Austin... I mean Orlando and Rochester to USL

I really feel for Austin Aztex fans. The rumors of the move from Austin to Orlando that Inside Minnesota Soccer's Brain Quarstad broke out was right on the money. If anyone knows what Austin fans are going through it is us South Florida soccer fans who have been down that road before. The way it was done to Aztex fans seemed like a sneaky exit stage right (or wrong).

The fans didn't even get a chance to help the team find an investor. They had no warning. Did the front office really attempt to find buyers as they claimed? It seems Mr Rawlins had this deal done awhile ago. He just waited for the season to end and bye, bye!

So now its Orlando's team. A team that's headed to the USL Pro, the 3rd division so to speak, though the way they've been posturing it seems USL wants to pretend to be 2nd division. But more on USL Pro later...

Orlando's new team has come out even saying they want to make the jump to MLS! Thats 1st Division folks, so lets just skip 2nd division and jump up to the big leagues! So much for loyalty to USL Pro...
For more on the move to Orlando check out Brant Parson's interview of Phil Rawlins for the Orlando Sentinel

In other news this Monday, the Rochester Rhinos, a recent NASL member team, also decided they would re-join USL. The Rhinos basically relegated themselves and will now play regional soccer in Division 3.
I spoke to a few Rhinos fans and most are devastated by the move. Will this hurt them at the gate? We will see. More on their move to USL Pro HERE

USL's battle with NASL seemed to be over after USL claimed they would not apply for 2nd Division sanctioning. But, the return of the Rochester Rhinos to USL might be viewed as pay back after most 2nd division teams departed USL for NASL. Add to that a rumored Ft Lauderdale team that would enter USL this year and you might think the war is still on! Its no secret NASL is majority owned by Traffic Sports USA who is also the owner of Miami FC (Soon to be Strikers?) Currently playing in... drum roll... Ft Lauderdale.

Yup, it looks like this off season in the lower divisions of U.S. Soccer will be another one for the soap operas! get your popcorn, sit back and enjoy! I'm sure there is more drama to come.
Btw, check out a letter to The Rawlins by the Aztexan

Miami FC loses yet again. We suck again!

Sadly Miami FC lost again this past weekend. We are now in last place and its not looking pretty! What can we say at this point? Can we really, realistically make the playoffs? Can our new coach Daryl Shore pull a rabbit out of his hat and turn things around? It's difficult for a coach to make things happen with a team he didn't pick. But we hope the coach has that magic.
We all say that on paper, Miami FC has a good team. But, the mix of Ex-MLS players and youth hasn't panned out. We have seen a weak defense this year. It doesn't help that our best player in the back, Zach Kirby, has been hurt for large portions of the year. Even a great goalkeeper like Caleb Patterson can't stop every shot. (Talk about Caleb, check out his new blog on the Blues site "Don't fear the keeper" ).
Our other weak point is our forwards. We just can't score. We need a Romario or Alex Afonso up front.
We can only hope things turn around for the better in the weeks to come. It's not unheard of that a team could make a come back. But do we have what it takes?
Maybe it's time to start building for 2011, the year of the Strikers!
For more on the Blues loss to Austin check out www.miamifc.com
Coach Shore picture by Robert Scorca

Blues lose to Aztex in the final minutes. Miami FC heads to Houston for showdown versus the Dynamo

Despite a hard-fought second half effort, Miami FC was unable to defeat the Austin Aztex at home as a late penalty kick gave the visiting Aztex a 2-1 victory as the Blues prepare for an extended road trip. The Blues will travel out west to take on the Houston Dynamo on Tuesday, June 29 in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup. The match is set to begin at 8:30 p.m. EST You can read more at NASL.com
Following are pictures taken by Robert Scorca during the Aztex game.





Pictures by Robert Scorca

USA vs Ghana watch party plus Miami FC vs Austin at Lockhart! Soccer Saturday

Join the Miami Ultras at the official Sam's Army watch party at Fritz & Franz Bierhaus located at 60 Merrick Way Coral Gables, FL 33134-5319 (305) 774-1883 Come watch USA vs Ghana! Show up early and look for Captain America and Uncle Sam. Support the USA as they try to advance to the quarterfinals. Game starts at 2 pm!
Miami FC will be hosting a watch party at Wowies Sports Grill located at 7036 West Palmetto Park Road Boca Raton, FL 33433-3404 (561)392-5040 For more info go HERE

Be sure to also support GoUSABid Miami at http://www.gousabid.com/city/local/miami-fl/ and help bring the 2018 or 2022 World Cup to the United States. Miami is currently 2nd in the standings with 34,347 people signing up so far, we need to be in 1st place! Vote humans!

Soccer Saturday continues as Miami FC faces Austin 7:30 pm at Lockhart Stadium. Come out and support Miami FC! Get there early for the tailgate.

Road trip to Tampa info:

Miami FC is gearing up for its first road trip to Tampa Bay and is offering fans a chance to travel up-state to watch the Blues take on the Rowdies on July 4 with the Rivalry Roadtrip Package.
The package includes Luxury Motorcoach transportation to and from Tampa, a gameday ticket for the match, refreshments provided by Holy Mackerel Beer, Regalia Vodka, Good Spirits and Powerade, and a post-game fireworks show.

