Timbers Army Sing National Anthem

I stayed up a little late last night to catch the opening minutes of the Portland Timbers as they played their first home game ever as an MLS side. To my complete giddiness and satisfaction, the Portland supporters (aka the Timbers Army) performed the national anthem and it was awesome!

Click here if you missed it.

For us Striker Likers, just having the Strikers back in town has been a huge accomplishment, if not a wish come true. But now we must focus and keep bringing that passion we showed last week to each and every Striker home game. We can have an MLS team again if we can prove we will support it.

Let's show the States what the Striker Likers are all about. See you all tonight, let's beat up on Minnesota!

One more thing, in the ASL/APSL days of the Strikers, when the national anthem was sung, we used to always it end off with, "and the home of the STRIKERS!" I did it last week in homage, and I'm gonna do it again tonight, who's gonna join me?

As One Sun Sets, Another Rises

The dark ages are finally over. The Fort Lauderdale Strikers have returned. They've eaten up completely what was Miami FC and have reinvigorated a market starving for professional soccer. And although it began with a loss, there was a feeling that everything was good in the world. The Strikers were back and that only means good things.

When this blog began inauspiciously a few years ago, we figured we could conjure up old memories and somehow put a spin on the local soccer conversation. But today marks a new era. There is a team now, real and made of living things. There is a team we must support, a team we must question and above all a team we must be proud to call our own. So although some may argue that we just have Miami FC in better looking uniforms, let this be a warning to you. When you call yourself a Striker Liker, you take on a responsibility to bring soccer into the future and to prove that South Florida is no retirement home.

So today we grieve over a season opening loss but to the fans, the community we scored a landmark victory. 6,402 was the announced attendance. It may drop slightly on Friday's follow up match against Minnesota, but there will be a presence in the stands. The Fort Lauderdale Strikers are back and so are the Striker Likers.

We Americans May Be On To Something

Sometimes, ok most times, we are mocked around the world as not being part of the pure soccer tradition that exists planet wide. Because soccer is overshadowed by other professional sports in America, any involvement we have with the world's game is deemed insignificant.

But alas, take a real look at the history and at the state of the game today and try and tell me that Americans haven't had their influence on world football.

Performance wise, the USA finished third in the inaugural World Cup and in 1950 staged the biggest upset ever in the game.

Moving forward to the NASL of the 70s, we introduced "the Galacticos" a team of stars from around the world. That concept is commonplace these days, but the Cosmos did it first, so there.

Another gem to the world was the NASL ball, star studded for a reason, notice now how the UEFA Champions League has taken the concept for its annual tournament of club champions.

We statesiders deserve some credit, so with the launch of the new NASL (amazing logo by the way) and the re-introduction of classic NASL sides (Vancouver Whitecaps, San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers and now of course the Fort Lauderdale Strikers), history is coming full circle and the dark ages of American soccer shall be no more.

This rant is really just a reason to put out the thought that the new NASL should play with a cool looking ball. Anyone have any idea what they will be using?

Strikers Jersey is Upon Us!

Say what you will, and I hope you do, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers 2011 jerseys are here!

When the logo was introduced a few days back sans any black, I was worried that our team shorts would be the same charcoal grey, but behold the new Strikers kit, very classic and luckily for Joma, no need to redesign anything they had already in the production line.

At first glance anything Joma may not perk your fancy all that much, but let it sink in and enjoy the fact that we're back! We look damn good too!

From afar, the new logo has a very classic, european football look.

Next step, NASL Champions!

Sidenote: the FC Tampa Bay (we're not the Rowdies) are revealing their kits tomorrow. Let the rivalry begin.

Former River Plate Star Coudet Joins Strikers

Eduardo "Chacho" Coudet has recently signed with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers which gives a little more meat to the hungry Striker Likers out there waiting for opening day. Coudet, a bleached-blonde defensive midfielder is known for his take out the legs and ask questions later attitude. He peaked back in 2000 when he was an integral part of River Plate's early millennium success.

Most recently he's been a journeyman, last year spending the season with MLS debutantes Philadelphia Union.

One thing's for sure, his hair will continue to be bleached. Just kidding, expect to see some hardcore River supporters out there, and many other Argentines. Coudet played for a total of 5 Argentinean clubs including River Plate, San Lorenzo, Rosario Central, Platense and Colon.

