Miami FC defeats Rhinos thanks to last minute Christian Gomez goal (pictures and video)

This past Saturday Miami FC defeated the Rochester Rhinos 1-0 in injury time thanks to a Christian Gomez header. The Blues had dominated the game for most of the match clearly outmatching the Rhinos. With the loss Rochester went down to second place, while Miami secured its 4th win in a row. This game took place at Fort Lauderdale Stadium.

For more on the game go to www.miamifc.com

Following are pictures by Robert Scorca and Uncle Ed .
Videos by Uncle Ed

Miami FC vs Rochester Rhinos at Ft Lauderdale Stadium Saturday 4 pm (Video)

Miami FC takes on first place Rochester Rhinos Saturday September 25 at 4pm. Due to a conflict in scheduling with the FAU football game the Blues will play at Fort Lauderdale Stadium Baseball field, but don't worry soccer fans, the Miami FC staff has organized "Party on the Pitch" here fans will be able to watch the game from the field and enjoy music, beer and other activities provided by team sponsors!

Be sure to look for the special parking area assigned to soccer fans, just say you are there for the Miami FC game.

For a match preview and further information go to www.miamifc.com

Get out there and support your Miami FC Blues!

Following is a post match interview by NASL's Kartik Krishnaiyer of Coach Daryl Shore and Blues leading scorer Abe Thompson:


Picture by Robert Scorca

Miami FC beats first place Rhino's in Rochester!

The Blues have turned up the heat as we approach the final 3 games of the season. Last night Miami FC beat first place Rochester Rhino's 2-1 in front of a stunned crowd at the Marina Auto Stadium.

Miami FC looked good on the field and dominated the play for many minutes throughout the game. The Blues were down thanks to a Anthony Hamilton header in the 10th minute but soon after Danilio Martins equalized for Miami. In the 24th minute Abe Thompson scored what was to be the game winner. Abe also provided the assist on the first goal and is now the second highest scorer on the team. This victory puts Miami ahead of Baltimore and ties them with AC St. Louis.

For more on the game go to www.nasl.com

Miami FC Lineup: Glaeser,Lancaster, Rodrigues, Hohlbein, Randolph, Celestino, Gomez, Mayen, Shriver, Martins & Thompson

Rhinos Lineup: Vallow, Greenfield, Sanfillippo, Bellamy, Roberts, Rosenlund, Pitchkolan, Motagalvan, Hamilton, Spicer & Hoxie

There are 3 games remaining in the season and we need to support our team! Vamos Miami! Let's go Blues!
Abe Thompson picture by Robert Scorca

Season over for Miami FC? Time to work on the Strikers!

Things haven't gone well for Miami FC this season. A late start (As seems to be the norm for this club) was eclipsed by a few important signings such as former MLS players Christian Gomez, Abe Thompson, Chris Gbandi, Mike Randolph, just to name a few. The problem is that despite an interesting line up of players the Blues never seemed to find their groove. Perhaps it was the coaching? Maybe the late start of the preseason? What we do know is that Miami FC's current season is pretty much over. It's time to think about next season and get things ready NOW!

As most of us know Miami FC will become the Strikers next season and with that there is a responsibility to the legacy that is the Strikers name and it's history. A team that according to everyone's favorite soccer historian Robert Scorca, never failed to make the playoffs. With that in mind things need to be done right from the start.

Traffic Sports, Miami FC's owners will have to do their homework and not make mistakes as they have throughout their short history with Miami FC. Take this weekends game at Rochester, for more on the game go HERE. The Rhino's had a throw back game which saw the home team sport the old NASL Lancers KIT with Miami FC wearing a Strikers T-Shirt... because that's what it looked like, an ugly put together at the last moment, T-shirt. Just check out the picture taken from the Miami FC site.

Time to bring back the old Strikers look, not that T-shirt abomination we saw Saturday. Traffic also needs to bring out the Strikers brand during the few games that are left to get people ready to what is coming next season. Time to look at how they will advertise. They should go after a radio station, hell, go after a local TV station. In essence Traffic needs to go all out on this one. It's still going to be difficult to sell Division 2 soccer but there is still much passion and respect from those that remember NASL's Ft Lauderdale Strikers. Give us a good product from day one and people will be interested in this team.

