by Allison Andrews, USLFans.com reporter
For the third year in a row, I have the opportunity to attend the United Soccer Leagues Annual General Meeting in Tampa, Florida. After taking place at a hotel on the beach in Clearwater for a few years, the meetings moved to a very isolated Hyatt Hotel near the Tampa airport in 2005. This year, the meetings again move east into downtown Tampa to the Hyatt Regency, which is in the heart of downtown Tampa, and the atmosphere this year seems to have benefited from the move.
The Hyatt Regency Tampa, site of the 2006 United Soccer Leagues Annual General Meeting
The unofficial kick-off of the AGM, Pub Night
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With SoccerFest going on in Tampa in conjunction with the AGM, hotel rooms are at a premium this year, with over 8,000 hotel nights expected to be taken by the festivities of the weekend. Unable to get a room at the Hyatt, I was put in the Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk as are many of the other AGM attendees, though it's a very short 3 minute walk to the Hyatt.
Most of Thursday's AGM activities for smaller groups, like the Board of Directors meetings and new team orientation, and many teams don't arrive until later on Thursday. But one meeting I did get to attend on Thursday was the Canadian Team Meeting, and though it may have seemed odd to have an American soccer fan in there, it was interesting listening to the challenges Canadian teams have with playing in an American-based league but having to adhere to Canadian regulations.
Later in the evening, the unofficial kick-off party for the AGM took place as Pub Night was held at Newk's Café, which is adjacent to the St. Pete Times Forum, home of the NHL Tampa Bay Lightning. Throughout the evening, most of the USL staff as well as most of the representatives of the First and Second Division teams would show up, as were some familiar faces such as former USL staffer and sideline reporter Amanda Miller. Charleston Battery coach Mike Anhaeuser was heard complaining that someone kept feeding him tasty hot wings that he was having trouble resisting, and Battery Director of PR & Marketing Andrew Bell was judged to have a passing resemblance to Matthew McConaughey, a charge which Andrew denied. Miami GM Luiz Muzzi had many great Romario stories for us (including showing us pictures on his cellphone of the Miami players sleeping on the floor at JFK airport the evening before their home playoff game), and the last shuttle bus back to the hotel ended up nearly packed as most people stayed for the duration, and a good time was had by all.
Tomorrow: Hall of Fame Dinner and Awards presentation
