Die Anpflanzler [DA] » the Southern Conference.

MIAMI -- David Beckham hopped onto the stage, his back to sun-splashed Biscayne Bay, and a pack of photographers jostled for position as admirers cheered and chanted. "Thank you for the warm welcome," Beckham said on an 80-degree February morning. In this case, it was soccer weather. The sport moved a step closer to returning to South Florida on Wednesday, when Beckham confirmed he has exercised his option to purchase a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in Miami. The deal will be finalized when the former English national team captain can secure a financing plan and location for a new stadium. Beckham attended a news conference with MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez to discuss their progress. "This is an exciting time, and something were really looking forward to bringing to Miami," Beckham told a crowd of more than 300 people on a downtown museum plaza. The event was frequently interrupted by cheers for Beckham, whos popular around the world and especially in celebrity-smitten Miami. The retired soccer icon has scouted possible stadium sites and is seeking investors to assist with startup costs such as construction and player acquisitions. Among those who might become involved is Miami Heat star LeBron James, who has had recent conversations with Beckham about bringing a team to Miami. "LeBron has become a friend over the last few years," Beckham said. "We spoke about this on the business side and also as friends. Hes very interested in this." Beckham, looking the part of a businessman in a suit and tie, said city officials have promised the teams stadium will be downtown, which is his preference. "We dont want public funding," Beckham said to applause. "We will fund the stadium ourselves. We have worked very hard to get to this stage where we can fund the stadium ourselves. We want to create a football club that is the peoples football club." Gimenez -- who at one point referred to Beckham as "Beckman" -- said theres political support for a plan. "We started our negotiations last week," Gimenez said. "We have to get rolling. Theres a time crunch. We are willing partners. We are very grateful that Mr. Beckham and MLS have chosen Miami as the site for their next franchise. Were going to do all in our power to make sure we get the stadium built in the right place as quickly as possible." New teams have been announced for 2015 in New York City and Orlando, Fla., increasing the leagues total to 21. Beckham declined to offer a timetable regarding when Miami might play its first game, but a likely target is 2017. The former Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Los Angeles Galaxy and Paris Saint-Germain star has the right to an expansion team at a discount fee of $25 million. MLSs Miami Fusion played in Fort Lauderdale from 1998-01 before folding because of poor attendance, but this time, Beckhams star power could make a difference. "Miami is a vibrant city with a lot of passion," he said. "I know this city is ready for football -- soccer -- this time around. I know this is going to be successful." The crowd at the news conference included a throng of chanting, singing fans. "People here love this sport," Garber said. "We together have no doubt it will be a very successful MLS team." Beckham said he also wants to start a childrens soccer academy in Miami. Shareholders in the team will include Beckhams business partner Simon Fuller, the "American Idol" creator who is the driving force in franchise negotiations, and Marcelo Claure, president and CEO of Brightstar Corp. Beckham said hell finalize his group of investors over the next couple of months. He declined to say what players he would like to bring to the team. "We have a list," he said. "We want to bring some of the best players in football to Miami to play on this team. Ive seen what happens to teams when you bring great players in. Im talking about the Heat." That brought cheers from the crowd. James and the Heat have won the past two NBA titles. Beckham laughingly ruled out hiring his former manager, Alex Ferguson, to coach the team, but said he has ideas regarding that search, as well. "I kind of know what makes a great coach and what doesnt," he said. "Well have a good coach here." Beckham praised the growth in recent of years of MLS and said hes optimistic about the leagues direction. Regular-season attendance increased from an average of 15,504 in 2006 to a record 18,807 in 2012 before dropping slightly this season to 18,594. "Ive seen the change in this league," Beckham said. "Ive seen the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Barcelona come over to America. They want to play against the MLS teams. Theyre interested in this league, and thats whats changing." Air Max Sale Australia .Y. -- Phil Jackson lost out on his preferred coach, but hes working hard on keeping his star player. Discount Air Max . Despite Arsenals financial firepower, the 31-year-old midfielder was the only arrival in the January transfer window. Signed until the end of the season as injury cover, Kallstrom might not be fit until mid-March after arriving Friday at Arsenal