Brian Quarstad over at Inside Minnesota Soccer came up with an idea to create a 2010 USSF Division-2 Pro League Season Preview.It consists of:
* 12 TeamsHere is the portion I wrote (with some help by Brian) about Miami FC:
* 12 Stadiums
* 12 Coaches
* 12 Previews
* 12 Authors
Best of all is a preview of each team. The previews are written by a representative in each team’s area who, in most cases, writes for an online publication that covers the team.
MIAMI FC BLUES
Founded 2006
Stadium: Lockhart Stadium: Multi-use – Grass (capacity: 18,500)
Conference: NASL
Last season’s record: 8W-12L-10D (9th Place)
Head coach: Victor Pastora (1st Year-former asst. coach)
Key players: Christian Gómez, Zach Kirby, Abe Thompson
Team Website
Roster
by Uncle Ed - Football in Miami and Beyond
After a few years of fielding mediocre teams, 2010 seems to be the year of the Blues. Miami FC General Manager Luiz Muzzi and Fernando Clavijo have brought together an almost new team from last year. It started with the hiring of new coach Victor Pastora, who South Florida fans hope will put this team together with a little magic.
Returning to the team is fan favorite Zach “Beowulf” Kirby, Zach’s MLS career came to a halt as he was released to free up a roster spot for David Beckham on the L.A. Galaxy. Nonetheless, Kirby’s tenacity will be tested on the pitch. Zach is a solid central defender with great vision and a touch of genius that reminisces the great Franz Beckenbauer.
The midfield will be lead by the star signing of 2010, Christian Gómez. Christian will be a true general on the pitch for the Blues, something they lacked in past seasons. The former DC United play-maker was not offered a new contract with MLS this season and their loss is Miami FC’s gain! This veteran of many battles will no doubt infuse his experience to the many young players on the Blues roster this year including former U-20 Guatemalan forward Edward Santilez. But we can’t forget forward Abe Thompson, who spent the last four years in the MLS and recently with the Houston Dynamo. Both Edward and Abe have been in top form this pre-season and Blue’s fans hope to celebrate many of their goals. Vamos Miami!
In the last two months of the 2009 season, Miami FC could conjure up only 1-win with 9-losses and 2-draws. With an improved roster, look for the Blues to be a more competitive team in 2010 which will help this team down the stretch.
