Where's Waldo?

Probably not the post you were expecting on the eve of NASL 2.0's opening weekend, but I had a friend recently move to Greece and when I noticed Freddy Adu not on the Benfica Europa roster against Liverpool I did some searching and found this. A happy coincidence.

Jokes aside, Adu obviously isn't what we Americans have hoped for but the kid is still 21. He's no Messi and if you believe an American will be coined best in the world at this game, you are a very optimistic person. I hope it happens in my lifetime, but truly I'm not holding my breath.

But back to more Striker Liker related issues. Miami FC (soon to be known as the Strikers) take on the Rochester Rhinos this weekend at the daunting Lockhart Stadium. Not a bad way to kick off the NASL in a comfy familiar setting. The Ultras and Southern Brigade have already claimed a section so it's going to be fun to see how the rest of the public reacts. It's also going to be interesting to see how Miami FC itself gets the word out. Their 'head shaving' stunt didn't really follow through last year, but I think the ten people who saw it have already forgotten it by now.

It is a new season, a new team, a new permanent home and new results better be on the way. A win this weekend could go a long way, but also some exciting action wouldn't hurt either.

Let's get our butts to the field!

May 1st Can't Come Any Sooner

The Tampa Bay Rowdies are coming to Lockhart Stadium. No double take necessary, it's actually happening. It's going to happen twice this year, so don't miss your chance to heckle and boo at Fort Lauderdale's most hated vermin.

Before I get into more details I must apologize for my long absence. It's been September since my last post. I have nothing to confess except that the Striker Liker is back, just in time for the re-emergence of the NASL and a newly revamped Miami FC.

So back to the Rowdies, May 1st is their first visit to Lockhart this season and I'm hoping to see a lot of red and yellow shirts there to greet them. If you don't have the gear you can find some here:

Zazzle

Also, did someone say that Miami FC will become the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in 2011? Now almost all my soggy dreams have come true.

Look Again, It's Not What You Think

No, it's not a professional soccer game in South Florida, actually the attendance here might exceed that of some Miami FC games. No, this is the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt. This pic is from the Italy vs. Paraguay match. I wonder how South Florida would fare in staging this game. Sellout crowd at FIU perhaps?

Ah, to dream. September officially marks the end of Miami FCs season, so live professional soccer is now in the closet with the moth balls as we get our soccer fix through espn360, justin.tv, foxsoccer, setanta, etc., etc., etc.

But in an offseason there are always 'talks'. What these 'talks' will lead to no one can really tell. Let's hope they don't end up with the, "let's fold the team" scenario. If that be the case, then maybe this Striker Liker will move to Seattle and deal with the winter.

But for now, the middle of October is the finishing line for World Cup Qualifiers, who will fill out the draw and which heavyweight will watch South Africa 2010 from the comfort of their couch?

I'm So Excited..I'm So Scared

There it is ladies and germs. The new Florida Marlins stadium. It is exactly what we need. A Baseball stadium. A place where they can play baseball. Professionally. I guess if you are a baseball fan this is kind of cool. And hey, I am a sports fan and I love stadiums, but seriously. Thank you MLS. Thank you Barcelona FC. Thank you John Stamos. And most importantly, thank you Mom and Dad for taking me to Striker games and enlisting me in Thomas Rongen's Soccer Academy year after year. I'm not sure why I live down here anyway. I should move to Philly.

Thank you soccer world for making South Florida the black hole of Pro Soccer.