The Miami FC shocked fans and soccer observers Wednesday afternoon by announcing that they would be joining USL Championship for the 2020 season.
The news, first reported by Jeff Reuter of The Athletic, comes just weeks after the club claimed the National Independence Soccer Association Fall Showcase East Coast Championship. It reflects a major change in direction for the club’s future.
Another change is the venue: The club will be returning to Riccardo Silva Stadium at Florida international University for a full slate of home games. It will mark the first time since 2017 that the club will call the stadium named after its owner home.
“We could not be more excited to join the USL Championship in 2020, playing regular professional soccer in the heart of Miami at Riccardo Silva Stadium,” club president Paul Dalglish said in a team statement.
The Miami FC is hoping to bring its winning ways back with it to Division 2. Since the start of 2017 in NASL, the club has claimed nine trophies, including the NASL spring and fall titles, two NPSL national titles and the aforementioned Fall Showcase.
