While the Sunshine state may boast only one outdoor professional team, the soccer scene in Florida certainly has been bustling with many stories. From the so-called rebirth of the MLS and the comatose Orlando Sharks to the ladies of the WPSL, it's sure been an interesting time for us Florida soccer supporters.As mentioned, there's certainly a lot to write about... so let's get into it.
As of now one of the hottest topics within Florida, especially down in South Florida, is the rebirth of MLS soccer in Miami, or is it Ft. Lauderdale, or is it Boca Raton ? There certainly won't be a drought within South Florida anytime soon as the rumours are flooding in with expansion talk. Currently the biggest rumour is with Barcelona of Spain and Miami FC joining forces to launch a MLS team. Traffic Sports which owns Miami F.C. also has a partnership with Barcelona of Spain, with both recently making claims of having an interest in the MLS. Sadly those who spin the rumour mill won't lay off the wheel and look at the ever mounting piles of obstacles that lay infront of them. With Miami F.C. playing to sparse crowds in the heart of Miami at Tropical Stadium and also within the Orange Bowl, only a miracle could resurrect the hopes of pro soccer in Miami. With the likes of Zinho, Romario and El Loco all calling Miami FC home, not even David Beckham or Theirry Henry could pump life into the current Miami soccer scene. Another interesting aspect of this proposed bid is where would this club team play ? The Orange Bowl is slated for a transformation into a baseball stadium and Lockhart Stadium (former home of the Fusion) is also on path to be demolished as well. Currently the only true hope is playing all the way north in Boca Raton, which is two counties and over forty minutes north of Miami. Surely those in the know are already aware of the public scars of the Fusion being labeled as a Miami team and playing in Broward County/Ft. Lauderdale... playing in Palm Beach County/Boca Raton won't make matters any better and as of recent the opening of the stadium wouldn't be untill 2012-2013 at best. Thanks in part to the Barcelona rumours one can only think back to the likes of America FC of Mexico, Chelsea of England and Ajax of Amsterdam who all wanted in on the MLS, only to pull out before the dust cleared on each respective rumour. Let's hope this Barcelona rumour go's away in the same fashion, afterall who wants to share an image with a club that will always cast a shadow over any future success this Miami/Ft.Lauderdale/Boca Raton team might achieve.
In keeping with the above mentioned Miami F.C. , here's another painful tie to the MLS for some of the Metrostar/Red Bulls faithful.... Carlos Alberto Parreira. Looks like Carlos is about to be named the technical director of Traffic Sports and their respective soccer teams, including Miami F.C.. The ex-Brazilian National Team coach went on to coach the Metrostars and failed to reach the playoffs, thanks in part to his less then stellar additions to the team such as the Brazilian flop Branco amongst other names. While Parreira can boast being a World Cup winner in 1994, his exploits with other national teams such as South Africa, Saudi Arabia and his second stint with Brazil in '06 did little to help what would normally be deemed a successful coaching career. All eyes will be on Miami F.C. in 2009 to see if the Brazilian will make any sort of impact on the club.
It's getting late here at the House of Hooligans, so I'll wrap up this edition with a little news on the Orlando Sharks of the MISL, oops , I mean the NISL. The end of the 2007-08 season went so poorly for the Orlando Sharks that even GreenPeace activists were showing up outside the Amway Arena to protest the repeated beating of the Sharks. With the 2007-08 Sharks hitting complete bottom both in the standings ( 3 wins-27 losses) and in the stands (1,700 average attendance), the Sharks have been given another shot at building respect within the community thanks in part to the folding of the Major Indoor Soccer League and the creation of the newly branded NISL, National Indoor Soccer League. The NISL boasts only four other clubs, however the Sharks have hit the arena floor running this season by signing three players who were all in the top ten of last seasons MISL regular season scoring charts. If the new look Sharks can't bring the fans in with what looks the be a high flying offense, look for musician Liz Phair to make an appearance for the last game of the season to sing her song "Dead Shark" for the hometown crowd. Given the information previously listed, it's pretty amazing that ownership once boldly boasted of purchasing two other clubs in Miami and Puerto Rico.
If you've lasted this long, I send you my appreciation and hopefully you'll swing on by in the near future for Round #2 where I'll slide tackle some other topics such as the rebirth of the Tampa Rowdies, a little college soccer, a few PDL stories & tales, an interview or two with a few Florida soccer icons and also a little info on the ladies of the WPSL. While your waiting for the next round of the Sunshine Soccer Report, check out the link to your right (get stuck in), including the FESL Insider which is an inside look at the semi-pro Florida Elite Soccer League.
Thanks again for your time and don't forget to send us your thoughts on the Florida soccer scene and some of the topics you'd like to see covered.
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