Scotland national Claire Emslie scored Scotland’s first-ever Women’s World Cup goal Sunday. If South Florida soccer fans think the name sounds familiar, they would be right.
Just a few months ago, it looked like Miami-Dade County would not have a marquee international club friendly at Hard Rock Stadium, breaking a pattern set for years. However, according to Spanish newspaper Sport, some changes to the Spanish Super Cup may allow FC Barcelona return to South Florida.
For years, the Supercopa de España was contested (like most super cups) before the kickoff of the next league season. However, this season’s version has been moved to Spain’s “winter break,” leaving Barcelona more time before competitive matches start.
In this space, Barcelona have secured an agreement with Seria A side Napoli. Two matches have been agreed to, per Sport. The first, on Aug. 7, will take place at Hard Rock. The second, on Aug. 11, will be played at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.
Ticket information has not yet been made public.
One of the biggest holdups of the proposed Miami Freedom Park plan was The First Tee, housed at Miami International Links, Melreese Country Club. After nearly a year of struggle, it appears The First Tee will move to a new home, clearing one of the biggest obstacles for Miami Freedom Park and Inter Miami CF.
Florida Soccer Soldiers took their cupset show on the road Tuesday night, knocking off Charlotte Independence of the second-tier USL Championship to advance to Round 3 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
On this episode of the Magic City Soccer podcast, Drew, Lee and Christian discuss Florida Soccer Soldiers’ Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup second-round fixture against Charlotte Independence. Join us, won’t you?
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A Broward County judge ruled Thursday against a motion filed by FXE Futbol, LLC. This likely clears the way for Inter Miami CF to begin the demolition of Lockhart Stadium.
Up top! On this episode of the Magic City Soccer podcast, Lee and Matt discuss The Miami FC’s season-opening win against Miami United. Then, Lee gives his UPSL roundup, followed by Lawsuits, Lawsuits, Lawsuits! (of the Inter Miami CF and U.S. Soccer Federation variety. Join us, won’t you?
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Relevent Sports, LLC, an advertising and marketing firm responsible for bringing high-profile international and club friendlies to North America, has filed suit in New York state court alleging that the U.S. Soccer Federation is improperly prohibiting the organization from bring foreign league matches to the United States.
The lawsuit, which was first reported in the New York Times, is the culmination of months of frustration between Relevent and a number of national federations. Relevent, which is co-owned by Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium owner Stephen Ross, first attempted to bring a La Liga match between Barcelona and Girona back in January. That plan stalled until finally Barcelona withdrew from the LaLiga North America partnership, at least for this season.
The plan was opposed by the U.S. federation, but also the Spanish federation, FIFA and the Spanish players’ union.
It appears that, without fanfare, Relevent tried again, this time attempting to bring two Ecuadorean clubs (Barcelona S.C. and Guayaquil City) to Hard Rock on May 5. This time, the U.S. Federation more directly rejected the proposal.
According to the Relevent complaint, the federation’s refusal to sanction the game is in violation of Federation Bylaw 102, which states the federation’s purpose is, “to promote, govern, coordinate, and administer the growth and development of soccer in all its recognized forms in the United States for all persons of all ages and abilities, including national teams and international games and tournaments.”
USSF response
On Tuesday, the federation responded, claiming that sanctioning of the game would be in violation of FIFA’s guidelines. Therefore, allowing the game to be played would be detrimental to the game and in violation of Bylaw 102.
While the FIFA Council did make its opinion known on the Miami league game matter last year, that opinion has not yet officially been codified in FIFA’s Laws of the Game. The crux of Relevent’s argument is that the Council’s opinion should not be interpreted as official rule.
Copa connection
Interestingly, the court filing in New York Supreme Court (note: the state supreme court in New York is not the highest court, instead generally serving as a civil trial court) confirms reporting from last year that Relevent Sports made efforts to bring the aborted Copa Libertadores final to Miami, and lays the blame for the failure to land the game at the feet of the USSF president (and Miami resident) Carlos Cordiero.
“At the end of 2018, when fan violence prevented the finals of the Copa Libertadores from taking place in Argentina as scheduled, Relevent and Mr. Ross reached out to USSF and its President, Carlos Cordeiro, to offer to stage the final in Miami, Florida. USSF and Cordeiro effectively refused to engage.”
Legal limbo
This is the third Miami-adjacent lawsuit pending for the USSF. The now-defunct North American Soccer League has filed a lawsuit contending that it has violated anti-trust regulations, and a lawsuit spearheaded by local club The Miami FC to the Court of Arbitration for Sport is asking that promotion and relegation be introduced in the American club game.
The Magic City Clasico entered its fourth act Saturday night on the campus of Barry University. In the previous three contests, Miami United excelled at frustrating The Miami FC. The rough tackles, the willingness to go to ground, and the physicality all carried over from 2018. There was absolutely zero love lost between the two sides. Unfortunately for United, the 2019 version of Miami FC responds to adversity far better.
The Magic City Clásico is the showcase for the start of the 2019 NPSL Sunshine Conference on Saturday night, as The Miami FC and Miami United FC face off. Watch our LIVE coverage, in partnership with The Miami FC Broadcast Network, below. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.