MLS Miami Bid. We have a dream... Major League Soccer in South Florida!

Since the regretful demise of the Miami Fusion, South Florida soccer fans have been left hungry for the sport. Out of this need for soccer rose the Miami Ultras, a group that backs Miami FC, a second division team, as well as reaching out to the soccer community's youth teams and any event soccer related. But, our ultimate goal is and always has been to bring Major League Soccer back to this area.

We have contacted many possible investors and have news that at least two have spoken or will speak this week about bringing MLS back to South Florida. We are speaking of L.A. Galaxy player David Beckham, who is interested in a team once he retires and Brightstar CEO Marcelo Claure, a soccer fan who lives and breaths the sport.
They are not the only ones... Traffic Sports, owners of Miami FC have expressed their interest as well as other people and groups that the Ultras are in touch with.

The Ultras are committed and we will not stop until we bring MLS back to South Florida!

Enjoy the video:

Support our efforts in bringing MLS to South Florida. Follow our MLS Miami Bid.

Website: http://www.mlsmiamibid.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mlsmiami

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/MLS-Miami-Bid/123889570963495

Email us to: info@mlsmiamibid.com

The End of MLS Miami? Marcelo Claure meets with Miami FC and FC Tampa Bay

Reliable sources tell us Marcelo Claure (Brightstar) one time MLS Barcelona Miami bid head and Aaron Davidson, President of Miami FC met Thursday at 9 AM at Traffic Sports USA headquarters in Miami.

It is known Claure has already met with FC Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Claure, frustrated after his Major League Soccer adventure and fed up with Don Garber, has been itching for involvement of some sort in Florida Soccer for sometime now and has seen the excellent signings and progress Tampa has made so far this year. Tampa seems like a better investment for now, pending whatever Miami FC could muster up in the next months before the start of the USSF Div2 Season. (A NASL and USL combined league)

Signs indicate Claure has agreed to collaborate with both Tampa and Miami teams though details of the deal if any are not set in stone.

It's a positive sign for Soccer in Florida since we know Marcelo Claure has the resources and know how to make a great contribution to Soccer in this state. But questions still remain... Is any hopes of MLS now dead in the state of Florida? Claure was thought Miami's best hope for MLS but sources tell us he, like many other investors cringe at the thought of MLS's current Soccer monopoly (Single entity system).

More details as this story develops.

Claure willing to team up with Beckham and Traffic to bring MLS to Miami

Once again MiamiSoccerFan.com seems to be the site that gets all the exclusives concerning Soccer in Miami. The site lead by "El Presidente" Pieter Brown of the Miami Ultras has scored yet another interview with Brightstar owner Marcelo Claure who lead the failed Barcelona Miami MLS bid.

Claure graciously answers questions and gives South Florida hope as to its future with MLS and soccer in general. Claure states that he is willing to team up with Beckham, Traffic (owners of Miami FC) or both. Here is an excerpt from the interview:

MiamiSoccerFan: If David Beckham calls you would you consider starting an MLS Miami team with him?

Marcelo Claure: Absolutely. David Beckham would bring immediate credibility to a bid and I think Miami would be a perfect match for David to own a MLS franchise. Also, and as I have said repeatedly, I’d be open to pursuing another franchise bid in Miami with the right partners.

MSF: What do you think of Miami FC? why don't you join forces with MFC?

Claure: Miami FC has done amazing things for soccer in South Florida, and I think very highly of the Traffic organization. I have a good relationship with the guys at Miami FC and Traffic so there could be an opportunity where we do something together in Miami.

For more go to MiamiSoccerFan.com

In a perfect world this dream team up would have taken place already. But it is up to the fans to make this happen. We urge Soccer fans in South Florida who want an MLS team back in Miami to write to the following emails and send it out to friends.
David Beckham / 19 Entertainment: oliveira@19.co.uk or simon@19.co.uk
Also email the following possible investors:
Marcelo Claure: marcelo.claure@BRIGHTSTARCORP.com
Traffic / Miami FC : adavidson@trafficsports.com
For those people out there who can't think of anything to write... following please find a sample letter you can copy and paste to your email. Now you have no excuses! Let's do it Miami!

Dear Marcelo Claure, David Beckham and Traffic

I am a Soccer fan who is ready to support a new MLS team.

I believe that with the right ownership group willing to invest in this area, with a competitive team and playing at either FIU or Lockhart Stadiums that our soccer team would be successful. I want Professional Soccer in South Florida!
I ask you to do whatever it takes to make our dream come alive.

Yours Truly,
South Florida Soccer Fan

Lets do something about it Soccer fans!

***I need to voice my concern with local media for not even mentioning the Beckham story nor this interview with Claure. Many criticize South Florida fans for being fickle, demanding and soccer snobs. But this attitude also comes from those that bring us the news. If soccer is to be embraced then the media needs to pick these things up. Not even a mention on the Miami Herald Blog! I invite soccer fans to reach out to our local media and voice your opinions. Please write to the following:

Adam Beasley
abeasley@miamiherald.com
Michelle Kaufman
mkaufman@miamiherald.com

Jeff Rusnak of the Sun Sentinel
jrusnak59@aol.com

Miami Fans send letters to Beckham plus more TOA vs USL info

South Florida Soccer Fans may be the ones that enticed a group of investors to discuss an MLS team in Miami with Beckham.

