Although they are normally an 11-a-side squad in the APSL, a Miami Dade FC beach soccer team is participating in the Campeonato Carioca de Beach Soccer 2018 in Rio de Janeiro.
The team will be playing its second-round game today at 2:45 pm Miami time.The Campeonato Carioca is the annual football championship of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. While it has been contested since 1906, the beach competiton is obviously a bit newer. Miami Dade FC is not the only club in the competition with a connection to the United States; In its first game, it lost to U.S.-based GO Beach Soccer 6-1.
Roberto Linck, the founder of Miami Dade FC, was born and brought up in the youth system of Brazilian side Gremio. In addition, the club has created an expansion side, Miami Dade FC Macaé. Macaé is located less than 50 miles from Brazil. Miami Dade FC’s participation in this tournament looks like yet another way to build inroads in Brazil.