Inter Miami CF and FXE Futbol, LLC released video renderings of their Lockhart Stadium renovation proposals Friday, just hours before a 5 p.m. deadline imposed by the City of Fort Lauderdale. The city’s commission will consider both proposals, as well as any others offered before the deadline.
Last month, Inter Miami CF scored a youth soccer coup when it announced the hiring of Juan Carlos Michia and Victor Pastora, formerly of Weston FC, to lead the team’s youth academy. On Friday, the club added to the ranks, poaching Javier Morales from FC Dallas’ U-13s side.
FXE Futbol, LLC has a sell to make in the next few weeks. The ownership group needs to convince the City of Fort Lauderdale and its commissioners that its plan for soccer at Lockhart Stadium is better than one proposed by Inter Miami CF. Before closing the deal with the city, however, the group attepted to close the deal with fans and supporters of soccer in Broward County on Wednesday night.
On this episode of the Magic City Soccer podcast, Matt and Lee discuss two bids to redevelop Lockhart Stadium (and have a chance to talk to the managing partner of one of them, John P. Reynal of FXE Futbol, LLC). Friendlies involving The Miami FC and Miami United are also previewed. Join us, won’t you?
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Miami-Dade County is responsible for three of the 10 teams competing for a state championship in boys soccer this week. Palmer Trinity (Class 1A), Immaculata-LaSalle (Class 2A) and Felix Varela (Class 5A) high schools will all attempt to bring home FHSAA boys soccer titles in games at Spec Martin Stadium in DeLand.
One of soccer’s greatest goalkeepers, Gordon Banks, passed peacefully in his sleep last night at the age of 81. Banks was a World Cup winner with England in 1966 and part of the original NASL revolution in the 1970s. Banks was the goalkeeper for the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers in their infancy playing on the NASL roster alongside a whole load of greats including Gerd Müller, Teófilo Cubillas, Elías Figueroa and George Best.
Fernando Clavijo, a Uruguayan-born defender who rose to prominence in the United States as a player, manager and director, passed away Friday after a nearly five-year battle with multiple myeloma.
Fernando Clavijo came to the United States in 1979 to join the New York Apollo of the American Soccer League. He would stay in the U.S., eventually gaining American citizenship in 1987. That decision led to the unlikely role he played in the 1994 FIFA World Cup, where a 38-year-old Clavijo would start three of four games for the host Americans.
Clavijo’s coaching career began as a player-coach in 1991, but he would spend most of the rest of his life on the sidelines. His first journey to South Florida came in 1998, when he led the Florida ThunderCats of the National Professional Soccer League, an indoor team based at what is now the BB&T Center in Broward County.
He would spend time leading two Major League Soccer clubs (New England Revolution 2000-2002, Colorado Rapids 2005-2008) and one national team (Haiti 2003-2005).
After his stint with Colorado, he took a job with Traffic Sports USA, serving as the Director of Soccer for the company and for Miami FC, its entry into the United Soccer League.
From there, Clavijo became FC Dallas’ Technical Director. He remained in that position until his death in Fort Lauderdale on Friday.
Looking at the two Miami teams you saw a real contrast. Miami United had come out of the gate well and had a great run in the cup which ended with a match up against an MLS side. The Miami FC 2 had labored early on but had grown as the season progressed. United’s season was over in the Sunshine Conference playoff semi. Dispatched comfortably by Armada by a 4-1 scoreline. It was to be the final many people expected at the start of the season in the Sunshine Conference. FC vs Armada.
The Fort Lauderdale City Commission voted unanimously Tuesday evening to begin accepting proposals for the renovation of Lockhart Stadium and Fort Lauderdale Stadium. These proposals will include Inter Miami CF’s plan for its youth academy and USL team, as well as an independent USL bid revealed on Monday.
The resolution will start a 21-day window in which proposals could be submitted to the city. It is unknown whether other proposals will be submitted.
Per city rules, the 21-day window will start once the request for proposals is published in the South Florida Sun Sentinel and the Florida Administrative Register.
To watch video of the commission meeting, click above.
Jason Kreis, the former Major League Soccer most valuable player and a former manager for Real Salt Lake, New York City FC and Orlando City SC, will head upstairs and join Inter Miami CF as a consultant to the team’s technical department, headed by sporting director Paul McDonough.