Read more HERE
Join us in Tampa!

The Blues have advanced to the third round of the U.S. Open Cup after their 2-1 victory in extra time over the FC Tampa Bay Rowdies. The Blues will go to Texas to take on the Houston Dynamo of MLS in the next round on June 29. Read more at Miamifc.com
Here are some fan videos of the Miami FC victory over Tampa by Miami Ultra Matt Berkshire ***Danger, Beware, Profanity Alert***
Abe Thompson Victory Penalty kick


Miami FC Ultras chant drunken rednecks at the Tampa Bay Fannies



End of game chants Miami wins!
Did you know Miami FC will soon be called the Strikers? Check out http://strikers2011.com/

Miami FC vs Baltimore Wednesday night and more Sun Sentinel Miami Ultras pictures

This Wednesday Miami FC will play against Baltimore Crystal Palace at Lockhart Stadium. The game is set to start at 7:30 PM and as usual, get ready for a great Tailgate starting at 6 pm with Live band A Beautiful Cage , sponsors Holy Mackerel Beer will be giving away free samples of their great beer, just to name a few!

Baltimore is coming off a 2-0 shutout loss at home to the league-leading Austin Aztex on May 29 as they hit the road for a three game road trip that kicks off in South Florida.

You can read more of the game preview over at www.miamifc.com

In case you didn't get a chance to see, the Sun Sentinel had a number of articles about Soccer that included pictures of a few members of the Miami Ultras taken by Josh Ritchie. You can read more by buying a copy of Sunday's Sun Sentinel or go HERE

World Cup fever is upon us and Miami Soccer Fan has a good piece on how you can celebrate this event in all it's glory!

Soccer fans all over the world are brimming with excitement as the World Cup is just over a week away. Other than South Africa, Miami may be one of the most exciting places to watch the World Cup. That is because Miami is a microcosm of World Cup fervor with expatriates of all nations residing in one location. Needless to say, there are plenty of places to watch the World Cup all over South Florida.

Read more about it HERE

If you are a true soccer fan then after you see the World Cup games you need to head up to watch the Blues who will play again this Saturday June 12 versus the Portland Timbers at Lockhart Stadium at 7:30 PM. Be sure to come out and see them!

Miami FC news, behind the scene video and more by Burrito

Hola amigos! Everyones favorite dawg Burrito here wit mucho info on the Blues loss against those pinches Aztex! What can Miami FC do to make this team bettererer?
Burrito's amigos at Miami Soccer Fan have an idea. El Presidente of the Miami Ultras Pieter Brown break it down like this:

This year Miami FC spent some time and money to put a better team on the field. We have a plethora of MLS and international talent on this team. Players like Christian Gomez, Abe Thompson, Chris Gbandi, Kyle Veris and Mike Randolph have all shown well in MLS, yet few have shown up for the Blues...

Pieters pretty much calls everyone and their mami out for not playing with huevos! From the coach to the water boy! (ok maybe not water boy but the players si!) Read more about it HERE

Miami FC now have a turd supporters group! First came the Miami Ultras, then the Southern Legion and now the South Florida "Football Fanaticos". This is how they describes themselves:

South Florida "Football Fanaticos" (SF3s) are a Football Supporters Association in West Palm Beach Florida. The SF3s are supporters of Miami FC Blues who play at Lockhart Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale Florida. SF3s are also supporters of all soccer in South Florida along with the hopes of a future MLS team. Miami FC is part of the United States Soccer Federation Division 2 Pro-League (USSF D-2)in the North American Soccer League(NASL).

They set up a pretty cool blog you can read it whiles eating a rica quesadilla! Go HERE

In case you no no, Miami FC have something called Miami FC TV. Like many things Miami FC, sometimes people no hear about them cause Miami FC like to keeps things secrets or somethings. So Burrito here to tell all that it really, really exists and no longer secrets! Usually it half Miami FC's Annie interviewing players. Following is a behind the scenes look at a promo for the World Cup they do for Local TV 10
Picture by Robert Scorca
Want to know more about Burrito? Burrito is the only soccer blogging dawg in the known universe! Since 1998! Join Burrito's group on facebook "Burrito Loves Futbol" or he hit you on head with quesadilla! You can also join his twitter http://twitter.com/Burritofutbol
Be sure to check out the Burrito CAM pictures! (Pictures from a Chihuahua's view)
Vamos Miami FC!

Miami FC singing the Blues after loss vs Austin Aztex

The end of their undefeated streak came at the hands of 1st place Austin Aztex last night at Lockhart Stadium. Miami FC fans were thinking positive as the game started but soon we saw how our defense started to fall apart thanks to Austin's fast forwards.

For a full report check out the South Florida "Football Fanaticos" Blog or head over to the Official Miami FC site

As usual here are the pictures from last night by Robert Scorca:

Undefeated Miami FC vs First Place Austin Aztex. Fernando Clavijo on Sports Wrap

Unbeaten record versus the first place team. Blues vs Aztex will take place at Lockhart Stadium tonight Wednesday May 26, 2010 at 7:30 pm.

