, and the rest of us dipshite “fanboys” ought to just shut our dopey pie holes, or you’ll make your best attempt to bash us.
How about a prediction on Rochester’s attendance this year chief? Oh wait, that would mean having to take a realistic look at your precious USL. You seem to be little more then the epitomy of the stereotype of the old balding guy sitting in his parents’ basement amusing yourself to no end by flaming people on forums and blogs as you suck down your Busch beer and Cheetos. But hey, keep it up chief. I enjoy a chuckle or two during the day.
Kenn, since you have such wisdom of the Tampa Bay area, what stadium would you propose the Rowdies use instead of Al Lang?
Also, Nestor plans on having the stadium built by 2013, not simply announced.
I live in Brandon, which is a suburb of Tampa and sits southeast of the city. It takes a little under an hour to get to Al Lang without traffic. During rush hour though, forget about it. With that said, Nestor said yesterday that 11 out of the 14 home games would be played on Saturdays or Sundays. This is very encouraging. There is a lot to do in St. Pete and the hour drive will actually be more worth my time than the 20 min drive I took to GSF. Will more people go than the average of around 3,500 we had last season? Only time will tell. This stadium is a bit smaller, 7K vs. the 11K GSF (though they topped the attendance out at 8K there), so 3,500 would fill it well. If the team can keep the ticket prices the same (or go lower if possible), it could do well. The chance of walk ups in downtown St. Pete also is much better than where GSF is located. Plus, the team has already said it is lowering parking and concession prices! Also, they will be covering the dirt with grass, not artificial turf and the dimensions of the field will be much better than the pitch at GSF.
I had questions about the dimensions. Did anyone mention dimensions yesterday and if so what will they be?
Also, hope everyone realizes that KT lived in Tampa area for some time and does have knowledge of the area and sports marketing in that area. He’s a big boy and can defend himself on his beliefs but it’s not like he’s making statements coming out of left field.
and btw, I totally agree with KT on his comment about a D2 team saying they are going to build a stadium. At this level (minor league soccer) nothing is guaranteed. Don’t read that as bq saying that Nestor didn’t say what he said or that he doesn’t have desires to build a stadium. But I’ve seen teams that looked like a sure thing up and fold the next season. Hell, look at what’s happened with Carolina. Nothing is certain.
Kenn, you do know that Rochester is D3 now. So yea they don’t Count as D2, They ran away to USL-Fraud. I bet within the next few years the Rhinos will be begging to comeback to the NASL.
I know Kenn lived in Tampa. But instead of focusing on the negative, come up with a better solution. He should be able to do that since he lived here for so long.
Other than Al Lang, what viable situations are there? GSF is not one. Too many complaints about sight lines, which can’t be fixed, in addition to outrageous parking/concessions. It’s also in the wasteland that is Dale Mabry (unless of course the supporters switch their post game events to Mons Venus, which I’m not opposed to). USF is a possibility, but there’s nothing else around there and the drive is going to be bad for a lot of people as well. University of Tampa is too small (1,500 capacity). High school stadiums wouldn’t allow alcohol/not big enough.
Thoughts on alternative solutions Kenn?
Good for FCTB and the fans in the Bay area. I was at both Miami FC games up in Tampa last year at Steinbrenner Field, and the sightlines were bad, the pitch was in the outfield, there was a good bit of dirt within the touchlines. Is it a nice baseball stadium? You bet, probably the best in the FSL. But for soccer GSF was terrible, and that’s not even mentioning the Yankees security on their high horses. This move will be better for Ralph’s Mob and also visiting supporters as now hopefully things like flags, drums, etc. will be allowed in the stadium since FCTB basically controls Al Lang as primary tenants.
Yeah it’ll be a little further for some folks but if they are real fans they’ll go. It’s only 14 games a year and most will be on weekends. I’ve driven over 45 minutes to see MFC play back when they were in Miami. I’ve driven 4 hours to see them in Tampa. If you have pro soccer within an hour you have no excuse not to go out and see it, and that’s directed at some of my fellow South Floridians down in Miami.
