QuoteMark July 25 as a possible red-letter day on Jacksonville’s soccer calendar.
That’s when the North American Soccer League is set to hold a board meeting on expansion â€" a meeting that could mean the return of a professional soccer club to Jacksonville after a 15-year hiatus.
Last Wednesday, NASL commissioner Bill Peterson announced that Jacksonville was being considered for an expansion team that would begin play in 2015. Barring an unforeseen setback, Jacksonville’s bid is expected to come up for a vote at the meeting in Dallas.
Strong support for four major matches within the last 14 months â€" U.S. men’s and women’s games against Scotland, an MLS preseason contest and Wednesday’s game between Mexican clubs Tigres and Cruz Azul â€" bolstered the city’s case.
http://jacksonville.com/sports/other-sports/2013-07-07/story/jacksonville-short-list-possible-cities-get-expansion-team-nasl
Alot of things playing in favor of the city here in terms of fan support for soccer friendlies played here. There also seems to be a good support system in place with Frisch. Not sure about a venue but I assume UNF stadium could probably work until a soccer-specific stadium could be built. I wonder if something like that could be built at the Shipyards.
Or Mark could send a very welcomed check to JU and host his new team's games amongst the picturesque and pristine oaks on campus :)
(http://jacksonville.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/superphoto/promo_JUStadium_1.jpg)
So is this the same NASL that the Tea Men were a part of?
Is there an ownership group?QuoteSunshine Soccer Group, formed in May. The group’s chief executive officer is Mark Frisch, executive vice president of Beaver Street Fisheries. Dario Sala, a former goalkeeper who played over a decade in MLS and Argentina, serves as president.
This is a new league. Some of the franchises are ones that left the USL. There are teams in Tampa, Ft Lauderdale and Atlanta among other major North American markets.
It is just under MLS in the US soccer hierarchy. One thing worth noting is that the commish of the NASL lives in Ponte Vedra, which can't hurt.
Very cool. I wonder if we could get the "Tea Men" name back.
Quote from: Tacachale on July 08, 2013, 12:12:02 PM
Very cool. I wonder if we could get the "Tea Men" name back.
Naw, "Tea Men" has no real local tie - that was the name of the team that moved from the Boston area.
No, we need something with a more local connection. Perhaps maintaining the rhythm/sound of the old name ... let's see, we're a Navy town, lots of sailors ... anything come to mind?
The J-ville Seamen
Quote from: funwithteeth on July 08, 2013, 12:21:42 PM
The J-ville Seamen
Well there is a name quite "fertile" with possibilities. lmao
Hahaha. At any rate, here's some links for the proposed ownership group, Sunshine Soccer Group. They're evidently behind the game last week between Mexican teams, which evidently drew over 4,000 people:
http://www.sunshinesoccergroup.com/
https://www.facebook.com/SunshineSoccerGroup/info
http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=539943
Jacksonville United has a nice ring to it.
Classy, and kind of plays off of the whole consolidation thing.
^There is already an NPSL team here called Jacksonville United.
I'd get season tickets and join a supporters club. Show of messages....How many here would get season tickets and how many friends/acquaintances would as well? I play on two adult league teams, and I'd imagine at least half the guys would get tickets. Also know a lot of other random soccer players/fans. I'd guess that I know at least 25 people that would get season tickets and another 25-50 that would regularly go to games and tailgate.
I would have a mild interest and probably would go to a few games. However being that it seems that the NASL season runs on while the Jaguars play, I doubt I'd get my money's worth.
I saw someone above mention putting a soccer stadium at the Shipyards. How much of that property would a soccer stadium take up? And what would happen to that stadium if the league or team doesn't survive here.
Quote from: comncense on July 08, 2013, 06:57:40 PM
I saw someone above mention putting a soccer stadium at the Shipyards. How much of that property would a soccer stadium take up? And what would happen to that stadium if the league or team doesn't survive here.
I saw the same comment.
Not everything needs to be 'Downtown.' We already have a Prison, a Coffee factory, vacant courthouse and school board on prime waterfront land or with river views.
It would make a hell of a lot more sense to do something in conjunction with local universities and colleges to maximize any $$$ put in to a stadium.
I know a lot of effort was put into proposing a swimming and diving facility several years ago. Perhaps, there is another part of town where a 'sports complex' would make sense especially if it was in a location that could be tied into mass transit. Just sayin'.
The colleges have their own stadiums on campus. Something like this should be downtown if it's anywhere. A soccer-specific, multi use stadium wouldn't be a bad fit for the Shipyards, or for the stadium district. You could combine high-level minor league soccer, an outdoor concert and event venue, and a municipal field for amateur football and soccer, marquis high school games, rugby and the like. There are a million things we could do with some forward thinking.
How about at Metro Park then? I just think this would be a bad thing to put at the Shipyards... just my opinion. All of this is speculation though anyway, so probably not even worth putting it to this much discussion when we don't even know IF we're getting a team at this point.
Personally I'd rather see something like Philly Live or LA Live put at the Shipyards, but that's an entirely different conversation.
I did hear something today about a soccer specific stadium potentially in the vicinity of JTB/9A. It could be part of a larger sprawling athletic complex with multiple fields. Something like that would take up a lot of land and would not be practical for downtown. I am just glad we're even having this conversation.
From what I understand, you'd need around 12 acres of space. Outside of the sports district, such an amount of space would not be practical for downtown. Without putting too much thought into it, I'd probably lean to the idea of combining a facility with one of the local schools like EWC, JU, or UNF.
Quote from: comncense on July 08, 2013, 08:57:22 PM
How about at Metro Park then? I just think this would be a bad thing to put at the Shipyards... just my opinion. All of this is speculation though anyway, so probably not even worth putting it to this much discussion when we don't even know IF we're getting a team at this point.
Personally I'd rather see something like Philly Live or LA Live put at the Shipyards, but that's an entirely different conversation.
Oh yeah, there are tons of options if we're smart and creative. Though I think something like I describe may be worth investing whether or not this particular soccer team worked out. There will be other soccer teams, but we're really missing a lot of great concerts and events by not having something that size.
As for a big complex in the suburbs, I wouldn't object to that, though I wouldn't want to commit nearly the resources to it out there as the opportunity to inspire other nearby activity and development isn't there. Perhaps we could combine something with one of the parks we've already built for soccer use.
Anybody know if Tebow ever played soccer? LOL!
Quote from: comncense on July 08, 2013, 08:57:22 PM
Personally I'd rather see something like Philly Live or LA Live put at the Shipyards, but that's an entirely different conversation.
something like that belongs close to the core of downtown....not on the far eastern edge
We already have something like that called the Landing. It would be cheaper and easier to get it right instead of subsidizing something similar a couple of blocks away.
Agree. It is what the Landing should be. But at this point, I don't know if we can ever expect it to be though.
Quote
Bid for NASL soccer team has city's backing
Jacksonville’s chase for a North American Soccer League franchise has another potential victor: City Hall.
The NASL’s selection of Jacksonville as an expansion candidate might mark a new milestone in the city’s efforts to attract sports enterprises.
“Bringing an NASL franchise would be super, and the city and the mayor really support that,†said Alan Verlander, executive director of the Jacksonville Sports and Entertainment Office.
Although the city’s involvement in the process is indirect, NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson said that the favorable relationship between the franchise and local leaders contributed to the bid’s strength.
“We’re working very closely with Sunshine Soccer Group to put everything together from Jacksonville’s standpoint to sell our city,†Verlander said.
...
From Clayton Freeman at jacksonville.com
http://jacksonville.com/sports/other-sports/2013-07-08/story/bid-nasl-soccer-team-has-citys-backing#ixzz2YYS8e9bf
If we put it near commodore point, I say we put it on an existing stadium parking lot and build a parking deck to make up for the lost spaces. It would also fit nicely on the tailgater's lot. It would be nice to put a retail/hotel component over there when this opened, but programming still won't support that. We could put it the pepsi dun zone and leave apace on the southern part of lot J for mixed use/retail when the shipyards come online. I think the pepsi area is underutilized and is a waste of space.
In regards to the tebow comment.... I know that he has plans for something that actually could work with a space like this. It's not that crazy an idea.....
Location of the stadium is tricky here. The backbone of the fan base will likely be people who grew up playing soccer or families of kids that currently play, as well as hipster types (this is why soccer is so big in Seattle and Portland). Of course there will be plenty of other fans, but I'd bet that >50% of the above types will make up attendance. Soccer families are suburban...hipsters usually in the core or beach. There is also the potential to draw people regionally to games. I grew up playing soccer locally, but my team was in a statewide Premier League, so I have a pretty good idea where soccer is big. Regionally soccer is big at the beach, southern suburbs (Clay and St. Johns), and southern parts of the city. Outside of the metro area places like Flagler County, Ormond Beach, and Gainesville are other hotbeds. There is virtually nothing north of downtown (including the suburbs). Which in this case means that the geographic center of potential fans is somewhere on the Southside. I'd go so far as to guess that >85% of fans will come from south of downtown.
I think an MLS team would be marquee enough to draw people from an hour away to Downtown for games, but no so sure about an NASL team. Of course having the stadium would be a great thing for downtown and I'm a downtown advocate....but I'm not so sure if its the best move for a NASL franchise.
^No matter where it is, I don't think we should build an entire stadium based on the needs of NASL soccer. Whether we're building a suburban complex that can be expanded, or a multi-use project to create activity downtown, there needs to be much more to it to make it worthwhile.
Totally agree. If Downtown, I'd love to see a part amphitheater/part stadium with river views for both games and concerts. Might even be a way to mitigate some of the noise concerns of the St. Nicholas folks too.
Quote from: Tacachale on July 09, 2013, 10:54:08 AM
^No matter where it is, I don't think we should build an entire stadium based on the needs of NASL soccer. Whether we're building a suburban complex that can be expanded, or a multi-use project to create activity downtown, there needs to be much more to it to make it worthwhile.
Agreed. This should be built in a way that makes it work well for other sporting events and just general event space. Personally I see that being easier to accomplish DT where it can share parking facilities with the other huge complexes nearby. I think the mandarin kids will still drive up for a match if it's in DT. A practice facility could double as flex space or staging for events in the area.
Quote from: fieldafm on July 08, 2013, 10:27:03 AM
Or Mark could send a very welcomed check to JU and host his new team's games amongst the picturesque and pristine oaks on campus :)
(http://jacksonville.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/superphoto/promo_JUStadium_1.jpg)
I don't think anyone in their right mind would build a brand new soccer stadium out of pocket for an NASL team. Everbank Field is simply too big for crowds of 4-5k people. The more likely scenario is using UNF's existing stadium or
MUCH BETTER YET JU's new stadium which could be up and running in time for league play with a helpful donation from the Frisch family :)
^Sure, they could use that if UNF's field is booked ;) At any rate it sounds like they'll look to play at one of the colleges (ahem) with hopes of building a new stadium down the road.
^ everyone agrees with that (i think). We're just saying that the city could really use a venue of that size anyway, so let's build it with a number of uses in mind. If we can't program it to function as much more than a soccer stafium, it would be more cost effective to use an existing facility.
Any new stadium built would be multi-use. Not just for an NASL franchise. I could see something like San Antonio built.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/scorpions/article/Scorpions-finally-have-their-8-000-seat-field-of-4429684.php
I'll admit to sticking with the European clubs I've long-loved over being an MLS fan, but I would love to see a NASL side here.