Rumors have been going around that Traffic might be looking at taking the Strikers to MLS. It was even mentioned by Jeff Rusnack in the Sun Sentinel. If that is the case then it would be a good idea if Traffic announces those intentions. Why not? It would make many of those "Elitest Soccer snobs" who only support their teams from back home consider going to games to support a team that is bound for MLS. Look what it did for attendance at cities like Toronto who with the Lynx had low attendance, yet with Toronto FC things changed and look at attendance now. Same thing with the Sounders and MLS bound Portland.
With MLS's new 3 Designated player rule an MLS South Florida team could potentially be successful. If you think about it, what player would not want to come to Miami? A player like Ronaldinho alone could fill Lockhart. Give us 3 of that caliber and we might need a bigger stadium.

What it comes down to is that Traffic has the golden opportunity to make something happen with the new Strikers. Time to take the experiences learned with Miami FC and implement them to make this club a success. We can only hope that Traffic will learn from their mistakes and not give us another night with an ugly T-shirt and a hurried product.

***UPDATE 8/23/10 at 3:02 pm***

We learned that Miami FC had nothing to do with the Strikers jerseys worn in Rochester this weekend. It was, after all, a Rochester event organized by that organization.
So, for all those fans that screamed bloody murder, do not panic! Those were not the new jerseys.

Miami FC vs Rhinos Fan Videos

We will display videos of the tailgate and games a day or two after each game. If you have any vids you want us to post please email us at footballsoccerm@gmail.com

Here are a few Miami Ultra Matt Berkshire filmed.
When the Blues go Marching in

We Will Follow

Blues Score!

First free kick by Christian Gomez in Miami Blue!

End Game (***DANGER*** With Profanity)

Be sure to check out the Slide Show over at Victor Palkaninec's Miamifc2
and visit Miami Soccer Fan for a detailed description and a few pics.

Want to see a replay of the Miami FC vs Rhinos game? See it HERE

Next game this Saturday April 17 against the MLS bound Vancouver Whitecaps at 7:30!
Everyone needs to go! Vamos Miami!

Miami FC 1 Rhinos 1 in Pictures

Blues came back tonight to tie the Rhinos at Lockhart Stadium.
Read more about it at Miami FC

Here are pictures of the night!

Miami FC vs Rhinos Saturday April 10! Free Vodka and BBQ!

It's that time South Florida soccer fans! This Saturday at 7:30 PM is the start of the USSF Div 2 season as our Miami FC Blues take on the Rochester Rhinos! It's the cheapest ticket in town so come out and see Christian Gomez and the gang beat the Rhinos to kingdom come!
Be sure to show up early and head towards the tents by Gate C behind Lockhart Stadium See picture below:Gate C parking is reserved for Season Ticket holders but the tents will hold a special tailgating surprise for fans, so show up early! I'll be there at about 5pm! Miami FC has new sponsors, Regalia Vodka and Weston Town Center. That means free Vodka drinks and free BBQ!
After the tailgate the rowdiest fans, the Miami Ultras and the Southern Legion will unite this year at Section 120. So if you want to be loud and create havoc for the opposing team then joins us in Section 120! ****Remember, this area is a standing section, we never sit!Uncle Ed's recommended reading:
For a full review of the teams competing against the Blues be sure to go to Inside Minnesota Soccer's USSF Div 2 2010 Preview. Yours truly Uncle Ed, wrote the Miami FC segment and you can check out the rest of the teams from the point of view of local bloggers and writers.

Miami Soccer Fan is always a favorite stop for good South Florida Soccer news and you can check out the latest piece written by Brian Corey bashing the Tampa Bay Rowdies, yes, the rivalry has started! You can also see Media Day pictures that were taken by Victor Palkaninec.

For those that don't know him Victor (pictured at the right) is at just about every game there is snapping away as if there was no tomorrow! I remember Victor from back in the Miami Fusion days! You can check his work out over at his Miami FC2 site which also has a forum and Strikers Blog!

Talk about pictures! Victor helped me strap a camera on to Burrito's head so expect to see some pictures from Burrito's perspective. You'll be able to see those pictures in a little area on the right hand of this blog. The first picture was of his compadre and NASL guru Kartik Krishnaiyer! You can click on the picture to see the rest of Burrito's pictures. We'll be sure to update them. You can also follow that chihuahuas twitter http://twitter.com/Burritofutbol

Following are a few pictures taken at the Miami FC Media Day.




Vamos Miami! Let's beat those Whinos!