We can make this an EPIC rivalry between the Strikers and “Rowdies”, just like it once was. But we need both South Florida and the Bay area to fully support our clubs.
“The Tampa Bay Rays play about 8 blocks away at Tropicana Field, and their average per game is over 23k. So Tampa Bay fans don’t mind driving the distance to support their team.”
I don’t know if that is the best example, all the jibber jabber I’ve ever heard about the Rays and Tropicana is that it is in a horrible location. Thats beside the point though and while it does appear to be in a sweet location it is definitely not a slam dunk or for sure thing that all of last years TBFC fans will make the trek. I know up here a 20 minute drive is a hold up for fans to attend NSC Star games.
If this is a success though is there any chance FCTB could full convert the stadium for soccer?
@smatthew the city of St. Pete has previously stated in discussion with the Rowdies that they would like to keep it available for baseball. Money (assuming Nester/Howard/Laxter) still have the funds there were going to use in the tomato patch project.
BQ, they haven’t officially said what the dimensions will be, but it should be a lot wider and hopefully a little longer. They are going to be able to use a lot more of the field since it will be covered with grass.
I’l take that bet… When was the last time you were in downtown St Pete’s?
thanks for answering my question Garrett
Yikes! KT lives in the Tampa area?! Hey KT, I know of 3 fans who are getting season tickets because of the move to Al Lang….so you dont have to come if you dont want, they will take your place! In fact, Ill buy a season ticket for you if you would just stay home with your negativity…please!!!
Isnt the mantra of American Soccer ‘Nothing is garaunteed at this level!’? Couldnt a bet be wagered against any American Soccer team’s future? Doesnt it trivialize everyone’s thoughts, opinions, and work when you can just dismiss any Minor league soccer team’s announcements as less than ideal? KT, your take is very safe considering Minor League soccer isnt The NFL! It takes work, not only from the team but the fans, to make a franchise successful. I guess FCTB shouldnt count on you! Its a good thing for them that there are ‘good’ soccer fans in the Central Florida area…
The knock against Tropicana Field is that, yes, St. Pete is a little shady…especially where The Trop is located. It was placed there to help rejuvenate that area of Downtown. In defense of The Trop, it has worked. That section of town is now more of a destination than it was 20 years ago. Where Al Lang is, however, is along the stretch of downtown that has seen millions of dollars of renovation and infusion. Bars, Restaurants, Musesums, high rise condos and parks all within a 4 block radius of Al Lang. Its one of the reasons there was such a debate about building the Rays a new stadium in that exact location. Its just that much better than 1.3 miles to the West. Most Pinellas County residents know that difference and will/do see a healthy tourist destination on the rise. Now, FCTB is smack in the middle of it!
Woa! Slow down and read carefully. I said “lived” as in possibly a long time ago. Just say’n he knows the area and he’s not blowing smoke to blow smoke.
“Couldnt a bet be wagered against any American Soccer team’s future? ”
I don’t think so. I’d take that bet any day of the week if you are talking any current MLS or MLS bound team against any D2 team. There’s miles of difference at this point and time.
Grant, as you know I’m probably the one of the biggest supporter of minor league soccer in the US. But it’s one thing to support D2 and D3 soccer and another thing to say “make no mistake about it, the Rowdies are here to stay”. I believe things are still too liquid in minor league soccer to be able to say that sort of thing at the current time.
Perhaps saying, “I believe that FC Tampa Bay have plans on being around for a long time.” would be more apropos. You can then debate if you believe that or not but we all know there are no guarantees in life, especially life in minor league soccer.
In support of Brian, for example, Phil Rawlins said when he started the Aztex that “we have plans on being around a long time.” That “long time” turned out to be a grand total of three years.
I grew up in Tampa.
Tampa is my hometown.
Unlike many of the johnny-come-latelies, I lived and died with the original Rowdies. Had a Rowdies license plate on my car until it died and my new car doesn’t have a front license plate holder or it would be on there, too. There’s an FC Tampa Bay home jersey hanging in my closet as well as a scarf. I’m Rowdies through and through.
