MLS Archives - Page 4 of 7 - Magic City Soccer

Fútbol Miami MLS confirms Paul McDonough as Sporting Director

By Matthew Bunch on Thursday, August 2, 2018

Paul McDonough, announced Wednesday as the new Sporting Director of Fútbol Miami MLS, sits with Atlanta United president Darren Eales. Photo via Darren Eales' Twitter account.

Fútbol Miami MLS confirmed through its Twitter account Wednesday morning that Paul McDonough, formerly of Atlanta United, will be joining the team as Sporting Director.

“Paul shares our dream for making Miami the League’s Global Team,” co-owner Jorge Mas said through the team’s Twitter account. “And is uniquely positioned to recruit and develop the talent on and off the field to make this a reality.”

“Paul played a critical role in the building of our club and we are very appreciative of his hard work and dedication in making Atlanta United a success,” Atlanta United president Darren Eales said in a statement released by the club. “We wish him and his family all the best moving forward.”

Response

Reaction to the hire was generally positive.

Paul McDonough was an instrumental piece in Atlanta United’s success. He now joins David Beckham’s Miami MLS team as sporting director https://t.co/suFnPJcbP2 pic.twitter.com/mS0HStjynI

— Planet Fútbol (@si_soccer) August 2, 2018

Soccer in Miami just scored big! Congrats to friend and new Sporting Director Paul McDonough…and welcome to my town!#MLSMiami @futbolmiamimls #MLS

— Gabriel Gabor (@MLSGabor) August 2, 2018

Paul McDonough loves him some expansion action. Good luck to the former Orlando City man (but it’s Miami, so not TOO good of luck). https://t.co/DCM9sBl2Cy

— The Mane Land (@TheManeLand) August 2, 2018

Inter Miami CF

Fire breaks out at Melreese Country Club

By Matthew Bunch on Wednesday, July 25, 2018

City of Miami Fire Rescue personnel responded to a fire at the Melreese Country Club in Miami Tuesday night. As of 1 a.m. Wednesday morning, they were still on the scene. Photo by Matthew Bunch.

A fire broke out Tuesday night at Melreese Country Club, the proposed site of Fútbol Miami MLS’ stadium development, Miami Freedom Park and Soccer Village.

As of 1 a.m. Wednesday, City of Miami police were unable to confirm the cause of the fire. City of Miami fire rescue officials were still on the scene.

According to the Miami Herald, approximately 40 golf carts were on fire Tuesday evening.

A large fireball was visible from NW. 37th Ave. Flames reached 30 to 40 feet in the sky.

The most significant damage was to the golf course’s carts and the structure used to house the carts. No damage was reported to the main clubhouse building.

It is unknown how this may impact the golf course’s operation on Wednesday. It is unlikely that this will have any long-term impact on the golf course or on the proposed soccer-related development.

Inter Miami CF

Term Sheet for Miami Freedom Park made public before City of Miami commission meeting

By Matthew Bunch on Tuesday, July 17, 2018

A rendering of the development that would be Miami Freedom Park and Soccer Village. Rendering provided by Miami Freedom Park, LLC.

Just hours before the start of the City of Miami commission meeting that could potentially decide the deal’s fate, the Term Sheet that establishes the proposal between the ownership group and the city regarding Miami Freedom Park and Soccer Village was made public.

First shared by local columnist Grant Stern, the three-page term sheet covers a number of issues, some dealing in terms already established and some touching on concerns that commissioners shared last week.

Inter Miami CF

The best of the Miami Herald’s interview with Fútbol Miami MLS co-owner Jorge Mas and Miami mayor Francis Suarez

By Matthew Bunch on Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Fútbol Miami MLS co-owner Jorge Mas, left, and Miami mayor Francis Suarez appear in front of the Miami Herald's editorial board on Monday. Screengrab via the Miami Herald's live stream.

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.

Inter Miami CF

After marathon session, Miami city commission delays Fútbol Miami MLS by a week

By Matthew Bunch on Friday, July 13, 2018

David Beckham speaks to a crowd at Regatta Park in Coconut Grove before Fútbol Miami MLS makes it presentation in front of the City of Miami commission. Co-owner Jorge Mas is pictured to the left. Photo by Matthew Bunch.

For some people at the City of Miami’s commission chambers Wednesday, it was nearly an 18-hour day. For supporters and opponents of Fútbol Miami MLS’ ballot initiative, they came and had their say. However, at nearly 11 p.m., the city’s commissioners voted to delay discussion on the proposed stadium and park for nearly a week.