Not a star signing by any means, but should be fun to watch as he throws elbows, goes into tackles with both feet and yells at the referees constantly.

Strikers Dream Team: GK Tim Howard

We are so close to the opening day for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, so to continue the buildup we here at Striker Likers have decided to unleash the Dream Team. If we could sign whoever we want from the current slate of soccer stars, this is what we'd come up with. It's a fantasy, so don't hate.

Goalkeeper - Tim Howard. This selection needs to no real reasoning. Timmy is a beast and the world knows it. He's got the passion, he's got the talent and he's got the experience. He'd also make the Strikers tradition of great goalkeeping proud.

Although Striker lore denotes great goalies such as Gordon Banks and Jan van Beveren, Tim Howard wouldn't be the first American to play between the Striker pipes. He'd join fellow statesiders Arnie Mausser and Tony Meola. Goalkeeping is a tradition here in Fort Lauderdale. Who would you choose as your dream shotblocker?

Win Free Striker Season Tickets!

The Sun-Sentinel has been so kind as to start a little prize giveaway running through March 28, 2011. Three prizes will be awarded, it seems all including free season tickets to the inaugural Fort Lauderdale Strikers season.

All you have to do is login and say who your favorite soccer player is. It's that simple. No points will be awarded for randomness of player. I'm thinking about putting Marcelo Carrera, forward of the ASL/APSL Championship Winning Striker side of 1989. He also was my Thomas Rongen Soccer Academy Coach. I play favorites.

Click here to enter.

Pictured above is a sleek season ticket option from Newcastle a few years back. Wonder what these Strikers will do?

A Design Tease, Give Us a Logo Por Favor

In another Fort Lauderdale Strikers press opportunity the Robbie family was brought back into the mix with the announcement that Tim Robbie will be the new president of the franchise as former president Aaron Davidson moves strictly to NASL duties. Pretty cool news, but still more tantalizing nuggets from the gold and red.

"Los Strikers"? Is it noche latina night in the NASL? We are so dying to find out what the team will wear that every time something like this comes along, I get overjoyed then confused.

With all the hoopla, we should be focusing on the team itself. Who are the guys that are actually going to fill the jerseys, score the goals, and rile up the crowd with bone-crunching tackles?

We are a month away from the start of the season, where's Goldberg?

On a sidenote, where can a Striker Liker score a sweet looking tie like this?

Washington Freedom to Move to Boca Raton

Hey Striker fans, how's about we get two new teams for the price of one! Rumor has it that the Washington Freedom will be relocating to Boca Raton and playing out their 2011 home schedule at FAU's soccer stadium (field with one bleacher stand).

Apparently the team's controlling interest was purchased by Palm County resident and magicJack inventor Dan Borislow. Currently the team has been renamed magicJack Washington Freedom. Kinda weird if they'll be playing in Boca. What they should do is team up with the Strikers, double headers will attract more fans.

The Freedom have some firepower and some big names, their roster includes US Women's National Team standouts Abby Wambach, Shannon Boxx, Lindsay Tarpley and Hope Solo.

Fort Lauderdale Strikers vs. Red Bull New York (It's Official)

That's Fort Lauderdale Strikers, If You're Nasty

Here it is folks. It's a moment the Striker Liker here has been dreaming of for a long time. It almost seems surreal. For almost 20 years we've been without the good ole Strikers and now, here they are.

Gotta give it up to the Supporters who made it out to Fort Lauderdale beach at 5pm to attend the press extravaganza and provide killer photos (see them here).

Let the cavalcade of Striker paraphernalia begin. I need shirts, jerseys, warm ups, bags, posters, keychains, stickers, you name it!

Don't have tickets yet, what are you waiting for?

By the way, discussions on the new logo can commence as well, anyone bummed that the sun burst is gone? or that Strikers is spelled in block and not the bubbly cursive we are accustomed to?

Sidenote: Where else can I get a free shirt?

Strikers to Officially Announce Name

So soon it will be official. But what will the name be? Just Strikers. Fort Lauderdale Strikers? South Florida Strikers? Miami FC/Strikers? Can someone tell me what's going on?