I completely understand their options were limited. I completely understand the limitations of Steinbrenner. I get all of that. I’m not saying this wasn’t the best of a bad bunch of options.
But please, please, please, don’t go telling me it’s a great solution or that people are just extatic (sic) about it. All I heard last year was how the Bay Area just couldn’t contain itself with its excitement about the Rowdies being back (even though no one under 30 could possibly have remembered seeing them back in the day). Well, where were those people? After opening night, where were those people?
Now, if some bright boy is going to make the comment that Tampa Bay’s fanbase is the largest among D2 teams based in America, well, lah tee freaking dah. That’s because Vancouver and Portland went up and Rochester went down and Quebec is still part of Canada. Fabulous. The rest of D2 has Edmonton (going to be a train wreck), Puerto Rico (basket case), Miami (c0uldn’t sell Brett Favre a time machine), Atlanta (welcome back…learn to sell tickets yet?), Carolina (under new ownership!) and Minnesota. Wow. Being the best of that lot is an incredible achievement.
And the quote from Nestor (pishor that he is) was this: “Where that downtown location is I think will come out in the next few years.” COME OUT in the next few years. Not “We’re going to have a stadium in 2013.” But “the location “will come out in the next few years.” That’s not me saying it – that’s HIM saying it. As of right now, until and unless they say differently, they’ve got no 2013 solution, nor a viable plan for one.
Obviously there are going to be morons (especially of the anonymous variety) who will call me a USL apologist. Hey, I worked in USL as well (which is more than most of you lot can say) and I know its warts as well. It’s no great shakes a lot of the time. Has its good points, has its bad points. But no matter what its points are, most of you lot think the NASL is the new hot chick who just moved into the neighborhood and just because she has a push-up bra you overlook the fact that she’s really got no redeeming qualities.
But pointing out the NASL’s issues (which the fanboys here conveniently look the other way on) doesn’t make me a hater or a USL apologist. I’m a realist. If the NASL had its act together, I’d be totally on board with it. They don’t. And I don’t think they ever will.
But mark my frigging words: this isn’t going to work. D2 and D3 soccer currently has no clear path to prosperity, no matter how many people say “We’re going to do it right, yeah, we’ll start our OWN league!” and how many mindless sycophants follow them.
The “Rowdies” brand has no cachet anymore. This is just a D2 team playing in a baseball stadium on the wrong side of the Bay with no players that anyone is going to rush right out and see. If you’re not from the Bay area, you don’t understand the divide – it’s more than just the bridge. If you just got to the Bay area, please don’t try and tell me about it, okay? Just stop.
Weekend or not, pretty location or not, no matter what YOU say, you’re NOT getting people to schlep across the bridge in any great numbers to see this product at this time in history. It’s just not happening. And I wish people like Strikers Return would STFU about it.
Hold on! My beef isnt with you, BQ! I know what you do for minor league soccer and its great, but the negativity from a one time TB resident – when everyone else seems optimistic – seems to fly in the face of progress, doesnt it? I think that being a D2 or D3 soccer fan means that you are one announcement from having nothing, it goes with the territory. Everyone knows that! I think the disagreement with KT is based around the fact that we had an announcement yesterday…and it WASNT that FCTB is closing their doors! Of course, he is blowing smoke just to blow smoke. What else would you call it? BTW, seems half of America has lived in the area at some point or another, it doesnt qualify someone as an ‘expert’ In fact, this area is chocked full of ‘Johnny come lately’s’ and ‘told you so’s’ who dont give a flip about whats best for the area, but feel that their opinion is automatically qualified because theyve ‘been here!’ You could go to Tampa Internationl Airport, and any joe with a layover of more than 2 hours probably thinks they could run for public office!
Of course everything is liquid. Of course nothing is set in stone. Welcome to American Soccer outside of maybe 3-5 markets! I never said that FCTB was ‘here to stay’, but to just discredit or doubt them the day after an important announcement about finding a home seems to laugh in the face of the league, the teams, the fans….and this blog, doesnt it?
