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.
In this episode of the Magic City Soccer podcast, Matt and Lee sound the siren and discuss The Miami FC’s shocking move to USL Championship. Join us, won’t you?
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The Miami FC shocked fans and soccer observers Wednesday afternoon by announcing that they would be joining USL Championship for the 2020 season.
Nicolas Micoli celebrates his goal. Pic courtesy Miami United instagram.
Miami United cruised into the 2020 US Open Cup with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Delray Beach’s Hurricane FC in the Open Cup 3rd qualifying round.
The tone for the evening was set early on when United broke the deadlock with the game’s first meaningful effort on goal. A great free kick looped in from deep in the Hurricane half by Juan Fuenmayor found Bautista Dominguez in the penalty area. Dominguez beat Hurricane keeper Bruno to the ball and powered a header into the net.
Hurricane could have equalized with a long range effort by Jeremy Garcia Villatoro that caught Soto in the Miami United goal off-guard. Fortunately the crossbar came to his rescue. After that it was one way traffic and United piled on three more goals with Darryl Gordon, Nicolas Micoli and William Stamatis all getting on the scoresheet. United’s goals all coming from different scorers really highlights the quality throughout head coach Ferdinando De Matthaeis’s team.
The difference between the two teams came down to the experience on the Miami United side. Captain Ezequiel Tejera gave a masterclass in midfield, effortlessly controlling the tempo of the game. Winning the ball when needed and moving the ball round wonderfully in possession. Although with a 4-0 win it might be easier to look at the attacking players, it was defender Juan Fuenmayor who turned in a man of the match performance. In addition to his assist for the first goal and helping his side to a clean sheet he also cleared a Hurricane effort of the line towards the end of the first half.
Vice City 1896 supporting Miami United. Pic courtesy Vice City 1896 instagram.
The second 45 didn’t live up to the exciting first stanza. Hurricane were unable to create meaningful chances. They almost got one back through a goalmouth scramble but #9 Elizor was unable to force the ball into the net. United went more defensive and were happy to manage the game to it’s conclusion. As the half wore on and Hurricane pressed forward they were unable to solve Bruno for a fifth goal on the break. The Hurricane keeper denying United on a few key occasions. The game ended 4-0 with Miami United able to soak up the noisy support from the sidelines, led by local supporter’s group Vice City 1896, and bask in the glory of a return to the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. The first round of the 2020 tournament is scheduled for March next year.
Inter Miami CF made five picks in the 2019 MLS Expansion Draft on Tuesday evening, completing another step along the journey to the team’s February 2020 debut. And fans were ready to party.
Major League Soccer has some terms that can be a bit intimidating to new fans as it relates to player aquisition. GAM (General Allocation Money), TAM (Targeted Allocation Money), DP (Designated Player). But one of the first terms every fan of a new team needs to learn is “Expansion Draft.” The 2019 MLS Expansion Draft will take place this evening. What is it? How does it work? And what does this mean for Inter Miami CF?
NBC Sports Soccer provided some additional clarity Wednesday as its website appears to indicate the dates and locations of events around its Premier League Mornings Live Miami event.
According to the site for the event, which was pulled moments after information was shared on Twitter, the event is scheduled for Dec. 14 and 15 at Ocean Drive and 11th Street in Miami Beach.
According to a test website on NBC Sports Soccer, which was also pulled, the event will take place at the Clevelander South Beach Hotel and Bar (1020 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139).
An RSVP site for Premier League Mornings Live is still available. Day 1 can be RSVP’d here, while Day 2 can be RSVP’d here.
NBC Sports announced Sunday afternoon that the next Premier League Mornings Live fan festival will be in Miami. Miami-based sports media outlet Lemon City Live is reporting the event will take place on Dec. 14 and 15.
Rebecca Lowe, host of NBC Sports’ Premier League coverage, shared the news from Scholz Garten in Austin, Texas. Austin is the fourth city to host a Premier League Mornings Live, behind Boston, New York, and Washington, D.C.
The event in Austin featured two days of live television, as well as partnering events with Men in Blazers and other activities from Premier League clubs. Miami-based Mike Ryan Ruiz, executive producer of ESPN’s The Dan Lebatard Show and Chelsea club ambassador, traveled to the event to host interviews and club events.
Some post-match #ChelseaChatter thoughts with a special guest.. @TheRealAC3!!! @ChelseaFCinUSA 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/4trai2YFmJ
— Mike Ryan Ruiz (@MichaelRyanRuiz) October 26, 2019
The specific time and location of the event in Miami has not yet been announced. Stay with Magic City Soccer for more information.
Miami United, playing in the 2020 Open Cup qualifying tournament under their U-23 banner, edged out Florida Soccer Soldiers 2-1 in an enthralling encounter at Orange Bowl Field, Ives Estates Park on Sunday evening.
In this episode of the Magic City Soccer podcast, Matt and Drew discuss Miami FC’s start to the NISA Showcase and other NISA news, Miami United’s proposed women’s team, a local Inter Miami CF signee and more. Join us, won’t you?
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