If the tampa was the market that got away from soccer, Orlando must been as the one that never was. Despite playing host to numerous international matches, minor league pro sides since the 94 world cup-- local media has failed to follow the plot.
But with a dirth of coverage elsewhere in the market, soccer maintains one sole advocate: Orlando Sentinel writer Brant Parsons.
As the Sentinel's resident "soccer guy", Parsons regularly endures the ridicule of his fellow sports writers. But as the author of the Other Football, an Orlando based blog with over 1.2 million annual visitors, Parsons represents a leading voice of the local game. Read on to learn his thoughts on subjects ranging from Miami's bid for MLS and why Orlando will never play host to top flight soccer to media's flagging bias against soccer.
1. Talk about your background in sports and how you got your start covering soccer?
I have always been a sports fan for as long as I can remember. At no point growing up however did I ever think I could get a job where following it is part of my career.
In college, I interned at a radio station where I was eventually hired. Within six months I was part of a sports talk show and became producer of it not too many months later. I produced the show for about a year and then went on to host two different shows over the next two years.
More recently I took over the position as a back-up sports anchor in our news department. Through all of that, I met the, now AME, sports editor for the Sentinel and began stringing high school sports.
After shining there, I was hired on as a clerk for a year - I was then hired to produce the sports page for our website. Once I came aboard, I was approached to start writing on the soccer blog after covering the world cup for the print edition (from home, not Germany)
Last June the blog became mine permanently, and I turned it from a 12,000 page view a month blog to the top performing page on our website.
The strong numbers (over 1.2 million last year) encouraged them to give me a weekly column in the print edition that ran on Sundays through the end of the year.
I'm just a soccer fan at a paper that didn't have many - and I've made the sport known at least because of my top numbers. I know long answer - little substance.
2. Did you cover the Mutiny for television/print? If so, talk about your experiences covering the team and the atmosphere at games or lack thereof?
I never did. I'll admit, I've been late coming to MLS. My introduction began in English soccer, spread across Europe and very recently was turned toward MLS.
3. How do you feel soccer coverage is regarded by local media versus the other major sports?
I think local media doesn't get it. My column was dropped this past week due to financial reasons (I wrote it as a freelancer). The powers that be still don't understand why my blog can be so popular, but there is still a giant reluctance to embrace the sport.
Ignorance still persists within the sports department about the sport and I don't know if I go a day without getting a ribbing for it. Readers of the print edition are lucky to get a paragraph or even the scores in agate type each week.
4. In your opinion, why did the Mutiny fail to capture crowds in the same manner as the Tampa Bay Rowdies?
With a limited understand of each - I'd have to look at MLS not giving the sport a chance in the state - and the structure of the league at first was tough for some to get involved in it. I can talk about the failure of the Fusion if you'd like.
5. In the wake of the Mutiny's demise, several lower level pro teams have sprung up around the area. Most recently the Orlando Sharks of the MISL (Major Indoor Soccer League) debuted for 2007 in Orlando. Has this team been able to generate any buzz in the media?
No, and I blame it on the organization. I tried, and my former partner, to rally behind the new MISL team but the club has made it harder for me to do it. I wanted to write a big piece after the season opener but couldn't get anyone from the team to cooperate with me.
Plus, I don't think they are marketing to the people that would go to a MISL game. But no, no buzz whatsover for the Sharks and it doesn't help that they haven't won a match yet.
6. In your experience, talk a bit about the fan base in central Florida specifically versus Miami or other parts of the country?
Major League Soccer's not going to come to Orlando - ever.
It's just a reality. We're the community college of sports towns, better known for Disney than DiMaggio and to be honest - Orlando is not even on MLS's map.
And neither is Tampa at this point. Been there, done that. Tampa is a great town, and a strong soccer town - they'll host Olympic qualifying there in March - but the Tampa market isn't one that makes MLS executives drool. You know which one does?
Miami. And the city that I have called home is taking steps to try and help Major League Soccer with their choice for the next franchise.