@Eric: Uhm, Uncle Phil Lite didn’t lie or misconsture the truth. The Aztex are still around and plan on being around for a long time.
Just not in Austin.
Uncle Phil Lite left thaat qualifier out the declaration.
Of cousre had he not clarified that matter, maybe the Austin faithful and the City would not have felt as betrayed…
Hey–it’s his club–he can move them where ever he wants.
City fans-some free advice:
watch your back and don’t allow yourselved to fall too deeply in love.
I hope that it works out for you. really I do.
@Dan: Not a Rhinos fan but…
I wouldn’t hold too much breath waiting for the Rhinos “begging back into the NASL”.
You make it sound like there is some sort of noticeable upside or advantadge to being in the NASL.
Seriously, Bro. The minute Traffic decides that they are done Clark will look like a freaking genius.
I don’t see any scenario that anyone goes begging to get into the NASL unless USLPRO goes under or the NASL decides to offer an NASL2 (how ironic would that be).
I wish that I had the sort of faith in the NASL or the USL that you seem to have in La Liga Traffic.
@Garrett – Excellent response to Kenn. Methinks he will not respond though. He tends more toward dumping all over anything optimistic or positive someone has to say and then bailing.
@BQ – I know he’s a comrade in the pro soccer blogosphere, but I can’t really see why you stick up for him. Over the last year I’ve come to equate your work and comments with class and respect, and his, well, let me be nice and just say, not so much. He throws an occasional fact out to try and look credible, but really when you get down to it, he’s usually just trolling and flaming for his personal enjoyment. The sad part is, he has his own “fanboys” who egg him into it even more.
@Grant – Expecting Kenn to say much of anything even remotely positive about NASL is like expecting Lucy not to pull the football away from Charlie Brown. There’s about zero chance of it ever happening. LOL For those of us that do have a vested interest in our teams and their league, all we can do is be positive and support our clubs. Maybe someday Kenn will be right and minor league soccer will die out completely, but so what? What will be his prize? No more “fanboys” to blast on pro soccer forums? LOL He’d never admit it, but that would kill him……LOL
Exactly, Strikers Return!
Perhaps if we all agree to tell this KT how right he was/is when/if The NASL fails, he will feel better and justified!
As a lifelong Tampa Bay Soccer fan (born here, raised here, orginal Rowdies season ticket holder!), Im appalled by KT’s take on the current version of ‘The Rowdies!’ OF course, your opinion is justified, but where is your sense of pride? your sense of duty to a team and area that needs YOU!? If you are from here, how can you take such a defeatest stance against this team? Im not saying you ‘dont know anything’, but why be such a downer?! Its as if you hate Tampa Bay soccer! Thats the way you come off, anyway…
@Kenn – LOL Oh man, you are one REALLY bitter guy. You spewed your venom for – count ‘em – 12 paragraphs. In all of that you alluded to only one real fact, (I’m not interested in what is or isn’t in your closet chief), – Nestor’s quote. The rest is YOUR OPINION. Just like what I say about Traffic, the Strikers, whatever else NASL or USL related is MY OPINION. Where did you miss the bus on this chief? How and where did the notion grow in your head that YOUR OPINION was fact, or that it somehow meant more then ANYONE else’s? If everyone’s opinion but yours makes you this insane, my God man, why do you read them?!? LOL
You lived in Tampa for many years. I never lived there, and actually was only there once for a Strikers/Rowdies playoff game back in the original NASL as a kid. That SHOULD make your OPINION about something Tampa related more meaningful to an interested listener/reader then mine. That’s just common sense. The problem comes in Kenn, when you declare yourself an expert on everything and speak to everyone as if they are mentally handicapped children. Some people can just let that stuff roll off them. Others will not, and will not only start firing back, but completely dismiss anything relevant you might have to say as well. Sometimes it’s part of the fun of a place like this, sometimes not so much. So in response to your last sentence aimed at me, why should I? Did you STFU? You’re just being hypocritical. Come on man, make up your mind. Either you want to keep bashing, or you don’t. But to unleash on others and then tell them to STFU when they come back at you? Really? Aren’t you a bit old for that chief?
