Players the Strikers need to sign.

The new Strikers have big shoes to fill. Their prior name sakes were for the most part powerhouses, with star players, great attendance and a record that boasts never missing the playoffs. Will this new incarnation be up to par?

Traffic (owners of the new Strikers) have given us quite a few quality players in Romario, Zinho, Christian Gomez, among others. We know they have connections and could sign great players for the 2011 season. Let's hope they can pull off a few good transfers and surprise us!

Here is my fantasy list followed by players that might realistically be in the teams budget.

Ronaldinho: Yeah, I'm dreaming. If the Strikers were in MLS it could be realistic considering Traffic has the Brazil connection. Rumors have him going to the LA Galaxy or a return to Brazil.

Carlos Tevez: The Argentina striker has troubles with current club Manchester City and requested a transfer. Imagine watching Tevez at Lockhart Stadium...

Andres D'Alessandro: This Argentine has completed his stay at Internacional of Brazil and just got eliminated from the Club World Cup. Rumors have his sights on a likely return to River Plate in Argentina. A few European clubs are interested too.

Gianluigi Buffon: Wow, talk about dreaming... This Juventus goalkeeper would be any teams dream. He would likely be the reason the team would make it to the playoffs. A russian club is said to be after this 32-year-old shot stopper.

Clarence Seedorf: This Dutch player is a midfielder for Italian club A.C. Milan. The 34-year-old is said to be heading to MLS.

Juan Pablo Angel: Yeah, I know, the Galaxy are going to sign him, but this star was made for the Strikers. The huge Colombian population in South Florida would have flocked to see him.

Coming back to reality... Here is a list of players that could be within The Striker's reach.

Jaime Moreno: This former DC United star would be great for the Strikers. Speaking English fluently and originally from Bolivia he could be the face of the team on TV and radio. He is recognizable to most soccer connoisseurs.

Guillermo Barros Schelotto: Former Columbus Crew Designated Player, Schelotto was among the players not taken in the MLS Re-entry draft. He is still a great player and would be the perfect replacement for Christian Gomez if he doesn't return.

Dema Kovalenko: This rugged player will no doubt get carded every other game but no one can deny the man plays with spirit. Could play in midfield or as a back up striker.

Nick Garcia : Recently played for Toronto FC. Was not selected in the Re-entry draft. At 31 he is still a great defender.

Adrian Serioux: Former Houston Dynamo and Canadian international defender, currently a free agent. Would be great for our defense.

Gale Agbossoumonde: Played for Miami FC in 2009 for 6 games, went to Portugal on loan but didn't get playing time. It's time to bring him back and have him play regularly rather than sitting on some bench in Europe. Rumored to be heading to a Swedish team.

Pat Onstad : Canadian goalkeeper is a free agent and a member of the Canadian national team. Last played with the Houston Dynamo.

Franklin Salas: Out of favor at Ecuadorean Champions Liga de Quito, Salas is a skillful dribbling forward with an electrifying pace. His hard shot from 25 yards won the award for the goal of the tournament in the 2005 edition of the Copa Sudamericana.

Claudio Bieler: Forward from Racing Club in Argentina. A proven goalscorer. He is so good that this past February he was called up by then Argentina manager Diego Maradona, but ended up not playing because of an injury.

Diego Serna : Former Miami Fusion and Miami FC player. He was and forever will be a fan favorite. It could be his last hoorah! Wouldn't mind chanting "D-i-e-g-o" one last time!

Can you think of any other players? Suggest a few by leaving a comment below or flood the Miami FC/Strikers email with your player suggestions: fclavijo@trafficsports.com
(He might kill me for giving out his email)

Ex Miami FC player Gale Agbossoumonde gets first cap with the US National team

Ex Miami FC player Gale Agbossoumonde had his first cap for the U.S. National team today (on his birthday) as the USA beat South Africa 1-0. Five players made their national team debuts with Juan Agudelo and Mikkel Diskerud coming off the bench to create the game's only goal.

Gale Agbossoumonde came on in the 87th minute. Gale played 6 games for the Blues and was signed by Traffic Sports in a deal that took him to Portugal.
See the video.

Estoril - Gale Agbossoumonde from Comprimido on Vimeo.

Picture by Robert Scorca

Miami FC players on the move? Gale, Shriver and Ramirez

Thanks to Miami Ultra Robert Scorca who sent us some of the following information concerning Miami FC players on the move.
With the announcement of a New League in the works; Miami FC needs to start rebuilding and so far it seems we have already lost a few players.
Note: Some players still appear on the Miami FC roster. Final word of their moves should come from Miami FC.

First off is Midfielder Brian Shriver who played 6 games for the Blues impressing the stands with his quick witty play. USL reports the Tampa Bay Rowdies have their eye on the Clearwater native who was an all-state performer in High School. He played for the University of North Carolina, reaching the NCAA Men’s College Cup championship game in 2008. Played for Miami FC and made six appearances after being drafted by FC Dallas in the 2009 MLS Super Draft. For more go HERE

Fan favorite Walter Ramirez has his eyes set on a return to his home country Honduras. The speedy defender played 21 games in 2009 and has played with Miami FC since 2006. Walter is well known in Miami playing for amateur teams Real Honduras and Honduras Five Star (Honduras Cinco Estrellas) in the prestigious Florida-based Copa Latina. Look for more information on his future as we pinpoint which team he will go to.

