Latest news with #MLSNextPro
CBS News
4 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Businesses near San Francisco's Kezar Stadium hope Golden City FC pro soccer revitalizes area
San Francisco and businesses near Kezar Stadium couldn't be more thrilled that the city has officially inked a deal to bring a new soccer franchise to the historic venue. Golden City FC, a new MLS Next Pro franchise, will begin play in either 2026 or 2027 and call Kezar its home for the next 15 years. Kezar Pub, which is right across the street, will be one of the biggest fans of the team. "We're big football fans/soccer fans here," said owner Cyril Hackett. "This bar is synonymous with soccer, or football as we call it." The pub was here when the 49ers called Kezar home between 1946 and 1971, and is two years shy of celebrating its 90th birthday. Hackett wasn't here then, but has owned the bar for almost 30 years. "We needed a shot in the arm because I think we get a little forgotten out here," said Hackett. Like many other businesses in the city, Kezar Pub has been slow to recover from shutdowns implemented during the pandemic. "We've weathered the storm here," he said. "We're one of the lucky ones. People are starting to come back into the bars. People are starting to come back and watch sports, but a lot of people did change their habits. We can't cry forever. We have to get up and go at it." Kezar Pub has become the place to go to watch pretty much any live sporting event on TV. But a new professional team playing its home games just feet away is something Hackett is looking forward to. "You have to start thinking to the future," he said. "Probably a minimum of 20 games per year. It's great for our staff. We'll have to hire more people. More revenue for the city. I mean, what can be wrong with that?" Mayor Daniel Lurie says the team will invest $10 million in a new field, seating, and scoreboard at Kezar Stadium, among other upgrades. "Kezar is so ingrained in our city's history and the lives of everyday residents that Golden City FC's investment is truly an investment into the people of San Francisco," said Lurie. Some soccer fans are not quite ready to welcome a new team. Scott Brown is a huge fan of San Francisco City FC, a men's soccer team in the amateur USL League Two that currently plays its home games at Kezar. He worries the team will get the boot when Golden City FC comes into town. "It's a shame to have somebody overlook a grassroots, fan-owned organization like SF FC," said Brown. "We're really proud of ourselves. Really proud of the name and proud of the team." Kezar is also home to the San Francisco Nighthawks women's soccer team, which plays in the amateur Women's Premier Soccer League. Nighthawks general manager Jill Lounsbury said she welcomes the new tenants to Kezar. "The soccer community looks forward to partnerships that allow everyone to grow from the top down and from the bottom up," said Lounsbury in a prepared statement. "I personally look forward to a light being shined on our very diverse and vibrant community with Golden City Football Club's assist!" From a business perspective, Hackett can't wait to meet his new neighbors across the street. "You can have too much beer and too much tequila, but you could never have too much soccer," said Hackett.
Axios
5 days ago
- Business
- Axios
San Francisco bets on new pro soccer team to boost Kezar Stadium
Mayor Daniel Lurie has struck a deal designating San Francisco's historic Kezar Stadium as the home field for a new men's professional soccer team: Golden City Football Club. State of play: As part of the agreement finalized Wednesday, Golden City FC— backed by private investors — will invest $10 million in stadium upgrades for pro and public use, the venue's largest cash infusion in decades. What they're saying:"This investment is truly an investment in the people of San Francisco," Lurie said in a statement. "San Francisco's vibrant culture, rich sports history and enthusiastic fan base make it an ideal home for an independent club," added Charles Altchek, president of MLS Next Pro and executive vice president of Major League Soccer. Zoom in: The renovations include new bleachers, a sound system, natural grass field, irrigation system and high-definition scoreboard. The venue will also undergo various ADA accessibility, press box and concessions upgrades. Friction point: The deal has sparked concern from supporters of the community-run San Francisco City FC — which has played at Kezar for decades — that it could sideline the team. The big picture: Golden City FC is the second pro team introduced under Lurie, following this year's debut of the Golden State Valkyries. His administration is betting on sports and entertainment to help revive local neighborhoods. Between the lines: Golden City FC will be permitted to use the stadium for home games and practices for 15 years — with three optional five-year extensions — and granted use of other city-owned fields for training.