By the by, if you go back and read, I never made any comments about people crossing the bridge and what not. My opinion, which is based on nothing more then watching live streaming games from TB and reading the opinions of people here and elsewhere who are FCTB fans and shared their experiences and knowledge about the situation, was simply this – it SOUNDS like an upgrade from that crap situation at Steinbrenner. I don’t know what was worse to watch last year, all the clay on their field, or all the football lines in Austin. So telling me to STFU about people crossing the bridge is a big FAIL on your part Kenn. Just some misdirected, or poorly disguised rage it would seem. LOL But like I said before, I enjoy a good chuckle during a slow afternoon at work, so we can keep this up. Or, you could take Grant up on his challenge of giving YOUR OPINION about an alternative venue.
@Yankiboy
I think alot of people are forgetting is that this i technically the NASL 1st season, and yeah their is going to be ups and downs. But, I do see some positives. 1st of Traffic and the League has come in big by saving 3 teams. I know alot of people are whining about but from what i see is a group of people that wanna make this work. Sure they might have reasons but if it was the USL they would have cut in run.
To me it seems that the NASL is following something close to how MLS started their league with a long term plan. And the fact that the NASL is doing everything Possible to create a strong relationship/partnership with MLS is a positive. Montreal and Vancouver maybe moving on to MLS but they also have a huge investment in NASL, and have publicly stated even though they will be in MLS that they will still be involved with NASL and will be working to create a strong Partnership between the 2 leagues.
That’s why I am keeping a positive point of view on the NASL.
Now for why I’m so Negative on the USL. The USL has an Ego problem when it comes to their quote on quote Pro League. Even though they self relegated themselves because they are unwilling to try to meet the USSF D2 rule changes, They refuse to accept the fact that they are the 3rd tier. Rather then trying to build a stronger D3 they seem to be doing everything possible to detract the NASL. The USL is doing everything possible to destroy pro soccer in the USA, rather then help build it. That is my problem with USL.
@Dan: There is an awful lot to like about the NASL.
While I know that the schedule is not ready yet, they were working feverishly during the meetings in Baltimore on Thursday evening and all day on Friday–welll into the evening.
I don’t for a minute believe that Vancouver and Montreal are going to do jack with the NASL after they are gone. I’ll believe it whenI actually see it. Uncle Joey doesn’t have too much credibility in my book (Kerfoot has more).
I think that it is great that Uncle Joey and Kerfoot state that they intend to try and develop that relationship. I think that it is nice that Uncle Donnnie G (aka the Original Soccer Gangsta) made an appearance in Miami with Mr. Davidson. I really do.
That would be great. But again, I am not buying it. I think that they will be so bvusy with their MLS franchises that they won’t field a lcub in the NASL or offer anything other than to share “best practices” and offer the by their NASL counterparts a round of drinks at the next convention.
Maybe I am wrong–definitely would be common occurence–I just am betting more than a $20 bill on it. They are talking, I’m just not buying.
Now on why I think that the NASL is no better than the USL. If the USL is trying to do “everything possible to destroy pro soccer in the USA” then they have a hell of a lot of NASL company.
Have they been petty? Sure!
Have they been vindictive? Check!
Have they been selling snake oil? International/Caribbean division?!?!
(Need I say more)
have they made backroom deals and encouraged “defectors” from the other side? Yep!
Have they brought in ownership groups that look to be over their heads?
Affirmative.
The NASL has done ALL OF THAT, too.
Do I give an edge to the USL for being a bit shady? Yeah, I do. But the NASL has a lot of dirt on it’s hands, as well.
Like the rapper, Yo-Yo used to say it (back when she was slayin’ it on the mic and not doing reality makeover shows):
“Everybody got some shame in they game”.
When it comes to the NASL and USL, a whole lot of key players (not all–I want to make that clear) got some shame in they game.
One could just as easily accuse the NASL of trying to torch down the already week building known as lower division pro soccer in the USA (and Canada).