If the bill passes and a soccer-only stadium is built where the Orange Bowl now stands - MLS will give Miami a franchise. They have to.
The Fusion were never given a chance. They were placed at Lockhart Stadium - a long journey for those in the heart of Miami and south of downtown - the folks that MLS wants to get to fall in love with MLS.
There are plenty of soccer lovers in Miami. It's part of the culture there - last time MLS ignored Miami and put a franchise in Ft. Lauderdale- this time, they'll get it right.
A franchise in Miami makes sense - and will become my team the moment they are announced. And for folks in Orlando - Miami is as close as MLS will ever come - and a four-hour drive is much more palpable than a trip to Houston.
6. What steps do you feel pro soccer must take to attract media and public attention?
Quality play. Beckham got the attention in the mainstream - but it's a sideshow more than anything. There are a lot of soccer fans in this country - they just want a good product to follow.
Plus, MLS needs to drop some of the American tendencies of the league. 8 of 13 teams making a playoffs is just terrible. Conferences and unbalanced schedules also mimics American sports more than the big leagues across the world.
As far as media - if you build it, they will come. Put a product out there that sells out stadiums and creates a buzz - and the media will cover it. In this day and age- media doesn't have the resources to go after marginally supported sports. It's just a sad reality.
7. In the wake of the mutiny's demise, do you feel Tampa/Orlando/central Florida could support an MLS side?
No. Not in the way that MLS needs. They need a soccer only stadium (none in Central Florida) and a fan base salivating at the chance to back a team. Neither of that is here. This is not a good sports town and that doesn't look like it will change anytime soon.
8. Recently Miami has been making noise about possibly developing a soccer stadium with the Dolphins. How do you feel a Miami team would impact the chances of MLS coming to Central Florida?
As I wrote earlier, I don't think Central Florida is on MLS's map. They have other markets they want to get into and Miami is one of those. If MLS returns to the state of Florida it will do it in one place and one place only and that is in Miami.
9. As a soccer fan, would you favor the return of the Mutiny, Rowdies or another name? and Why?
I'd favor any professional soccer coming to the area. Even a USL-1 or USL-2 team in Orlando or Tampa would be exciting for the fans of the sport that are here. Only then will the area get to show that there is a buzz for the sport here.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Pointless speculation and Clearwater Galatics interview
Well folks, welcome to 2008. Aside from the post celebratory buzz (ok, so I slept thru the fireworks) I am most excited by what the new year has in store for soccer fans. With Olympic qualifying in March, High school and club competition in full swing and speculation rife about pro soccer's return to Tampa, there is plenty of action in store.
As reported in my last blog entry, the possibility of a USL one side in Tampa has interested a yet to be named of investors. Many have speculated that none other than West Ham United may view Tampa as an ideal proving ground for player development.
This arrangement would provide a pipeline for young and reserve players to learn their trade on both sides of the Atlantic and certainly prove an exciting spectacle for fans. While we are unlikely to Johnny Spector tearing up the Trop (or whereever they end up playing), I cant help but wonder who we may expect. Here are my top three prospects:
1. Johnny Sears (Striker)- An England U-19 international, Sears scored 12 goals in 6 games (including a hattrick against Chelsea) at U-18 level before tweaking his ankle this season. Described by reserve team coach Tony Cotton as a “fox in the box”, Sears plays on the right hand side and often sears opponents with his pace.
2. Jordan Spence- Playing behind Sears on the right side of midfield, Spence has already chipped in 4 assists and two goals this season.
3. Jack Collison- captain of the reserves, 19 year old Jack has already played for the Hammers first team this season. With two good feet and an excellent range of passing, this kid's ability to hit a well directed crossfield pass would not be out of place in the A-league.
But aside for speculation, one group with concrete plans for Tampa soccer are the mysterious Clearwater Galactics—whose ambitious plans include a 25,000 seat stadium and pro team by 2010.