I think a lot of suburban folks with kids who play soccer pony up for tickets to event games like the US National, but I encounter more soccer jerseys on 20-somethings in the urban core than anywhere else in town. Agreed that the beaches has a good fan base, largely because there are a few great supporter clubs and soccer-friendly bars (Burrito Gallery downtown tries hard, and has a small and devoted viewing crowd, but there's always loud music played during matches). Wherever games go, there is no dispute that they are a better for supporters in soccer-specific venues. These can be multi-use, but it takes good planning.
For those who haven't done it yet, do go support the team we already have and see a Jacksonville United match next season. If anything, being a JAX United supporter certainly drives home the frustration of not having a promotion/relegation system in the US.
Tough call on whether the city should go all-in on a new soccer specific or multi-use stadium for an NASL team. It'd be a great first step toward eventually landing an MLS team, but it's likely going to be a long time before Jacksonville would have a shot at an MLS team. David Beckham has been scouting sites in Miami to start a new MLS franchise. In turn, it sounds like Orlando is probably going to find a way to fast track their new $110 million stadium, albeit in two phases. And private investors from England are reported to be planning a $400 million retractable roof soccer specific stadium in Tampa. Even if we have a better fan base, we're already too far behind the curve and realistically fourth in line. Add in the fact that the MLS isn't even expanding into Florida until at least 2016, not sure if the timing is right to build anything too fancy until we see how the NASL would work out.
Back to team names ... something ocean-y, and it ties in with the league, "Spray"
and maybe even an offensive tactic - spray the ball around the pitch ...
Quote from: Captain Zissou on July 09, 2013, 11:02:14 AM
Quote from: Tacachale on July 09, 2013, 10:54:08 AM
^No matter where it is, I don't think we should build an entire stadium based on the needs of NASL soccer. Whether we're building a suburban complex that can be expanded, or a multi-use project to create activity downtown, there needs to be much more to it to make it worthwhile.
I think the mandarin kids will still drive up for a match if it's in DT. A practice facility could double as flex space or staging for events in the area.
Its not the Mandarin kids that you may miss out on DT, its places like St. Augustine, Flagler County, and Ormond Beach....and yes people would travel from those places. Growing up I knew a kid from Jax Beach that played for Ormond Beach, and I also know quite a few from Flagler that played in Jax. If people would drive up 2x a week for practices, they would come up once a week for pro games.
Quote from: KenFSU on July 09, 2013, 12:55:37 PM
Tough call on whether the city should go all-in on a new soccer specific or multi-use stadium for an NASL team. It'd be a great first step toward eventually landing an MLS team, but it's likely going to be a long time before Jacksonville would have a shot at an MLS team. David Beckham has been scouting sites in Miami to start a new MLS franchise. In turn, it sounds like Orlando is probably going to find a way to fast track their new $110 million stadium, albeit in two phases. And private investors from England are reported to be planning a $400 million retractable roof soccer specific stadium in Tampa. Even if we have a better fan base, we're already too far behind the curve and realistically fourth in line. Add in the fact that the MLS isn't even expanding into Florida until at least 2016, not sure if the timing is right to build anything too fancy until we see how the NASL would work out.
I am not sold on Tampa. That ownership group fielded a team in the USL Pro this year and they barely averaged 300 people. The Orlando team in the same league averages several thousand a game.
Quote from: Charles Hunter on July 09, 2013, 02:20:13 PM
Back to team names ... something ocean-y, and it ties in with the league, "Spray"
and maybe even an offensive tactic - spray the ball around the pitch ...
Just nothing cliche like Jacksonville City or Real Jacksonville.
I am not sold on Tampa. That ownership group fielded a team in the USL Pro this year and they barely averaged 300 people. The Orlando team in the same league averages several thousand a game.
[/quote]
Tampa has
three teams, though -- tier 2 NASL, 3rd div. and a 4th div. (Isn't Orlando City in 3rd div.?)
For what it's worth, the Marauders did have some fans at their last match here with JAX United, but I think having the Rowdies in town probably makes a huge dent in their home attendance. Most people who have to choose between which season tickets to buy probably chose the NASL team. Once again, without relegation and promotion, it's hard to build supporter stakeholds in lower-tier teams or to build long-term, spirited cross-town rivalries.
Quote from: Charles Hunter on July 09, 2013, 02:20:13 PM
Back to team names ... something ocean-y, and it ties in with the league, "Spray"
and maybe even an offensive tactic - spray the ball around the pitch ...
I generally loathe the naming conventions in the MLS/NASL where most of the teams sound like the by-product of marketing meetings instead of football clubs. No currently-on-trend (but soon to be dated) colors or non-native big-cats, but even those may be better than Galaxy/Earthquakes/Fury/Fire ... and so on. ;)
One thing is for sure, some creative people need to put together a chants and decide on our first supporter traditions just as soon as we get a team.
And yes, people will drive. I leave the urban core for matches -- often it involves an airplane or a long drive. Anything that brings a good, steady crop of matches per year geographically closer would be welcome.
There was some good chatter on Twitter last night about support group names. Follow @DuvalSoccer if you don't already.
I think the Duval Soccer crowd on twitter has had more fun naming the supporters' club. I'd love a Bay St. Casuals shirt and scarf. :)
Quote from: JaxByDefault on July 09, 2013, 03:30:56 PM
Quote from: copperfiend on July 09, 2013, 03:05:17 PM
I am not sold on Tampa. That ownership group fielded a team in the USL Pro this year and they barely averaged 300 people. The Orlando team in the same league averages several thousand a game.
Tampa has two teams, though -- tier 2 NASL and a 4th div. (Isn't Orlando City in 3rd div.?)
For what it's worth, the Marauders did have some fans at their last match here with JAX United, but I think having the Rowdies in town probably makes a huge dent in their home attendance. Most people who have to chose between which season tickets to buy probably chose the NASL team. Once again, without relegation and promotion, it's hard to build supporter stakeholds in lower-tier teams or to build long-term, spirited cross-town rivalries.
Tampa seems to have many soccer teams, its no wonder some don't do as well as others. The NASL team, the Tampa Bay Rowdies ("tier 2" behind MLS) seem to do pretty well, about 4k per game. But there's also the "VSI Tampa Bay FC", a USL Pro team which has multiple associated teams (men's, women's, amateur, youth) and is based in the old Plant City baseball stadium, as well as a number of amateur teams and leagues throughout the region. The VSI Tampa Bay FC is presumably what copperfiend's talking about, but it's unsurprising (it would be like a "FC Real Jacksonville Soccer Academy United FC 1821" playing out at the World Golf Village while a higher profile team played at JU). I don't think it's a bad reflection on Tampa fans, or that we could expect similar, given that we'd only have
one team as well as our vastly superior sports culture ;)
Whatever happened to the FC JAX Destroyers?
gone
Quote from: Tacachale on July 09, 2013, 04:51:06 PM
Quote from: JaxByDefault on July 09, 2013, 03:30:56 PM
Quote from: copperfiend on July 09, 2013, 03:05:17 PM
I am not sold on Tampa. That ownership group fielded a team in the USL Pro this year and they barely averaged 300 people. The Orlando team in the same league averages several thousand a game.
Tampa has two teams, though -- tier 2 NASL and a 4th div. (Isn't Orlando City in 3rd div.?)
For what it's worth, the Marauders did have some fans at their last match here with JAX United, but I think having the Rowdies in town probably makes a huge dent in their home attendance. Most people who have to chose between which season tickets to buy probably chose the NASL team. Once again, without relegation and promotion, it's hard to build supporter stakeholds in lower-tier teams or to build long-term, spirited cross-town rivalries.
Tampa seems to have many soccer teams, its no wonder some don't do as well as others. The NASL team, the Tampa Bay Rowdies ("tier 2" behind MLS) seem to do pretty well, about 4k per game. But there's also the "VSI Tampa Bay FC", a USL Pro team which has multiple associated teams (men's, women's, amateur, youth) and is based in the old Plant City baseball stadium, as well as a number of amateur teams and leagues throughout the region. The VSI Tampa Bay FC is presumably what copperfiend's talking about, but it's unsurprising (it would be like a "FC Real Jacksonville Soccer Academy United FC 1821" playing out at the World Golf Village while a higher profile team played at JU). I don't think it's a bad reflection on Tampa fans, or that we could expect similar, given that we'd only have one team as well as our vastly superior sports culture ;)
The reason I brought up that USL Pro team is because that is the same ownership group that is supposedly building a 400 million dollar soccer stadium.
QuoteJacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan is in talks to buy English Premier League club Fulham FC, according to multiple reports. What seemed to start as just rumors on Twitter late last night, which has now blossomed to a full fledged report on television from Sky Sports.
The Daily Mail reported on Wednesday that Fulham owner Mohamad Al Fayed is putting the club up for sale, which has been valued around £200 million ($298 million), and a deal with Khan to purchase the team could be completed by the end of the week.
Khan is a noted soccer fan and made a few rounds to some matches when he was in London, most notably attending an Everton match and sitting with the owner of the club. The only feedback I've gotten speaking with a few people on the possibility of Khan entering the soccer foray is a "I wouldn't be surprised at all," but Sky Sports is reporting he's in advanced talks.
If Khan joined the EPL ranks as an owner, he would be with fellow NFL owners Joel Glazer (Buccaneers, Manchester United), and Stan Kroenke (Rams, Arsenal).
While the purchase of a foreign soccer team, especially a London based one, is going to give more fuel to the ridiculous "Jaguars are moving to London!" fire, owning a London based team would make less sense in moving a team there. By holding both Fulham in London and the Jaguars in Jacksonville, Khan taps two markets at the same time. By moving an NFL franchise to London, he's competing against himself for money.
An interesting note in all of this, if the reports of advanced talks are true, is the possibility of a partnership between the two franchises, especially since Jacksonville has exclusive marketing rights in England for the next four years.
It's all just talk right now, but get ready for another moving to London firestorm.
Quote from: copperfiend on July 10, 2013, 09:03:51 AM
Quote from: Tacachale on July 09, 2013, 04:51:06 PM
Quote from: JaxByDefault on July 09, 2013, 03:30:56 PM
Quote from: copperfiend on July 09, 2013, 03:05:17 PM
I am not sold on Tampa. That ownership group fielded a team in the USL Pro this year and they barely averaged 300 people. The Orlando team in the same league averages several thousand a game.
Tampa has two teams, though -- tier 2 NASL and a 4th div. (Isn't Orlando City in 3rd div.?)
For what it's worth, the Marauders did have some fans at their last match here with JAX United, but I think having the Rowdies in town probably makes a huge dent in their home attendance. Most people who have to chose between which season tickets to buy probably chose the NASL team. Once again, without relegation and promotion, it's hard to build supporter stakeholds in lower-tier teams or to build long-term, spirited cross-town rivalries.
Tampa seems to have many soccer teams, its no wonder some don't do as well as others. The NASL team, the Tampa Bay Rowdies ("tier 2" behind MLS) seem to do pretty well, about 4k per game. But there's also the "VSI Tampa Bay FC", a USL Pro team which has multiple associated teams (men's, women's, amateur, youth) and is based in the old Plant City baseball stadium, as well as a number of amateur teams and leagues throughout the region. The VSI Tampa Bay FC is presumably what copperfiend's talking about, but it's unsurprising (it would be like a "FC Real Jacksonville Soccer Academy United FC 1821" playing out at the World Golf Village while a higher profile team played at JU). I don't think it's a bad reflection on Tampa fans, or that we could expect similar, given that we'd only have one team as well as our vastly superior sports culture ;)
The reason I brought up that USL Pro team is because that is the same ownership group that is supposedly building a 400 million dollar soccer stadium.
