Orlando Florida- soccer graveyard

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.

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 ;-)

Lost and found: Pro soccer in Tampa?

Whether taking in spring training, enjoying a game of Bucs football or watching the Tampa Bay Lightning kick the ice, sports fans in central Florida have a wide variety of options to spend their entertainment dollar.

But despite the presence of virtually every major sports (football, baseball, basketball, hockey) between Tampa and Orlando, pro soccer has never seemed to stick.

Since the demise of the Tampa Bay Rowdies, which regularly drew crowds of 20,000 or more in the late 1970s, the beautiful game has come and gone—with the area most recent incarnation, the Tampa Bay Mutiny of Major League soccer, folding in 2002.

All the while, the area has continued to support strong participation at youth levels and burgeoning attendance for international matches (the US Mens National Team drew a crowd of 31,000 for a recent match against Ecuador). So where does the disconnect lie?

For many sports fans, it comes as no surprise that the glory years of the Rowdies came in the midst of a slew of dismal seasons which marred the early existence of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—the Bucs only made the playoffs three times between 1976 and 1990. While the Bucs failed to make the playoffs until 1979, the Rowdies regularly contested for league honors—winning the Soccer Bowl and finishing runners up twice in the late 1970s—and boasted players the caliber of Englishman Rodney Marsch and Argentine scoring sensation Oscar Fabianni.

With the young NFL side still struggling to find it’s identity with fans, watching the Rowdies, a team full of colorful characters, was seen by many fans the in-thing to do.

But with the implosion of the NASL (North American Soccer League) in the early 1980s, the party for soccer was over in Tampa. As the Rowdies struggled and eventually folded, it would be another twelve years before pro soccer made it’s return to Tampa Bay. By the time the oddly named Tampa Bay Mutiny arrived, Tampa had become a football town.

Despite early success on the field, the Mutiny—like the Buccaneers in the 80s—languished in the dreadful confines of Tampa Stadium. With it’s football lines, narrow field and 45,000 capacity, this venue failed to whet the appetite of sports fans.

For ESPN broadcaster and Tampa native Rob Stone, who witnessed the Mutiny’s struggle to entertain a handful of supporters, the hard sell came down to the game day experience.

“To me atmosphere is the one great element MLS needs to continue to capture..without it, a majority of the American media outlets will continue to treat the league like a minor entity, not worthy of their resources.” he explained.

Stone says the reason ESPN tended to stay away from mutiny home games in their last few seasons wasn't because they were not winning, it was all about the negative impression those empty stands relayed to the viewer. “No atmosphere equals dreadful television,” he adds. “The fans that made it out were supportive and great, but they needed to bring about 15,000 more of
their friends.”

Stadium solutions:

Despite the failures of the Mutiny, Stone is adamant that Tampa, courtesy of the Rowdies success, is still considered a worthwhile soccer market. “If the right components can appear (owner, stadium, and i believe a return to the Rowdie name...it remarkably still carries a lot of clout around here)”

This positive view of Tampa is shared by Tim Holt, Executive Vice President & COO of USL, who viewed the Mutiny not as a failed experiment, but an interrupted work in progress.

While he concedes the Mutiny’s shortcomings—lack of suitable atmosphere, recognizable players and a lack of effort to reach out to local fans—failed to capture the spirit of the Rowdies, he says the main reason the Mutiny no longer exist is that they could not find local ownership willing to operate the franchise at a time when MLS needed to make hard decisions.

“It is critical for any professional soccer team to capture the interest of the market’s hardcore, knowledgeable soccer fan,” he explained. “With all of this said, I believe that the Mutiny were actually on their way to being successful in this market had they been given the opportunity to further establish themselves over time.”

Since coming to Tampa in 1999, Holt describes Central Florida as a thriving youth soccer market with several competitive clubs as a potential source of pro talent.

He points to the example of local side HC United, a regular participant in regional/national champions and supply line of national team players, currently competes in our Super Y-League and has acquired a USL W-League (women’s) franchise which will begin competition in summer 2008 under the guidance of George Fotopoulos.

But while Holt views Tampa as an ideal market for an MLS or USL 1 side, the sticking point remains ownership. Although the USL has been close with several different prospective ownership groups over the past five years, the search continues for the right fit.

With any ownership group, four factors must things in any expansion situation: appropriate stadium/venue, well-capitalized & committed ownership, experienced management and sales team, and strong population base / soccer market.

With the annual operating budget for a USL First Division franchise typically ranging between $1.5-2.0 million-- with start-up costs are also in the low seven-figures, Holt says the biggest factor in profit for USL teams tends to be the generation of ticket and sponsorship revenue.

Crucial to this effort is an attractive stadium situation to attract advertisers and fans. (Translation: a well-located stadium primarily used and designed for soccer that seats in the range of 6,000-12,000 fans with certain amenities.)

“Ultimately, if the community is serious about bringing professional soccer back, the solution will address the lack of a suitable and appropriately sized professional soccer stadium.” adds Holt.

The search continues:

With a number of options seemingly open for Tampa, Holt also revealed that the USL are in active dialog with a group that is considering the acquisition of the USL First Division ( USL -1) rights for the Tampa market to field a team beginning in the 2009 season.

According to Holt, this is a credible group that has the financial wherewithal to operate a franchise at the USL -1 level and has spent the better part of the past year researching the league and best practices of our franchises. But the questions remains, where would they play?