Miami FC 2010 - Songs and Chants by Burrito

Hola Miami Futbol fans! (For non espanglish speakers click over highlighted words)
Burrito think he can help all the vatos from the Ultras and Southern Legion by giving them carnales some good examples of songs they can sing. Next time Burrito make you chingones pay him!
When Burrito grow up in Toluca, Mexico, he used to listen to July Church (Julio Iglesias) and did you putos know July used to play professional futbol in Espana? Si! That way before Enrique Iglesias was even a sperm in his left huevo! Bueno, that another story Burrito will write about, but his song with that mota lover Willy Nelson called "To all the girls I loved before" inspired Burrito to be a futbol star! Why? Cause Burrito love womens and want to be good player so he can get some hot mamacitas. Pero, that never happens cause Burrito not good player and he look so uglys, pero so uglys not even his mami love him! Burrito so ugly his mami refuse to breast feed him! Pero bueno, ok, here is songs that Burrito think Miami Fans can sing at Miami FC games! Vamos Miami!

1.- This one everyone knows By Wilard Esmith "Welcome to Miami"

Miami
Party in the city where the heat is on
All night, on the beach till the break of dawn
Welcome to Miami
Bienvenidos a Miami!

2.-"I'm In Miami Bitch", by LMAO.
With this song we tell MLS, USSF Div 2, NASL and all the teams in the world they are Miami FC's bitches! Cause Miami Rules!



Drink all day
Play all night
Let's get it poppin'
I'm in Miami bitch
Drink all day
Play all night
Let's get it poppin' I'm in Miami bitch!

3.- "Miami" by Osvaldo Rodriguez
Cuban singer gets political but Burrito like cause it could be good to sing for all these pinches teams who are up north and wish they could have Miami's bitches and beaches! Yeeehaaa!

Miami
Yo no me voy de aqui
No quiero ir a ningun lugar
Yo no saco pasaporte
Yo quiero ver lo que va a pasar

4.- Jingle by the Golden Girls called "Miami"
For some reason Burrito always get woody for Dorothy, she sing like siren calling Burrito to make sweet hate to her...

Miami, Miami, you got style
Blue sky sunshine, White sand by the mile
When you live in this town, each day is sublime
the coldest of winters are worm and divine
Miami, Miami!

Ok, so some of these not too good but at least Burrito trying! You got better ideas? tell Burrito and you get free quesadilla! Vamos Miami, buy Miami FC tickets! Game this Saturday April 10th vs Rochester Whinos! (ok, Rhinos but who care?) Game starts at 7:30pm Tailgate at 5:00 pm. FREE BEER!
Vamos Miami!

Maradona's dog bites him, Diego turns around and eats dog! By Burrito

Hola Amigos! Burrito here with latest news on Maradona getting bit by his perrito called "El Che". (After Ernesto "Che" Guevara)

In case you carnales don't reads about it, Diego Armando Maradona, known to most Argentinos peoples ass the greatest player to half played in the worlds, was bit in the culo (ok, ok in the face pero Burrito think his face look like an ass anyways!). Maradona was said to be playing with "El Che" and doggie get excited thinking Diego's face was a piece of meat and bite him.... no big deal, thats what he get for playing with "El Che"! Pinche comunista!

"El Che" being good loyal dog wait for doctors to show up and heal his pet. Yes, us perros are owners of humans... you no believe? Burrito, ask for food he gets food, Burrito poops, human pick up poop. So who is who's bitch?

So Maradona was taken to hospitals in helicopter and was said to be crying for his mami and askings doctors to please shoot him up with heroines or somethings pero doctor no half that so they give hims valiums which Diego had in his pocket.

What no one knows is that after a few hours Diego come out of hospital and say he still love "EL Che" even thoughs "El Che" bite the chingado out of him.
Ladies and gentlemens this is a lie! Burrito half proof that Diego kill poor "Che" and here it is in picture on right!
Si, Diego get so mad he eat el pobrecito "El Che" as retaliations for biting his uglys face. Maradona was quoted as saying "Boca es lo mas grande del mundo" and then proceed to eat "El Che" tail first!

Burrito has contacted the humane societies of Argentina pero they no return Burritos call! Join Burrito in condemning this act of cruelty against the dawg race! Write to your local dawg pound and demands a recall!

