Month: April 2018

Previewing the 2018 Miami FC 2 season

2018 Miami FC 2 season

Stop me if you’ve heard this before. A professional team loses its place among the professional ranks and the team has to find its way back to glory by ascending the ranks again beginning in an amateur league. Have you? No? I haven’t either, and it’s not a script that Hollywood would think to write off the cuff. It almost seems entirely opposite to the classic sports tale. But that’s where we find ourselves for this 2018 Miami FC 2 season.

Pérez Art Museum Miami to host opening ceremony for “The World’s Game: Fútbol and Contemporary Art” tonight

The Kidd's Alright, by Chris Beas. Part of "The World’s Game: Fútbol and Contemporary Art"

As the 2018 FIFA World Cup nears, more and more soccer-related events will be popping up around the world and throughout Miami-Dade County. One such event starts tonight, as Pérez Art Museum Miami is hosting the opening ceremony for its latest exhibition: “The World’s Game: Fútbol and Contemporary Art.”

PAMM members will get a sneak preview today, as only they will be able to view the exhibition from 10 a.m. through 9 p.m. At 9 through 11 p.m., the exhibit will be open to the public for the first time.

New Women’s International Champions Cup will bring games to Miami-Dade

Women's International Champions Cup

Andrew Das of the New York Times is reporting that the International Champions Cup, the brainchild of Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and Relevent Sports executive chairman Charlie Stillitano, will be adding a four-team Women’s International Champions Cup competition this summer. In addition, all the games featuring top-flight women’s clubs will take place in South Florida, with a final at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

(UPDATE: Matt Higgins of RSE Ventures confirmed to Magic City Soccer that all games will take place at Hard Rock.)

Soccer legends Lothar Matthäus and Ray Clemence coming to South Florida to visit fans

Lothar Matthäus and Ray Clemence

Any time fans get an opportunity to meet legends of the game, they usually jump at the chance. That’s why April will be so exciting for many supporters in South Florida. Footballing greats Lothar Matthäus and Ray Clemence will be visiting Miami-Dade and Broward counties, respectively, to spend time with those who want to know more about their times in the sport.

Japan national team appoints Akira Nishino, who led “Miracle of Miami” Olympics win over Brazil

Akira Nishino, pictured in 1996 (left) and yesterday.

Not often does Japanese football and Miami-Dade County intersect, but it did on Monday. The Japan Football Association appointed Akira Nishino as its manager. What makes this notable locally is that Akira Nishino has managed in Miami before.

The new man in charge of the national team was in charge of Japan’s U-23 side from 1994 through 1996. That included the 1996 Olympics, when group-stage matches were held at Miami’s Orange Bowl. Nishino led one of the biggest upsets of the tournament, when his squad defeated Brazil 1-0. While the Olympics are an U-23 tournament, since 1996 three players over 23 have been allowed to participate. The squad featured names like Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo, Ronaldo and Dida in goal. Despite that fact, the Samurai Blue somehow managed to squeak out a 1-0 victory in Little Havana.

Magic City Soccer Episode 47: Miami FC 2, Miami United finish preseason and gear up for the NPSL!

Miami FC 2, Miami United

Drew and Matt get you ready for the start of the National Premier Soccer League Season as The Miami FC 2, Miami United and other teams conclude their preseasons. We also discuss the U.S. Open Cup, international friendlies and Copacabana Beach. Join us, won’t you?

To subscribe to Magic City Soccer on iTunes, click here. To subscribe to Magic City Soccer on SoundCloud, click here.