I spoke with Galactics Operations officer Ralf Gerhard to catch up on the team’s plans (Interview posted below). Some interesting points included:
• Carlos El Pibe Valderamma is coming on as the club's Technical Director of Player Development!
• The club currently has 20 staff working fulltime including a professor of soccer, Athletic trainer and former Metrostars reserve coach Javier Robalino!!
• The pro team would play under the name “Galactics” within the next 2-3 years
• In lieu of the planned 25,000 seat stadium in downtown Clearwater, the team has already built a fully renovated, over 7,000 square feet big club house with training facilities.
See the full interview posted below.
1. Talk about the history of your club and your background in soccer. Does it participate in both youth and adult competition?
Galactics Clearwater International F.C. was incorporated as a non-profit organization in May 2007, but it all started a few years back in 2003 with a big dream of Jose Serrano (today’s president), Pedro Gil and Francisco Tellez. At that time the name GALACTICS was born, the original Galactics logo (Saturn rings around a soccer ball) was conceived and plans drawn up for a much bigger and brighter soccer future. Professional coaching know how and administrative knowledge entered the picture when the former Metro Stars Reserve Team Coach, Ecudorian Javier Robalino and fellow soccer player and enthusiast, Ralf Gerhardt of Germany , joined the Galactics.
Soon this small group took the first steps towards their dream having a soccer club with a structure like that of the near century old professional clubs of Europe and America ’s. In June 2006 the ideal location for a club house was found. The premises are located in downtown Clearwater where extensive renovations began. Today Galactics has a fully renovated, over 7,000 square feet big club house with offices, staff meeting room, VIP meeting room, member meeting space with TV, foosball tables and more, a kitchen, coaches offices, massage room and more. The opening hours are Monday through Saturday from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and open for every member of the club.
2. Were you personally around for the mutiny’s era in Tampa ? what about the rowdies?
No, I was not, but we know that the Rowdies still have a very good reputation. Many people told me personal about the time when Tampa had its first PRO team and how happy they were to watch the games.
3. why do you feel the mutiny failed to capture the imagination of Florida soccer fans?
I cannot say anything about the Mutiny (I lived in Germany at this time). But I have similar experience like with the Mutiny’s. I only heard good things having this two Pro team in this area.
3. Talk about your efforts to bring pro soccer back to the area? How did you interest in bringing a team to the area come about?
Soccer is the no. 1 sport in the world and we think now is the time for North America to become one of the best soccer countries of the world (Beckham came to US, and other Soccer Super Stars are following). And what the country needs is privately funded soccer clubs who take the responsibility for their area. We have over 20 staff and working fulltime to make this dream come true. And we need more help from the City, businesses and volunteers to realize our sports complex in the next 2-3 years.
4. One crucial hurdle the mutiny was never able to tackle was finding an owner for the Tampa . Have you identified sufficient investment for a team and stadium in the area?
Yes, we have a program for realizing a sports complex with 25,000 seats in this area.
5. Have you proposed a timeline for the building of your stadium?
In the near future
6. Talk about the success of your recent soccer festival and what it says about soccer in central Florida ? How did you get El Pibe to come out?
Our Galactics International Soccer Festival 2007 was a BIG success. Close to 2,000 spectators and all the invited soccer super stars like Carlos "El Pibe" Valderrama and Tab Ramos enjoyed the festival and the highlight in the afternoon with the exhibition game versus the Galactics Masters. Following soccer super stars were invited and played in the game Galactics Masters vs. Rest of the World: Jeff Agoos, Marcelo Balboa, Fernado Clavijo, Raul Diaz Arce, Luis Carlos Perea, Geovanny Salinas and more. There is one common denominator between spectators and participants: everybody wants to come again to the next Galactics International Soccer Festival in 2008.