While some fans have suggested Al Lang Field, current home of the minor league Tampa Bay Rays, most are quick to admit that a converted baseball stadium with a capacity below 10,000 is less than ideal.

A more intriguing possibility for many is the ambitious effort by the Clearwater Galactics, a prominent youth and adult soccer club, to build a 15,000 soccer specific stadium and sporting complex in Clearwater.

According to Administrative director Ralf Gerhard, the Galactics were formed in May 2006 with the goal of having a big soccer complex with a professional team playing in the highest levels of American soccer. The first step in this strategic plan is to create a club house where all the members could meet and have nice event.

While Gerhard concedes the challenges of building a stadium (surveying costs, etc), he says his club is currently well on it’s way to garnering necessary sponsorship—with the ultimate goal of breaking ground by 2009-2010.

For his money, Stone says expansion at the University of Tampa or something north of town could work, but “the closer to downtown Tampa the better for fans.”

But rather than moving in to an existing structure, Holt says the USL group, who are simultaneously reviewing options in the Southwestern United States, has indicated a willingness to play a major role in the financing of the building of a new playing venue.

But whatever form the, both Stone and Holt agree it is only a matter of time before pro soccer returns to Tampa. “Between the weather, space and mix of cultures in the sunshine state, all the ingredients are here...that's why MLS would love to get back into the soccer business in Florida.” adds Stone

Where haveI been news?

Alright everyone, so the first thing I have been is busy: moving from my cramped NYC apartment to wide open Lakeland Florida to start my new life as the owner of Peak Fitness, a performance training facility for athletes.

The good news is this will give me more access than ever before to pro soccer players and matches—which means more fitness columns such as my latest on increasing your heading for soccer.

Staying true to my Floridian roots, I have also decided to refocus this blog on issues of Florida soccer. With Miami's expansion efforts heating up, we are still waiting for a team here in central Florida. But pro soccer may be closer than you thought. In a soon to be released column, I spoke with Tampa native Rob Stone and USL VP Tim Holt who gives the lowdown on MLS coming back to Tampa and some inside info on negotiations for a USL 1 team in Tampa by 2009!

Deep thoughts on: Expansion

Turning to MLS as a whole, the big news this week with relation to Florida has been the new effort by the City of Miami to fund a $50 million soccer stadium by 2010. For Floridians, this is a huge development and would almost certainly prove an attractive offer for many investors.

But after the failure of Fusions and local A-league side Miami FC's attendance hovering around 1,000, could any expansion side fill a soccer stadium? Loook for my column on the subject in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, it is also clear the league's rapid expansion will provide an increasing challange to the USL player pool. With this in mind, I asked USL VP of operations Tim Holt his thoughts on the matter:

With the MLS continuing to expand, how will the a-league remain relevant with the drain on talent and resources?

TH: I am not necessarily convinced that future MLS expansion drains talent and resources to the extent it affects the objectives of USL as a soccer organization. Our models are very different. MLS represents 14 franchises in 13 markets, albeit in a very high-profile manner; whereas USL with its 24 professional franchises, 100+ developmental (men’s & women’s franchises), and 600 elite youth teams represents a vertically-integrated league model that we believe reflects how clubs/leagues are structured in the world’s top soccer nations.

We focus on being grassroots and serving to provide affordable family entertainment in every market we serve while positively impacting player development opportunities for elite male and female athletes. Further, we are actively working to establish further relationships with international clubs and leagues currently highlighted by the ownership of a professional soccer team in Baltimore by Crystal Palace FC of the English Championship and the recently announced player-development initiative between USL & West Ham United of the English Premier League, not to mention several affiliations between our franchises/clubs and teams in other continents around the world. We operate in a world market and although concerned about MLS expanding into markets where we have established soccer professional soccer franchises, USL expects to be more relevant in the next 20 years than we have been in our first 20 of existence.

My Take on the matter:

But while supporters are quick to point out we are unlikely to reach the crisis point of the cash fueled EPL, one need look only a few hundred miles north to Scotland to gauge the impact of foreign mercenaries.

Only after a dismal television deal led to a financial meltdown amongst SPL clubs did the influx of cheap, foreign talent which was choking Scottish youth systems cease to a halt-- forcing Scottish sides to field homegrown youngsters in their first teams. Today, it is no surprise that this coincided with the renaissance which is currently taking place with Scottish national team and improved club football in Europe.

In Europe for example, the Rangers team which defeated Lyon 3-0 in France fielded 8 scots, while the Celtic team that turned over champions league holders AC Milan fielded seven. Hell, between them Celtic and Rangers field nearly as many Englishmen as the top four EPL sides combined.

When it comes to MLS, these contrasts (and the NASL for that matter), illustrate the dangers and benefits of what is on the horizon. For every Christian Gomez, we will likely see several Sergio Galvan Rey's and Denilsons. At least Juan Veron had the decency to follow his heart, rather than cashing in on his name. But many teams will not be so lucky. Beyond entertainers, we need players who will mold our youngsters both on and off the field (ala Etcheverry, Moreno, and Angel)

Ultimately, success with these rules will come down to the development of our youth academies and our coaches willingness to take a chance on young players.

Given the number of foreign (and mostly British) coaches in our league, I just hope we are all on the same page (you hear me, Mo Johnston?).

Anyway, stay tuned for my full story on pro soccer in Tampa in the coming days. Until then, show some love.