Most notable and expected are reports of US under-20 star and Miami FC player Gale Agbossoumonde. According to Portuguese ABOLA Gale is expected to join Sporting Braga on loan on Nov. 17 to join the club's youth team. This defender who is 6'2 and 185 pounds is impressive for a player who is only just turning 18.
Read more about it at Soccer by Ives

Gale who played 6 games for the Blues was signed by Miami FC owner Traffic sports in a deal that was to see him go to Brazil but it seems he is destined for Europe.

Below you can see video of Gale Agbossoumonde in a little blunder that was to contribute to the end of Miami FC's 2009 playoff dreams. Here's hoping Gale doesn't make this kind of bubu in Europe. At the end of the video you also get a glimpse of an Aaron King goal set up by Brian Shriver.

All pictures by Robert Scorca

Miami FC out of the playoffs.

The Blues season will end on a disappointing note as they are out of any playoff hopes. A loss and a tie is all they could come up with on their 2 game road trip. Miami Ultras and a few staff met at Fritz & Franz Bierhaus in Coral Gables on Friday night to watch the Charleston Battery vs our Miami FC Blues in a match that was a must win.
Unfortunately all the Ultras could do was sit back drink their beers and laugh at the goal that eliminated us from any playoff hopes. Miami FC defender Gale Agbossoumonde missed a clearance of the ball which in turn went between keeper Kenny Schoeni's legs. It was a moment that we all commented pretty much felt like the appropriate end to a season full of mistakes.
But you be the judge and let me know what you think. Also check out the goal by Aaron King on the same video right after:

Miami FC signs Brazilian WC Veteran Junior Baiano

First it was Gale Agbossoumonde, defender for the U.S. Under-20 National team. Now Miami FC signs 1998 World Cup Veteran Junior Baiano to replenish a team plagued with injuries and recent transfers. The Blues have been struggling and the Brazilian will be a needed addition.

Raimundo Ferreira Ramos Júnior, known as Júnior (or adding demonym of Bahia state, became Júnior Baiano) (born March 14, 1970 in Feira de Santana, Bahia) is a Brazilian football centre back. He retired in the end of 2005, but in December 2006 he signed a professional contract with América from Rio de Janeiro to defend the club in Rio State Championship in the beginning of 2007. Baiano signed a contract with Brasiliense to play Série B Brazilian League in 2007
Baiano is an imposing 6ft 3in and will most likely be the target man on the team. No word yet if Junior will be available for this Friday's game versus the Minnesota Thunder at Lockhart Stadium.
For More info go to the Miami FC site.
Check out a goal by Junior Baiano

Agbossoumonde to Miami FC, DA Show podcast with Uncle Ed calling in, MLS Miami info and more

It's a mouthful folks but we are happy to have him, Gale Agbossoumonde, standout defender for the U.S. Under-20 National Team is a Miami FC player. Cry all you want Rev Fans he's not going to MLS, nope.
Many might say: 'Why did he pick USL?' Well, I don't know the details except that it is a 3 1/2 year deal which will see Gale spend some time here in Miami and then move on to Brazil. The experience he will gain there is huge and I have no doubt Traffic will then send him off to a large club in South America or Europe. I'm sure he is also getting more money and we all know MLS has restrictions when it comes to how much loot they can give players.
You can read more about this story at The Kartik Report and Total Futbol
A little birdy also told me the Blues are still in negotiations with another player, so keep an eye out for that one.

Miami FC's Ignacio Rodriguez and Miami Herald's Adam Beasley appeared on WQAM 560 AM's DA Show. Ignacio and DA discussed Miami FC's new viral campaign "I'll Shave my Head" and yours truly, Uncle Ed, called in... listen to the podcast here:
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Miami FC in the past week has done a lot to prove they want to stay in South Florida; first the campaign, I mean the Blues are willing to make fools out of themselves to make a point, to fill Lockhart Stadium while surrendering all their hair, that to me shows commitment.
Now there is also a new Billboard just off the Turnpike Northbound by the Hard Rock, again a little late in the season but late is better then never. Good job guys keep it going!

Our USL side is finally making a push for recognition in this difficult town, but it's no secret that many Soccer fans are still not convinced and would rather support a higher league such as the MLS.
Fellow soccer fans are still hurting from the demise of the Miami Fusion back in 2001. It was 4 great years that ended on a high note. The Miami Ultras have started a campaign of their own searching for a commitment from fans who want an MLS team. They are asking for fans to sign in and support their effort to bring a team to this city and by doing that they hope to gather enough support to go to an investor such as Traffic Sports, or Marcelo Claure or anyone willing to listen and show them that people want MLS in South Florida. To support this cause go to the MiamiSoccerFan.com
Kartik Krishnaiyer best makes a case for South Florida with a piece that is well worth the read. All detractors of MLS in Miami should read it. Go HERE
Miami Ultra Brian Corey writes an interesting article on MLS Regional Snuffing, refering specifically to the great distance between South Florida and the nearest MLS team, check it out HERE
Simon Evans was able to get an interview with MLS Commissioner Don Garber. Simon was bold enough to ask 'The Don' if he was interested in bringing MLS back to this town. Read it HERE
Finally Against The Run Of Play, a Tampa Soccer Blog for our future USL Rivals Tampa Bay Rowdies, wrote a little about Carlos Valderrama. See it HERE