Ha, I didn't know that. Yeah, that does sound like a long shot for them. Not to mention that they're way behind Orlando, and MLS is always talking putting another team in Miami. Given that there are no teams in the south, it seems unlikely the MLS would put a second or third team in Florida without a solid stadium deal.
Good piece in the JBJ about locations for a stadium.
http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2013/07/11/sunshine-soccer-group-would-look-at.html?page=all
QuoteIf he were to come back with a team, he would continue the dialogue on finding a place to play â€" with EverBank Field and the University of North Florida being the main two to look at. But ultimately the goal is to build a soccer-specific stadium within a few years of play.
Once the group gets a team, Frisch plans to do studies in the area â€" including the surrounding counties â€" to find what location would make the most sense. But he did say he has a few good areas in mind, such as Downtown or somewhere near the Interstate 295 and J. Turner Butler Boulevard intersection.
With Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan looking at the Shipyards, I asked Frisch about the vacant land on the Southbank directly across the river and the prospects of putting a stadium there. His response: “It would be sweet.â€
A stadium would be built in phases, and initially would have between 5,000 and 8,000 seats. Once the second phase is finished it would have nearly 20,000 â€" the level Frisch said is in Major League Soccer’s wheelhouse.
“Then you have a nice-sized venue for friendlies in future and U.S. men’s match qualifiers,†he said.
Frisch is cautiously optimistic about his chances to walk away with a franchise, but he said the league’s commissioner has said positive things about Jacksonville and the growing soccer fan presence in the area.
He also said the fan response to the group has been excellent, saying “we have some really passionate soccer fans here.†He hasn’t had a chance to go out and meet them, but he says they are very active on social media.
“From the social media side you can say a few words about a potential soccer team and you will have 50 or so people right away jump in on the conversation,†he said.
That conversation includes positive response all the way to debating team names.
If Frisch lands a franchise, it wouldn’t be the first time a professional soccer team was in Jacksonville.
The Jacksonville Cyclones, a USL A-League soccer team, was here in the 1990s and the NASL had the Jacksonville Tea Men in the 1980s.
As many indicated Southside is the only location it will work, because real soccer fans will go to the games. If a venue is built downtown it will be for snobbies that could disappear as fast as they showed up. I can't get off my head those Jax Destroyers games and 4 guys trying to initiate some Euro-type chanting: "Mount the Gun Destroyers, Mount the Gun Destroyers! Where are they now?
Soccer here in town is suburban by nature, the thousands of kids that play each week in NFYSL (JFC, JYSC, Arlington, Ponte Vedra, Creeks or Clay County) has a center point located way south of downtown and these could be the ones filling the stands.
If I have to pick a place it could be Patton Park itself, the complex is already built, just add a structure of 8-10K seating capacity to the opposite side of the bleachers with consessions, locker rooms and admin offices under and we are ready to go. The Team can be Jacksonville United itself with the semi-pro existing Jax United still competing in the NPLS as a developmental team associated with the NASL team.
The other option is to build a brand new stadium somewhere along Baymeadows-9A, plenty of land and easy to access from surrounding counties south of Jacksonville where soccer is very popular as well.
^So are you saying "suburban by nature" people wouldn't drive the extra couple of minutes to get downtown? I'm pretty sure baseball is also bigger in the suburbs, but the Suns do very well in the stadium district.
Patton Park? No freaking way. Less "suburbanites" from St. Johns and Clay would go there than Downtown and it would be a logistical nightmare to get people in and out.
IF it goes anywhere on the southside, the only logical location is somewhere in the JTB-295 vicinity. I know I was pushing for the possibility of a southside spot earlier in the thread, but after reading the JBJ piece I'm changing my tune to DT. If the ambition is to expand to a 20k type facility for a possible MLS team, as well as concerts and friendlies, DT is the way to go.
I say good luck with all of this - would rather see an expansion to AAA baseball in Jax with smaller addition to the Baseball Grounds and a name sponsorship there, as well as a few winning seasons for the Jags and stable crowd turnout and season ticket sales than the city chase another dream that may end up biting the city in the behind and alienating voters even more than they are now.
Professional sports teams and stadiums are so expensive - where is Jax going to get the money? Who are the private groups chasing this?
Atlanta sports/Falcons/new Falcons stadium benefit from state support and billionaires. Now the Jags have a billionaire backer. Bay Area professional sports are all privately backed, from operations to stadiums. Jacksonville is the last city on earth that needs more professional sports teams and stadiums that aren't going to be funded privately at purely private speculation and risk.
well Frisch is a VP at Beaver Street Fisheries...so there's your private ownership group simms
SORRY SIMS BUT... This is maybe the 2,000Th post of yours where I've seen this same line, either literal or implied: " "Jacksonville is the last city on earth that needs more___________ . (Fill in the blank). Off the top of my head we can insert: hotels, streetcars, skyway expansion, downtown mixed use, stadiums, sports...etc. I could understand being a critic in some specialized line of work, but on EVERYTHING JACKSONVILLE? Really? Let's review a few. Hey, at least this post will make I-10E smile.
THREAD : Jacksonville on short list for NASL franchise
"Professional sports teams and stadiums are so expensive - where is Jax going to get the money? Who are the private groups chasing this?
...Jacksonville is the last city on earth that needs more professional sports teams and stadiums that aren't going to be funded privately at purely private speculation and risk."
THREAD : DDRB to Evaluate Revisions to Brooklyn Retail Project
"Some of the other stuff is pie in the sky for Jax for at least another generation (unless we turn into Austin overnight)..."
THREAD : Riverside Park Development Proposed For Brooklyn
"There is NO WAY retail is going to be a component of this. Quit sipping the Koolaid, urban retail is challenging even in some much more urban, much larger cities. No retailer would survive or even consider locating to this area..."
THREAD : National study claims Jacksonville's parks need help
" It's another to buy up and set aside a ton of pine forest on the westside and northside and scattered about town and call it "park space". This is NOT beautiful land or publicly useful..." "...Jax certainly doesn't have the 8 billionaires Atlanta does (as a matter of fact, it's one of the largest cities without a single billionaire!), and it doesn't have the ~14 or 15 F500 HQs and other corporate presence Atlanta has to maintain multitudes of enviable parks, but it DOES have enough citizen/corporate wealth to create just one or two..."
THREAD : Proposed reduction in DUI threshold has some Jacksonville bar owners angry
"The mentality in Jax is that Hank Cox will get people out of "trouble". Most people from Jax I know at this point have had DUI incidents already, some multiple, and some involving injuries to innocent 3rd parties. Yet everyone gets off and parents still buy their kids new cars and..."
THREAD : Does Downtown Jacksonville Need A Sugar Daddy?
"...Jax needs a sugar daddy. It needs more of everything, more local developers, more local smart guys, more local eccentric voices of influence, etc."
THREAD : 2013 Emerging Trends in Real Estate
"... I have never seen Jacksonville come up in Urban Land or with any examples of successes or..."
THREAD : JTA Cutting Riverside Trolley Service
"Jacksonville does not have express busses. It has express city busses, which are poor excuses for "express" busses. Does JTA use charter busses? Does JTA provide wireless? Does JTA charge $3/ride for express routes? Does JTA offer park and ride or..."
THREAD : Walkable Commercial Districts: 8th & Main
"I TOTALLY agree that right now the area should take what it can get. There may never be a Starbucks or Trader Joes in that area in our lifetime"
"...I don't think food trucks there are a good idea, and they wouldn't work. Not nearly enough people or foot traffic. There are lots of food trucks where I live, and they locate to designated surface lots in otherwise extremely dense areas. They rely on walk-up business from office workers, strollers, and nearby residents. Nobody is going to drive to pick up food on wheels, especially not to Springfield."
...AND FOR ME THE COUP DE GRACE DELIVERED BY YOUR MISERICORDIA.
THREAD : BOMBS IN BOSTON
"Progressives in Jax are pushing for transit even though it's super cheap, easy and convenient to get around by car and transit is not needed."
Quote from: simms3 on July 11, 2013, 09:04:25 PM
I say good luck with all of this - would rather see an expansion to AAA baseball in Jax with smaller addition to the Baseball Grounds and a name sponsorship there, as well as a few winning seasons for the Jags and stable crowd turnout and season ticket sales than the city chase another dream that may end up biting the city in the behind and alienating voters even more than they are now.
Professional sports teams and stadiums are so expensive - where is Jax going to get the money? Who are the private groups chasing this?
Atlanta sports/Falcons/new Falcons stadium benefit from state support and billionaires. Now the Jags have a billionaire backer. Bay Area professional sports are all privately backed, from operations to stadiums. Jacksonville is the last city on earth that needs more professional sports teams and stadiums that aren't going to be funded privately at purely private speculation and risk.
Just had to say. The Jags have had stable ticket sales and a stable crowd the past 4 years. Just had to point that out.
Ock, what are you literally saving my posts for moments such as these? ??? This is not the first time where someone has "amassed" posts of mine, but if you ask me it's pretty silly! Also, 80% of these posts of mine you just manually typed in have little to anything to do with each other, any sort of overriding theme that you mention in your first sentence, and certainly not with this thread. Also - since you manually typed in my posts rather than you reposted my posts, most of it is also totally out of context.
I get what you're trying to do, but fail! (others have actually succeeded in making me :-[ by doing the same thing - you are apparently bad at this ROFL).
On the contrary.
(http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4zc1fMLux1rwcc6bo1_500.gif)
Quote from: simms3 on July 11, 2013, 09:04:25 PM
Bay Area professional sports are all privately backed, from operations to stadiums.
Pretty sure the City of Santa Clara is borrowing a ton of money to finance the new stadium for the 49's. The stadium will also be like 40 miles from San Francisco. There's only a handful of pro sports stadiums that are fully privately funded. The taxpayers of Miami will be paying for the Marlins stadium for decades because of Loria.
^^^Yes, but Giants (AT&T Park) and Warriors (proposed new arena on piers 30-32) are completely private. I believe there are a couple of other pro sports proposals in East Bay that are private as well. Anyway, Tufsu mentioned the private backer for Jax soccer team, a VP at Beaver St Fisheries, so good luck to him and I hope the city provides intangible support without throwing up money!
Miami seems to have a unique way of screwing its taxpayers more than most :( I hate that city more and more the older I get...what a corrupt crock it is throwing up the middle finger to its lower to middle income residential base and relatively limited corporate base and kissing the ass of foreign Latin/European flight money investors who are buying up fugly condos as piggy banks in Porsche Design inspired buildings.
^The construction of AT&T Park was privately financed. The land was given away by the City (worth 10's of millions) and the property tax exemptions are worth even more 10's of millions. Look, any way you cut it cities all across the country (big and small) are bending over for pro sports teams. I'm not saying its right- that's just the way it is. The notion of a completely private self sustaining pro sports franchise is pretty much a pipe dream. The owners didn't get to be billionaires by being stupid- they're businessman.
SF actually still owns the land under AT&T park and collects rent on it. The Giants received $10M tax abatements on improvements worth around $400M at cost (could be 2-2.5 years at most, which is chump change compared to the deals struck in many cities such as Jax) and the city provided infrastructure improvements that also paved the way for Mission Bay (T-line LRT), which is seeing the most investment activity in the area right now (the improvements would have been done anyway for the master plan of the area). It's the most private sports deal in the country still.
I'll still give you a touche because nothing so large is ever 100% private - heck the private sector in general isn't even 100% private. But taxpayers wanted it to be private and folks were willing to do so, so the city listened (which is horrifyingly rare nowadays...look at Miami for worst case scenario!).
Quote from: cline on July 12, 2013, 10:37:46 AM
Quote from: simms3 on July 11, 2013, 09:04:25 PM
Bay Area professional sports are all privately backed, from operations to stadiums.
Pretty sure the City of Santa Clara is borrowing a ton of money to finance the new stadium for the 49's. The stadium will also be like 40 miles from San Francisco. There's only a handful of pro sports stadiums that are fully privately funded. The taxpayers of Miami will be paying for the Marlins stadium for decades because of Loria.
Santa Clara took out an 850 million dollar loan for the stadium.
Again - I generalize (haven't we learned this about me yet over the past better part of a decade? LoL) Bay Area has 6 major league sports teams and an MLS Team.
Of these 7 teams:
1 (Giants) is already as private a professionals team/stadium as it can get
1 (Warriors) is going the route of Giants
1 (Earthquakes) plays on a college campus and requires no stadium of its own (does UNF or JU have a soccer stadium?)
1 (A's) are in talks to do a slightly less private deal than Giants where Port of Oakland will give away land and stadium will be privately funded
1 (Raiders) may end up renting out the stadium in Santa Clara much like the Jets rented out Giants Stadium, thus requiring no new stadium
1 (Sharks) play in a vintage early 90s arena that was requested specifically by an eager taxpayer base and received funding from a special tax that was voted on by the public
1 (49ers) are going to a new stadium that was a highly transparent public deal passed by 58% of Santa Clara voters.
So out of the Bay Area, SF County taxpayers want all private and are getting all private. Alameda County taxpayers are getting a blend that leans private (or no stadium). And Santa Clara is public, but in a large (~1.8 million people), wealthy county that has the means, and also the public will.
Quote from: copperfiend on July 12, 2013, 11:27:24 AM
Quote from: cline on July 12, 2013, 10:37:46 AM
Quote from: simms3 on July 11, 2013, 09:04:25 PM
Bay Area professional sports are all privately backed, from operations to stadiums.
Pretty sure the City of Santa Clara is borrowing a ton of money to finance the new stadium for the 49's. The stadium will also be like 40 miles from San Francisco. There's only a handful of pro sports stadiums that are fully privately funded. The taxpayers of Miami will be paying for the Marlins stadium for decades because of Loria.
Santa Clara took out an 850 million dollar loan for the stadium.
Yes. And were loaned about 200MM by the NFL as well I believe. San Fran is actually one of the better examples of public-private stadium financing. Probably the way it should be. Miami, on the other hand, is an example of how a billionaire owner swindled a City out of tons of cash. Luckily, we're not looking at 1 billion dollar stadium to bring the NASL to Jax. My opinion is that we could do something at one of the colleges here- JU probably. City could pony up some dough, JU could as well and then get a private entity on board in addition. Sea Best comes to mind. I think we can make it work.
By the way I have an old Jacksonville Tea Men pennant in my garage. Its pretty rad. Also have a picture of the team. Dennis Viollet was the coach at the time. He became the coach for JU eventually. He also used to play for Man U way back in the day.
did cline just use the word rad?
Quote from: Ocklawaha on July 11, 2013, 11:18:43 PM
SORRY SIMS BUT... This is maybe the 2,000Th post of yours where I've seen this same line, either literal or implied: " "Jacksonville is the last city on earth that needs more___________ . (Fill in the blank).
In this specific case, I think it's an interesting point to consider. Jacksonville is a very small market, barely cracking the top 40 MSAs by population. When you look at our median income, we actually rank way down at 82nd in the country. There's not currently a whole lot of money in Jacksonville, publicly or privately, relative other areas in the country. If you take a close look at the Jaguars average annual attendance relative factors such as local unemployment rate, it's clear that an NFL market this size is super fragile/sensitive and faces a real struggle to support an NFL team in anything short of a reasonably good economy.
Thus, when we hear the mayor talk about things like bringing the NBA to Jacksonville or (eventually) working our way toward an MLS team, we kind of need to consider whether that money, both public and private, is going to come at the expense of cannibalizing our existing NFL team. With a finite amount of local money for ticket sales, corporate money for club tickets and suites, and limited public money for stadiums and upkeep, it would be a shame for the the city "pull a Jacksonville" and chase the next big thing (such a soccer specific stadium with corresponding high ticket prices) while neglecting the extremely valuable, once-in-a-lifetime asset that we already have.
A very special set of circumstances came together to help us get an NFL team. We were in the right place at the right time with the right owner, after having slowly chipped away at NFL movers and shakers for over a decade. Our relationship with the Jaguars has had its ups and down over the last twenty years, but it's brought Jacksonville national recognition, and even a Super Bowl. People don't like to hear it, but if neglect or publicly-funded alternate sports franchises ever did lead to the Jaguars leaving, there are just too many other, stronger television markets (including both London and LA) for Jacksonville to have a realistic shot at acquiring another team.
I love the idea of the NASL coming to Jacksonville at J-U or UNF, but I kind of lean toward thinking that we should focus 110% of our energy on making sure our NFL team has a waiting list for season tickets 5-10 year straight before we even think about supporting a new stadium for a new sports team in the city.
The only reason I mentioned Patton Park is because a big % of the infrastructure needed is already in place plus it is home of the training grounds that had been used by the USWNT and other pro soccer teams as well as several regional events. It is centrally located for the soccer community and "getting in and out" should not be a problem for 8-10 K fans at the most (you are day-dreaming if you expect more for an NASL team here) The venue improvements can also include road improvements to accommodate traffic patterns on game day.
Of course, a brand new soccer specific stadium in Downtown is anyone's wetdreams but again you are dreaming if you think it will happen. This city will never fund such project which from the ground up will cost millions and millions and you are also daydreaming if you think a private individual -even if he owns 20 fisheries- is going to put his money where his mouth is. The taxpayers will be asked to fund it and the vote will be NO.
On the other hands, improving Patton Park by phases is doable (in case you do not know it, the City of Jax just issued a 2 million dollar grant to Patton park to add two fields two years ago) and the park is privately operated and closed to the public.
If not Patton Park or a similar venue needing only improvements by phases that can house the NASL team the other viable option is UNF but if the idea is a brand new soccer specific stadium in downtown I am telling you: It will never happen and do not even bring up the "future MLS team": this is even less realistic. I am a ex-soccer player, coach, referee and I will buy season tickets regardless of where that team plays but I have my feet on the ground.
^I don't follow. No stadium (ie, the expensive part) exists at Patton Park, so a new one would have to be built even if they put it there. Plus, a lot of the infrastructure needs is people's ability to get to it, that simply doesn't exist at Patton Park. On top of that it's not any closer for people coming from, say, Mandarin, Orange Park, or St. Johns than downtown is. At any rate, I doubt anyone here thinks it would be a good idea to build a stadium just for an NASL team, even if it was built by the owner; it would have to have other uses to be worth it.
You can support the NASL effort by putting down a seat deposit for (fingers crossed) 2015 season tickets.
http://www.jaxnasl.com (http://www.jaxnasl.com)
Sorry for any up front excitement - just bumping to the top in case there's some news.... :-X
supposed to hear something today or tomorrow. San Antonio just built a soccer stadium that seats 8k, is expandable to 18k and has a capacity of 14k for concerts. It cost an estimated $30 million that was privately funded.
(http://ww3.hdnux.com/photos/21/01/16/4461486/0/622x350.jpg)
(http://ww3.hdnux.com/photos/21/01/16/4461490/0/622x350.jpg)
(http://ww4.hdnux.com/photos/21/01/16/4461491/0/622x350.jpg)
(http://ww2.hdnux.com/photos/21/01/16/4461493/0/622x350.jpg)
That is exactly what we need here.
Something like that would be great for Jacksonville - especially to expand for outdoor concerts and the like!
concerts, you could even hold playoff high school football games there if the demand is needed (maybe even D1-AA if JU makes it)
That is exactly how I envisioned a smaller stadium/amphitheater with river views. Would be an awesome set up for concerts too.
Btw, I hear Shad Khan is starting to reach out to the soccer community in Jax. I believe he wants youth teams here to travel to London and vice versa. Its fairly common for English clubs to have their youth teams to do tours of the states/Florida. My old club team played Newcastle, Leeds, and West Ham back in the day. Would be cool to have a venue for matches like that (not that they would be huge draws), as well as big high school matches (which sometimes draw a couple thousand), and the occasional big JU/UNF game. Plus there is the possibility for high school football, lacrosse, and rugby.
Also, a lot of European teams hold summer camps in desirable locations. Its not far fetched to think that Khan would have Fulham train here and hold scrimmages and exhibition games there.
Quote from: fsquid on July 25, 2013, 11:05:47 AM
concerts, you could even hold playoff high school football games there if the demand is needed (maybe even D1-AA if JU makes it)
That is the good thing about having a stadium that size. And those lacrossee games that they have at Everbank could be held here too.
Press release just announced that Jacksonville was awarded a franchise per 1010xl
http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=5055
QuoteSoccer fans in Jacksonville, FL, and Oklahoma City, OK, will have a North American Soccer League team to cheer for when the 2015 Spring Season kicks off after the NASL Board of Governors unanimously approved expansion franchise bids for both cities.
The NASL Board received presentations from groups representing four prospective expansion cities as part of two days of meetings being held in Dallas, Texas.
"We are delighted to be expanding to two cities that clearly have a passion for soccer, where we believe local fans will be excited to welcome our newest teams," said NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson. "We have considered expansion to cities that meet specific criteria and most importantly have strong ownership groups that will provide a long and stable future for the NASL in those markets, which we clearly have in both Jacksonville and Oklahoma City."
Mark Frisch and former professional soccer player Dario Sala of the Sunshine Soccer Group, which staged a Mexico Primera League exhibition game at EverBank Field in the city earlier this month, led the successful Jacksonville bid.
"I am thrilled to have helped lead an effort to bring pro soccer back to Jacksonville," said Frisch. "I am very grateful for all the support from the city and the fans leading up to this day. I know the fans out there have been waiting for this moment for a long time. I cannot wait to go out and meet them all personally and talk the beautiful game of soccer in Jacksonville."
Commissioner Peterson added: "I have seen first hand the desire the Jacksonville community has for a professional soccer team to call its own and believe this is a great move for soccer in Florida. The Sunshine Soccer Group is creating another in-state rivalry for our teams the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Fort Lauderdale Strikers, appealing to the global soccer passion for local derbies that are always special occasions."
Oklahoma City businessman Tim McLaughlin presented to the NASL Board of Governors on behalf of OKC Pro Soccer LLC, which has already secured the rights to plays its games at Taft Stadium in Oklahoma City.
"Bringing a high-level professional soccer club to Oklahoma City is going to add an exciting new sports dimension to our city and state," said McLaughlin. "We look forward to working with the NASL to give our community a soccer team and game experience people will be talking about for many years to come.
