Month: July 2018

International Champions Cup

Olympique Lyonnais Féminin defeat Manchester City Women 3-0 to reach Women’s International Champions Cup Final

By on Thursday, July 26, 2018
Manchester City Women and Olympique Lyonnais Féminin face off in an International Champions Cup friendly. Image courtesy Manchester City Women.

Olympique Lyonnais Féminin will play the North Carolina Courage in the first Women’s International Champions Cup final after the latter bested Manchester City Women 3-0 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

The five-time UEFA Women’s Champions League winners and fifteen-time French first division winners scored three early goals to propel them to a commanding lead over the Citizens.

Lyon forward Eugénie Le Sommer scored just four minutes into the match thanks to an assist by Ada Hegerberg and again in the fourteenth, picking up the ball from a City defender and casually walking it around the English goalkeeper Karen Bardsley before slotting it into the net. Hegerberg made her own contribution to the score sheet two minutes later.

After a period of early domination, Lyon were able to hold on to their clean sheet with a defense that highlighted the difference in quality between the two sides.

Lyon and Manchester City’s women’s sides previously met in two UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-finals, including one last year. On both occasions, Manchester City fell to the eventual Champions League final winners on aggregate goals.

Continue Reading
0
International Champions Cup U.S. Men's National Team.

Bayern Munich returns to Miami-Dade, more than 25 years after its first trip

By on Thursday, July 26, 2018
Members of Bayern Munich train before matches in Miami in 1991. Photo via Süddeutsche Zeitung.

Fans of Bayern Munich in Miami-Dade County have a lot to be excited about this week. Die Roten are playing at Hard Rock Stadium on Friday night, facing off against Manchester City. But for some of the Bavarian faithful in the Magic City, it’s a long-awaited return appearance.

While the Cityzens have never played in Miami, Bayern Munich has. In 1991, as part of the Miami Cup, Bayern played two matches. On Feb. 1, Bayern and the Colombian National Team (club vs. country friendlies were much more common at the time than they are now) squared off at the Miami Orange Bowl. In a tense matchup, the teams drew 0-0.

Bayern spanks the Yanks

In the team’s second match of the Cup, also at the Orange Bowl, they easily dispatched the U.S. Men’s National Team. The Americans, fresh off their appearance in the 1990 World Cup, fell 4-0.

“The Untied States — basically a collegiate all-star team — played on the of the world’s finest club teams. Bayern Munich has six players from the West German World Cup championship team,” Steve Wyche wrote in the Miami Herald after the game.

“We’re not technically as sophisticated as they are or as tightly knit as a team,” U.S. coach Bob Gansler said after the game. “Those guys have been playing forever; this is just our second game this year.”

Roland Wohlfarth scored twice in 13 minutes before halftime (25′, 38′) to seal the game, but Manfred Schwabl (39′) and Roland Grahammer (76′) also got in on the action.

The Miami Cup would never be held again at the Orange Bowl, replaced by a Joe Robbie Cup in 1994 at then-Joe Robbie Stadium. That tournament would run through intermittently through 2001, never again attracting a European club the size of Bayern Munich. It took more than 25 years for another Miami-based tournament, the International Champions Cup, to bring the club back.

Continue Reading
1
Miami

Miami Soccer Summer Break 2018: Jesse Lingard hits South Beach before Man United teammates arrive in Miami

By on Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Miami Soccer Summer Break 2018

As with every break in the soccer calendar, the biggest names in the sport tend to visit Miami-Dade County for some rest and relaxation. Until the start of the European club calendar in August, we’ll provide you updates of who was seen where. It’s Miami Soccer Summer Break 2018!

Jesse Lingard visits Miami before Man United comes to town

He was part of England’s semifinal squad at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, so he’s free from club responsibilities for a few more weeks. But that didn’t stop Jesse Lingard from heading to South Beach before the rest of the Manchester United squad comes for the International Champions Cup.

Continue Reading
0
Inter Miami CF

Fire breaks out at Melreese Country Club

By on Wednesday, July 25, 2018
City of Miami Fire Rescue personnel responded to a fire at the Melreese Country Club in Miami Tuesday night. As of 1 a.m. Wednesday morning, they were still on the scene. Photo by Matthew Bunch.

A fire broke out Tuesday night at Melreese Country Club, the proposed site of Fútbol Miami MLS’ stadium development, Miami Freedom Park and Soccer Village.

As of 1 a.m. Wednesday, City of Miami police were unable to confirm the cause of the fire. City of Miami fire rescue officials were still on the scene.

According to the Miami Herald, approximately 40 golf carts were on fire Tuesday evening.

A large fireball was visible from NW. 37th Ave. Flames reached 30 to 40 feet in the sky.

The most significant damage was to the golf course’s carts and the structure used to house the carts. No damage was reported to the main clubhouse building.

It is unknown how this may impact the golf course’s operation on Wednesday. It is unlikely that this will have any long-term impact on the golf course or on the proposed soccer-related development.

Continue Reading
0
APSL FC Kendall Red Force FC

FC Kendall completes perfect APSL regular season, heads into playoffs as title favorites

By on Tuesday, July 24, 2018
FC Kendall will attempt to win the APSL's spring/summer season title. Photographic by Matthew Bunch.

