Miami FC

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Miami FC
Image:Miami fc.PNG
Full name Miami Football Club
Nickname(s) Blues
Founded 2006
Ground Tropical Park Stadium
(Capacity 7,000)
Chairman Flag of the United States Aaron Davidson
Manager Flag of Brazil Zinho
League USL First Division
2008 in progress
Team colours Team colours Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
 
Home colours
Team colours Team colours Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
 
Away colours

Miami FC is an American professional soccer team, founded in 2006. The team is a member of the USL First Division, the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.

They currently play at Tropical Park Stadium in Glenvar Heights, Florida, around 8 miles west of downtown Miami. The team is currently coached by Zinho. The team's colors are tropical blue and white.

Miami FC is owned by Traffic Sports USA, the American branch of Traffic Group, which owns and organizes South American club tournaments such as the Copa America and Copa Sudamericana.

South Florida was most recently home to the Fort Lauderdale-based Miami Fusion F.C. of Major League Soccer. The Fusion folded in 2002, and Miami have inherited a portion of their fanbase, leaving some to see them as semi-continuation of Fusion.

Contents

[edit] 2008 Roster

as of May 30, 2008

No. Position Player
1 Flag of Puerto Rico GK Josh Saunders
2 Flag of the United States MF Eddie Gutierrez
3 Flag of the United States DF Christopher Williams
4 Flag of Brazil DF Cristiano
5 Flag of Guyana DF JP Rodrigues
6 Flag of Haiti DF Stephane Guillaume
7 Flag of Jamaica MF Sean Fraser
8 Flag of Colombia MF John Pulido
9 Flag of Brazil FW Alex Afonso
11 Flag of the United States MF Eric Vasquez
12 Flag of the United States MF Sam Reynolds
13 Flag of Trinidad and Tobago DF Avery John
14 Flag of the United States MF Jarryd Goldberg
No. Position Player
15 Flag of Brazil MF Cauê
17 Flag of Guyana MF Sean Cameron
18 Flag of Colombia FW Nicolas Mosquera
19 Flag of the United States MF Juan Pablo Galavis
20 Flag of the United States DF Luis Calix
21 Flag of Honduras DF Walter Ramirez
22 Flag of Guatemala FW Willie Sims
23 Flag of Brazil MF Mineiro
25 Flag of Jamaica FW Sean Barrett
99 Flag of the United States GK Bryan Loureiro
Flag of the United States DF Eric Brunner
Flag of Haiti GK Gabard Fénélon
Flag of the United States MF Leo Inacio

[edit] History

[edit] Inaugural Game

On April 16, 2006, the team played its first home game at Tropical Park Stadium. Mario El Loco Rodríguez, a Guatemalan national team midfielder, scored the team's first goal in the 77th minute. He was assisted by Zinho, a starter on Brazil's 1994 World Cup champion team. The lone goal was enough to defeat Jamaican champion Portmore United.

Romario, also a star of the Brazil's 1994 World Cup winning team, was signed to the club March 30, 2006. Though injuries left him unable to play in the April 16, 2006 opener, Miami FC gave the famed striker the honor of the ceremonial first kick.

[edit] Mascot and Nickname Contest

In 2007, the team held a contest through public schools in the greater Miami-Dade area for a nickname and mascot. Shia Moreno, an elementary school student won for her nickname "Blues". Daniel Townsend, a senior at Robert Morgan Educational Center won for his mascot creation "Hotshot", a flaming sonic-like character.

[edit] Year-By-Year

Year League Reg. Season Playoffs Open Cup
2006 USL First Division 5th Quarterfinals 2nd round
2007 USL First Division 9th Did not qualify 1st Round

[edit] Notable Former Players

[edit] Affiliated Clubs

[edit] Supporter's Group

From left: Miami FC Manager Luiz Muzzi, "Newtbomb89", Marcos Ommatti, Victor Palkaninec, and "pb9000". Photo by ChisGreen
From left: Miami FC Manager Luiz Muzzi, "Newtbomb89", Marcos Ommatti, Victor Palkaninec, and "pb9000". Photo by ChisGreen
Victor Palkaninec (pictured) and ChrisGreen photograph each other as "pb9000" interviews Miami FC manager Luiz Muzzi
Victor Palkaninec (pictured) and ChrisGreen photograph each other as "pb9000" interviews Miami FC manager Luiz Muzzi

In 2007, the Miami FC supporter's group was officially founded by avid fan and photographer Victor Palkaninec. The group began a website, www.miamifc2.com. Victor covers all the home games as photo press. The site uses updates and game recaps provided by Miami FC's media relation's manager, Marcos Ommatti. On June 9, 2007, the group held its first ever tailgating party before the game against the Puerto Rico Islanders. Victor, as well as members Chris Green (Robert Morgan High School WRMN8 News, iPatchNews.com), pb9000 ("Random Thoughts" podcast creator), and Newtbomb89 (YouTube video poster) had the chance to meet and greet Miami FC manager Luiz Muzzi and plater Chris "Big Smooth" Williams.

[edit] Romario

Brazilian World Cup Winner Romario has recently left the club and has signed a short term contract with Australian league premier team Adelaide United in Australia's premier football competition the Hyundai A-League, for a 4-game "guest" stint. He has now come back to play for Vasco da Gama in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Romario scored his 1000th career goal against Sport from Recife on May 20th, 2007.

[edit] External Links