"We're especially excited to know that bringing this level of professional soccer to our market will also help the local schools whose historic Taft Stadium we will play in when it is remodeled and refurbished to its former glory. We will create a revenue source for the local community because every ticket we sell will benefit inner city schools. To say we are excited and overwhelmed is an understatement."
Commissioner Peterson added: "The Board of Governors has recognized a carefully crafted bid from OKC Pro Soccer LLC, who waited patiently to build a strong platform that will ensure NASL soccer thrives in Oklahoma City. Like their Jacksonville counterparts, they have almost two full years to prepare an unrivaled coaching staff, player roster and venue to create a team that local fans will be proud to support."
wow, even wikipedia is already updated.
Good Stuff.
Sweet! Great work by all those who made it happen.
So what do do yall think the name should be? Just some playful thoughts.
FC Jacksonville?
Jacksonville Consolidated FC?
Jacksonville Bull Sharks?
Jacksonville Futbollers?
Jacksonville Junction?
Jacksonville Jag Cubs?
Jacksonville Sea Surge?
^ How about Mayor Browns Intimidators! Just kidding, just kidding.
I think anything with sharks or jags in the name is not good. Maybe a name like Jax Pride would be empowering ... Well scratch that, sounds like a welfare program
^^^I agree that Sharks, or Jaguars in the name wouldn't be good, I was just playing around with those names; I subtlety added the old Jacksonville Bulls name within the 'Bull Sharks' LOL Yeah, I'm not feeling the 'Pride' name. I kinda like my 'Consolidated' name, as it's kinda a take off the 'United' named soccer teams; The name connection with the city is obvious.
FC Duval
Tea Men
Jacksonville Wave FC
Quote from: blizz01 on July 25, 2013, 07:34:31 PM
FC Duval
All the more reason to chant "Duuuuuval!!!" :)
I have heard Jacksonville Inferno as a possibility.
I like Jacksonville Bold City FC
For reference, the other NASL team names are:
Atlanta Silverbacks
Carolina Railhawks
FC Edmonton
Ft. Lauderdale Strikers
Indy Eleven
Minnesota United FC
New York Cosmos
Ottawa Fury FC
Puerto Rico Islanders
San Antonio Scorpions
Tampa Bay Rowdies
Virginia Calvary FC
Jacksonville River Rats
for the alliteration: First Coast Football Club (FCFC)
more connected with the southwest and Central America: Jacksonville Conquistadors
I like Inferno, that came in while I was typing ...
Freebird FC
Good news, indeed.
I'm staying out the naming fight as I pretty much hate the MLS-style naming conventions. Place name [+ qualifier, such as: United, Athletic, City, Town, County (Rovers/Wanderers also used to denote county or regional teams)] + Football club -- that's it in my book. So I'd be more inclined to like something like First Coast Football Club more than the Jacksonville Inferno. I'm bound to lose this fight, so I'll just shrug my shoulders and hope for good team colors. I just don't want to be shouting "Come on, you teals!" ;)
Someone just pick a good start and second half start songs. The Hammersmith stands belting out the line "I live by the river" during the chorus to the Clash's "London Calling" after the half at Craven Cottage is a fun tradition.
Just looking at the article on jacksonville.com.. The haters are already hating.
^^i saw that too. The first comment under the story made no sense at all. Not even sure what their point was other than to babble.
I've found almost every soccer-related story on jacksonville.com to be full of ignorant, anti-soccer rants. I made it a point not to read them any more after the stories about the Fulham buy. <sigh>
Unfortunately the ignorance is not limited to soccer related stories. :(
Quote from: stephendare on July 25, 2013, 09:50:47 PM
Quote from: edjax on July 25, 2013, 09:44:47 PM
Unfortunately the ignorance is not limited to soccer related stories. :(
I actually am very thankful to the TU for maintaining an idiot magnet. Every now and then we get crossovers. I shudder to think what would happen if they closed their comments, because the sane places would be over run with brain damaged varmints with internet access.
That's the truth. It really seems as though most of the media outlets with a reader comment section are filled with foolishness.
By the way, the men in my family are very excited about this announcement of a franchise. Over the moon is not too strong a statement. :)
I'll make some games no matter where they are. Plus the US Open Cup matches when they happened.
Jacksonville SC. Go with "soccer club" to acknowledge the American part.
Jacksonville Admirals
- need to have Jacksonville in the name. Not First Coast, not Florida, Jacksonville. We need to promote Jacksonville.
- Admirals honors our Naval/military presence as well as our navigatible waters in and around Jacksonville. It would be better to be called the Admirals if our stadium is on the river.
Whoot Whoot! I dont even like soccer but this is great news.. Anything good for Jax is good with me!
Cowford United
Forget Jax, how bout the other club's name? "OKCFC" or "OKCity City"
Quote from: duvaldude08 on July 26, 2013, 12:32:26 AM
Whoot Whoot! I dont even like soccer but this is great news.. Anything good for Jax is good with me!
That's exactly the way I feel. I'm not wild about the sport, but I'm glad that Jax has this team; Who knows, with the team maybe I'll atleast become a casual fan, or even a full fledged one.
Quote from: KEGreene1 on July 25, 2013, 11:22:04 PM
Jacksonville Admirals
- need to have Jacksonville in the name. Not First Coast, not Florida, Jacksonville. We need to promote Jacksonville.
- Admirals honors our Naval/military presence as well as our navigatible waters in and around Jacksonville. It would be better to be called the Admirals if our stadium is on the river.
That was the name I wanted for the Jaguars, that or the Commanders.
QuoteQuote from: blizz01 on Today at 12:45:47 AM
Cowford United
It was never called cowford.
Ah, semantics. Regardless of the moniker, a quick Google search returns enough tick & tie to Jacksonville to suggest that the association is more than warranted. I suppose they could board up Cowford Traders, cancel the annual Cowford Ball, & remove the historical marker as well. It was never
called Bold City, First Coast, or Duvaaal....
That said, Cowford United probably isn't my first choice either.
Quote from: rvrsdediva on July 26, 2013, 09:17:10 AM
Quote from: KEGreene1 on July 25, 2013, 11:22:04 PM
Jacksonville Admirals
- need to have Jacksonville in the name. Not First Coast, not Florida, Jacksonville. We need to promote Jacksonville.
- Admirals honors our Naval/military presence as well as our navigatible waters in and around Jacksonville. It would be better to be called the Admirals if our stadium is on the river.
That was the name I wanted for the Jaguars, that or the Commanders.
I kind of like Commanders. There's a bit of a double meaning there, as teams try to command the tempo and possession. Sometimes you'll even hear commentators say, "Team B is really keeping command of possession". Also a dominant center midfielder (QB in soccer) is sometimes called a boss or is said to be "bossing" a game.
Quote from: copperfiend on July 25, 2013, 07:52:11 PM
I have heard Jacksonville Inferno as a possibility.
I like Jacksonville Bold City FC
Inferno? Like the Great Fire? Maybe not our city's strongest moment. :)
Don't anyone take this the wrong way, but "The Jacksonville Crackers" would have local history and have a good mascot. Putting aside the recent Trayvon Martin "cracker" as an insult discussions, the crackers were actually north Florida's rough, tough cowboys and lumberjacks that settled this land. We could have a cowboy ride around the stadium on horseback to get people fired up. Jacksonville was a bit like the wild west in the early days, with cowboys and saloons full of prostitutes. It would be a fun theme to play with.
IF there are any long term MLS aspirations, Inferno shouldn't be considered. Chicago's team is called Chicago Fire.
I actually like the name 'Admirals'.
I also really can't believe I have cared this much about soccer for the past year as I have. Put deposits down for season tickets last week. I have never been a soccer fan, but this is exciting.
Would like to see a tie in with the river.
Rivermen
Boatmen
Pilots
Quote from: CityLife on July 26, 2013, 09:59:03 AM
IF there are any long term MLS aspirations, Inferno shouldn't be considered. Chicago's team is called Chicago Fire.
I agree. But it has been talked about as a possibility.
I also agree with alot of what people are saying.
The name should have Jacksonville in it. And from everything I have heard, it will.
The name should not be something like Jacksonville City, Real Jacksonville or Jacksonville United.
I do like the idea of something related to the Navy or water.
I really like the Admirals suggestion.
Classy, and location-appropriate.
What about the Jacksonville Heroes? Also celebrates our military heritage, but is a little catchier.
New Jersey has a league of some sort for military, police, first responders, firemen called US Soccer Heroes.
http://www.ussoccerheroes.com/
Quote from: stephendare on July 26, 2013, 10:03:05 AM
Quote from: BrooklynSouth on July 26, 2013, 09:55:34 AM
Quote from: copperfiend on July 25, 2013, 07:52:11 PM
I have heard Jacksonville Inferno as a possibility.
I like Jacksonville Bold City FC
Inferno? Like the Great Fire? Maybe not our city's strongest moment. :)
Don't anyone take this the wrong way, but "The Jacksonville Crackers" would have local history and have a good mascot. Putting aside the recent Trayvon Martin "cracker" as an insult discussions, the crackers were actually north Florida's rough, tough cowboys and lumberjacks that settled this land. We could have a cowboy ride around the stadium on horseback to get people fired up. Jacksonville was a bit like the wild west in the early days, with cowboys and saloons full of prostitutes. It would be a fun theme to play with.
"Crackers" were actually poor whites who werent debased enough to be called "white trash", and its a georgia term. [...] The Americans who settled this area were mostly interested in shipping and trade, and thats really been our dominant theme.
OK, I'm conflating some Florida history. The "Old Cracker Cattle Trail" was mainly about central and south Florida and we have our "Cowford" myth. I read this book a few years ago from an author who is trying to bring the Florida cowboy theme to popularity: http://www.amazon.com/Riders-Suwannee-Cracker-Western-ebook/dp/B00ADSNKAG/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1374850586&sr=1-1 (http://www.amazon.com/Riders-Suwannee-Cracker-Western-ebook/dp/B00ADSNKAG/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1374850586&sr=1-1)
Cowboys are a neglected and fun Florida historial theme. The other themes are so overdone: sharks, gators, suns, etc. I guess we could be REALLY accurate and be the Jacksonville Grapefruit and Other Produce Exporters or the Jacksonville Steamboat Shipping Line Operators, but I'm looking for something more romantic.
Quote from: stephendare on July 26, 2013, 10:03:05 AM
Quote from: BrooklynSouth on July 26, 2013, 09:55:34 AM
Quote from: copperfiend on July 25, 2013, 07:52:11 PM
I have heard Jacksonville Inferno as a possibility.
I like Jacksonville Bold City FC
Inferno? Like the Great Fire? Maybe not our city's strongest moment. :)
Don't anyone take this the wrong way, but "The Jacksonville Crackers" would have local history and have a good mascot. Putting aside the recent Trayvon Martin "cracker" as an insult discussions, the crackers were actually north Florida's rough, tough cowboys and lumberjacks that settled this land. We could have a cowboy ride around the stadium on horseback to get people fired up. Jacksonville was a bit like the wild west in the early days, with cowboys and saloons full of prostitutes. It would be a fun theme to play with.
hmm.
"Crackers" were actually poor whites who werent debased enough to be called "white trash", and its a georgia term.
It comes from the term 'cracking corn'
The lumberjacks here were called Piney Wood Knockers.
The area was originally settled by Mocama Native Americans, and in their own language they were called the Ocean People.
