In a stunning tweet late last night from Soc Takes’ Nipun Chopra, it was reported that Miami FC General Manager Paul Dalglish would be stepping back into the coaching role. Paul Dalglish left the technical area for the front office at the conclusion of the 2019 season. As of this time, it is unclear if Nelson Vargas remains with the club in his position as director of the youth academy.
Tonight’s match has been three years in the making. Unfortunately for soccer fans in Florida, this game has to take place behind closed doors. The Miami FC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies have been some of the most competitive clubs in lower division soccer for quite some time. Last sharing a league in 2016 (NASL), the Rowdies made the jump to USL and never looked back. Miami opens their “home” season tonight hoping to secure their first USL win.
“Miami will go as far as their defense and Brian Sylvestre’s goalkeeping will take them”. Well those words came to fruition last night as Atlanta United 2 capitalized on every defensive mistake. Despite a beautiful effort by the men up front, namely Mohamed Thiaw, Romario Williams, Sebastian Velasquez, and Magic City Soccer’s man of the match Harrison Heath, the men in the back couldn’t get out of their own way. Miami FC’s potent attack could not keep up with the sinking ship that was the defense in the loss.
It has felt like an eternity since The Miami FC competed in the USL Championship (USL-C). How long has it been? 145 days. The 4-1 loss to St. Louis FC seems as if it belongs in a completely different season. Miami is the last USL-C club to return to action. Tonight will begin an unusually long sprint for the Orange & Blue where every match is crucial and picking up points is key. Over the next 68 days, Miami will have 15 matches to secure a spot in the USL-C Playoffs.
No one ever wants to leave Walt Disney World, but Inter Miami CF’s stay in the Major League Soccer bubble at the resort was disappointingly short. Miami was not given many favors in its group draw, forced into an opening fixture with Orlando City SC followed by a date with the Philadelphia Union. The club’s final match saw it fighting for its tournament lives against NYCFC.
Coming into the match, both teams were seeking their first win. NYCFC were conceding more goals than Miami. Unfortunately, a 63rd minute goal would seal Miami’s fate.
Inter Miami CF still search for their first win with time fleeting in the #MLSisBack cup. While the scoreline matched up correctly, I unfortunately got the result flipped. Miami has failed to live up to the lofty expectations in their showings so far. Inter will need some help in order to avoid a consolation game in their final matchday against NYCFC.
The #MLSisBack tournament continues this evening with the second matchday for Group A. Inter Miami are currently behind the 8-ball if they wish to qualify for the knockout rounds of the tournament. Following Inter’s heartbreaking loss to a last minute goal to Orlando’s Nani, the climb got harder with the Philadelphia Union besting NYCFC on a goal by Weston’s Alejandro Bedoya. If Inter ever needed their first win, it’s tonight.
Could it really be happening? Is it possible that MLS is just a mere hours from resuming play? It certainly is. While the bubble being built around the Swan & Dolphin hotels at the Walt Disney World Resort may have its fair share of headlines, MLS is pushing through. The #MLSISBACK Cup Competition begins tonight from Disney’s Wide World Of Sports Complex. Inter Miami and Orlando City are the headliners for today’s opening act. Unfortunately for Inter Miami’s “Familia”, these matches right up the road in Orlando remain behind closed doors.
The past weekend was an exciting one for supporters of clubs that play in the English Premier League. NBC Sports’ premier soccer fan event, Premier League Mornings Live, came to South Beach for 48 hours of action-packed football and fan engagement. Supporters were able to take part in challenges, get free swag courtesy of sponsors, and meet some of their favorite mascots in person. 10th and Ocean became the epicenter of coverage as games were shown on big screens in and around the Clevelander Hotel.
After a summer of dormancy, Miami finally awoke from it’s slumber. While locally The Miami FC took home the NPSL Championship, there have been no friendlies in the Magic City. Miami was set to miss European club friendlies for the first time since 2016. That all changed with a late addition of two European mega powers in Barcelona and Napoli.