Jacksonville on short list for NASL franchise

[bencrix]

I think the biggest barrier to soccer fandom is the major learning curve in understanding the competitions (e.g. the various cups, etc., some of which stretch over more than one season), the relationships between the leagues, clubs vs. national teams, etc. It is very confusing at first, but the context is necessary for understanding why a 1-1 draw can be riveting.

Yeah, I don't get any of the "how the league/s work" thing AT ALL...

I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I learned that by playing the EA Sports FIFA video game on manager mode for a couple of virtual seasons. It turns out that there are multiple competitions going on simultaneously that tend to make every game very consequential for both the best and the worst teams, which is nice. (Not exactly true for MLS).

[Coolyfett]

Jacksonville Armada.

Cool logo

Not even a huge soccer fan, but my pops was in the Navy so I can get behind this!!!

[Coolyfett]

CSX has the logo lit up on end of building facing the Landing. Looks pretty cool. Pic is on Armada twitter page. I have no idea how to show the pic in here. Kind of techie challenged.

It looks great

Thats cooll have they ever done that for Jags games?

[edjax]

Never seen for Jags. I was downtown last name and it looked pretty cool. Every once in a while it would spin around I guess to draw attention.

[blizz01]

Would have looked as if it was floating in mid air against the BOA tower.....

Anyone going to the Landing tonight for the "release party"?

[Bridges]

Anyone going to the Landing tonight for the "release party"?

What time?

[edjax]

5-8

[blizz01]

Went last night to get a T-shirt for the little one.  Turnout was stonger than I expected.  If they can produce a good venue, I really think they'll do well here. 

The graphic on the CSX building was a brilliant idea & needs to be a mainstay - at least switch it up as needed/necessary for special events (Jags, Sharks, Suns, 4th of July, Christmas, etc...).

[blizz01]

I read that they in addition to UNF and/or JU, that they're also considering playing at the Baseball Grounds in the interim - thoughts?

[Tacachale]

I've only heard UNF's Hodges Stadium and the Baseball Grounds. Neither are going to be an ideal soccer experience, and they both have their good and bad points. Hodges Stadium has the advantage of having an actual soccer field, and being on the Southside it's probably close to a lot of their customer base. But it's kind of hard to get to. The Baseball Grounds are, well, a baseball grounds, but it's downtown and a lot more accessible than the UNF stadium.

[edjax]

I could live with either short term. I believe the article in the T-U indicated that a requirement for the expansion teams were they moved into a soccer specific stadium within a few years. Not sure how accurate that is as you never know with the accuracy of a T-U article.

[blizz01]

Looks like the Tampa Bay Rowdies play in a hybrid/former baseball stadium as well - I'd imagine that scheduling & field prep would be tough with the Suns though:



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tampa_Bay_Rowdies#Al_Lang_Stadium

[edjax]

If scheduling would work out I prefer the Baseball Grounds. I like fact downtown and I think it would have a unique feel. Better than the Rowdies as the BG have seats all the way down the right field line and outfield seats too in right field.  I have seen a few people project a soccer field on the BG field and it seems to just fit.

[I-10east]

^^^I was about to say, that St Pete baseball field is a bad soccer venue; Like you said, one goal is way in no man's land.

[blizz01]

Guess they'd just call it "The Grounds".....