Then came the Spaniards, who tried to use the area for furniture lumber but it turns out that water oaks are tremendously bad wood for that purpose.
The french came in and started mining the trees for Turpentine and gum spirits. But that required keeping the trees alive. Although they did run a few illegal lumber operations through here.
Then the English came and set up more saw mills. They were joined by the scottish, who immediately started troublesome (and ultimately disastrous) scottish style dynastic ties with the native americans.
The Americans who settled this area were mostly interested in shipping and trade, and thats really been our dominant theme.
Interesting info. The term "Crackers" in Florida was born of our cattle and cowboy culture. It was the crack of the whip that they used to drive cattle that had that name settled upon them. Watched a lengthy documentary about this very fact some time ago. :)
For those interested in that film, you can contact Jacksonville's Women's League. They are the one who showed the "Florida Crackers" documentary.
Quote from: stephendare on July 26, 2013, 12:47:01 PM
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on July 26, 2013, 12:36:47 PM
Quote from: stephendare on July 26, 2013, 10:03:05 AM
Quote from: BrooklynSouth on July 26, 2013, 09:55:34 AM
Quote from: copperfiend on July 25, 2013, 07:52:11 PM
I have heard Jacksonville Inferno as a possibility.
I like Jacksonville Bold City FC
Inferno? Like the Great Fire? Maybe not our city's strongest moment. :)
Don't anyone take this the wrong way, but "The Jacksonville Crackers" would have local history and have a good mascot. Putting aside the recent Trayvon Martin "cracker" as an insult discussions, the crackers were actually north Florida's rough, tough cowboys and lumberjacks that settled this land. We could have a cowboy ride around the stadium on horseback to get people fired up. Jacksonville was a bit like the wild west in the early days, with cowboys and saloons full of prostitutes. It would be a fun theme to play with.
hmm.
"Crackers" were actually poor whites who werent debased enough to be called "white trash", and its a georgia term.
It comes from the term 'cracking corn'
The lumberjacks here were called Piney Wood Knockers.
The area was originally settled by Mocama Native Americans, and in their own language they were called the Ocean People.
Then came the Spaniards, who tried to use the area for furniture lumber but it turns out that water oaks are tremendously bad wood for that purpose.
The french came in and started mining the trees for Turpentine and gum spirits. But that required keeping the trees alive. Although they did run a few illegal lumber operations through here.
Then the English came and set up more saw mills. They were joined by the scottish, who immediately started troublesome (and ultimately disastrous) scottish style dynastic ties with the native americans.
The Americans who settled this area were mostly interested in shipping and trade, and thats really been our dominant theme.
Interesting info. The term "Crackers" in Florida was born of our cattle and cowboy culture. It was the crack of the whip that they used to drive cattle that had that name settled upon them. Watched a lengthy documentary about this very fact some time ago. :)
It was debunked. Thats just a bit more of the post fifties mythology that spreads a meme.
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=cracker
Really? You know I think this is like so many other "terms" we in the south grew up with. Everyone has their own version of the history of the term and actually they all make sense on their own. As far as the term "Cracker" being an insult, I just don't see it, nor do I see the term "Red Neck" as racially charged either while some do. lol
Well see now, being a "rascal" is not all that bad. :) Enjoyed the background info Stephen.
Oh now I remember why I have been away from the forum so long, thread about soccer has moved to a cracker debate.
Oh boy.
The city and Sunshine Soccer Group are holding a viewing party of the Gold Cup Final between the US and Panama at the Terrace Suites at Everbank. Starts at 3 Sunday, with the game starting at 4.
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on July 25, 2013, 09:58:31 PM
Quote from: stephendare on July 25, 2013, 09:50:47 PM
Quote from: edjax on July 25, 2013, 09:44:47 PM
Unfortunately the ignorance is not limited to soccer related stories. :(
I actually am very thankful to the TU for maintaining an idiot magnet. Every now and then we get crossovers. I shudder to think what would happen if they closed their comments, because the sane places would be over run with brain damaged varmints with internet access.
That's the truth. It really seems as though most of the media outlets with a reader comment section are filled with foolishness.
That because people tell the honest truth about themselves and how they think on the internet.
Quote from: CityLife on July 26, 2013, 09:59:03 AM
IF there are any long term MLS aspirations, Inferno shouldn't be considered. Chicago's team is called Chicago Fire.
IMO one name won't have anything to do with the other as they are two totally different leagues. If we get a MLS team it the future, I don't see it having the same name as the NASL team.
Quote from: I-10east on July 26, 2013, 10:13:15 PM
Quote from: CityLife on July 26, 2013, 09:59:03 AM
IF there are any long term MLS aspirations, Inferno shouldn't be considered. Chicago's team is called Chicago Fire.
IMO one name won't have anything to do with the other as they are two totally different leagues. If we get a MLS team it the future, I don't see it having the same name as the NASL team.
All of the teams that have moved up to MLS have retained the same names. Also the main supporters group for FC Dallas is The Inferno, going back to the days when they were The Dallas Burn.
One note about the above. Dario Sala is one of the partners in the Sunshine Soccer Group and was a goaltender for many years for FC Dallas. Could just be a coincidence.
He is held in high regard by the Inferno supports group, he once punched a Colorado Rapids player for taunting the supporters section during a match.
I think we should recapture the spirit of swimming upstream, being that BOLD NEW CITY OF THE S0UTH. I'd suggest we likewise break the mold for team names, here's a few suggestions:
Jacksonville Flying Entamoeba's
Jacksonville Woo Bangers
Indefatigable's
River City Tzetze Flies
City Hall Geraas
Bold City Gái Mại Dâm
Jacksonville Mi T'om's
Mora di er ei hore DU-VALLLLLLLLL!
St Johns Nukes
WEDERDOPER EERSTE REGELS
THE NOISE
The Jacksonville Zuiho
Okay, you get the idea...
Quote from: danno on July 27, 2013, 07:33:06 AM
All of the teams that have moved up to MLS have retained the same names. Also the main supporters group for FC Dallas is The Inferno, going back to the days when they were The Dallas Burn.
Don't get me wrong, I don't think that the Jax team will be named 'Inferno' but I still don't see any consistent evidence that suggests that old names are 'final'; The old San Jose Clash turnt now San Jose Earthquakes is one of the many examples that isn't the case. Hell, most of the cities aren't even the same between the two leagues.
The St. Johnnys
About 400-500 people showed up at Everbank to watch the Gold Cup final today. At least that's what one of the employees there estimated. Mark Frisch gave a nice speech and said he plans to do a lot between now and the first game in 2015 to build support. Definitely some good early buzz for the support of the NASL team.
they showed the final at everbank?
May have been a little over 500. Had a chat with Mr Frisch about fan culture. It was a great turn out.
Yep in the Terrace Suites and on the big screen, but everyone stayed inside due to the weather. Sunshine Soccer Group provided free food and non-alcoholic drinks.
Oh and the US won 1-0.
Friend of mine from Ovations put the crowd estimate at over 600 today based on how many they served(they made additional food when the initial paid quantity was far exceeded). When I was closing out my tab, the bartenders were all THRILLED at the turnout. Said they expected 150-200 people. Besides Mark Frisch(who is s really cool guy), Alan Verlander and Joel Lamp deserve a lot of credit for all the momentum going on in the Jacksonville sports world.
I would encourage you to go to the Sunshine Group's site and put your deposit down on season tickets. I certainly have.
The website to put down the deposit is www.jaxnasl.com
http://colepepper.com/2013/07/podcast-cole-interviews-mark-frisch/ (http://colepepper.com/2013/07/podcast-cole-interviews-mark-frisch/)
Cole Pepper interview with Owner Mark Frisch.
Quote from: I-10east on July 27, 2013, 10:55:07 PM
Quote from: danno on July 27, 2013, 07:33:06 AM
All of the teams that have moved up to MLS have retained the same names. Also the main supporters group for FC Dallas is The Inferno, going back to the days when they were The Dallas Burn.
Don't get me wrong, I don't think that the Jax team will be named 'Inferno' but I still don't see any consistent evidence that suggests that old names are 'final'; The old San Jose Clash turnt now San Jose Earthquakes is one of the many examples that isn't the case. Hell, most of the cities aren't even the same between the two leagues.
Umm, what are "the many examples?" The San Jose Clash were always in the MLS, they changed their name as a rebranding effort similar to the Dallas Burn. And most of the cities aren't the same...what does that tell you? I don't understand your point.
Anyway, of course it doesn't have to be final. But it is foolish to not consider a potential move to MLS when naming the franchise, if that's your ultimate goal.
^^^Not unless Jax surprises the hell out of me, I don't see us getting a MLS team in a very long time, if ever anyway. Florida (currently no MLS teams) had two teams that went belly up (Tampa Bay Mutiny, and Miami Fusion FC). There was only one team that kept the EXACT name from NASL to MLS, and that's the Montreal Impact.
^^^Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers when they moved up from USL kept their names as well as the Vancouver Whitecaps when they moved from from USSF2 to MLS.
^And Orlando City SC will do the same if and when they move up from their league. The point is, many teams with established histories, and more to come, have seen the benefit of maintaining their identities when they move up to MLS. It makes fans feel like it's really "their" team and not just another franchise. Any team with any aspirations of moving to the top tier should keep this in mind. In that radio interview, Frisch says cautiously that he does have such aspirations for his team.
The teams that have changed their names tend to be older MLS teams that move from goofy Arena Football-sounding names to goofy European-sounding names (Dallas Burn to FC Dallas, Kansas City Wiz to Sporting Kansas City, etc).
Still no club name?
They have a "name the team" contest going on through November. The name will be chosen after that. The Tacachale Pick is "Jacksonville Armada".
http://jaxnasl.com/entry.html
Sweet - I'm in for "One-Eyed Jax".
Has there been any announcement on the team name and/or coach to date? I read a few weeks back that Tony Meola was on the short list & being considered.
Steve Livingstone said the team name will be announced next month and they are having some sort of celebration related to it. I will have to find the dates.
And Meola was a candidate but he is no longer in the running.
Team name being announced on 2/18. Launch party on 2/20. Details to be released soon.
They did a semi-reveal on the logo. Saw a billboard near Beach/Southside with the image also.
Looks to be an anchor.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BflSIqaIAAAi3Fj.png)
Quote from: pierre on February 04, 2014, 06:18:47 AM
They did a semi-reveal on the logo. Saw a billboard near Beach/Southside with the image also.
Looks to be an anchor.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BflSIqaIAAAi3Fj.png)
The "prepare for launch" line may also be a clue that it is naval themed.
Thats the bottom of an anchor! Definitely sailor themed.
Hope that doesn't set up for some bad headlines if/when they have a poor showing - "Dead Weight United".
The Seamen?
I thought I heard that it would be "The Armada" ... hope this isn't an instance of me making something up, then forgetting it and thinking I heard it from someone else...
Listen to those voices in your head ... they can get you into interesting situations ... at least MY voices do!
The Destroyers?
folks who put down a deposit on NASL tickets were given an online survey...and a list of about 20 name options were presented
Name/logo being unveiled shortly.
Jacksonville Armada.
Cool logo
(http://i.imgur.com/MG82vX9.png)
I love it, I'm so excited for Jacksonville to become a soccer town.
Pretty tight name and logo. A bit more from jacksonville.com:
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2014-02-18/story/jacksonville-soccer-team-be-called-jacksonville-armada-fc
Quote from: rvrsdediva on February 18, 2014, 10:30:43 AM
I love it, I'm so excited for Jacksonville to become a soccer town.
I am also. I know we have had soccer teams in town before and none have lasted more than a handful of years. Maybe I am being naive but this feels different. The league commisioner is a local resident. I feel like the team has the backing of local investors interesting in making the team a success. They have front office people in place with MLS and international experience.
The name/logo look great. I am looking forward to eventually hearing what their long terms plans are for a soccer facility.
I dig the name and logo.
up the Armada!
Battle stations ... ramming speed. Here comes the Jax Armada.
REALLY liking the name and logo.
Now, let's get the ball rolling on an expandable soccer specific stadium.
There's a cool video over on BCC, an intro for the soccer team.
I can only echo what everyone else has already said. The logo looks great and the people involved in owning and running the franchise are top notch. I'm really looking forward to watching them put the team together and seeing them grow along with the city.
The intro video is up on YouTube now. This was well done also.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLiEswPD91k
A team that can kick cannon balls... 8)
http://www.youtube.com/v/OLiEswPD91k
Great name, logo, and intro video. I am not a soccer follower but this may change that. I will buy logo merchandise even if I don't become one.
Quote from: BridgeTroll on February 18, 2014, 02:10:06 PM
A team that can kick cannon balls... 8)
http://www.youtube.com/v/OLiEswPD91k
My only slight criticism of the team is that they should be aiming for their
opponent's goal, rather than their own. Nice save by the goalie though!
Quote from: Wacca Pilatka on February 18, 2014, 02:46:55 PM
I will buy logo merchandise even if I don't become one.
Me too, can't wait to pick up some gear.
Very Positive. Welcome Aboard.
I believe that gear will be available @ the Landing Thursday:
https://www.facebook.com/events/584956828263584/?previousaction=join&source=1
As a designer and a fan of typography, it seems like "Jacksonville" and "Football Club" are squeezed into the logo. Not to mention using a weak lightweight font. Seems that every other club, other than Ft. Lauderdale, abbreviated Football Club with F.C. Just imagine if the Jaguars tried to squeeze "Jacksonville" into their shield logo. Aside from that... I like the general gist of the logo. Just my 2 cents.
One of the guys who works for me would gleefully wait outside in the freezing rain to watch a soccer game, he also can't be trusted with the remote at a barbecue because he'll put it on the tv. Personally I don't get it, maybe I just have a short attention span or something, but when you watch a game for 3 hours and the score is still 0 to 1 or 0 to 0, it reminds me of all foreplay and no sex. I keep kidding with him, if they'd make the goals bigger (thereby increasing the score) more Americans would like the game. Still I'm happy another option seems to be coming to town.
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.
Quote from: ChriswUfGator on February 18, 2014, 10:01:41 PM
One of the guys who works for me would gleefully wait outside in the freezing rain to watch a soccer game, he also can't be trusted with the remote at a barbecue because he'll put it on the tv. Personally I don't get it, maybe I just have a short attention span or something, but when you watch a game for 3 hours and the score is still 0 to 1 or 0 to 0, it reminds me of all foreplay and no sex. I keep kidding with him, if they'd make the goals bigger (thereby increasing the score) more Americans would like the game. Still I'm happy another option seems to be coming to town.
Games are less than two hours
Quote from: edjax on February 18, 2014, 10:10:47 PM
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.
Years on the forum, finally learned how to post a pic. Don't think you can take it off Twitter, though.
Quote from: ChriswUfGator on February 18, 2014, 10:01:41 PM
One of the guys who works for me would gleefully wait outside in the freezing rain to watch a soccer game, he also can't be trusted with the remote at a barbecue because he'll put it on the tv. Personally I don't get it, maybe I just have a short attention span or something, but when you watch a game for 3 hours and the score is still 0 to 1 or 0 to 0, it reminds me of all foreplay and no sex. I keep kidding with him, if they'd make the goals bigger (thereby increasing the score) more Americans would like the game. Still I'm happy another option seems to be coming to town.
1, 2, 3 hours, makes no difference. I agree w/ you. Soccer is boring as hell (waiting for the onslaught here), but I'm glad it's in Jax for those that enjoy.
Quote from: Wacca Pilatka on February 18, 2014, 02:46:55 PM
Great name, logo, and intro video. I am not a soccer follower but this may change that. I will buy logo merchandise even if I don't become one.
+1000
Quote from: comncense on February 18, 2014, 07:14:30 PM
As a designer and a fan of typography, it seems like "Jacksonville" and "Football Club" are squeezed into the logo. Not to mention using a weak lightweight font. Seems that every other club, other than Ft. Lauderdale, abbreviated Football Club with F.C. Just imagine if the Jaguars tried to squeeze "Jacksonville" into their shield logo. Aside from that... I like the general gist of the logo. Just my 2 cents.
The 'Football Club' thing is cool with me; In fact, I actually prefer it over the commonplace 'FC'. Out of all of the NASL teams, I like the team logos that resembles the Armada, with emphasis on the logo and the team name; The Ft Lauderdale Strikers and San Antonio Scorpions; IMO the Ottawa Fury and Virginia Cavalry have decent logos.
Some stinkers in the league too, cough, cough FC Edmonton and Tampa Bay Rowdies. I'm interested to see what our sister franchise OKC will be, and logo look like. Maybe the VA Calvary can have a rivalry with the Jax Armada (Army vs Navy). I guess that I'm one Army vet that has to root for the Navy. :) Something is telling me the Jax will get good ratings on sportslogos.net whenever they post the logo.
www.sportslogos.net/teams/list_by_league/101/NASL_2001/NASL_2011/logos/
Quote from: edjax on February 18, 2014, 10:10:47 PM
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
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BgzVfxIIAAENvly.jpg:large)
Very cool... I assume it is a projection? 8)
Quote from: ben says on February 18, 2014, 10:46:42 PM
Quote from: edjax on February 18, 2014, 10:10:47 PM
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.
Years on the forum, finally learned how to post a pic. Don't think you can take it off Twitter, though.
Quote from: ChriswUfGator on February 18, 2014, 10:01:41 PM
One of the guys who works for me would gleefully wait outside in the freezing rain to watch a soccer game, he also can't be trusted with the remote at a barbecue because he'll put it on the tv. Personally I don't get it, maybe I just have a short attention span or something, but when you watch a game for 3 hours and the score is still 0 to 1 or 0 to 0, it reminds me of all foreplay and no sex. I keep kidding with him, if they'd make the goals bigger (thereby increasing the score) more Americans would like the game. Still I'm happy another option seems to be coming to town.
1, 2, 3 hours, makes no difference. I agree w/ you. Soccer is boring as hell (waiting for the onslaught here), but I'm glad it's in Jax for those that enjoy.
One way to conceptualize and enjoy soccer: No commercials. No instant replay. No interminable conferences among the referees. No coaching "challenges." No stoppage of play / Non-stop action. Over in < 2 hours.
Unless you want to be hooked, avoid watching more than a few matches...
Quote from: ChriswUfGator on February 18, 2014, 10:01:41 PM
One of the guys who works for me would gleefully wait outside in the freezing rain to watch a soccer game, he also can't be trusted with the remote at a barbecue because he'll put it on the tv. Personally I don't get it, maybe I just have a short attention span or something, but when you watch a game for 3 hours and the score is still 0 to 1 or 0 to 0, it reminds me of all foreplay and no sex. I keep kidding with him, if they'd make the goals bigger (thereby increasing the score) more Americans would like the game. Still I'm happy another option seems to be coming to town.
That's sort of how I feel about baseball, but I still go to a couple of Suns games every year. Same with basketball, but when the NCAA tournament comes I'll be there.
I used to really like baseball but stopped following it. However, my favorite games were the low-scoring National League games that would go into the 9th inning scoreless or tied at 1-1. I had the sense that any small mistake could lose the game, and a couple of small strategic plays could win it. Maybe that's why I like soccer.
They could probably tinker with the rules and get more people to like it, but they would probably end up alienating many of the true fans. Might as well stick with the rules as they are and just try to please the people that are going to stick around.
Quote from: ben says on February 18, 2014, 10:46:42 PM
1, 2, 3 hours, makes no difference. I agree w/ you. Soccer is boring as hell (waiting for the onslaught here), but I'm glad it's in Jax for those that enjoy.
I really hope there won't be any onslaught. To each his own. I respect people who like (or don't like) certain sports. I've tried to get into basketball but I just can't - I guess it's not my thing. But like you said, I'm glad we have a couple of college teams and a pro (semi-pro?) team for the people who like it.
For a long time I think I was one of the only people that I knew who liked both football and futbol. Football fans used to be really ruthless about soccer fans! But it seems there are more people who follow both now.
Quote from: bencrix on February 19, 2014, 08:17:15 AM
One way to conceptualize and enjoy soccer: No commercials. No instant replay. No interminable conferences among the referees. No coaching "challenges." No stoppage of play / Non-stop action. Over in < 2 hours.
Unless you want to be hooked, avoid watching more than a few matches...
Yes. My wife can tolerate a soccer game but I can't get her to watch more than 10 minutes of football.
Maybe it's because the soccer uniforms are more revealing? :o
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.
Thanks edjax and pierre for the heads-up and the photo of the logo on the CSX building. That is awesome!
It seems that the ownership and management group (Frisch, Sala, Livingstone, et al) are making all the right moves - that's a very savvy and professional organization they're putting together.
I'm looking forward to the celebration at the Landing tomorrow from 5 to 8 or 8:30. They should have more scarves and other gear for supporters to pick up. I hope they'll have that projection on the side of CSX again - I'd like to get some pictures of that myself!
Quote from: bencrix on February 19, 2014, 08:36:38 AM
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.
Good point - it is a lot to take in at the beginning. I take it for granted, but you're right about that being a possible barrier. Then you have the transfer windows, the difference between club and country...hell the offside rule is hard enough to get past!
^ I've tried to be open-minded and not NFL-myopic and get into soccer, but all of that has been a struggle for me. That, and the game clock issue - it's maddening to me to see that the game doesn't end at the 90 minute mark and no one knows exactly how many minutes and seconds have been added on for play stoppages.
Quote from: Wacca Pilatka on February 19, 2014, 10:19:53 AM
^ I've tried to be open-minded and not NFL-myopic and get into soccer, but all of that has been a struggle for me. That, and the game clock issue - it's maddening to me to see that the game doesn't end at the 90 minute mark and no one knows exactly how many minutes and seconds have been added on for play stoppages.
IIRC, when the MLS began they used a countdown timer much like most American sports, but they soon eliminated for the traditional method.
I love soccer, but I really love almost all sports and enjoy their many nuances. World Cup soccer is easily my favorite and most-anticipated sporting event.
Quote from: bencrix on February 19, 2014, 08:36:38 AM
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...
Quote from: Wacca Pilatka on February 19, 2014, 10:19:53 AM
^ I've tried to be open-minded and not NFL-myopic and get into soccer, but all of that has been a struggle for me. That, and the game clock issue - it's maddening to me to see that the game doesn't end at the 90 minute mark and no one knows exactly how many minutes and seconds have been added on for play stoppages.
Small price to pay for no (zero!) stoppages and maddening can be exciting! Anyway, the more you watch it, the more of sense you get of how much extra time will be given.
One thing I found hard to get used to, but now relish is that the ref is very much a part of the game (and occasionally the outcome). That is unacceptable in American sports, where we are obsessed with absolute "fairness" via scrutiny of milisecond frames of video (and end up getting lost in the pixels). In soccer, sh*t happens and sometimes it is very unfair. But to me, that is more like life.
Quote from: ben says on February 19, 2014, 04:59:41 PM
Quote from: bencrix on February 19, 2014, 08:36:38 AM
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).
Quote from: pierre on February 18, 2014, 10:09:38 AM
Jacksonville Armada.
Cool logo
(http://i.imgur.com/MG82vX9.png)
Not even a huge soccer fan, but my pops was in the Navy so I can get behind this!!!
Quote from: pierre on February 19, 2014, 06:18:41 AM
Quote from: edjax on February 18, 2014, 10:10:47 PM
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
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BgzVfxIIAAENvly.jpg:large)
Thats cooll have they ever done that for Jags games?
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.
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"?
Quote from: blizz01 on February 20, 2014, 03:43:03 PM
Anyone going to the Landing tonight for the "release party"?
What time?
5-8
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...).
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?
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.
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.
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://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/07/Al_Lang_Stadium_SSS.jpg/220px-Al_Lang_Stadium_SSS.jpg)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tampa_Bay_Rowdies#Al_Lang_Stadium
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 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.
Guess they'd just call it "The Grounds".....
Quote from: blizz01 on February 21, 2014, 11:24:44 AM
The graphic on the CSX building was a brilliant idea & needs to be a mainstay.
A brilliant, yet borrowed idea.
The USFL Bulls were the first Jacksonville team to reveal their name and logo on the side of the CSX/Seaboard Building.
(http://i.imgur.com/DbAbyeu.png)
The Jacksonville Armada FC logo has been getting good reviews so far on sportslogos.net.
www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/506436712015/Jacksonville_Armada_FC/2015/Primary_Logo
Quote from: I-10east on February 25, 2014, 09:28:43 PM
^^^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.
Only thing I would add is that the Baseball Grounds has alot of seating all the way down the right field line. And have bleachers beyond right field, where the goal would be.
Our sister expansion team will be named Oklahoma City FC, and they unveiled their logo; It's actually a holdover logo from an OKC National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) team that was founded in 2012. It's nothing special IMO, as it looks very 'typical cookie cutter soccer emblem'. IMO the Armada definitely has the better and more unique logo of this expansion bunch.
www.oklahomacityfc.com
Quote from: blizz01 on February 25, 2014, 08:36:53 PM
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://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/07/Al_Lang_Stadium_SSS.jpg/220px-Al_Lang_Stadium_SSS.jpg)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tampa_Bay_Rowdies#Al_Lang_Stadium
thats a cool set up, I hope they play on Bragan Field, but not forever. Also hopes the team can be there for some time. It takes time to build a fan base. I noticed mj.com still has barracudas still in the forum tag, does that team still exist??
Quote from: Coolyfett on April 24, 2014, 08:58:34 AM
Quote from: blizz01 on February 25, 2014, 08:36:53 PM
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://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/07/Al_Lang_Stadium_SSS.jpg/220px-Al_Lang_Stadium_SSS.jpg)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tampa_Bay_Rowdies#Al_Lang_Stadium
thats a cool set up, I hope they play on Bragan Field, but not forever. Also hopes the team can be there for some time. It takes time to build a fan base. I noticed mj.com still has barracudas still in the forum tag, does that team still exist??
(http://24.media.tumblr.com/1426c2b97fb8d03a6ca4903624932da5/tumblr_mupbpdKllB1sphl01o1_250.gif)
Al Lang stadium is no longer used for baseball on a full time basis.
from wikipedia--
Sadly, the Barracudas don't play anymore. The Arena management company said it was too much trouble to have ice down, and do other events. Still, however, management at the 15,000-seat Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena worried that the team's revenues were too low to justify the expense of setting up the facility for ice hockey.[5] After the season the Arena proposed an increase in the team's yearly lease, but this was too much for the team to afford.[6] For the 2007–2008 season they relocated to Jacksonville Ice, a local 1,200-seat recreational ice rink.[6] They continued their on-ice success, qualifying for the playoffs and advancing to the league finals for the second year in a row, ultimately losing to the Knoxville Ice Bears. However, the new venue was too small for the team to be financially viable, and unable to secure any other arena lease, the Barracudas suspended operations after the season
The Barracudas (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacksonville_Barracudas) haven't been around since 2008 and we haven't had a pro hockey team since.
Converting Al Lang for soccer is a nice adaptive use from the pictures I've read and seen in pictures. The Baseball Grounds would be even better for that. Not only is it a nicer stadium with better amenities, it's a lot bigger, so you'd have stands and seating going around much more of the field (at Al Lang the permanent stands only cover part of the field). It's also more accessible to more people. UNF and JU also have advantages, being built specifically for soccer. All good possibilities.
Per JBJ I see final decision between UNF and Baseball Grounds. Saying should play there 3 years until a new stadium and complex is built. They expect decision within 60 days and also study on new stadium should be completed about that same time.
I really hope they use the baseball grounds on this one. Unf is a bit isolated.
^^^I agree. I'm kinda surprised that JU isn't in the temporary stadium race, given that Milne Field will be renovated (although it's kinda isolated also).
www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=542825
Quote from: I-10east on April 30, 2014, 04:56:16 AM
^^^I agree. I'm kinda surprised that JU isn't in the temporary stadium race, given that Milne Field will be renovated (although it's kinda isolated also).
www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=542825
Most of the time that the front office have talked about a temporary home, it's been between UNF and the baseball grounds. I went to their town hall meeting at Mellow Mushroom a couple of weeks ago, and at that time they also threw JU into the mix, but now I see that it's back down to the original two.
Maybe JU's renovations would not have been completed in time, or maybe JU just doesn't want to over-use their fields. JU's soccer team doesn't play on that field - they have their own natural grass field right next to the football stadium.
It's also possible that the Armada don't want to play on field turf. You would also be playing soccer on a field that has football lines and lacrosse lines all over it. I know that's probably not a deal breaker, but a lot of people get up in arms about that.
I'm sure if there was any way they could have worked something out with JU they would have. Mark Frisch is heavily involved with JU and he and his companies are big supporters of JU athletics.
I received an email from the Armada yesterday - they announced some youth camps this summer that will be run by Real Madrid for kids ages 8 to 14. I'm very impressed that they've been able to bring some RM youth coaches over here, and they're partnering with Publix on these camps. So that's a great sign.
Apparently there will be 5 or 6 sites, and they announced 4 of them. They are Atlantic Coast High School, Fletcher High, Patton Park and Stanton Prep. Not sure where the other site(s) will be, but if this is any early indication of where they see their base, then I might be willing to wager that they're looking very closely at UNF.
Quote from: Ajax on April 30, 2014, 08:33:41 AM
Apparently there will be 5 or 6 sites, and they announced 4 of them. They are Atlantic Coast High School, Fletcher High, Patton Park and Stanton Prep. Not sure where the other site(s) will be, but if this is any early indication of where they see their base, then I might be willing to wager that they're looking very closely at UNF.
There is no denying that UNF is centrally located for soccer playing families in Jax. I think a big question is whether the fan base for the team will be made up more of in-town dwellers or soccer families that live in the burbs. A lot of the 20 and 30 something former soccer players I know live in the in-town neighborhoods. I'd imagine they are exploring whether the soccer families in the burbs would be willing to drive a little bit extra for the better gameday/stadium experience downtown or if the in-town folks would still go to games at UNF.
Definitely not an easy choice.
JU > UNF
That's your calculus for the day.
Sorry Field...but JU didn't make the cut
And they were so good at calculus, too.
It's ok... people thought Isaac Newton was a little nuts too
(http://invention.yukozimo.com/media/t/7039-1.jpg)
Orlando's new MLS logo:
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a0/Orlando_City_MLS_logo.png)
Gotta say, I much prefer the Armada logo :)
Agreed - but I don't hate that one either (kind of partial to the lions). <<<<<
I am really interested in seeing where they are going to build a new stadium.
Things are getting ugly as Orlando is suing a family church to give up their land via eminent domain
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2014-05-20/news/os-church-soccer-stadium-court-20140520_1_orlando-city-soccer-club-faith-deliverance-temple-church-land
^ and Beckham can't find a suitable site for his stadium in Miami either
Orlando will likely win. They've taken gotten two other properties by eminent domain for this project already, and they're willing to pay several times more than the property is worth for the church to move. Miami's a totally different story. I wouldn't be surprised if they end up having to play outside the city.
It would be really nice if Armada could play in the city.
I'd like to see Khan develop a sports museum / bar / restaurant / practice area on the shipyards and the Armada build their stadium on the old practice field. That would be a real sports district indeed.
I agree. It would be nice for the Armada to be downtown, perhaps with some sort of shared complex with the Jags. With so many people interested in taking in Jags training sessions lately a small shared stadium that the Armada could use for games would be great. I don't know if extending a sports district into the shipyards is a good idea tho, unless they somehow integrate some shared use spaces. I've seen Shad Khans initial plan and talked with several other people that have ideas for that space, and I think combining all the ideas into one master plan would deliver the most benefit.
I agree. If all of the parties interested in developing the shipyards would combine their ideas and money we could end up with a pretty awesome area that would connect downtown with the sports district. It would be nice if the Armada could build their stadium on the Jags practice field site as a shared venture with the Jags. If the fair ever moves we could build the amphitheater on that site. I know that a lot of people would choose the old county courthouse site for a new convention center but I like the site by the stadium. We would have seven venues in one district. That would be unique in the world.
The first head coach is José Luis Villarreal.
^^^ www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=543167
The Armada just revealed their new uniforms:
(http://media.bizj.us/view/img/4200071/screen-shot-2014-10-28-at-72843-pm*600xx1245-830-46-0.png)
As a fan of traditional American sports, the whole large corporate logo thing is quite a culture shock. It seems like the jersey would have more attention on the Armada, and less on Winn Dixie, but that's how the world of soccer is.
I agree I-10. The Armada logo is kinda amateurish too in my opinion. I love the concept behind it but the execution is bad. Didn't Dalton do it? That would explain a lot.
I get the whole European-styled sponsorship thing (I wouldn't blame someone for calling the team Arsenal by their sponsor's name: Emirates), these uniforms kinda suck.
I mean...this is the best they could come up with? It looks like someone slapped a WD sticker on a set of Under Armour.
Can we start a chant "Let's go Beef People <clap>,<clap>,<clap><clap><clap>..."
I say we're still looking better than the Atlanta Silverbacks:
(http://i.imgur.com/8HIcH57l.jpg)
^^^LOL, that 'O' in 'PEOPLE' reminds me of PBS. ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNGd_ZPphQs
Anyone have an idea who the NASL uses to design their uniforms or do they leave it up to the team to come up with their own designs? As much as some people hate Nike's designs of NFL jersey, at least it gives the NFL as a whole some commonality as far as look goes. You don't see a really nice design and then something that looks like there was no thought whatsoever put into the design.
^I believe each team chooses their own. These, however, were designed by Nike.
http://www.nasl.com/article/uuid/d1xrdi3b1hq41oh82879sakne/armada-fc-reveals-inaugural-kits#.VFI1YfnF98E
The kit is pretty bland. From what I understand, it is a basic Nike kit template.