In the end, it’s just a matter of perspective. I gotta give the “shady/what the hell!!??!” edge to the USL but man, the NASL is breathing right down their necks.
Maximum Respect, Playah.
@Kenn Nestor told me directly that the plan was to be occupying their own stadium by 2013. If this is what he said yesterday, then he changed his stance, my bad.
@Kenn Good job avoiding my question asking you where think the best location would be if we weren’t to play at Al Lang.
Dan,
With all due respect to your opinion, in my opinion that is ridiculous. “doing everything possible to destroy pro soccer in the USA”, really? While you make some points here to say they are destroying pro soccer is sort of letting your emotions paint your words rather than the logic of looking at what they’ve done over the last 20 years. For a long time they were pro soccer in the US and the only ones willing to put their necks out and create if from scratch. A model that is still alive today. Do I agree with everything they’ve done. No! But I do question if we’d be as far along in soccer in the US as we are today in this country if not for the USL. Even Aaron Davidson has said that exact same thing.
Since its been suggested that people wont drive over a bridge, I just wanted to point out that Garrett drives from Gainesville (over 2 hours away!) for home games! We also have fans from Ft. Walton Beach and Atlanta who come to games! Ive got a brother who drives in from Orlando for home games. Some of us come from Brandon (an hour away!), some will come from Sarasota or Bradenton. As for me, FCTB’s home for the next two years just got further away, but its of little consequence since its my duty to make it work. Call it a labor of love for a cause I deem worthy.
While its easy/pointless to sit back and speculate on how ‘non-soccer’ fans will view a minor league soccer team’s venue, its should be said that NONE of those people visit this message board! Any FCTB fans being called out here simply dont deserve the slight, and anyone who thinks they do, needs to find a clue quickly before they look more ignorant than they already do!
And it should be pointed out that 95% of the fans that go to games at the NSC probably don’t read my website even though it’s the only soccer website in MN. I think we sometimes all get caught up in what all our opinions. But the truth is, the average fan just isn’t as engaged with the game as all of us are. They want to go to a game a couple of times a year, have a coke or a beer and watch some quality soccer with, hopefully, some players they know and can be competitive.
BTW, I just pulled that 95% figure out of the air, but I guess I’m trying to make a point that we sometimes all get so caught up in this that we can’t see the forest from the trees.
Also, unlike most who have been writing here, I made my first and only trip 4 years ago to mainly the Sarasota – Bradenton area for about a week. I was on vacation and drove up to Tampa and around St. Pete. Even drove down the cost and to the everglades. I had a fantastic time and loved the west coast of Florida. Absolutely fantastic and you got it going on with that grouper. Nothing like sitting next to the river or the ocean, sipping on drinks and eating grouper.
BTW, 7° F here in the Twin Cites today with temps expected to drop to -15 with -35 below wind chills tonight.
Agreed, BQ! Its pretty obvious that posters here ARENT the problem…
Out of fear of sounding warm and fuzzy, why cant we just pretend like everything is looking sunny for our respective teams/leagues? the fans are mobilizing. The plans are being hashed and re-hashed. Teams are releasing statements that instill optimism, not the other way. Why not just get on board with making it work, instead of always pointing out the glaring, obvious, negatives?
If we plan to change the outlook of lower division American soccer, we cant always succumb to the ills of the past!
@ BQ,
I might Have gone a little over bored but i do feel that this vindictiveness that USL has toward the NASL is not only hurting D2 but D3. I apologize for going a little over board but at the same time USL has to get its head straight if it wants to be taken seriously again. If USL wants to try their hand in D2 again one day that is fine (as long as they run it better) but it needs to realize that its not D2 it is D3 and should be working to give us a strong D3.
Yes USL did do alot of good during the dark days, but they have lost what made them great in the old days.
It just makes me upset that USL is not focusing on creating a good D3 and is being blinded by their bitterness.
I wanna see a strong D2 and a strong D3. MLS can’t cover every Market.