Sure, its during the week but soccer is about passion! Miami FC have given us a competitive team this year and a number of great Tailgates too. This tailgate is no exception! It kicks off at about 5:30 pm with live band A Beautiful Cage and you can sit back and listen to them while sipping a nice cold Holy Mackerel Beer! (For free!)
For a full preview of the game go HERE

SO what are you waiting for? Come out to Lockhart Stadium and support the Blues on their quest to remain undefeated! Vamos Miami!

In case you didn't see it. This past Sunday Miami FC Director of Soccer Fernando Clavijo came out on CBS 4 Sports Wrap. Hosted by Kim Bokamper and Jim Berry. Fernando spoke about the World Cup and Miami FC. Check out the video!

Miami FC remain undefeated! Will take on the Austin Aztex on Wednesday

After 6 games the Blues are the only undefeated team in the USSF Div2. It was Miami's first win in the season, product of a Paulo Jr goal! Christian Gomez sent a perfect pass to Paulo who buried the ball in the net with no mercy on Saturday night. Read more about it HERE
The Blues set their sights on the Austin Aztex this coming Wednesday at 7:30 PM at Lockhart Stadium.
Will Miami FC remain undefeated?
Following are pictures from this weekends win versus the NSC Minnesota Stars.
Pictures by Robert Scorca and Victor Palkaninec.






Want to see more Pictures? Check out Victor Palkaninec's http://miamifc2.com/

Miami FC plays Tuesday at Lockhart Stadium! More Pictures and Video from Saturdays game...

After their 3-1 victory on Saturday over the Aztex, Miami FC gets ready to take on The Rochester Rhinos at Lockhart Stadium this Tuesday September 8th at 8 pm.

Last time these teams met was back in April at Lockhart Stadium when the Blues were stunned by the Rhinos 2-1 in front of over 1500 people. This time we hope things will be different. Miami needs the points and some results to go their way in order to keep their playoff hopes alive.

We need everyone to come out and support soccer in South Florida as there are only 2 games left at home this season.Here are more fan videos this time from the Miami Ultras drum maestro Cesar and his father.



All pictures by Robert Scorca

No Hulk, New Player, Cow Bells and Miami FC's last game at FIU stadium

Hulkamania will not be coming to FIU Stadium after all. Turns out the Hulkster canceled his South Florida dates. No further info was given.

While all the drama concerning USL's sale was going on, Miami FC signed a new player. He is Forward Aaron King who transferred last Friday. King, will be need up front as Miami's forwards have not been very efficient this year. Aaron was injured during the first half of the season, and comes by way of the Railhawks where he appeared in a total of six matches. As usual we never get much info out of the Miami FC site so I found this at the "Railhawks Report" Click Here

Miamisoccerfan.com announces the Miami Ultras Tailgate this Saturday September 5th at 6 pm followed by the Powerade Pre-Game Parade! All this just prior to the Miami FC vs Austin Aztex game which starts at 8 pm.
Here is an excerpt:

Come out to the Ultras Tailgate at 6pm and throw back a few cold ones near Gate 4. Then at 7pm we will get ready to parade into the stadium with flags waving and drums banging. Wear your Miami FC colors, bring signs & noisemakers, paint your face and make a lot of noise!

This is a party and a celebration of the beautiful game.Listen to 93 Rock for some new Miami FC commercials. The spots can be heard from 10-2 pm during Naughty Natalia’s Show. Listen Thursday and Friday for the Suite Ticket giveaway. Call in and support Miami FC and 93 Rock.

Read the rest HERE
or visit the Powerade Pre-Game Parade facebook page for the full schedule

Don't forget your Cow Bells as the Ultras will be giving away 4 tickets to the first person to show up with one in hand to the Tailgate. Just look for "El Presidente Pieter" and he'll hand them over!
Join Junior Baiano and the rest of your Miami FC Blues this Saturday at 8 pm!
Vamos Miami! Let's go Blues!
Junior Baiano picture by Robert Scorca

Hulk, please bring your daughter to the Miami FC game! by Burrito

Burrito is happy Hulk Hogan going to be at 2 Miami FC games as he wrestle to beat your property taxes, like he used to wrestle Andre the Giant and Ultimate Warrior!

But Burrito really hope the Hulkster brings his daughter Brooke! She is one hot mamacita! Burrito going to ask Hulk if it ok if Burrito marry her and then we have little Hogan Burritos! If you no think Brooke is muy caliente here are some pictures of her... Ay chihuahua!:
Come out and see Hulk Hogan ...and hopefully his hot mamacita daughter Brooke! ( Not scheduled to appear) next Saturday, Sept. 5th as Miami FC will play against the Austin Aztex @ FIU Stadium (Season Finale at FIU) There will be a Powerade Pre-Game Parade, Celebrity/Media Game and of course the Hulkster!

Pero if you can't make that one then you can see Hulk Hogan on Tuesday, September 8th when Miami FC will play against the Rochester Rhinos @ Lockhart Stadium! Hulk Hogan will also appear!
Support Soccer in South Florida! Vamos Miami FC! Let's go Blues!