Yes it’s been more than two weeks since the announcement was made here on MLS Talk, but as the old saying goes, better late than never. To my colleague Kartik Krishnaiyer may I say congratulations on your hard work and dedication to the game here in the United States for your current position with the new North American Soccer League (N.A.S.L.).

I knew Kartik when he was apart of the Champions Soccer Radio Network (CSRN) as he along with Dave Denholm of 710 ESPN Radio in Los Angeles hosting the American Soccer Show & once in a while I would be a guest or a fill in reporter when Denholm would be doing other assignments for ESPN Radio. It was alot of fun discussing American Soccer in all of its levels. Club football, the US Open Cup and of course the National Team.

During the whole David Beckham fiasco on his demands to be transferred permanently to AC Milan, Kartik introduced me to MLS Talk and of course the Gaffer. I was happy to join this wonderful site and be apart of the MLS Talk Podcast. It is because of the respect that I have for Kartik and his passion for the game that I know he is going to do a fantastic job working for the NASL. He is a tireless worker that believes in what’s right and in my view Jeff Cooper has picked the right man for the right job.

Obviously there has been some form of a backlash to Kartik’s hire. Well let me say that’s what happens when certain people are jealous when they assume they could do a better job than Kartik. Maybe so, but those who are not in favor of Kartik taking this position. Next time call Jeff Cooper so you can beg for a job when it comes up in the NASL front office.

My colleague Kartik Krishnaiyer. I am very proud that you have earned this new job. I wish you great success for now and into the future. I hope everything works out and I already know that you will never forget where you came from. And now for the Tampa Bay Soccer situation.

From the office of Mr. Krishnaiyer in the NASL the Tampa Bay Rowdies have just changed their name to FC Tampa Bay. At the same time the club will be playing their home matches at the Spring Training home of the New York Yankees and the home of the Class Single A affiliate Tampa Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Formerly Legends Field the ball park will have 10,000 seats dedicated to FC Tampa Bay as well as the bleacher section behind the right field wall. The Steinbrenner family who are Tampa residents have had their share of involvement with the local Tampa sports scene, besides their day to day operations with the Twenty-Seven Time World Series Champions New York Yankees. George Steinbrenner has had a minority ownership with the NHL Tampa Bay Lightning when they were an expansion team in the 1992-93 season.

“We are excited about playing at Steinbrenner Field and being involved with the Yankees. They are truly the most successful American sports brand, as well as an organization rooted deeply in the Tampa Bay Community.” Said owner Andrew Nestor. “The stadium is located at an optimal central location and the stadium fits our needs perfectly. We can’t wait to start the season at Steinbrenner Field.”

Yes we all know that the club will start this year in the USL Conference, but in 2011 they will make the permanent move to the NASL. I am very happy to see the Tampa area getting back professional football ever since the contraction of the Tampa Bay Mutiny from MLS in 2001. At the same time I blame the Glazer Family for not making a substantial effort to keep the Mutiny afloat as they were earning rent from the league using Raymond James Stadium, as well as their original home of the NFL’s Buccaneers Tampa Stadium.

Now that we have seen the Glazer family put Manchester United in debt again, maybe it was a smart thing that they aren’t controlling a pro club in US Soccer. But once again this is a fantastic time to be a supporter in Central-West Florida as the town will have a home for a new club in second division football for years to come.