That’s fair, Dan. I think if you asked the USL people they would tell you that this is a very competitive business. If it were some other business we might not think twice about being aggressive. But we all know how precarious lower league soccer is and I would agree, I think growth needs to be tempered by sanity and not by cannibalism to rid themselves of the other guy down the block.
Not sure if any of you are on Twitter and following some of the things I’ve been tweeting and retweeting today thats going on down in San Antonio the last week or so. It’s getting mighty interesting down there.
Im hoping that Minnesota fans can get the option of seeing The Stars vs. FCTB one night, and then The Rays vs. Twins, the next! Downtown St. Pete would be a wonderful place for a weekend visit. Plus, with Clearwater/St. Pete Airport growing and taking in more flights, It could be even cheaper to come down!
With the Twins being in Ft. Myers (2 hours away!), im kinda hoping that the Minnesotans of the West Coast of Florida can make it to some games! It would be fun to have them!
Time will tell if Nestor made the correct decision to move to St. Pete.
Nestor is not the money man behind the team and has made a lot of boneheaded decisions, the first in which was calling the team the Rowdies when he did not own that trademark. He was too stupid to back down and work out a license so that the trademark would work for his fledgling team, and decided to duke it out in court with the true owners (who coincidently, sue folks for fraudulently using those trademarks they own as a course of doing business). Nestor lost that battle and had to change names. It cost them a great brand for some real bad business reasons.
Moving to St. Pete stops the conflict with the baseball team from playing so that gives them some more flexibility with the field, but from what my friends have told me, that bridge IS more than just the road from Tampa to St. Pete, it is the great divide. And if you have not been to St. Pete recently, in order to get to those great shops and restaurants, you have to go through a lot of very dilapidated real estate, as St. Pete has not even come close to recovering from the damages of this recession. Even so, for Nestor’s team, this is probably his only logical choice, since he really failed at working with the local colleges or other possible venues in Tampa proper.
As for Nestor’s comments on a new stadium, well, that dog simply will not hunt. If you look at the City Council website and peruse through a few month’s worth of City Council minutes, you will find that Tampa is suffering from revenue, and floating a bond package for a minor league soccer team is not going to be in the cards. That leaves Nestor to look at private monies. The folks that invest in stuff like this want to see a solid business plan on how their money will be paid back. Making a team profit is not in the NASL model.
It would be nice for Tampa, given its rich history in soccer, to have a team owner that is a little more mature and savvy to carry the soccer torch in this fine city, but hey, that is what you get for sending a boy to do a man’s job. You simply don’t bring a knife to a gun match.
yea last night on the news here in San Antonio they had a thing on about the spurs working towards turning Alamo Stadium into a Soccer Stadium for a USL club. Now I’m afraid that this might split the Crocketteers between the 2 teams. I feel that their is a group that is for Hartman and a Group that is for the Spurs. I’m also afraid it might get ugly within the group.
Turns out Hartman offered to bring Spurs in on the NASL franchise and they declined.
I’m scared that at the end of the Day San Antonio could be back at Square 1.
Yes, Bart, but we arent talking about the real estate market, or driving to see a baseball team which is on TV every night and has 81 home games! This is lower division American soccer! The fans are out there and know who they are. It will get its nitch market crowd of 5 K, and a bridge isnt going to stop that percentage of them – who like you – care alot! I think sometimes the severity of this whole thing gets WAY overstated. Were not trying to be Man. Utd., here! The idea of success is set at a much lower bar than the perfection scenario that people seem to want all the time!
I dont know of one fan who isnt aware of the obstacles. I dont know of one fan who expects this to work overnight! Its work! Its going to be tough! On the fans and the people who are fronting huge sums of money. I cant speak for Nestor, but he seems like a good guy who has the fans interest in mind. If he is a poor business man, he isnt letting that bleed into his team’s relations with the town or home fans. Nobody here points any fingers as Nestor for flubbing away a chance at our namesake. Thats a little harsh! Even still, Nestor is surrounded by owners who are reputable Bay Area business persons who carry as much weight as he, and who endorse him. FCTB still seems to plug right along with partnerships and announcements that seems to suggest they are here to make it work long term. As a fan, I cant really ask for more than that from a lower division soccer team in a country where the most popular sport had a record number of blackouts due to poor attendance!