Re: Carlos El Pibe Valderrama: Pibe is with us since 2006, coming on board as the club's Technical Director of Player Development. As Technical Director of Player Development of the Galactics soccer club, El Pibe oversees the development and training of the club's youth division and also serves as the club' s face in marketing and PR. Pibe said once in a press conference: "Galactics Clearwater International F.C. is dedicated to helping children prepare mentally and physically to become role models for the future. Our mission is to develop players, not just accept the best through tryouts. Everyone is welcome at our club."
Even Pibe is now the Manager of a Premier Team in Colombia , he helps us out whenever possible. Pibe is really of great help to achieve our big dreams.
7. Would you be looking to resurrect the mutiny or rowdies or bring a new pro name to central Florida ?
No, we are not resurrecting former pro clubs in this area. We have our own dreams and will have everything under name of GALACTICS.
8. In terms of talent, would your team be based upon local players or focus heavily on recruiting?
Of course, as Pibe said before, we will develop our own players as well. Besides of that we will get professional players from local clubs and the national and international soccer player “market”.
9. Looking to the future, what foundations as necessary for long term success for a pro club in central Florida ?
We think, besides of having a Pro team, it is very important to have a big youth level with hundreds of kids (girls and boys) and an amateur adult level (men and women). A soccer club has its responsibilities in the community, and we can take our share by helping kids get off the street, be in a safe environment and active every day (no drugs, not too much TV, etc.). You have to involve the people in the club; only then you will have a full stadium and 20,000 people cheering for your team ;-)
As reported in my last blog entry, the possibility of a USL one side in Tampa has interested a yet to be named of investors. Many have speculated that none other than West Ham United may view Tampa as an ideal proving ground for player development.
This arrangement would provide a pipeline for young and reserve players to learn their trade on both sides of the Atlantic and certainly prove an exciting spectacle for fans. While we are unlikely to Johnny Spector tearing up the Trop (or whereever they end up playing), I cant help but wonder who we may expect. Here are my top three prospects:
1. Johnny Sears (Striker)- An England U-19 international, Sears scored 12 goals in 6 games (including a hattrick against Chelsea) at U-18 level before tweaking his ankle this season. Described by reserve team coach Tony Cotton as a “fox in the box”, Sears plays on the right hand side and often sears opponents with his pace.
2. Jordan Spence- Playing behind Sears on the right side of midfield, Spence has already chipped in 4 assists and two goals this season.
3. Jack Collison- captain of the reserves, 19 year old Jack has already played for the Hammers first team this season. With two good feet and an excellent range of passing, this kid's ability to hit a well directed crossfield pass would not be out of place in the A-league.
But aside for speculation, one group with concrete plans for Tampa soccer are the mysterious Clearwater Galactics—whose ambitious plans include a 25,000 seat stadium and pro team by 2010.
I spoke with Galactics Operations officer Ralf Gerhard to catch up on the team’s plans (Interview posted below). Some interesting points included:
• Carlos El Pibe Valderamma is coming on as the club's Technical Director of Player Development!
• The club currently has 20 staff working fulltime including a professor of soccer, Athletic trainer and former Metrostars reserve coach Javier Robalino!!
• The pro team would play under the name “Galactics” within the next 2-3 years
• In lieu of the planned 25,000 seat stadium in downtown Clearwater, the team has already built a fully renovated, over 7,000 square feet big club house with training facilities.
See the full interview posted below.
1. Talk about the history of your club and your background in soccer. Does it participate in both youth and adult competition?
Galactics Clearwater International F.C. was incorporated as a non-profit organization in May 2007, but it all started a few years back in 2003 with a big dream of Jose Serrano (today’s president), Pedro Gil and Francisco Tellez. At that time the name GALACTICS was born, the original Galactics logo (Saturn rings around a soccer ball) was conceived and plans drawn up for a much bigger and brighter soccer future. Professional coaching know how and administrative knowledge entered the picture when the former Metro Stars Reserve Team Coach, Ecudorian Javier Robalino and fellow soccer player and enthusiast, Ralf Gerhardt of Germany , joined the Galactics.
