Miami Gold Cup Success. Strikers, MagicJack win and more.

Gold Cup in Miami was a success as over 18,000 people showed up to watch the beautiful game. FIU stadium was packed and the ambiance was spectacular. Every seat was a good one and it felt as if you could reach out and touch the players due to the proximity of the field to the stands. It's a great stadium to watch soccer and I dare say the only thing that I didn't like was that the ball made a few weird bounces due to the plastic turf. Hopefully, one day, they will put a proper pitch.
The games started off with a vibrant Jamaica versus Guatemala. Which saw the Reggae Boys defeat the 'Chapines' by 2-0. Followed by Honduras against Grenada which saw the Grenadines start off with an early goal only to be destroyed by Honduras with a final score of 7-1. Read more HERE
If South Florida fans wanted to send a message to Major League Soccer it was sent on Friday night and the message is: This area can and will support quality soccer. Let's hope the 'Don" gets the message and an investor steps up.

Strikers Win!
The Fort Lauderdale Strikers continue to win in the NASL as they defeated the NSC Minnesota Stars by 3-0. The Strikers form has been impressive as of late and they had a stellar game by substitute Brian Shriver who had a brace.

“We were struggling in the first half defensively, and we weren't doing well with the chances we had. Once the first goal came, we knew the confidence would be there to add more,” said head coach Daryl Shore about the first half. “After they started throwing numbers forward, the defense buckled down and took pride in the shutout. I'm proud to see the effort they put forth to hold the score to where it was.”

Read more about the game HERE
Be sure to check back for video highlights later today.
The Strikers go on the road this coming Saturday June 18 as they face the Montreal Impact at Saputo stadium. Game time is set for 2:30 pm  Watch it live on www.strikers.com

MagicJack wins
WPS side MagicJack gets a road win this weekend as they visited the Atlanta Beat. MagicJack was short on many players due to the Women's World Cup set to start soon but the reserves proved to be enough to get the job done!
MagicJack came in with an early goal by Ella Masar. Christen Press scored right before the half to give MagicJack a 2-1 lead and Johanna Rasmussen sealed the deal in the second half. Read more about the game HERE
Be sure to follow MagicJack on Facebook

Miami Ultras Alive
Be sure to check out the latest version of Miami Ultras Alive tonight Monday at 10 pm as El Presidente Pieter Brown and Uncle Ed cover everything and anything with regards to South Florida soccer. Topics that will be covered will be Gold Cup, Strikers, NASL, WPS, MagicJack, MLS and more. Call in (323) 927-1455 and join in on our live chat room as our special guest tonight will be Fort Lauderdale Strikers President Tim Robbie.
Be sure to tune in and tell your friends!
Go here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/miamiultras/2011/06/14/miami-ultras-alive-10

Marcelo Claure to bring MLS to Miami.

Julio Caballero, VP of the Miami Ultras has formed a group called La Academia which is exclusively dedicated to bringing Major League Soccer back to South Florida. They also organize MLS watch party's and will soon lead a pilgrimage of South Florida soccer fans to invade an MLS game to support our bid for MLS in Miami. (Site and information will come out soon, so stay tuned!)

It seems MLS to Miami is only a matter of time. Julio was able to speak to South Florida's best hope for top flight first division soccer, Brightstar CEO and owner of Bolivia's most popular team, Bolivar, Mr. Marcelo Claure.

La Academia Q & A with Marcelo Claure
We want to thank Marcelo Claure for taking time out of his busy schedule to respond to the questions posted by La Academia about a potential MLS franchise bid to bring a team to South Florida.

(MC) Before answering questions, I just wanted to say I really like the new name of the fan club – La Academia. My team in Bolivia, Bolivar, is also known as La Academia so the name had an immediate impact on me.

(LA) Success in MLS is now associated with a strong connection between fans and their team, if you were to bid for a franchise, how do you plan to foster that connection?

(MC) Julio and La Academia, as we continue working to bring MLS to South Florida, we will build connections with fans through Q&As like this, organized soccer viewing events, and many other grassroots efforts. We will absolutely want to work with La Academia on these efforts.

(LA) If you move forward with a bid, would you consider using the Miami Fusion FC name or would you prefer a team with a new identity?

(MC) Depending on what the ultimate ownership looks like, we would evaluate the Miami Fusion FC name as well as other options. We want a name that the local fans can completely embrace and own.

To read more go HERE

To join La Academia follow them on Facebook
You can also follow all MLS Miami Bid news on Twitter
and on the official website http://www.mlsmiamibid.com/

What are your thoughts on MLS in Miami?