A recent conversation among South Florida Soccer fans revealed that some time ago a letter was sent to David Beckham urging him to bring a team to Miami. Letters were also sent to possible investors around the country.

I was able to speak to Julio Caballero VP of the Miami Ultras Soccer Fans who confirmed the existence of the letter. Julio went on to say that more information will be revealed shortly. Be sure to check out MiamiSoccerfan.com in the next few days to read more about the letter. Hopefully we can see an actual copy.

If South Florida Fans are determined to do something about bringing an MLS team to this part of the country then we need to do something about it! Support our efforts and make a promise that you will purchase a season ticket by going to http://www.miamisoccerfan.com/Soccer/Tickets.html all information will be given to any potential investor willing to bring an MLS team to South Florida.

If you want to do more as a fan then Please email the above site to your friends and family and tell them to write letters to:

David Beckham / 19 Entertainment: simon.oliveira@19.co.uk or simon@19.co.uk
Also email the following possible investors:
Marcelo Claure: marcelo.claure@BRIGHTSTARCORP.com
Traffic / Miami FC : adavidson@trafficsports.com

Voice your opinion. Tell them how you want an MLS team in South Florida and how you will support the team. Help spread the word Soccer Fans!

TOA vs USL

As most of you have read on this site, it seems USL has kicked our team (Miami FC) out of the league by eliminating all evidence of the teams existence from their site. The same was done to the Minnesota Thunder and the Carolina Railhawks. My calls to USL have not been successful but our friend Kartik Krishnayer of the Kartik Report wrote the following:

I can confirm Vancouver, the reigning USL First Division Champion, who knocked out Portland last night in quest of a second title will be joining the TOA in a potential breakaway league. Vancouver, I can confirm has not renewed for next season and will take their cue from the TOA as to the next step. Expect Whitecaps players to get the same email from Tim Holt that the Carolina, Miami and Minnesota players did, at the conclusion of the USL First Division Championship Series.

Montreal, the other finalist this year has yet to renew with USL for next season, but still may do so independently of the TOA per a well placed source. It is also possible that Montreal will stick with the TOA whether it is within USL or a “breakaway” league.

The way things are going it seems the new TOA league would have the following teams:

Miami Blues
Vancouver Whitecaps
Montreal Impact
Minnesota Thunder
Tampa Bay Rowdies
Carolina Railhawks
St. Louis United
Atlanta Silverbacks

It is believed that the Puerto Rico Islanders would join the TOA and possibly New York FC as well but its still up in the air.

USL would be left with the following teams:

Rochester Rhinos
Charleston Battery
Cleveland City Stars
Portland Timbers
Austin Aztex
Ottawa

There is still the rumor that the TOA league might be the fabled MLS-2. We have a number of sources with this information but none willing to place their name on it. Everyone is tight lipped about this. We will keep you informed if anything comes up.

The good news is that Miami FC is still operating and they are conducting business as usual! They have announced that in collaboration with the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce as well as nine other South Florida premiere sports teams have come together to offer the South Florida Sport Super Pass. What does that mean? Well, fans will have the option of choosing between 10 different sporting events spaced out through next year. It's pretty cool, read more HERE

TOA vs USL UPDATE 10/06/09 11:13 AM

Inside Minnesota Soccer has new info concerning a meeting between the USSF, TOA and USL taking place in NY.
It's about time USSF does something about this. IMS also informs that an MLS official will also be present. For more information go HERE
It's a good read!

My personal opinion is that nothing will come out of this meeting. USL/Nurock should have approached the TOA as soon as they took over in order to make peace and open dialogue. Instead they ignored the issues and made the situation worse.

TOA vs USL UPDATE 10/06/09 7:40 PM

Brian Quarstad of IMS has done it again, this time they have the actual letter sent by USL President Tim Holt to the players. If there are any lawyers out there we'd like your input. Check it out HERE

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

A Bright Idea

This week, MLS announced a list of prospective parties trying to get a franchise. That list included a team for Miami with a management group consisting of FC Barcelona and Marcelo Claure.

Marcelo Claure is the CEO of Brightstar, a wireless solutions company in Miami that specializes in customizing mobile technologies (mainly cell phones and related accessories).

Their proposed plan uses FIU's new "The Cage" stadium, which according to reports is "soccer ready".


Any hope this new team will be called the Strikers and completely overshadow the recent rebirth of the Tampa Bay Rowdies? Not likely. Marcelo Claure has a background working with the Bolivian National Team and FC Barcelona may want to open up their brand here ala Chivas USA.

But look closely, the FC Barcelona crest has Striker Stripes (see upper right hand corner of logo). That is enough hope for me to start digging out some Striker Liker bumper stickers.

Good luck, gentlemen and give a Striker Liker a chance.