Miami FC

Football club infobox
clubname = Miami FC


fullname = Miami Football Club
nickname = Blues
founded = 2006
ground = Tropical Park Stadium
capacity = 7,000
chairman = flagicon|USA Aaron Davidson
manager = flagicon|Brazil Zinho
league = USL First Division
season = 2008
position = in progress

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American = true

Miami Football Club is an American professional soccer team, founded in 2006. The team is a member of the USL First Division, the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.

They currently play at Tropical Park Stadium in Glenvar Heights, Florida, around 8 miles west of downtown Miami. The team is currently coached by Zinho. The team's colors are tropical blue and white.

Miami FC is owned by Traffic Sports USA, the American branch of Traffic Group, which owns and organizes South American club tournaments such as the Copa America and Copa Sudamericana.

South Florida was most recently home to the Fort Lauderdale-based Miami Fusion F.C. of Major League Soccer. The Fusion folded in 2002, and Miami have inherited a portion of their fanbase, leaving some to see them as semi-continuation of Fusion.

History

Inaugural Game

On April 16, 2006, the team played its first home game at Tropical Park Stadium. Mario "El Loco" Rodríguez, a Guatemalan national team midfielder, scored the team's first goal in the 77th minute. He was assisted by Zinho, a starter on Brazil's 1994 World Cup champion team. The lone goal was enough to defeat Jamaican champion Portmore United.

Romario, also a star of the Brazil's 1994 World Cup winning team, was signed to the club March 30, 2006. Though injuries left him unable to play in the April 16, 2006 opener, Miami FC gave the famed striker the honor of the ceremonial first kick.

Mascot and Nickname Contest

In 2007, the team held a contest through public schools in the greater Miami-Dade area for a nickname and mascot. Shia Moreno, an elementary school student won for her nickname "Blues". Daniel Townsend, a senior at Robert Morgan Educational Center won for his mascot creation "Hotshot", a flaming sonic-like character.

Year-By-Year

2008 Roster

"as of August 22, 2008"

Roster Changes

* Eddie Gutierrez - out
* Sean Cameron - out

Notable Former Players

* Romario
* Zinho
* Mario Rafael Rodriguez

Affiliated Clubs

* Adelaide United FC

Supporter's Group

In 2007, the Miami FC supporter's group was officially founded by avid fan and photographer Victor Palkaninec. The group began a website, www.miamifc2.com. Victor covers all the home games as photo press. The site uses updates and game recaps provided by Miami FC's media relation's manager, Marcos Ommatti. On June 9, 2007, the group held its first ever tailgating party before the game against the Puerto Rico Islanders. Victor, as well as members Chris Green (Robert Morgan High School WRMN8 News, iPatchNews.com), pb9000 ("Random Thoughts" podcast creator), and Newtbomb89 (YouTube video poster) had the chance to meet and greet Miami FC manager Luiz Muzzi and plater Chris "Big Smooth" Williams.

Romario

Brazilian World Cup Winner Romario has recently left the club and has signed a short term contract with Australian league premier team Adelaide United in Australia's premier football competition the Hyundai A-League, for a 4-game "guest" stint. He has now come back to play for Vasco da Gama in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Romario scored his 1000th career goal against Sport from Recife on May 20th, 2007.

External links

* [http://www.miamifc.com/ Miami FC Official site]
* [http://www.miamifc.net/ Unofficial Fans Forum about the Miami FC]
* [http://www.miamifc2.com/ Miami FC Supporters Group]