If you ask me, I vote for Fort Lauderdale Strikers. I just looks right, know what I'm saying? I'm just going to write Fort Lauderdale Strikers a few more times because it makes feel so good seeing it. I wonder if a new Fort Lauderdale Strikers logo will be unveiled and Fort Lauderdale Strikers uniforms.

I'm getting giddy, but I like it. Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

Fan Section Ideas

Aside from big drums, horns, screaming fans, scarves and few huge flags; Striker Likers this year have to up the ante and create some attention for themselves. Take a look at what Swiss Club FC Zurich pulled out last week.

Full on Gene Simmons with movable tongue. Pretty classy. How's about we create some freaky optical illusions to play with opponents minds?

Let's get creative, any ideas?

Isn't It Billboard Time?

The regular season is almost at hand, so where's the promotions? We need billboards, bus shelters, bus wraps and we need them now!

The city needs to be blanketed in red and yellow. The Strikers are back!!!

Fan Club Pre Season Meeting this Saturday!

Join the Ultras this Saturday, February 5th at 12pm at the Hollywood Ale House to finally creep out of your winter slumber and get back into soccer fanaticism shape.

Have you been bummed since the World Cup? Premier League action not enough to keep you going? Well the time has finally come to get out those flags, horns, drums and face paint and get geared up for a local pro soccer season.

It's time to start planning supporters rallies, road trips, opening day craziness and somehow someway getting an MLS team in South Florida.

Besides the Miami FC/Strikers season, we've got Gold Cup matches and even Barcelona versus AC Milan in the summer. Excited yet!

The Hollywood Ale House is located at 3215 Oakwood Blvd., Hollywood, FL 33020 (it's the same plaza as Home Depot, you know, where Six Flags Atlantis used to be).

See you there!

Welcome to Fort Lauderdale DC United

I told you they'd come, and here they here. In the same place where only a week ago hundreds of hopefulls gathered for a chance to make the new Striker squad, league cellar dwellars DC United started their pre season training in front of Fort Lauderdale Stadium.

Maybe some Striker Likers should make it out and show the MLS what's up. Can we get a Strikers vs. DC United scrimmage game? Or just a bunch of guys in Strikers shirts playing against DC United, that would be cool too.

Jerseys? Can We Get a Peek?

So Hotshot is going around town promoting the Strikers in an adidas branded Striker jersey. Is this a sign to come? If so, I've just died and gone to heaven. Order me the entire team set.

But on a serious tip, when do we see uniforms, warm ups, etc? It's time to start the build up.

The Strikers are back! (please drop the Miami FC part)

Schedule Unleashed

Well, it's out there, the 2011 Striker Schedule. Read a few posts back and I would have never believed this day would come. But what's the deal with the Miami FC/Strikers name? Are we not going all in and making it the Fort Lauderdale Strikers? The Miami FC/Strikers is retarded, pardon the euphemism, I could call it something worse.

In any case, it's pro soccer and it's right here in our back yard. Unfortunately, there is no 9/9 scheduled affair. 9/9 marks the anniversary of the Strikers lone championship victory back in 1989. That weekend the Strikers will be on their way to Edmonton. So party at the Hard Rock to celebrate on Friday night? Who's with me.

Here's the full schedule, all home games to be played at Lockhart Stadium:

Just Too Much NY Cosmos Talk

I don't want to hear it anymore. I don't care who bought the New York Cosmos and how good friends they are with David Beckham. I don't care about Pele and Eric Cantona. I don't care. I don't care. I just don't care.

If the MLS adds a second New York City team, whether it be the Cosmos or not, all it means is that we should should create our own professional league and be done with it. Oh wait, that's what the NASL is.

Awesome.

Chi Chi Chi - Le Le Le

Trapped for days. Deprived of the comforts of today's living standards. The Chilean miners left their cave-doom and resurfaced like a crazed pack of, well for a lack of a better term, South American soccer fans.

One miner even waved the flag of Chilean powerhouse club Colo Colo as he was escorted off to a medical area.

Point I'm trying to make is that South Florida is full of South American soccer fans. We've been in a cave for almost 20 years without top flight pro soccer, could even be 30 years if you consider the NASL's first Strikers as our last top-rate club (apologies to the Miami Fusion, but who were you again and what did you do with my pro soccer?).

Also of note, I will be taking with me my Fort Lauderdale Strikers pennant whenever I go mining.