MLS Futbolito Miami, Strikers watch party and MagicJack

MLS Futbolito is here in Miami and it starts this Sunday May 22.
Come out and check out this great 4 vs 4 tournament! It's at Kendall Soccer Park located at 8011 SW 127th Ave Miami, FL 33183. This event will have many sponsor booths, activities and you will also be able to be part of Univision's Republica Deportiva TV show. Last year I was able to participate in the celebrity match representing the Miami Ultras. Check out the picture below.

 If you didn't sign up for a team you can always come out and support the Miami Ultras soccer supporters group as we will have a team in the tournament. To honor our current NASL team The Fort Lauderdale Strikers we have decided to wear red and gold.

For those curious, the Ultras line up will have the following players:
Kyle "Train wreck" Kaly prime candidate to get red carded.
The Reece's pieces bros:
Derek "Chocolate" Reese and Zach "Peanut" Reese
Jorge "representing the 561" Marquez
David "The Judge" Ito
Mr. Colombia Alan 'G'
and our benefactor organizer and main Futbolito nut Mr. Mitch "Ultra Cool" Rivera
Coach will be yours trully Uncle Ed
Assistant coach will be Burrito (If they allow pets)

Strikers vs Silverbacks Watch Party 
The Strikers will visit the Atlanta Silverhawks for the second time this season in hope of also getting their second victory against them.
The united South Florida soccer supporters (South Florida United) are hosting a watch party at The Fox and Hound located at 4812 North Dixie Highway, Oakland Park, FL 33334-3929 (954) 491-8869 ‎The game starts at 7:30 pm but fans will be there earlier. You can also see the game streaming live by going to www.strikers.com 
We hope to see everyone out there! Go Strikers!

MagicJack vs Western NY Flash 
In case you didn't know it the MagicJack website is up and running! Just in time for their WPS match versus the Flash which will be televised this Sunday at 7:30 PM live on Fox Soccer.
The two best teams in the league will finally meet to see who will remain unbeaten!
Follow the team on Facebook for the latest information and you can also check them ot on their YouTube page.

MagicJack win, Strikers tie and Miami Ultras Alive.

MagicJack remain undefeated as they defeated the Atlanta Beat 2-0 in a Women's Professional Soccer League game played Sunday at FAU Soccer Field.

The magicJack outshot Atlanta 17-1, including putting 10 shots on goal and having the edge 6-0 on corner kicks.
Pressure was applied early by magicJack with Masar scoring at the 23-minute mark from inside five yards on an assist from Lindsay Tarpley. Press sealed the match with her goal in the 64th minute from 24 yards out.
"We wanted to come out and show how good of a soccer team we are," Masar said. "I think we did that today."

Read more on the Sun Sentinel
You can follow MagicJack on Facebook  
The Strikers
After starting off the season with a defeat, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers haven't looked back and have not lost a game since. This weekend the Red and yellow came back from Minnesota with a point as they tied the Stars 1-1.
Leading up to the game Strikers staff held a pub crawl which was a total success. Regrettably the live transmission was not available until the last few minutes of the game, but that did not deter the fans from having fun!

The first half momentum went to the Strikers with multiple chances early on. Paulinho LePetit forced a save from Minnesota’s keeper in the third minute when he shot low to the near post. In the15th minute the Strikers had another opportunity when Aaron Wheeler found Paulinho at the top of the box for a shot that was just wide.
The Strikers went into halftime with a 1-0 lead after Eduardo “Chacho” Coudet converted his fourth straight penalty kick of the season.

For more details of the game go to www.strikers.com

The Strikers will play this coming Wednesday, May 11^th at 7:30 p.m.to end their road trip versus the Carolina Railhawks.
Miami Ultras Alive
Be sure to join us tonight Monday and every Monday starting at 10 pm as Miami Ultras President Pieter Brown and Uncle Ed host their Weekly 1 hour show dedicated to the South Florida soccer scene, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, MagicJack FC, MLS, WPS, NASL and so on. This week our special guest is Steve Holler, president of Ralph's Mob a supporters group for FC Tampa Bay Rowdies.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/miamiultras
Be sure to Log in to chat or call us at (323) 927-1455

Strikers vs Minnesota in Pictures and video.

The Strikers came from behind last night to tie the Minnesota Stars thanks to Chacho Coudet's last minute penalty.
Over 4,000 souls showed up to see a tough match where the Strikers dominated most of the game, but could not convert. You can read more about it at www.strikers.com

Following are pictures and video followed by links to other sites with Strikers news and pictures.

STRIKERS TIE





Links
www.strikers.com
Sun Sentinel
MiamiSoccerFan 
http://fllstrikers.net/ 
http://www.flight-19.com/

Miami Ultras member quits and becomes Cosmos fan.

