Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com
By FRANCO PANIZO
Orlando will not be the only city in Florida hosting a number of MLS teams this upcoming preseason.
MLS announced on Thursday afternoon that it has selected Bradenton’s IMG Academy as its Eastern hub for the 2014 preseason. The Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew, New England Revolution, D.C. United, FC Dallas and Toronto FC are some of the teams expected to train there and most will partake in a series of friendlies beginning in late January and ending in late February.
The Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau allocated funds to be used by MLS and its teams for a national campaign promoting the preseason.
“We considered several locations to serve as an Eastern home for the preseason and, with consult from our clubs, we chose IMG Academy for the combination of its world-class facilities, ideal weather and engaged community,” said MLS executive vice president of competition and game operations Nelson Rodriguez.
Several teams trained and held friendlies at IMG Academy during the 2013 preseason, including the Fire, Crew and New York Red Bulls.
Orlando is another Florida city that will host games at its annual Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic. Some of the teams that have announced they will compete in that competition include 2013 MLS Cup champions Sporting Kansas City, the Montreal Impact, Orlando City SC, and Columbus. The Red Bulls are also expected to play in that tournament.
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What do you think of MLS choosing IMG Academy as its Eastern hub for the 2014 preseason? Surprised Orlando was not chosen instead? Considering heading down to Florida for some sun and preseason action?
Share your thoughts below.
Here in Tucson we are getting ready for the Desert Diamond “Cactus” Cup and all the other Western NLS teams for the preseason starting Feb 1st
Schedule Here:
http://fctucson.com/team/full-mls-preseason-and-2014-fc-tucson-desert-diamond-cup-schedule/
or this:
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Portland Timbers vs. Sporting Kansas City, 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Houston Dynamo vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 3:00 p.m.
Seattle Sounders FC vs. Portland Timbers, 6:00 p.m.
2014 Desert Diamond Cup
(All times local MT)
Wednesday, February 19, 2014 (North Stadium at Kino Sports Complex)
Game #1, 1:00PM: Chivas USA v. FC Tucson
Game #2, 3:30PM: Colorado Rapids v. Chicago Fire
Game #3, 6:00PM: Real Salt Lake v. NE Revolution
Saturday, February 22, 2014 (North Stadium at Kino North Complex)
Game #4, 1:00PM: FC Tucson v. Chicago Fire
Game #5, 3:30PM: Colorado Rapids v. Real Salt Lake
Game #6, 6:00PM: NE Revolution v. Chivas USA
Wednesday, February 26, 2014 (North Stadium at Kino North Complex)
Game #7, 1:00PM: Chivas USA v. Colorado Rapids
Game #8, 3:30PM: NE Revolution v. Chicago Fire
Game #9, 6:00PM: Real Salt Lake v. FC Tucson
Saturday, March 1, 2014 (Kino Stadium)
Game #10, TBD: 5th Place v. 6th Place
Game #11, TBD: 3rd Place v. 4th place
Game #12, TBD: 1st Place v. 2nd Place
Chivas USA gets a revenge match against FC Tucson. Nice!
Bahaha, good ol’ Chivas punching below its weight.
I’m hoping the national team sets up shop there too before the World Cup, but I’m guessing they’ll go for bigger stadiums and more publicity elsewhere rather than appropriate facilities and great climate in Florida.
Great climate= similar to what they’ll find in Brasil.