New York Post
14-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Michael Bradley coming 'home' for coaching job with Red Bulls developmental team
It almost feels like destiny that U.S. Men's National Team great Michael Bradley would begin his coaching career with the New York Red Bulls organization. It was the organization he first played professional soccer for — back when they were still the MetroStars — and now it's where he will get his first crack at being a head coach, after he was appointed this week to the role for the MLS Next Pro side New York Red Bulls II, the development team for the MLS club. And Bradley couldn't be happier that all of this is happening in the place he's always considered 'home.' Advertisement 'Home has always been New Jersey,' Bradley told The Post in a phone interview. 'I was born here, lived here for the first 9 or 10 years of my life. And moved, obviously, then moved back later. Got my start as a professional for this organization. I met my wife here. … It's the part of being back here and having the chance to start my head-coaching career in this area, that part is special.' 3 Toronto FC midfielder Michael Bradley applauds to the crowd after an MLS soccer match against Orlando City in Toronto on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. AP Bradley is bringing a wealth of experience to the Red Bulls II after a lengthy soccer career that included 151 appearances for the National Team — the third most of any USMNT player — captaining the squad for 44 of them and making eight appearances in World Cup matches. He famously scored the tying goal in a 2-2 draw with Slovenia in the group stage of the 2010 World Cup. Advertisement His club experience spanned 20 years with stints in the MLS, Bundesliga in Germany, the Premier League and Serie A in Italy. Bradley retired in 2023 after 10 seasons with Toronto FC. Nevertheless, the experience on the pitch doesn't necessarily mean automatic success as a coach. Bradley was the first to bring that up during a lengthy conversation with The Post — while explaining that having played, he has 'lived the ups and the downs and all of the moments along the way that they are in their careers.' 3 Michael Bradley of the US celebrates after scoring a goal during a 2010 World Cup Group C soccer match against Slovenia at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg June 18, 2010. REUTERS 'But to be clear, just because you played, or just because you had a long career as a player, that doesn't guarantee you anything as a coach,' Bradley said. 'As a young coach, now you have to be ready to start over. You have to be ready to work from the bottom again in terms of your commitment, your motivation, your willingness to just put in the time, and develop yourself and your qualities.' Advertisement For any American soccer fan worth their salt, the name Bradley sounds familiar, not only because of his extensive career as a player. His father, Bob Bradley, coached the USMNT from 2006-11, as well as served as a Princeton University's head coach from 1984-95 and later became head coach of the MetroStars from 2002-05. Bob Bradley was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2014. Michael Bradley already has tested out his coaching chops under his father as an assistant in 2023 at Norwegian club Stabæk. Earlier this month, he was invited to be a guest coach on Jesse Marsch's staff for the Canadian national team ahead of a pair of international friendlies. Though coaching wasn't something that had been top of Bradley's mind earlier in his career, the American soccer star started to think about what would come next after his playing days were done. 'I love the game, and I love the part of being on the field every day,' he said. 'I love the part of being in a group that's trying to do something special. I love the part of trying to bring out the best in people. And so for me, it was clear that I wanted to coach.' Advertisement 3 U.S. midfielder Michael Bradley, left, celebrates with defender Matt Besler (5) after scoring a goal against Mexico during the first half of an international friendly soccer match, Wednesday, April 2, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz. AP Asked about any nerves about turning to coaching with the last name Bradley and trying to match up with the résumé of his father, the new RB2 coach put it simply. 'If I was fazed by any of that, then I wouldn't have gotten real far in the game,' he said. Bradley did say that while working under his father at Stabæk, he noticed all the 'little details' in how Bob prepared everything from training and video sessions to how he organized things in the lead-up to matches. 'The experience working for him on his staff allowed me to see it all in an even better way,' Michael said. Bradley is taking over an RB2 team that already has eight wins this season. He's taking over as head coach after the previous head coach, Ibrahim Sekagya, was promoted to an assistant role on the first team. The first match with Bradley at the helm will come on June 21 at Carolina Core FC.