Inter Miami CF

Is the Miami Freedom Park That Different From Joe Robbie Stadium?

By Omar Moubayed on Thursday, July 12, 2018

Fútbol Miami MLS will be presenting its vision for "Miami Freedom Park," the home of the future Major League Soccer stadium in Miami alongside other development, to the public on Thursday. Image provided by Jorge Mas via Twitter.

There is a wide misconception that has grown through the years here in South Florida. It has been the gold standard to every stadium project when it’s time to discuss financing and acquisition. Those familiar with sports here in the Magic City know that I am already talking about Joe Robbie Stadium, now known as Hard Rock Stadium. South Florida idolizes Robbie for building it with his own money, however, lost in the story is the land acquisition deal.

Magic City Soccer Podcast

Magic City Soccer podcast Episode 57: The Quiet Storm of South Florida Soccer discusses MLS Miami and NPSL

By Magic City Soccer Podcast on Tuesday, July 10, 2018

It’s a late-night record for Omar and Matt on the Magic City Soccer Podcast, and they both practice their ASMR skills by discussing the proposed “Miami Freedom Park” by Fútbol Miami MLS as well as The Miami FC 2’s NPSL Sunshine Conference regular-season crown. The 2018 FIFA World Cup is also discussed, naturally. Join us, won’t you?

Thanks to our sponsor, Groundhopper, for helping to make this Magic City Soccer episode happen!

To subscribe to Magic City Soccer on iTunes, click here. To subscribe to Magic City Soccer on SoundCloud, click here.
To subscribe on Google Play,

Inter Miami CF

All the non-stadium news from Jorge Mas’ Fútbol Miami MLS recent interviews

By Matthew Bunch on Monday, July 9, 2018

Fútbol Miami MLS co-owner Jorge Mas speaks during a celebration event at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami on Jan. 29, 2018. Photo via mlssoccer.com.

As is to be expected, there has been a lot of discussion about Miami Freedom Park, where Fútbol Miami MLS intends to build its stadium (with the approval of City of Miami voters in November). However, co-owner Jorge Mas has revealed a lot of other news related to the actual sport of soccer in the course of his interviews this weekend. And it appears a lot of pieces related to the team will be falling into place in weeks, rather than months or years.

Mas spoke to Will Manso of Local 10 WPLG on Sunday, and revealed a number of juicy tidbits:

First, the colors, shield and uniform could be released as early as the end of this month.
Second, the club has interviewed candidates for general manager and coach, and the GM position is expected to be filled by the end of next month.
Third, the team name will be released after colors, and it will not be Miami Freedom, as had been speculated in May. That name will be reserved for the development at Melreese. Michelle Kaufman of the Miami Herald reported last month that the two favored finalists appear to be Futbol Club Internacional de Miami (Inter Miami) and Futbol Club Atletico Miami (Atletico Miami).
Finally, and most critically, Mas reiterated the plan to kick off in March 2020, even though the proposed stadium won’t be ready until 2021. That means the team will start in a temporary venue. Mas mentioned that there’s interest in “the other two large facilities in Dade County that can house our team,” referring to Hard Rock Stadium and Riccardo Silva Stadium.

Mas indicated the ownership group had an idea of the style it would like to play, and hopes to model Atlanta United as a club to develop players for the future.

Listen to Matt and Omar discuss the “Miami Freedom Park” plan on Magic City Soccer Episode 57!

Inter Miami CF

Fútbol Miami MLS releases stadium renderings, seeks to build momentum for Thursday meeting with City of Miami commissioners

By Matthew Bunch on Monday, July 9, 2018

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).

Magic City Soccer Podcast

Magic City Soccer podcast Episode 53: The Miami FC 2 refocuses on the NPSL, Miami United prepares for Orlando City

By Magic City Soccer Podcast on Thursday, May 31, 2018

In this episode of the Magic City Soccer podcast, Omar and Matt discuss two teams with two divergent goals, as The Miami FC 2 grabs two wins in the NPSL Sunshine Conference while Miami United gets ready to host Orlando City of Major League Soccer in the U.S. Open Cup. Plus, we have an interview with Ariel Gonzalez of Futbolasta Auctions. Join us, won’t you?

Thanks to our sponsor, Groundhopper, for helping to make this Magic City Soccer episode happen!

To subscribe to Magic City Soccer on iTunes, click here. To subscribe to Magic City Soccer on SoundCloud, click here.
To subscribe on Google Play,