P.S. Five days away from the season opener against the Rochester Rhinos! Support Miami FC Blues as they beat the pinches Rhino's back to their ugly town! Vamos Miami!
For more info go to http://www.miamifc.com/

Blues win in Ft Myers, Season ticket ideas and Miami MLS hopes not dead?

Miami FC continues their pre-season; this time they beat Florida Gulf Coast University 1-0 in Fort Myers on Sunday. The goal came from Guatemalan Forward Edward Santeliz who flicked the ball in after Sean Cameron got a head on the ball which hit the post from a Bryan Perez corner-kick. This gives the Blues a 4-1 pre-season record so far with their only loss coming against the New York Red Bulls of the MLS. The Blues will play their last preseason game this Friday, April 2 at the Holiday Inn Soccer Complex in Sunrise at 5:00 p.m. For more information visit www.miamifc.com
Season Tickets
As some of you may know Miami FC has so far armed themselves with some strong talent for this coming 2010 season. The Blues will have players such as Christian Gómez, Lance Parker, Abe Thompson, Mike Randolph, Chris Gbandi, just to name a few that have Major League Soccer experience. We have a team that at least on paper looks pretty impressive. So on that note we ask people to get the word out and support South Florida's only professional soccer team by buying 2010 season tickets calling 305-728-2606!
Miami FC starts its season on Saturday, April 10 when they play against the Rochester Rhinos at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale at 7:30 p.m.
Talk about Season Tickets, check out this real cool video of Jonathan Bornstein of MLS's Chivas USA showing up to their season ticket holders homes to deliver the tickets! Imagine having Christian Gómez deliver your season tickets to your house?Miami MLS hopes not dead?
One of our own Miami Ultras recently sent a letter to MLS commissioner Don Garber asking him to not forget South Florida in their expansion. The Don himself responded saying they are working to get that done!
As most South Florida Soccer fans know; we twice got our hearts broken by MLS. The first when they pulled the plug on the Miami Fusion right when the attendance was increasing and after we had won the supporters shield for having the best record in the league in 2001. Then, just last year we saw another disappointment as a "shew in" bid by Marcelo Claure and Barcelona of Spain mysteriously fell apart. Many Soccer fans have placed comments all over this blog and that of fellow Miami bloggers voicing their opinions on how they will only support Soccer in this town if its MLS. If you want to be heard do as our Miami Ultras comrade did and write to Don Garber at DGarber@mlsnet.com and voice your opinions!
While we at FMB (Football in Miami and Beyond) would love to see MLS come back to South Florida we believe the only way that will ever happen is if you show up to Miami FC games. Why? Because then we can prove to MLS and the world that 1st Division soccer needs to come back to this part of the country. Where are those 11,000 fans that used to show up to Fusion games? I think we only need half of that to show up to Miami FC games to make Traffic think that this market could make the jump up to MLS.
On that note check out this video of the Sons of Ben on their trip to Seattle to support the Philadelphia Union (who incidentally lost to the Sounders 2-0). Watching this video makes me think of how it should have been the Miami Ultras filming this video and making the road trip. We have a long road ahead but we can start by organizing a road trip for the July 4th game versus the Tampa Bay Rowdies! Vamos Miami!

An Interview with Jarryd Goldberg

Today we bring you an interview Robert Scorca and I did with Jarryd Goldberg, one of Miami FC's standout players. Jarryd was born November 13, 1985 in Livingston, New Jersey. Goldberg attended Ridge High School in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, and played college soccer at Boston College and Boston University. While at college, Goldberg took part in the 2005 Maccabiah Games, winning a silver medal with the US team.

Following are some questions Jarryd answered for us:

Robert Scorca: Last year you came into your own with Miami FC. What do you feel helped you the most with your development from your first year here to last year?

Jarryd Goldberg: Thank you for the compliment on me coming into my own last year. I truly felt that last season I grew in a lot of ways as a player. I felt more comfortable on and off the field. A big reason for this was the opportunity Zinho and the rest of the coaching staff gave me. I felt a responsibility to my teammates, to the coaching staff, and to the fans to become somewhat of a leader on and off the field. Being one of the returning players from the season before, I felt it necessary to help out others on the team that were in need of some guidance. In addition to honing certain responsibility, I also tried to build on the things that Zinho preached at practice everyday and worked very hard to do the things I could do to help the team.

RS: Do you have any superstition before the game?

