Latest news with #Rowdies
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
St. Petersburg to explore demolishing Tampa Bay Rowdies stadium
ST. PETERSBURG — Mayor Ken Welch's administration has unveiled a proposal to remake the city's downtown waterfront that includes demolishing Al Lang Stadium. Under a conceptual plan presented to City Council members on Thursday, Al Lang would be turned into an outdoor amphitheater. St. Petersburg officials have long wished to better connect the Mahaffey Theater and the Dalí Museum and create a more cohesive space with curb appeal. But the proposal to get rid of Al Lang Stadium, the next-door home of Tampa Bay Rowdies, the minor league soccer team owned by the Tampa Bay Rays, alarmed City Council members. 'I'm struggling with totally removing Al Lang Stadium,' said council chairperson Copley Gerdes. 'A stadium which is 80 years old with a massive amount of history especially when we're contemplating the future of the Historic Gas Plant and what that might look like.' The proposal comes weeks after the Rays announced that they were pulling out of plans to build a new $1.3 billion downtown stadium for the baseball team. It included plans to redevelop the Gas Plant district, a historically Black part of St. Petersburg once located at the Rays' current home, Tropicana Field. Relations have soured between Welch and Rays owner Stuart Sternberg, with the mayor saying he would never again negotiate with Sternberg. Council members wondered whether team ownership had been consulted about the Al Lang proposal. 'It seems like they weren't included at all,' said council member Richie Floyd. 'I just wondered what the thought process was for what seems like a major partner there, for their future not to be implicated in this.' Beth Herendeen, managing director of city development, said she has spoken with Rowdies President Ryan Helfrick. She said the city is currently working on a lease renewal for the Rowdies, whose current contract at Al Lang expires later this year. 'They're involved and they're aware,' she said. Demolition of Al Lang would take place sometime after 2028, according to the proposal presented to council members on Thursday. Plans also include building a 400-car garage and a new facility for the Florida Orchestra. The amphitheater would be comparable to the BayCare Sound in Clearwater 'but way better,' said ASD | Sky consultant John Curran. Council members expressed interest in plans to redevelop the Center of the Arts. But getting rid of Al Lang Stadium, a site that once hosted spring training games, didn't go over well. 'That made my eye twitch a little bit because I can't imagine not having Al Lang Stadium. I can't imagine not having the Rowdies,' said council member Gina Driscoll, who represents downtown. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
USL Championship Preview
Below we're covering six teams from the USL Eastern Conference, moving geographically from south to north. Founded: 2015 Home Field: Pitbull Stadium (20,000 capacity) 2024 Season: 3W – 2D – 29L. Finished 12th in the Eastern Conference; 24th overall. With only 11 points, Miami not only 'won' the Wooden Spoon, but also set a new record for poor performance with the lowest win tally – ever. Notable Figures: I mean no disrespect, but there are none. Forward Frank Lopez, responsible for 38% of the 2024 goals, left on a free transfer in January. Offseason Moves: With seven managers in five years, new gaffer Gastón Maddoni best not get too comfortable. The franchise also parted ways with 12 players, bringing in 13 ones. Basically, this is a reboot, which is good news because Miami FC could literally not get any worse. First Match: Host Detroit City FC on March 8th at 4pm ET. Founded: 2008. The current Rowdies are a phoenix club of a team that played in the NASL from 1975-1993. Home Field: Al Lang Stadium (7,500 capacity) 2024 Season: 14W – 8D – 11L. Finished 6th in the Eastern Conference; 9th overall. The Rowdies shocked Detroit City FC, winning 3 – 1 in PKs after a 1 – 1 draw, then lost to Charleston Battery 2 – 1 in the semi-finals. Notable Figures: Manuel Arteaga and Cal Jennings shared the top scorer crown in 2024, with 20 goals apiece. Offseason Moves: Nine players departed; nine players arrived. Jennings departed on a free transfer to Charleston, a blow to their attack. First Match: Visit Las Vegas Lights on March 8th. Founded: 2017 Home Field: Protective Stadium (47,000 capacity). It also serves as the home of the NCAA UAB Blazers and USFL Birmingham Stallions (both American football). 2024 Season: 13W – 6D – 15L. Finished 9th in the Eastern Conference; 14th overall. Did not qualify for postseason, though they had more points than the West Conf. 7th and 8th places teams. Notable Figures: USMNT and Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards became an investor in 2024. Offseason Moves: In 2024 Birmingham's conversion rate was a lowly 12.5%. The club made big moves to address their front line, bringing on four new faces: Ronaldo Damus and Danny Trejo (USL-C veterans) as well as Sebastian Tregarthen and Lucca Dourado (both are college students making their professional debuts). We'll see if this gamble pays off. First Match: They will host Loudoun United on March 8th at 7pm CT. Founded: 1993. They are the oldest continuously operating professional soccer club in the United States. Home Field: Patriots Point Soccer Complex (5,000 capacity) 2024 Season: 18W – 10D – 6L. Finished 2nd in the Eastern Conference; 2nd overall. They had a strong run in the postseason, defeating the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Tampa Bay Rowdies before being upset by debutante Rhode Island FC 2 – 1 in the Conference Final. Notable Figures: 2024's Golden Boot winner Nick Markanich departed the club for Spain's CD Castellón in January. Offseason Moves: The club made two big moves to shore up their attack. First, they signed Honduran international and seasoned USL vet Douglas Martínez. Second, they also nabbed Cal Jennings from Tampa. Smart business. First Match: Will host USL Player's Shield Winner Louisville City FC on March 8th at 7:30pm ET. Founded: 2006 (as the Carolina RailHawks). They moved up from the third tier USL League 1 three years ago. Home Field: WakeMed Soccer Park (10,000 capacity) 2024 Season: Finished 8th in the Eastern Conference; 13th overall. Snuck into the final playoff spot below Pittsburgh on goal differential. Lost in the quarterfinals to Louisville City FC 3 – 2. Notable Figures: 2024's top scorer Oalex Anderson (13 goals; 3 assists) returns. Offseason Moves: It was a fairly quiet winter for NCFC. Six of their players signed extensions to stay through 2026, giving them a core to build around. They pulled in two experienced defenders (France's Patrick Burner and Trinidad's Triston Hodge) to shore up the defense, and League 1 Player of the Year finalist Pedro Dolabella to provide punch in the attack. First Match: Hosting the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on March 8th at 4pm ET. Founded: 2014. They are one of the most successful USL teams ever, having finished first or second in their conference a record eight times. Home Field: Lynn Family Stadium (15,300 capacity) 2024 Season: Finished 1st in the Eastern Conference; 1st overall. Winner of the Player's Shield. Notable Figures: Team captain Kyle Adams is a New Zealand international who recently signed a multi-year deal to stay in the purple for the foreseeable future. Offseason Moves: Losing 21 year old midfielder Elijah Wynder to LA Galaxy is a blow, though the $400K transfer fee will cushion it. Elijah played in 37 games last season, scoring six times. They have kept their impressive defensive line intact, signing most players to multi-year deals. First Match: Travel to take on Charleston Battery on March 8th at 7:30pm ET.