Often after a U.S. Open Cup appearance, participating teams suffer from post-Cup swoon. For FC Kendall, who suffered defeat in Round 1 at the hands of Miami United FC, their 2018 spring/summer league performance has been ascendant.

The club has completed an undefeated American Premier Soccer League campaign, capping it off with a 2-0 win over UD Miami FC on Sunday night at Kendall Soccer Park

With the win, the team is now top the league table, five points clear of the nearest competition in South Florida FC. Both South Florida and FC Kendall will now heads into the APSL playoffs with a well-deserved bye. This weekend, Boca Raton FC’s APSL squad will face Heights FC of Deerfield Beach, while UD Miami will play Miami-Dade stalwart Red Force FC this weekend. FC Kendall will play the winner of the second game.

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-lang=”en”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>After 13 exciting weeks, we have our <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/Top6?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#Top6</a> that will move on to the <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/2018APSLPlayoffs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#2018APSLPlayoffs</a>. <a href=”https://twitter.com/_FCKendall?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@_FCKendall</a> and <a href=”https://twitter.com/southfloridafc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@southfloridafc</a> earn <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/Quarterfinals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#Quarterfinals</a> Bye and will await the results of <a href=”https://twitter.com/BocaRatonFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@BocaRatonFC</a> vs <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/HeightsFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#HeightsFC</a> and <a href=”https://twitter.com/UDMiamiFCFans?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@UDMiamiFCFans</a> vs <a href=”https://twitter.com/RedForceFC09?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@RedForceFC09</a> this weekend. <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/APSLSoccer?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#APSLSoccer</a> <a href=”https://t.co/So581ae5En”>pic.twitter.com/So581ae5En</a></p>&mdash; APSL (@apslofficial) <a href=”https://twitter.com/apslofficial/status/1021899601408876544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>July 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>

The APSL season provides both vigorous competition for local players and a path to the U.S. Open Cup, so securing the league title will be of the highest priority for Kendall.

While the name is relatively new, the club is not. Originally Uruguay Kendall FC, the club changed names to FC Kendall last year. The club qualified for the 2018 Open Cup by defeating Nashville United FC last November.

Continue Reading
0
The Miami FC The Miami FC 2

Miami FC 2 Advance To NPSL Final Four; Oust Little Rock 3-0

By on Sunday, July 22, 2018
The Miami FC 2 won the NPSL South Region title on Sunday night. Photo by Omar Moubayed.

In the words of the great musician Billy Joel, “Oh what a night”. The Miami FC 2 clinched their ticket to the national tournament and took care of business at the BOB. To make things even sweeter, Miami will get to play another match in front of the FC2 faithful. Despite some mid-week heroics, Little Rock was just no match for this professional outfit.

Continue Reading
1
The Miami FC The Miami FC 2

Miami FC 2 v Little Rock Rangers: Previewing The Match

By on Saturday, July 21, 2018
The Miami FC 2 will host the Little Rock Rangers to contest the NPSL South Region title. Graphic via The Miami FC 2.

The season that just doesn’t want to end continues. Magic City soccer fans are going to be treated to at least one more match of significant importance Saturday as The Miami FC 2 take on the Rangers of Little Rock, Arkansas. In a season that has bloomed in the darkest of skies, Miami has a unique ability to win their second NPSL title of the season and earn a place in the national finals. 

Continue Reading
1
Inter Miami CF

Who is Paul McDonough? Know more about Fútbol Miami MLS’ potential general manager

By on Friday, July 20, 2018
Paul McDonough is considered a leading candidate to become Futbol Miami MLS's new general manager. Photo courtesy Atlanta United.

According to Paul Tenorio of The Athletic, Fútbol Miami MLS appears to have a favored candidate for its general manager position, and it’s a name that will be familiar to those interested in Major League Soccer expansion clubs: Paul McDonough, Vice President of Soccer Operations for Atlanta United.

Earlier this month, co-owner Jorge Mas told local media that he anticipated a hire for the general manager position by the end of August. That would mean the franchise is already in the late stages of the search process. Tenorio’s report indicates Fútbol Miami MLS wants an expansion specialist. If that’s the case, McDonough may be the perfect hire.

Before joining Atlanta in January 2016, McDonough was hired by Orlando City of then-USL. McDonough and Adrian Heath (manager) were brought in to shepard the team into the highest ranks of American professional soccer. While the results on the field have not been perfect, the growth of the Orlando project (specifically the growth of fan support within the city and ticket sales) became a model for teams around the country.

One year later, McDonough jumped ship to soon-to-be rivals Atlanta United, in a hire announced in December 2015.

Youth movement

McDonough has received specific credit for the development of Atlanta United’s youth academy, which is now widely considered one of, if not the best, youth soccer academy in the United States. Fútbol Miami MLS has previously insisted that the club will be based around a strong youth program. The team wants to tap into the talent available in South Florida.

Prior to joining the front office of clubs, Paul McDonough spent two years with Wasserman (previously known as the Wasserman Media Group, or WMG) as Director of Global Soccer. In that role, he represented professional soccer players in MLS and abroad. Prior to that, he spent three years at Santio Sport + Entertainment as director of recruiting. His soccer career began on the field, where he worked as an assistant coach at Wake Forest University (1999-2001), the University of South Carolina (2001-2002) and the University of Connecticut (2003-2009).

Continue Reading
2