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?
The city of Miami has yet to make its triumphant return to Major League Soccer, but the 2019 season will have a bit more 305 flare. Luis Gonzalez, bettern known as Luchi Gonzalez, was born in Hialeah and raised in Miami-Dade County. He will take over as head coach of FC Dallas, the culmination of a long journey for the Gulliver Prep product.
After months of speculation and years of waiting, Miami finally has an official name to identify its new Major League Soccer franchise: Inter Miami CF.
It was a blip on the radar of one of the most significant careers in American soccer history. But Ron Newman, who passed away Monday at age 82, had an active six months with the Miami Americans in 1980. His time in the Magic City is instructive in how far the sport has gone, but also reminds us that if the history of the game in the United States doesn’t repeat itself, it tends to rhyme.
On Monday, in advance of Fútbol Miami MLS appearing in front of the City of Miami’s commission for the second time in a week on Wednesday, co-owner Jorge Mas and Mayor Francis Suarez were grilled by the Miami Herald’s editorial board for an hour, facing a series of questions about the proposed development at Melreese Country Club.
It’s hard to imagine a time where Fútbol Miami MLS might be “done” with the preparation stage. For years, Miami fans eagerly awaiting a Major League Soccer team to support have awaited a finish line. However, developments over the last week may indicate that Thursday’s meeting with the City of Miami’s commissioners may signal the beginning of the end (or, at least, the end of the beginning).
In a tweet Tuesday night, Fútbol Miami MLS owner Jorge Mas intimated that an announcement on a site for the team’s new stadium would be coming “soon.” However, in a reply to Univision anchor Sandra Peebles, he provided what appeared to be some more details.
Hola mi amiga… el día 12 revelamos… te va a encantar… hablemos unos días antes… un fuerte abrazo
— Jorge Mas (@Jorge__Mas) June 27, 2018
Mas tweeted that on the 12th (presumably July 12), there would be more information revealed.
Earlier tonight, Joey Flechas of the Miami Herald reported that Mas would be meeting with Miami-Dade Commissioners next week to discuss plans, including the possibility of a stadium at Melreese.
The search for a Fútbol Miami MLS stadium continues, as the ownership group met with members of Doral city government to discuss a lot of land next to the Palmetto Expressway, according to the Miami Herald.
Doral mayor Juan Carlos “JC” Bermudez disclosed the meeting to the public at a City Council meeting Wednesday. According to the Herald, the meeting included members of the city’s administration, MLS deputy commissioner Mark Abbott, Fútbol Miami MLS partner Jose Mas and real estate developer David Martin, who owns the land in consideration.
It has been almost four years since David Beckham first publicly appeared on the South Florida scene with a pledge that he would bring Major League Soccer to South Florida. 1,448 days. 34,752 hours. No Miami MLS.
A long time.
It appears that the “countup” clock many in the Miami-Dade soccer community may finally stop ticking.
After weeks of positive movement and reports that the long-awaited announcement was drawing near, the Miami Herald reported Wednesday that the Miami MLS ownership group consisting of Beckham, Marcelo Claure, Simon Fuller, and Jorge and Jose Mas would formally launch its team on Monday.
A short roundup of coverage about Miami soccer:
–The11.ca: Trafford has become a key piece for the Miami FC juggernaut
And, in the midst of it all is Canadian Mason Trafford, who has been a regular starter with Miami FC since the team acquired him from the Ottawa Fury after the 2015 season. Trafford is a linchpin for the second-year franchise.
Steven Sandor, who is a color commentator for FC Edmonton and a writer at The11.ca, gives us a look at Mason Trafford, with a particular focus on his desire to play for the Canada men’s national soccer team.