Dein erstes Forum » DONETSK, Ukraine --

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." Courtland Sutton Jersey . Duhamel, from Lively, Ont., and Radford, from Balmertown, Ont., were third with 210.84 points. Teammates Kirsten Moore-Towers of St. Catharines, Ont., and Dylan Moscovitch of Toronto were fourth. Duhamel and Radford, who were seventh at the Sochi Olympics, also won bronze at last years world championships in London, Ont. Case Keenum Jersey . Toronto has lost six of its last eight games but is coming off Thursdays 7-3 victory at Kansas City. Juan Francisco and Colby Rasmus both went deep for the Blue Jays, who are second in the American League with 34 home runs on the season. http://www.authenticshopbroncos.com/broncos-isaac-yiadom-navy-blue-jersey/ . Power had a two-lap average of 218.896 mph in qualifying Friday at the high-banked, high-speed 1 1/2-mile track for his 34th career pole. Denver Broncos Jerseys . Cincinnati has lost back-to-back games in overtime, wasting a chance to take a commanding lead in their division. Tramaine Brock Broncos Jersey . These teams will see plenty of each other in the next few weeks as three of the Canucks next nine games are against the Wild (after today they meet February 9th in Minnesota and again February 16th at Rogers Arena).DONETSK, Ukraine -- Manchester United conceded a late equalizer in a 1-1 draw with Shakhtar to take a point from their Group A clash on Wednesday, giving David Moyes more than any other manager of an English club returning from a Champions League match in Donetsk. Moyes didnt get the morale-boosting win United needed after sluggish start in the Premier League, but the point was more than Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea managed in previous Champions League trips to Shakhtar. "It was a good point in the Champions League coming here, theyve got a great record against English teams here," Moyes said. "The team stood up well tonight, they got a good goal early ... and I thought we looked as if we were going to stop them scoring; we defended very well." Danny Welbeck gave United an unexpected lead in the 18th as he slid in between two players to finish off after defender Yaroslav Rakitsky failed to clear Marouane Fellianis low cross. But the highlights were rare for United. Shakhtars Brazilian attacking quartet of Douglas Costa, Alex Teixeira, Luiz Adriano and Taison created numerous chances and the continual threat paid off in the 76th minute, when Taison finally broke through with a powerful volley after Nemanja Vidic failed to clear a cross from Rakitsky. "United took advantage of our mistake, it was a chance goal," Shakhtar coach Mircea Liucescu said. "United then sat on its half of the pitch and played for counterattack. It was our plan to bring it on in the last 25 minutes, which is why the ball ended up in the penalty area oof United often.dddddddddddd Too bad we scored only once." Both teams had opportunities. Robin Van Persie tried his luck first in the 9th with a volley that sailed over the cross bar. Three minutes later Rakitsky seized possession and sparked an attack that lead to Luiz Adrianos narrow miss. A minute later Teirxeira fell to the pitch in the area but his appeal for a penalty was ignored. Rakitskiys free kick from 40 metres went just wide in the 50th minute and, despite relentlessly pressing forward, Shakhtar was held in check by the stubborn United defence until Taisons goal. It wasnt until the last 5 minutes that Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea was forced into making more meaningful saves. United was playing without Wayne Rooney, who was sidelined after clashing shins with Welbeck in training, and was coming off an upset loss to West Bromwich Albion on the weekend. Moyes said there were positives in the draw, and the fact United had a share of the lead in the group with four points, but he wasnt getting carried away with the result. "You have to win other games if were going to progress further in this competition," he said. "But I think on paper this looked a hard away tie and weve picked up a good point." Welbeck said the draw was a move in the right direction. "I dont think many teams come here and get three points," he said. "Were a bit disappointed, were Manchester United and we want to win every single game but coming here and getting the point, youve got to be satisfied with it." Wholesale Hoodies NFL Shirts Outlet Jerseys NFL Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '