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. Nike Free 4.0 valkoinen . "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." Nike Free 4.0 musta . McCarthy (2-10) limited San Diego to one run and six hits. He struck out seven with no walks as he beat the Padres for the second time this season and fourth in five career decisions. nike air max 90 essential suomi . Chicago striker Mike Magee tied for the MLS goal-scoring lead Saturday night by scoring his 19th goal when Alexs shot deflected off Magees ribs and into the goal in the Fires 3-2 win over FC Dallas on Saturday night. OTTAWA -- Its one thing to impress your coach. Its another to do it with as much zeal as the New York Islanders. The Islanders fired 57 shots en route to a 5-4 shootout win against the Ottawa Senators on Friday. New York captain John Tavares said he hoped coach Jack Capuano liked what he saw. "Im sure its going to make our coach feel good. Hes always talking about getting a lot of pucks to the net and shots," Tavares said. "I think whats important is that we got the W and we got the 5-4 win. If its the other way around and lose in the shootout and we had that many shots it can be a little frustrating, but this is something to build on and carry over to the next game." Frans Nielsen scored the tying goal in the third period and then the only goal of the shootout in the Islanders win. Nielsen moved in on Senators goaltender Robin Lehner and put a backhand in on his teams second shot of the shootout, and last they would need. The Islanders (5-5-3) won for just the third time in their past 10 games while also getting goals from Matt Martin, Tavares and Pierre-Marc Bouchard in regulation with 27 saves from Evgeni Nabokov. "It thought we played well and I thought structurally we were good and you want to get rewarded when you play well and the guys work ethic is where it needs to be," said Capuano. "We were resilient. When we play the way we know how to play we have success. Now we have to respond against a good (Boston) Bruins team tomorrow night." Erik Condra, Bobby Ryan, Mika Zibanejad and Clarke MacArthur scored for the Senators (4-6-3), but it was Lehner making the biggest contribution with 53 saves, including one off Thomas Vanek on a breakaway in overtime. Ryan said it was as though the Senators were trying to find ways to lose. "Yeah, we are. We find a way to go up two (goals) early and then we find a way to go up (two) in the second," said Ryan. "I dont know if its complacency. I dont know what sets in for us. Thats when we dont stick to the structure. "When you dont stick to the structure youve got a goalie thats asked to make (53) saves and thats unreasonable." MacArthurs goal was his first as a Senator since signing with the club as a free agent back in July. Ryan, who was acquired in a trade with the Anaheim Ducks the same day MacArthur signed, collected the 300th and 301st points of his career. Senators head coach Paul MacLean tried to find the positives following his teams fourth straight loss, and fifth in six games. "When things arent going your way and going real bad sometimes you feel like youre getting pummelled and pummelled and pummelled. I thought tonigght we had some guys dig in," MacLean said following the game that saw his two blow not one, but two two-goal leads to the Islanders. nike air max thea valkoinen. "At the end of the day we found a way to get something out of the game, and the guys started digging in. Any time youre in a tug of war you cant start pulling back until you dig in and stop the other side from pulling. Thats a good sign heading into tomorrow that enough is enough." Ottawa went into the intermission clinging to a 4-3 lead after a frantic finish to the second period that had two Senators in the penalty box for the final 55 seconds. When the third period resumed, the Islanders still had 57 seconds of a 5-on-3 advantage to work with on fresh ice. But they were unable to score, producing just two shots and double-digit passes. They did manage to tie the game at 3:14 of the third on Nielsens goal. There were a total of five goals in the second period as the Islanders scored twice in 28 seconds to tie the game before the Senators rallied to grab a 4-2 lead. Tavares had an empty net to deposit the puck in after a blind pass from Vanek found him alone in front. At 9:35 of the period Martin tied the game as he tipped a point shot from former Senator Matt Carkner past Lehner. The Senators responded with goals from Ryan and MacArthur at 12:34 and 14:47, respectively. With the teams playing 4-on-4 following a pair of minors, Bouchard put a rebound past Lehner from a sharp angle to pull New York back to within a goal. Zack Smith was the Ottawa player in the box at the time. Thirty seconds after the Bouchard goal Smith emerged from the penalty box but barely made it 10 feet before being penalized for interference just three seconds after his first infraction ended. Seven seconds after that Jared Cowen was called for holding, setting up the Islanders 5-on-3 that carried into the third period. Ottawa took a 2-0 lead in the first on goals by Condra, with his first of the season, and Zibanejad. Condra left the game in the second period with a muscle strain in his leg and didnt return. Notes: Derek Grants first-period assist Friday was his first NHL point in 11 career games, all with the Senators ... Vanek played in the 600th game of his NHL career Friday night, and second with the New York Islanders, recording his first point with his new team. In 598 career games with the Buffalo Sabres he had 497 points ... Tavares extended his point streak to 11-games Friday with a second-period goal. Its the longest such streak in the NHL this season ... Matt Kassian and Joe Corvo were scratches for the Senators while Colin McDonald, Eric Boulton and Brian Straight didnt dress for the Islanders. cheap jerseys cheap jerseys cheap nfl jerseys Ray Ban Outlet Michael Kors Outlet Michael Kors Sale Cheap Michael Kors ' ' '