Associated Press
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Michael Bradley hired as coach of 3rd-tier New York Red Bulls II
HARRISON, N.J. (AP) — Former U.S. captain Michael Bradley was hired Thursday as coach of New York Red Bulls II in third tier MLS Next Pro. Bradley replaced Ibrahim Sekagya, who had coached the team since 2023 and was promoted Tuesday to a first-team assistant under Sandro Schwarz. Sekagya will coach Red Bulls II on Sunday against Chattanooga, and Bradley will take over ahead of the June 21 match against Carolina. Now 37, Bradley had 17 goals in 151 international appearances from 2006-19 and spent 20 years playing for the New York/New Jersey MetroStars (2004-05), Heerenveen (2006-08), Borussia Mönchengladbach (2008-11), Aston Villa (2011), Chievo Verona (2011-12), Roma (2012-14) and Toronto (2014-23). Bradley was an assistant to his father Bob with Norway's Stabæk in 2023-24. His father coached the U.S. from 2006-11. Red Bulls II have eight wins, two losses and two ties and are second in the Eastern Conference, two points behind Chattanooga. ___ AP soccer:
CTV News
04-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Jamaican teenage forward Jahmarie Nolan looks to turn heads in Toronto
Jamaican youth international forward Jahmarie Nolan is shown in Toronto on Wednesday March 19, 2025, signing an MLS Next Pro contract with Toronto FC II. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Toronto FC *MANDATORY CREDIT * TORONTO — Teenage forward Jahmarie Nolan opened his Toronto FC II scoring account on May 9, finding a seam in the Chattanooga FC defence and leaving 'keeper Eldin Jakupović rooted to the spot with a well-placed low shot in the corner of the goal. With the Toronto reserve side still trailing 2-1 after the 88th-minute goal, there was no time for celebration. Nolan just grabbed the ball out of the goal and raced back to centre field to start the game again. The 15-year-old Jamaican youth international has been on the move for a while now. Nolan was just 14 when he made his debut in the Jamaica Premier League for Mount Pleasant FA on Oct. 7, 2024, and scored his first goal against Vere United on Jan. 30. Nolan, who was nine or 10 when he joined Mount Pleasant, scored one goal and added two assists in 11 appearances during the 2024-2025 season. He signed with TFC 2 on March 24, becoming the youngest player in club history to sign an MLS Next Pro contract. Nolan made his debut April 25, coming off the bench in the 61st minute against Chicago Fire II. The advice from TFC 2 coach Gianni Cimini was simple. 'He said to just enjoy and play free,' Nolan recalled. 'I was a little bit nervous because I hadn't played overseas in a while, but when I got the first touch on the ball, everything just disappeared. I started to play freely.' Nolan has one goal in six appearances, including three starts, to date. 'The footballing here is quite different than back in Jamaica,' the soft-spoken teen said in his lilting island accent. 'In Jamaica, it's more physical. Here it's more technique. A higher standard here, definitely.' Toronto FC coach Robin Fraser, who was also born in Jamaica, welcomed the five-foot-10, 160-pounder and his family to the club. 'It was nice to have a young man come straight from the island,' said Fraser, who acknowledged having some initial concerns about such a young signing from overseas. 'This is a whole different level of professionalism, I would think, than he's used to … But he seems to be settling in really really well.' 'Certainly at his age and his build, he's somebody that is really interesting to us,' he added. Nolan has enjoyed his time with the club so far, even if unseasonably cool weather has been a shock to the system. He has family here, in the form of his mother, brother, two uncles and assorted cousins. Plus, he lives in an apartment complex that houses several of his TFC 2 teammates. Nolan has represented Jamaica at multiple youth levels, scoring three goals in CONCACAF U-17 qualifying play in February in Guatemala. 'From there, my agent told me TFC was interested,' he said. 'And I was like, 'Why not come and get the experience here?'' Toronto was happy to get him. 'We definitely see a high ceiling for him,' said Toronto technical director Sean Rubio. 'We've been pretty open that we see him slotting in amongst our highest level of prospects, so to speak.' A former midfielder, Nolan has moved up front with Jamaica and Toronto, often in the role of a false No. 9 — a role he likes since it gives him the freedom to find space in the defence. Growing up, he liked watching Manchester City star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski. But he is his own man. 'I have a good scoring mentality. I like to go forward,' he said when asked what kind of player he is. 'I'm very passionate about (football)' When not training or playing, Nolan continues his studies online. The Grade 10 student says school and soccer have kept him busy, and he has yet to explore the city around him. Nolan has his eye on another move in the future. '(Toronto) is just the first step for me,' he said. 'I want to be in Europe (in) the next two years. I'm trying to modify my game day by day, score goals, get assists, and just try to get to the big stage.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 4, 2025 Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press