JG: I eat the same type of meal the night before a game (chicken and pasta) usually and I always put on my shin guards during warm up on game day and don't take them off at all before kickoff.

RS: You recently came in third in the "Miami Ultras Player of the Year" voting, even though you were a write-in vote. What do you think about that? Have you noticed that you are one of the fan favorites? Do you hear the Fans in the stands during the game or do you lock them out?

JG: I am very honored to have been one of the fan favorites at Miami FC. Thank you to all the fans that voted for me and also to all the fans that came out to support me this year. I am very grateful. I truly enjoyed playing for Miami and I always had fun after the game, win or lose, hanging out with the fans and signing some autographs. Yes, I could always hear the fans during the game but sometimes your so locked in on the game that you don't hear the words.

RS: Who is the USL-1 player who matches up best against you or the player you get along with best on the field?

JG: Playing against Johnny Menyongar of the Rochester Rhinos is always a challenge. He is quick and crafty and always tries to get you unbalanced, but I enjoy going up against him because he is one of the best players in the league.

RS: You are good friends with Ethan Zohn the winner of Survivor:Africa. Tell us about your friendship and your common love of soccer.
JG: Ethan Zohn is the man. We first came into contact with each other through mutual friends of ours. Turns out we know a lot of the same people through Maccabi USA, both of us being Maccabi Alums. In my short time knowing Ethan, I have learned quickly how amazing of a person he is through his work with grassroots soccer and his player agency. He really cares about helping people and I think the world of him.

RS: You also have a very creative blog called "Show me Ur soccer Ball" We would love you to introduce this blog to everyone out there. Any familiar names who have posts on Show me Ur soccer Ball?
JG: Show me Ur Soccer Ball evolved out of my love for soccer and my passion to spread the joy soccer brings into so many people's lives around the world. I thought it would be a creative way to bring soccer fans around the world a little bit closer together. I want to ultimately create a medium where people can post their own pictures and stories, and I have recently realized a blog might not be the best thing for that so I am re-evaluating how to bring Show Me Ur Soccer Ball to the next level.
So far, there are a few posts from people, including Ami Monson (program director for Maccabi USA) and Zourab "Zee" Tsiskaridze‏ from Miami FC, now of the Vancouver Whitecaps. More are sure to come!

RS: Was soccer always your first love growing up or was this the sport that you excelled at?

JG: Soccer was always my true love. I played baseball, soccer, and tennis growing up, but when I entered middle school, I chose to focus on soccer and play year round. My baseball coach from the year before, who drafted me first in the Basking Ridge little league draft, called me to see if there was anything he could do for me to continue with baseball. It was pretty flattering and is a funny story to tell today, but I chose soccer because it was what I loved the most.

RS: Who was the player you admired growing up?

JG: I greatly admired Tab Ramos growing up. I remember watching him with the MetroStars and the US National Team and loved the way he played. I went to his soccer camp and actually got pretty close with him. He is a really nice guy. He always told me that I reminded him of himself as a player. That was one of the best compliments ever.

RS: Who from your past was the most instrumental in your growth in soccer?

JG: My mom is definitely the most instrumental person in my soccer growth. If it weren't for her driving me everywhere I needed to be for the numerous teams I competed on growing up, I would not have grown into the player I am today. She always pushed me to do my best and go after my dream, playing professional soccer.

I also have to give credit to the rest of my family for always being on my side and coaches Tom McLaughlin and Ian Hennesy for being major contributors in my growth as a player. Thank you to everyone else who has helped me along the way, for there are so many people I am leaving out.

RS: What was your biggest soccer moment?

JG: Winning a silver medal with the US Maccabi team in the Maccabi Games in Israel was a major soccer moment in my life. Our team battled against the U-23 Israeli national team in the Gold Medal match in front of 15,000 people in Maccabi Haifa's stadium, eventually falling 2-0.

RS: Any closing thoughts or a word to fans heading into the New Year?

JG: I want to sincerely thank all of my fans for following my career and appreciating what I do on the field. It is very flattering and makes me feel very lucky to have fans come up to me after games and tell me that they like the way I play. I will always try to play my best, and more importantly, be a good person on and off the soccer field. I want to thank you Robert for your devotion to the game of soccer and for being an amazing fan. I also want to thank Ed and the rest of the Ultras. I want to wish you guys (and girls) and all of the world a happy new year! Check out this video of Jarryd: