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.

Start the Season!

Next posting will be live from Lockhart.

See everyone tomorrow!

If Michael Jackson was a Fulham fan, Then So Am I

News reports today state that Fulham FC will be putting up a statue of Michael Jackson just outside Craven Cottage, Fulham's stadium.

Nothing to do with the Strikers here, but I love Michael Jackson as much as I love the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, so there.

Also, for any fans of soccer nostalgia, check out this wickedly awesome music video for the 1990 US Men's National Team right before they headed off the World Cup in Italy.

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?

Show Us The Jersey!

Could this be something we might see come April? Searching through Joma's current roster of clients, we stumbled on a few red and gold clubs whose uniforms may lend themselves to the latest reincarnation of the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

Above you'll see Jagiellonia Bialystok, a Polish club sponsored by Joma. Nice similar colors, but the red shorts and gold socks aren't true Striker material.

A closer match might be Belgian side, KV Mechelen. Take a look back at this throwback pic, colors match perfectly, and we've got black shorts. Only problem is the hoops are going the wrong way. A little trivia, the guy in the middle front row, the captain, is tennis pro Kim Clijster's dad, Lei Clijster.

But back to the point, does anyone have a clue what we will see against Edmonton? We're dying to know.

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.

Striker Fans Stay Calm

It's extremely understandable that after this weekend's strong showing against Red Bull New York, Striker fans around the globe are in mass hysteria, parading their hometown streets as if we'd won the FIFA Club World Cup by beating Barcelona 5-0.

Low and behold this find gem recently available on ebay. It's a match-worn, 1981 Elías Figueroa adidas Striker away jersey and it's up for sale for approximately $1,624.87! Yes, the price is true. Chile's best ever player and a member of FIFA's top 125 of all time played for the Strikers and his shirt is going for a butt load.

This may be an attempt to play off the popularity of the Chilean Miners, who brave souls as they were, escaped their living tombs in full hooligan style, waving Chilean flags and chanting, "Chi, Chi, Chi, Le, Le, Le".

Anybody wanna post a grand plus for this piece of history?

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

Fort Lauderdale Strikers vs. Red Bull New York

According to Red Bull New York's website, their preseason schedules includes a stop right here in sunny Fort Lauderdale. Apparently they got here yesterday.

A scrimmage of sorts is set for Wednesday against the Chicago Fire, but surprisingly enough a Saturday date is slotted against Miami FC. I guess Red Bull New York hasn't gotten the memo yet, we're the Fort Lauderdale Strikers now.

Any news on this, who is going, where is it and when do I show up?

I'd rather be playing the Cosmos but they don't have a team, just a bunch of celebrities sitting on thrones.

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:

The MLS Returns to South Florida!

The MLS Preseason that is. DC United, with new coach Ben Olsen, will be the first MLS team this year to come to the sunny confines of South Florida.

From February 1-12, the Stars from the Nation's Capital will begin their training in Fort Lauderdale, FL, to erase last season's forgettable string of performances and dead last finish.

Wait a minute, I just had a dream: who needs a new MLS team? Maybe DC can move down here. That would combine my two favorite things; soccer and Volkswagen.

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.

Look Ma! I'm a Winner!

Should we be bitter? Yes.

We give FIFA too much power.