A USL newcomer, the Tampa Bay Rowdies, bolstered their 2017 roster this week with the return of Joe Cole, a former English Premier League standout now in the twilight of his career.
Cole, 35, also played in three World Cups before making his debut last season for Tampa Bay, where he tallied 9 goals, 7 assists and 1 top play on ESPN’s SportsCenter for a bicycle kick goal scored in July.
Along with Cole, the Rowdies, who figure to align in the USL’s Eastern Conference along with Louisville City FC, will have back Martin Vingaard and Neill Collins, returning most of their attacking force.
“No one can deny the impact they made on our team last year with their ability, their grittiness and their leadership,” said Rowdies Head Coach Stuart Campbell. “Joe, Neill and Martin will serve as a good backbone for our team in the season ahead.”
Kickers secure long-term stadium lease
The Richmond Kickers’ plans to stay at historic City Stadium were approved this week by local government officials, ensuring they’ll be able to play there for the next 40 years — and in the process make $20 million in improvements.
The Kickers, another Eastern Conference member, represent the longest continuously operating professional soccer club in the country.
Richmond’s stadium plan will, according to a Kickers news release, “breathe new life into the nearly century-old stadium by modernizing the existing structure while preserving the historical features of the facility.”
Fury FC strike affiliation deal
Major League Soccer’s Montreal Impact, which previously operated the USL club FC Montreal, will instead partner with Ottawa Fury FC moving forward, both sides announced.
The Fury’s head coach and general manager, Paul Dalglish, said he will work with the Impact to identify a group of players that could join the Fury in 2017, also likely in the Eastern Conference with LouCity.
But Ottawa will continue to operate independently and sign its own players, with Dalglish adding, “We are proud of our identity and excited for the opportunities that this relationship will provide both of our organizations – including work on the player development pathway.”
USL hires new executive
The USL this week named Leonardo Santiago as the league’s vice president of marketing and communications. Santiago most recently worked as vice president of communications for Miami FC following a stint with Orlando City SC, former affiliate of LouCity.
According to a USL release, Santiago will “oversee several areas of USL marketing including public relations, events, broadcasting and partnerships.”
“Lenny’s commitment and proven track record make him the perfect fit for the United Soccer League as we continue to experience exciting, sustainable growth,” said Alec Papadakis, the USL’s chief executive officer. “With his added bilingual capabilities, he brings a unique perspective to our diverse league that enables us to reach a broader fan base across North America.”
Dacres shifts to FC Cincinnati
Former LouCity right winger Kadeem Dacres has signed with the club’s River Cities Cup foe, FC Cincinnati announced this week, adding to an already contentious USL rivalry. Dacres moved to free agency after a 2016 season that saw him register 3 goals and just as many assists, including a game-winning goal over the Charleston Battery in the USL Cup Playoffs.
The New York native Dacres was one of LouCity’s original signees for the club’s inaugural season.
“Kadeem Dacres is a player we have been tracking for some time now,” said FCC coach John Harkes. “I was aware of Kadeem as a youth player. He’s an exciting player that will bring a different dimension to our game as a winger.”
FC Cincinnati also agreed to terms with Eric Stevenson, the club’s fourth-leading goal scorer in 2016 — and owner of a wonder goal in FCC’s playoff game.
