Copa America Trophy in Miami - Play Guru del Futbol Copa America

COPA AMERICA TROPHY ON DISPLAY AT AVENTURA MALL THIS WEEKEND
AVENTURA, Fla. – June 30, 2011 – Copa America kicks off in Argentina on Friday, but South Florida residents and visitors will have a unique opportunity to view the soccer tournament’s prestigious trophy this weekend at Aventura Mall. MasterCard Worldwide, Copa America’s official card and preferred payment method, will display the trophy in Aventura Mall’s Center Court from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 2, and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 3. Guests will receive a complimentary photo with the trophy. Following a seven-month, 14-city journey throughout Latin America, the Copa America Trophy Tour, sponsored by MasterCard, will make its only U.S. stop at Aventura Mall. Since December, more than 130,000 people in countries such as Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru have viewed and been able to take photos with the trophy. The trophy will return to Argentina Monday in time for the kickoff of the long-awaited tournament, which runs through July 24. The Copa America Trophy was originally donated to the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) in 1916 by Argentina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The trophy, which was crafted by a Buenos Aires jewelry shop at a cost of 3,000 Swiss francs, is silver with a wooden base and contains small plaques of each Copa America winning team. Twelve national teams from South America (plus Costa Rica and Mexico) will compete for Copa America. Soccer powerhouse Brazil is the two-time defending champion.For more information, visit www.ca2011.com.

Guru del Futbol - Copa America game
From the makers of NASLGuru comes the latest Guru game. This time, its the Copa America version. 12 teams compete for the trophy of the oldest running soccer championship in the world and you can prognosticate the results in this fun game. You can even log in using your facebook account.
The game is catered to the South American crowd and in Spanish but it's easy to figure out. After logging in go to "Predicciones" to make your predictions. You have 3 options Local (Home team) Empate (Tie) and Visitante (Visitor) click on your desired winner and below predict the goal diffrence. It's that simple! You can even go to the "Estadisticas" tab for statistics. If you're not sure about your predictions and want to see what everyone else predicted then use this tool.
Be sure to visit and play Guru del Futbol - Copa America.

Don't forget to also play NASLGuru and win a North American Soccer League team jersey every month!
Check out April and May's winners: Puerto Rico Islanders fans José Alvarado and Francisco Díaz.

Find the Guru in you!

ONE, The Story of a Goal at the Miami International Film Festival

The Soccer movie of the month will not be displayed on the blog itself like the last few times. You'll have to buy a ticket and watch it at a theater and I'll tell you where.
As some of you might know the Miami International Film Festival (MIFF) is going on right now and for those that don't know what I'm talking about:

It's a world-class platform for film and filmmakers promoting Miami as an educational and international film destination. The Festival presents the best of emerging and established film to the local and international community within an educational framework.

For us Soccer fans I will have to recommend ONE, The Story of a Goal (UNO, La Historia de un Gol) by director Carlos Moreno and Gerardo Muyshondt. Run time is 102 minute in Spanish with English subtitles
Here is a synopsis:

In the early 1980s, El Salvador was experiencing the beginning of what would be a harsh 12-year-long civil war. It was also in this time that a group of Salvadoran fútbol players emerged to unite their entire nation with their game. This tiny Central American country’s national team achieved an unforgettable qualification to the 1982 World Cup in Spain, where against the world's strongest soccer lineup they would try to score their first World Cup goal ever. With a homeland ripped apart by conflict and maligned in the international press as a haven for guns and guerrillas, their team’s selection provided hope for all Salvadorans. However, they were defeated by Hungary 10-1 in the first match, and in this game, history’s worst World Cup defeat ever, El Salvador scored their only goal ever in this type of competition. This insightful and honest film recounts a David-and-Goliath story of great hope and terrible disappointment.

You can see this movie at 7:45 PM on Thursday, March 11 at the Regal South Beach 9 or at 9:30 PM on Friday, March 12 at the Tower Theater 2 for more information go HERE

Miami FC signs Brazilian WC Veteran Junior Baiano

First it was Gale Agbossoumonde, defender for the U.S. Under-20 National team. Now Miami FC signs 1998 World Cup Veteran Junior Baiano to replenish a team plagued with injuries and recent transfers. The Blues have been struggling and the Brazilian will be a needed addition.

Raimundo Ferreira Ramos Júnior, known as Júnior (or adding demonym of Bahia state, became Júnior Baiano) (born March 14, 1970 in Feira de Santana, Bahia) is a Brazilian football centre back. He retired in the end of 2005, but in December 2006 he signed a professional contract with América from Rio de Janeiro to defend the club in Rio State Championship in the beginning of 2007. Baiano signed a contract with Brasiliense to play Série B Brazilian League in 2007
Baiano is an imposing 6ft 3in and will most likely be the target man on the team. No word yet if Junior will be available for this Friday's game versus the Minnesota Thunder at Lockhart Stadium.
For More info go to the Miami FC site.
Check out a goal by Junior Baiano