having injured his back earlier in the week while training with Spartak Moscow. http://www.australiaairmax.com/ . Peter Dawson took his long before he started the job. "I was playing an American one year at Oxford Golf Club, and he introduced me to this travelling mulligan," Dawson said. Air Max Australia Cheap .com) - The Hatch Attack is back in the Southern Conference. Cheap Air Max . Now comes an off-season of questions about manager Matt Williams decisions and a handful of key roster choices, including what to do about Ryan Zimmerman, whether to sign Jordan Zimmermann and Ian Desmond to long-term deals, and how to upgrade an offence that fell flat in October.NEW YORK -- The Washington Capitals reveled in what they accomplished Sunday night. The New York Rangers seethed at what they didnt. Steve Oleksy, Jason Chimera and Mikhail Grabovski scored second-period goals in the Capitals 4-1 win over the Rangers. "We felt them deflate a little bit," Oleksy said. Washington defenceman Nate Schmidt added a goal in the third for the Capitals, who beat Nashville at home on Saturday. Schmidt, a 22-year-old rookie, scored his first NHL goal in that game. Grabovskis goal came on a penalty shot. In his fourth NHL game, Philipp Grubauer made 30 saves for Washington (16-12-2) to earn his first career win. The Capitals have won four of five. "Its a huge pressure, but he handled it," Capitals star forward Alex Ovechkin said. "Its good for him and its good for us." New York (15-15-1), beaten at home in overtime by New Jersey on Saturday, has lost three of five. Henrik Lundqvist made 32 saves, and Benoit Pouliot scored the Rangers lone goal with 1:53 left to spoil Grubauers shutout bid. The Rangers are 0-1-1 on their team-record, nine-game homestand. Following the loss, the Rangers held a players-only, closed-door meeting for about 15 minutes. The meeting was at least the second they have held this season. "Its one of those things. Its not going to come from anyone else except from the 22 guys in here," New York centre Derek Stepan said. "We have to find a way to grab it. Forget about what happened in the first (number) of games. "It doesnt matter if you were playing well, playing bad. It doesnt matter. We have to start playing as a group." Washington now has a three point lead over New York for second place in the Metropolitan Division. "We need to grasp it here, need to play with some desperation," Stepan said. "Thats the biggest key right now. Points are points right now. You have to win your hockey games." Chimera opened the scoring 2:28 into the second period. He found a loose puck in a cluster of players around the crease and shoved it in before being knocked down by Justin Falk. That ended Lundqvists shutout streak against Washington at 202 minutes, 28 seconds, dating to Game 6 of last seasons first-round playoff series. Just 25 seconds later, Oleksy ripped a slap shot past Lundqvist to ggive Washington a 2-0 lead.dddddddddddd Grabovski was awarded a penalty shot with 1:34 left in the second after Ryan McDonagh hooked him on a breakaway. Grabovski then beat Lundqvist glove side with a slap shot from between the circles. "We thought he was going to fake it and go five-hole," Chimera said. "Weve seen him score like that before on penalty shots. It was pretty good. Didnt know the little guy had it in him." Schmidt pushed the lead to 4-0 with 2:57 left. Much of the game was played on the perimeter as both teams clogged the middle of the ice in their defensive zones. Washington recorded 36 shots, and New York finished with 31. "We checked them pretty good," Chimera said. "It was one of those games that we didnt give them much, which is really good." Both teams were 0-for-2 on the power play. Despite the playoff history between the two teams, the game lacked emotion outside of several scrums. Offensive stars Ovechkin and Rick Nash of the Rangers were given roughing penalties during a late second-period dust-up. "Just a hockey play," Nash said. "He was finishing his check, and I was trying to get a spark for the guys." By the end of the game, many of the announced 18,006 in attendance had left. Those that remained offered the Rangers a less-than-stellar job performance evaluation. "We should be the ones dictating everything," McDonagh said. "Especially home games, its been too easy for teams coming in here. (We need to) come out with a lot of fire and get some hits, some blocked shots and get the crowd into it. "They really had nothing to stand up for tonight, and its something were ashamed of. Its something we take some pride in here and try (to) correct." NOTES: New York D Marc Staal sat out after being injured Saturday against New Jersey. Rangers coach Alain Vigneault described the ailment as "neck issues which are causing him to have some symptoms." Staal, who has a history of concussions, hadnt yet been diagnosed with another. "Were taking every precaution," Vigneault said. "Well probably know more in the next day or two." Michael Del Zotto replaced Staal in the lineup. ... Grubauer made his second NHL start and second outing of this season. His other start came last season. 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