Don't Forget About The Strikers

With so much going on in the world of soccer it's hard to focus on what's really important around here.

Have you been sucked into the quadrangle "clasico" that is Real Madrid vs. Barcelona?

Are you crying over spilled milk over Real Salt Lake's disappointing display and loss in the CONCACAF Champions League Final?

Can't get enough of top-notch women's soccer in your backyard?

Well get a hold of yourselves! A true Striker Liker must look past all those things and focus on his/her team. The Strikers have improved with their first three outings, besting themselves each time out, starting with a loss, followed by a draw, then a dramatic late win.

Now comes our biggest test. This Friday marks the real start of the season. The Puerto Rico Islanders, defending champions and undefeated thus far, they will show the Strikers if there are contenders or pretenders.

Watch the game live here.

Side note, we are a less than a month away from the Strikers homecoming, hosting FC Tampa Bay. See you all there!

A Day to Remember

It was a Wednesday like no other. Jam-packed with soccer action and news and unfortunately, you won't see any of it on ESPN's Sportscenter.

First off, let's just say that this 4/20 was awesome!

The day began with the Benny Feilhaber saga. Here in the states you see, clubs don't buy players, the league does, then assigns them accordingly. Chivas USA were next in line for a player acquisition, but passed up on Feilhaber. Philly passed up too, leaving the New England Revolution no choice but to become instant title contenders. The MLS is shaping up quite nicely as now New England, New York and DC all have star quality to match the big names on the West Coast.

But back to the soccer on the field. First up was a pair of Premier League matches and the Arsenal-Tottenham game didn't disappoint (unless you are either an Arsenal or Tottenham fan). With title hopes and Champions League qualification on the line, neither team helped their cause in the 3-3 stunner at Tottenham's White Heart Lane.

Then came the Copa del Rey final, otherwise known as the second chapter of the 'Clasico' quartet. Over the weekend Real Madrid and Barcelona tied 1-1 in their league matchup. This matchup was also tied at the end of regulation, but Real Madrid took advantage of the slim chances when Christiano Ronaldo got onto a Angel DiMaria cross and headed home the 1-0 winner. The next two installments will be home and away Champions League semi final games.

And speaking of Champions League, Real Salt Lake took a huge step in becoming the first MLS team to make it to the annual FIFA World Club Cup with a dramatic 2-2 draw in Mexico. RSL came back twice and got a glorious 89th minute equalizer from Javier Morales to give themselves more than a fighting chance to become champions of North and Central America.

All in all it was just as exciting as the World Cup with multiple games going on, news breaking and speaking of things breaking, Real Madrid went back home after the game, boarded a bus, started driving around Madrid with their new trophy and then dropped it and watched the bus run right over it. Classic.

The soccer gods were smiling down on us today!

Paulo Jr makes a case for himself as he scores a brace for RSL

Yeah, Miami FC / Strikers fans can pretty much say bye-bye to Paulo Araujo Jr.
Paulo started last night for Real Salt Lake in their CONCACAF Champions match versus Mexican side Cruz Azul. Junior scored the first two goals in his teams victory.

Everything points out to the fact that Paulo Jr's loan to RSL from Miami FC will become permanent. If not, I'm sure other teams will be ready to pick up this skillful Brazilian.

At least South Florida fans can say they saw this kid before he made it big. We wish continued success to Paulo!

Picture by Robert Scorca.
See video of his goals below:

Paulo Jr scores in his debut for RSL. Want to be a Pro Soccer Player?

Paulo Araujo Jr's debut for Real Salt Lake was one of those story book, fairy tale, once in a lifetime type of situations. Paulo, Loaned to RSL for the rest of the season came into the Concacaf Champions game versus Toronto in the 74th minute making an immediate impact as he scored 6 minutes after entering the game to leave the final tally at 4-1 in favor of RSL.

Real Salt Lake finished off TFC in the 80th minute with a goal by Paulo Araujo Jr., who was making his debut with RSL. The Brazilian striker, recently acquired on loan from USSF D-2 side Miami FC, received a square ball from Robbie Findley across the goal mouth, and the youngster tapped it in to seal the victory.

For a complete break down of the game go HERE

Former Miami Fusion players Kyle Beckerman, goalkeeper Nick Rimando and midfielder Andy Williams also contributed to RSL's victory. Beckerman tied the game off a center by Williams who had 2 assists in the night.