Soon this small group took the first steps towards their dream having a soccer club with a structure like that of the near century old professional clubs of Europe and America ’s. In June 2006 the ideal location for a club house was found. The premises are located in downtown Clearwater where extensive renovations began. Today Galactics has a fully renovated, over 7,000 square feet big club house with offices, staff meeting room, VIP meeting room, member meeting space with TV, foosball tables and more, a kitchen, coaches offices, massage room and more. The opening hours are Monday through Saturday from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and open for every member of the club.
2. Were you personally around for the mutiny’s era in Tampa ? what about the rowdies?
No, I was not, but we know that the Rowdies still have a very good reputation. Many people told me personal about the time when Tampa had its first PRO team and how happy they were to watch the games.
3. why do you feel the mutiny failed to capture the imagination of Florida soccer fans?
I cannot say anything about the Mutiny (I lived in Germany at this time). But I have similar experience like with the Mutiny’s. I only heard good things having this two Pro team in this area.
3. Talk about your efforts to bring pro soccer back to the area? How did you interest in bringing a team to the area come about?
Soccer is the no. 1 sport in the world and we think now is the time for North America to become one of the best soccer countries of the world (Beckham came to US, and other Soccer Super Stars are following). And what the country needs is privately funded soccer clubs who take the responsibility for their area. We have over 20 staff and working fulltime to make this dream come true. And we need more help from the City, businesses and volunteers to realize our sports complex in the next 2-3 years.
4. One crucial hurdle the mutiny was never able to tackle was finding an owner for the Tampa . Have you identified sufficient investment for a team and stadium in the area?
Yes, we have a program for realizing a sports complex with 25,000 seats in this area.
5. Have you proposed a timeline for the building of your stadium?
In the near future
6. Talk about the success of your recent soccer festival and what it says about soccer in central Florida ? How did you get El Pibe to come out?
Our Galactics International Soccer Festival 2007 was a BIG success. Close to 2,000 spectators and all the invited soccer super stars like Carlos "El Pibe" Valderrama and Tab Ramos enjoyed the festival and the highlight in the afternoon with the exhibition game versus the Galactics Masters. Following soccer super stars were invited and played in the game Galactics Masters vs. Rest of the World: Jeff Agoos, Marcelo Balboa, Fernado Clavijo, Raul Diaz Arce, Luis Carlos Perea, Geovanny Salinas and more. There is one common denominator between spectators and participants: everybody wants to come again to the next Galactics International Soccer Festival in 2008.
Re: Carlos El Pibe Valderrama: Pibe is with us since 2006, coming on board as the club's Technical Director of Player Development. As Technical Director of Player Development of the Galactics soccer club, El Pibe oversees the development and training of the club's youth division and also serves as the club' s face in marketing and PR. Pibe said once in a press conference: "Galactics Clearwater International F.C. is dedicated to helping children prepare mentally and physically to become role models for the future. Our mission is to develop players, not just accept the best through tryouts. Everyone is welcome at our club."
Even Pibe is now the Manager of a Premier Team in Colombia , he helps us out whenever possible. Pibe is really of great help to achieve our big dreams.
7. Would you be looking to resurrect the mutiny or rowdies or bring a new pro name to central Florida ?
No, we are not resurrecting former pro clubs in this area. We have our own dreams and will have everything under name of GALACTICS.
8. In terms of talent, would your team be based upon local players or focus heavily on recruiting?
Of course, as Pibe said before, we will develop our own players as well. Besides of that we will get professional players from local clubs and the national and international soccer player “market”.
9. Looking to the future, what foundations as necessary for long term success for a pro club in central Florida ?
We think, besides of having a Pro team, it is very important to have a big youth level with hundreds of kids (girls and boys) and an amateur adult level (men and women). A soccer club has its responsibilities in the community, and we can take our share by helping kids get off the street, be in a safe environment and active every day (no drugs, not too much TV, etc.). You have to involve the people in the club; only then you will have a full stadium and 20,000 people cheering for your team ;-)
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