Guest Moneyball Posted December 29, 2005 Share Posted December 29, 2005 MIAMI FC joins USL First Division - Logo Unveiled New franchise rounds out 12-team league for 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MIAMI FC Press Release Thursday, November 3, 2005 Miami, FL -- Traffic Sports USA announced today the acquisition of an expansion professional soccer franchise that will represent Miami and South Florida in the United Soccer Leagues' First Division beginning in the 2006 season. The team, MIAMI FC, will join 11 other teams that include the Atlanta Silverbacks, Charleston Battery, Minnesota Thunder, Montreal Impact, Portland Timbers, Puerto Rico Islanders, Rochester Raging Rhinos, Seattle Sounders, Toronto Lynx, Vancouver Whitecaps and the Virginia Beach Mariners. The 20-year old USL is the largest organization of soccer leagues in the United States and has played a key role in the sports' surging popularity. In 2004 USL boasted an attendance record of over 1 million fans and many more tuned in to watch weekly on television via the Fox Soccer Channel. The team's emblem is a traditional shield, which is used by soccer clubs around the world. The colors are predominantly blue and white with an orange accent. The colors blue and white are present in most of the flags and uniforms of the national soccer teams in Latin America and USA, thus they represent the amalgamation of diverse cultures and nationalities living in South Florida. Additionally, a palm tree and an orange sun in the lower left hand corner represent Miami and South Florida. Traffic Group is one of the leading sports event management entities in the world. It is headquartered in Brazil and has regional offices in the U.S. and Europe. Traffic Sports USA (formerly Inter/Forever Sports), based in Miami for the last 15 years, commercializes and/or currently owns rights to top sports properties in the North American, Central American and Caribbean region including the majority of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying matches, five of the last six CONCACAF Gold Cups, the Central American (UNCAF) Nations Cup, the Central American (UNCAF) Club Championship and individual team rights. In addition, Traffic Sports USA represents Traffic Group's properties such as Copa America and Copa Sudamericana. Julio Mariz, President of Traffic Sports USA and Head of Soccer for Traffic Group commented, "We are proud to bring a top notch professional sports team representing the world's most popular sport to South Florida and its passionate soccer fans. We have a long track record organizing soccer events in this community and are grateful for the support and commitment that we have received. We look forward to further developing our relationship with the community and to fielding a winning team that all of us in Miami and South Florida will feel proud of." Francisco Marcos, Founder and President of United Soccer Leagues commented, "We are thrilled to welcome Traffic Sports and their new USL First Division Franchise, MIAMI FC, into our ever-growing soccer family. Given their global soccer expertise and credibility, we are confident that Traffic will contribute greatly to the further development of USL and that MIAMI FC will be a success story both on and off the field." MIAMI FC General Manager Luiz Muzzi added, "We want the fans to play an active role in the development of MIAMI FC from the very start. For example, we will soon let them know how to participate in choosing a nickname and mascot for the team. In addition, over the coming weeks and months, we plan to announce the home of MIAMI FC as well as details regarding coaches, players and much more." MIAMI FC will be play 14 regular season home games and 14 regular season away games in 2006. In addition, MIAMI FC will host pre-season matches beginning in March as well as several friendly matches during the course of the year. MIAMI FC has also been invited to compete in the 2006 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. It's been 3 months since this was announced and this is the first time I hear of it. Good to see soccer back in Miami (although I don't like it). I haven't been able to find where they're going to play games. Lets hope this team stays (which I have serious doubts). Maybe after the OB gets rebuilt or renovated MLS will return. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaq-Man Posted December 29, 2005 Share Posted December 29, 2005 "professional" soccer. I wonder if the owners of this team were also bright enough to put their team in super-latin Broward county. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Das Texan Posted December 29, 2005 Share Posted December 29, 2005 not anywhere close to MLS which isnt anywhere close to European soccer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mabdul Doobakus Posted December 29, 2005 Share Posted December 29, 2005 I just want to congratulate these people ahead of time for losing their money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhxPhin Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 a-league soccer is actually pretty entertaining I used to watch the team in rochester and minnesota with some regularity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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