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Monday Ticker: Indianapolis aims for pro soccer, Roma sets Orlando training dates and more

By FRANCO PANIZO

Indianapolis could one day soon have a professional soccer team of its own.

A group of Indianapolis business executives is working hard to try and launch a soccer team in the area in 2014. The club’s name and colors are not yet known, but the plan is for them to play in second-tier NASL in their inaugural season with an eye towards one day becoming an MLS franchise.

The group of business executives has hired Peter Wilt to help their cause. Wilt is a 25-year soccer executive and the former founding general manager of the Chicago Fire.

Here are more notes from around the world of soccer:

ROMA TO TRAIN IN ORLANDO IN DECEMBER

AS Roma will bring in the new year in the United States. Roma will spend part of its winter break at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, training from December 30 to January 1 on the Disney facilities. The Italian heavyweights struck a six-year deal with Disney to train there back in March.

SNOOP LION INTERESTED IN CELTIC INVESTMENT

Jay-Z is to the Brooklyn Nets what Snoop Lion may soon be to Celtic. Snoop Lion, the hip hop star formerly known as Snoop Dogg, is considering investing into the Scottish powerhouse after watching them defeat Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League group stage. Snoop Lion, who is a noted soccer fan and an EA Sports’ FIFA13 spokesman, event went as far as to say he would try and lure his friend David Beckham to Celtic if he were able to purchase a small stake in the club.

DOMENECH SPILLS DETAILS ABOUT WORLD CUP 2010 FIASCO IN NEW BOOK

It might be a couple years late, but former France head coach Raymond Domenech is revealing details about what transpired during the French fiasco at the 2010 World Cup. In a new book titled “Tout Seul” (All Alone), Domenech gives his accounts of what happened in South Africa and states that Franck Ribery, Nicolas Anelka and Thierry Henry were to blame for a chunk of the team’s problems. Domenech also attributes the team’s problems to his poor decision-making.

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What do you think of Indianapolis trying to land a pro soccer team? Surprised Roma is ringing in the new year with a practice session in Orlando? Is Snoop Lion just interested in Celtic because of their colors?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Ok snoop take it down a notch. Dont buy celtic just for fun! And beckham there…? Might work but there are better ideas out there,

    He should buy a club in kingston or just invest in the galaxy

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  2. Nasl come to el paso texas- come sweet talk our city into nasl- we just got a triple A baseball stadium downtown and a soccer team can play there- come to ussssss

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  3. Once the NASL becomes a viable entity, we can start talking about MLS 2 and pro/rel. And cue the typical illogical arguments against it!

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  4. Would love to see Indianapolis in MLS. It would be the link for a Crew-Racing-Fire rivalry, being only a little over three hours to either (or less, depending on traffic and how you drive). And they picked the right guy to lead them. This is great news.

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  5. I’m all for Roma’s visit, but … Dec 30 to January 1? Are they just coming to march with Mickey and watch the fireworks? That’s a pretty short visit, and folks will probably be too hung over to come and watch them.

    Than again, Michael Bradley does have a passing resemblance to

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  6. MLS expansion is really interesting to read about. From all of the cities that seem to think they are going to get a team, the league is going to get to the 24 team range in a hurry. Garbage has also eluded that he doesn’t really see the league getting to that many teams. So it’s all a bit confusing.
    Personally I can see why he wants the Cosmos in NYC. That’s one option.
    If he wants to follow with the success in Portland and Seattle…I think Carolina and Orlando have to be the frontrunners.
    He’s also given some talk about ATL, SD, The Lou, and Miami. Sorry Indy, don’t see it happening.

    Reply

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