Here are the match highlights:


Here is a fan Video. at the end you can see as Paulo Jr. greets the fans. Looks like Paulo may end up staying at RSL if he continues to prove himself.

Want to be a Professional Soccer player?
Think you've got what it takes to be a Pro? Traffic Sports USA has organized a Pro Soccer Combine which will be lead by National Soccer Hall of Fame Member and current Traffic Sports USA Director of Soccer, Fernando Clavijo. Marcelo Balboa, National Soccer Hall of Fame Member and former U.S. National Team Player and Daryl Shore, current Head Coach of Miami FC and former Assistant Coach of the MLS’s Chicago Fire.

Traffic Sports USA, one of the premiere soccer companies in the United States, would like to invite all aspiring footballers to Fort Lauderdale Stadium from Oct 22-24. The Traffic Sports USA Combine provides elite players, with the passion to take their game to the next level, the opportunity to demonstrate their talents and abilities in an environment designed to find professional level athletes. Aside from thorough player evaluations, introductions and access to scouts and player personnel managers, a number of select players from the combine will be invited to pre-season tryouts with South Florida’s Professional soccer team and/or one of its sister clubs in Portugal or Brazil.

Read more at www.miamifc.com

Paulo Jr set to play with Real Salt Lake vs Seattle tonight?

We have learned this morning out of Ft Lauderdale that Miami FC's top scorer this season, Paulo Araujo Jr will be ready to suit up for Real Salt Lake as early as today's game versus the Seattle Sounders.

Recent Rumors had placed Paulo with the L.A. Galaxy, but it seems Paulo was being shopped around to other MLS teams and Real Salt Lake seems to have been the team to sign the player on loan for the remainder of the season.

Real Salt Lake has been hit by numerous injuries and this could lead to the inclusion of Paulo in the line up or on the bench.
Real Salt Lake injury report HERE

Paulo Jr picture and information by Robert Scorca

UPDATE: 9/9/10 4:20 pm

Miami FC have confirmed loan:

Miami FC striker Paulo Jr. has been sent on loan to Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer this week after nearly two seasons with the Blues. Araujo Jr. will be available for selection for Real Salt Lake when the Utah side takes on Seattle Sounders FC this evening at Qwest Field (11:00 p.m. ET, live on ESPN2). Terms of the deal were not disclosed due to team policy.

Read all about it HERE

Be sure to check out Paulo Jr as he might make his debut tonight at Qwest Field (11:00 p.m. ET, live on ESPN2) You can also see the game on the internet via ESPN3

MLS: Luis Miguel Escalada to Real Salt Lake? With Video of his goals!

Jason Kreis, Real Salt Lake coach was spotted in Quito, Ecuador yesterday observing Argentine Striker Luis Miguel Escalada. This according to Ecuavisa International TV show Tiro Libre. A product of Boca Juniors lower divisions, "El Toro" (the bull) has a colorful trajectory considering he is only 23. Escalada was loaned to Ecuadorean club Emelec by Boca Juniors in 2006. With Emelec, he made 40 appearances and scored 29 goals to become the goal scoring leader that year. This was enough for Liga of Quito to purchase his rights from Boca for $1.1M

With Liga in 2007 Escalada appeared in 38 games scoring 16 times as Liga became Ecuadorean Champions and would go on the next year to become Champions of South America. But Escalada would not take part of that championship as he was loaned out to Brazilian Botafogo. He only appeared in 2 games and was later loaned out to Gimnasia de Jujuy of his native Argentina playing in 11 games and scoring twice.

Luis Miguel was in Quito training with Liga in search of a spot on the team but it looks like he is not in the plans of the new coach. Other teams said to be interested are Argentina's Newell's Old Boys and Manta SC of Ecuador but Luis Miguel has stated his desire of moving to the MLS.

Here is a vid of some of his goals:

'Tis the Season

It's that time of year again, and no we aren't talking President's Day galas here. It's MLS Spring Season!

The MLS Combine is done and the Mexicans still can't beat us within our borders. Now the MLS teams, like Ontarian Snow Birds are flocking south to gear up for their 12th season.

First up is the Colorado Rapids vs. Real Salt Lake. Billed as a return of MLS to Broward Country as several players are either former Fusionistas or local area collegemen and residents.

In any case, Striker Likers will be in full support so keep your eye out for the Gold, Red and Black. The game will be played at the new Central Broward Regional Park (just west of the Swap Shop on Sunrise Blvd). The game is Friday, February 22nd, at 7:30pm. $10 for adults, $5 for those under 18.