A short roundup of coverage about Miami soccer in the news:
–THECUP.US: 2017 US Open Cup Round 4: Stefano Pinho’s hat trick earns TheCup.us Player of the Round
Pinho scored a hat trick in a 3-0 road upset of Orlando City SC (MLS) to become just the third Brazilian to win the award. The Player of the Round honor is voted on by the staff of TheCup.us and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters.
Neil W. Blackmon takes what could have been a press-release-style story and turns it into a really interesting look at Stéfano Pinho and his adjustment to change, specifically moving to a new part of the world and adapting to fatherhood.
–USSoccer.com: Pinho’s Home Away From Home
You’d lose track trying to count the number of times Pinho gave former U.S. National Team standout Jonathan Spector the slip, leaving the defender looking to the heavens for answers while the men from Miami celebrated yet another goal.
When you score a Hat Trick against MLS competition in the Open Cup, you’re going to get some attention, and Pinho gets two profiles in one week, this time by Jonah Fontela of U.S. Soccer. Obviously a very flattering look, with an additional focus on the challenges he faced adjusting to American soccer.
–Independent.ie: Ryan making the most of his American dream
Richie Ryan chuckles when he is asked if the younger version of himself could ever have envisaged life in Miami. “If I had ended up here,” he laughs. “It would have been for all of the wrong reasons.”
Another interesting profile focusing on growth and adjustment, this time with Richie Ryan talking to Daniel McDonnell of the Irish Independent. The profile goes into Ryan’s background, his struggles and his adjustment to life in Miami.
–MiamiHerald.com: Miami FC aims to shock another MLS team Wednesday night
South Florida soccer fans don’t have to wait for David Beckham to see Major League Soccer in Miami.
It’s no shock the local paper takes a very detailed look at Miami FC’s matchup with Atlanta United. Michelle Kaufman provides a thorough explainer for those who might not be familiar with what the U.S. Open Cup is about, while providing passionate fans with a look at how the game is impacting the players and the front office.
–AtlUtd.com: Match Preview: Atlanta United at Miami FC
On Wednesday night Atlanta United continue their 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup run as they travel to the southern tip of Florida to face off against NASL side Miami FC in the Round of 16.
Miami FC’s opponent Wednesday, Atlanta, provides a cursory look at the matchup. A bit bare-bones, but good to get more familiar with Atlanta.
–DirtySouthSoccer.com: Atlanta United at Miami FC: What to watch for
The schedule will leave Tata Martino needing to make some tough decisions leading into the Gold Cup break. However, knowing he can rest his players for two weeks after next Tuesday may lead Tata to push them a little harder than he normally would.
A much more thorough Atlanta-based preview of the game is on the offer thanks to Parker Cleveland at Dirty South Soccer. The preview does a really good job at pointing out Atlanta’s strengths and weaknesses.
–news.FIU.edu: Miami FC brings Major League Soccer to FIU
Major League Soccer is coming to Miami – and to FIU, specifically – for at least one night. … The match marks the first time that a team from MLS, the top-flight professional soccer league in the United States, will play in an official game at FIU. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
The story from FIU’s Joel Delgado maybe starts off with too much on the MLS angle and not as much on the “home team” progressing in a major tournament, but is actually goes into some depth about the matchup. It’s nice to get some shine from our hosts.
–CommunityNewspapers.com: Miami FC & Play for Change’s ‘Kick It Miami’ soccer and mentoring program
Kick It Miami was launched to mark the brand new weekly soccer sessions for children with a day of celebration and fun. Activities included an inflatable soccer game, a freestyle demonstration with street soccer star Jason Jayzinho Quezada, and a training drill with J10 Futball Academy and Miami FC Players.
It has nothing to do with the Open Cup or NASL, but it’s good to see Miami FC players, coaches and ownership doing some good in the community.