Hola Amigos, Burrito here to report bad news.
Today Miami Ultras member Mitchell Rivera announced that he has quit his membership and position ( what was his postion anyway????) at the Miami Ultras and that he taking his talents back to the N-Y-C. this has shocked all five members of the Ultras. Mitch said:

"I m sick and tired of showing up on time while everyone shows up 3 hours later".

Pieter Brown president of the Ultras called in an emergency meeting at 2 am, howevers everyone showed up 6am. Everyone (The four that showed up) was trying to convince Mitchell, who by that time was asleep, to stay with the Miami Ultras. After 30 seconds of yelling back and forth. A full melee almost broke out, but Kyle "Train Wreck" Kaly stepped in to keep the peace, in a strange turn of events he got red carded by Hotshot. Mitch stormed out screaming "South Florida Divided"!

After the meeting Derek Reese left to Bermunda on Jet Blue Flight 19 (coincidence ain't it?) his current whereabout are unknown...

Burrito was able to get a phone interview with Mitchell's girlfriend Jane Shpiner who said in Russian:

" его любовь к футболу является сумасшедшим действиеm"

Sorry guys u have to translate that one on google.com/translate, and then told Burrito to sit and roll over, but gave no snack!
Mitch has not answered his phone since.

Miami Ultras in New York. Fans visit MLS and watch USA vs Argentina.

ALERT: Be sure to listen to Jorge Ramos y su Banda on ESPN Radio 1450 AM in Miami or go HERE to listen online as Jorge Ramos will have a chat with MLS Commissioner Don Garber. Jorge will be asking Don about a future MLS team in South Florida among other MLS related subjects. Be sure to check it out starting at 4PM and call in to 1 800 Deportes You can also follow and send questions on twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/ESPN_JorgeRamos
Radio address if anyone wants to go is: ESPNDeportesRadio
 Alhambra plaza - 9 floor Coral Gables, FL 33134
Ultras in New York
Miami Ultras were spotted this past weekend in New York City. A group of Ultras, led by Mitchell Rivera visited the Big Apple to watch the USA vs Argentina match that took place this past Saturday.



But before the USA game Mitch decided to visit MLS digital where he was greeted by David Agrell. The Ultras were given a quick tour and were told that we are the first supporters group to visit MLS Digital. David did tell us that FutbolMLS (The Spanish version of the MLS website) will soon get its own front page link. Mitch asked where does MLSsoccer.com, get the most hits outside the US. David replied that it was from Europe and the Middle East only because gambling is legal and they find that MLS is unpredictable and there is parity in the league.

As you will see in the pictures below there is a collection of scarves there. We found that the Miami Ultras scarf was already amongst the MLS supporters scarves. We don't know how they got it, perhaps from Garber's last visit and meeting with the Ultras in January, but either way it's a good sign of things to come. (Click picture to enlarge)

Below you can see more pictures at MLS, the USA game and around New York.

You want to help bring MLS to South Florida?
Visit our website www.mlsmiamibid.com
You can also follow us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MLSMiamiBid
and Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/mlsmiami
Have suggestions and want to be part of the group send us an email to: info@mlsmiamibid.com

USA vs Argentina watch party at Mickey Byrne's Irish Pub

Hola Amigos! You wanna see some good futbol? Then come to Mickey Byrne's Irish Pub in Hollywood this Saturday March 26 at 7:00 pm to see the USA vs Argentina game.
This event will be hosted by South Florida United which is an umbrella group that wants to bring all South Florida Soccer groups together. So far the SFU consists of the Miami Ultras, Flight 19 and City of Sunrise Elite. But they invite all groups and fans to join. It's about coming together to celebrate the beautiful game no matter who you support!

Here is a brief description:

Who are the South Florida United?
South Florida United (SFU) is an independent supporterʼs association, supporting all soccer in South Florida, primarily the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the NASL. The group also fully supports and actively pursues the return of a Major League Soccer franchise to the South Florida area. SFU consists of both independent fans as well as supporter subgroups that represent different aspects of South Florida.

The SFU logo represents all of South Floridaʼs soccer fans coming together for one cause: to support local soccer. The nuclear symbol represents the high energy and passion of South Floridaʼs soccer fans joining together to produce an unmatched, unified force, as well as being a nod to the old Miami Fusion. The 3 area codes represent Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties, and the colors !represent our support of our current team, as well as the most successful team of the past, the Strikers.

How to Join
New members can join online via the SFU -or- subgroup websites, or join in person at any Strikers game or other SFU event. Membership is free.

For more info go HERE

Fort Lauderdale Strikers Soccerthon and fan video.

Soccerthon was a fun event organized by the Fort Lauderdale Strikers this past weekend. Following you will find pictures as well as a fan video made by Miami Ultra Mitch Rivera.

All pictures by Mitch Rivera
More pictures can be seen on MiamiSoccerFan.com