Say what you want, but I dont intend to bury something that isnt yet dead!
@Grant Stephens
You should not give up your dream, but make sure your feet are on the ground. There is only one true Tampa based owner that that is the Bern’s Steakhouse owner. Although I have not been there in many moons, it is a very good steakhouse, and all of you Tampa based soccer fans should go there….
Because…. if you regularly pay for a quality steak at Bern’s, the restaurant will in fact make a profit, which is needed to fund the St.Pete team. You will have completed the circle of life.
@Grant Stephens: Bro, if we only do the Pollyana thing then that is only half of the fan experience.
With all due respect, I admire your passion. I admire the enthusiasm. maybe can get down there to see Puerto Rico play TBFC someday. I hope too. Sincerely, I do.
But, c’mon man–
Sports without some sort of cynicism, “negative” analysis or critical takes might as well be needle knitting (not there is anything uncool about that pastime–I wish that I had that skill and patience, myself).
Taking the critical takes out of sports is to remove a major facet of it that make it interesting.
TBFC, the NASL, USL and heck—M Freaking LS should be happy that anyone even cares enough to critique them. Better to be critqued than to be ignored. At least you are on the radar and people know that you exist even if they don’t want to purchase your product.
But that’s just my personal take, Playah.
If people gave up negative/critical takes when discussing sports then a lot of people would become unemployed. Just think of the media that would go under and the ripple effect.
This leads me to the perfect segway:
BQ has bills to pay. Please send him your donations via Paypal…
His Paypal account is yankiboythebruthaneesdcashnow@Paypal.
I encourage all of you to erh um donate TODAY!
Let’s support minor league soccer by making a donation TODAY!
Thank you!
Hinds Howard, another owner, was also a solid voice of reason when an online radio source from an unnamed USL city was fabricating that FCTB didnt make payroll. He was right there to let us know that what is said isnt always fact! Ive decided to carry that lesson with me through today. Its helpful when deciphering what is true and what is fluff on internet message boards.
Thanks, Hinds! See you and the other real fans at Al Lang!
@ Yankiboy
I agree with you, 100%…and I cant wait to have the usual back and forth that comes with sports…on the field! I cant wait to discuss what was a foul and what wasnt during a actual PRI/FCTB game! I cant wait to make fun of Orlando City FC’s uniforms! I cant wait to exert bragging rights over another because my team beat there’s in actual game! That sounds like a blast! And, ironically, it sounds like sports!
But trashing an owner of a minor league sport because he dropped the ball on a trademark suit? To listen to fluff from people who have a vested interest in seeing something fail before it even takes the field? To declare something wont work because of a bridge?
As you say…C’mon, man?!
And all of this in the comment section of an article where said owner made a landmark announcement for his team new home to the delight of its fans?!
Trust me, even Pollyanna knows the difference between ‘sport’ and ‘ill will’
yankiboy, :->
You know who loves you. Always appreciate your levity and common sense even handed approach.
@Bart to your post a while back regarding Nestor and his funding: their initial plans for a stadium came from private funding. This may have to change due to the fact that they didn’t get approval to build a stadium on land they owned the first time around.
BQ – although I enjoy this site, my mind got numb when I started to read every post to this article. What is your record for # of posts?
@Grant Hinds has been pretty open and honest to us. Unfortunately we won’t see him in Tampa that often as I believe he lives in Massachusetts
is their a way to see all the comments?
Not sure but near 100 but don’t think I’ve ever broken 100.
WSW,
I don’t think you really want to see all the comments. There have been 7,708 comments approved on this site in a 2 years and 3 months. If you want to see all of them for this post just go home at IMS and then go to the article and click on it. It should start out with the oldest and you can scroll down to the newest. It should give you an option to go to the next page when it max’s out. Not sure what that number is that starts a second page of comments.
At the top is the number of responses to this thread (64 at the moment), next to it is “Leave one” click on that and you will see all the responses to this thread.