Miami FC bets on new talent for 2007
Published on January 30, 2007 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
MIAMI, January 30, 2007 - Miami FC, Florida's only professional soccer team, continues its search for new talent and is holding tryouts starting tomorrow, January 31, 2007. The tryouts will be held at Miami FC's home, Tropical Park Stadium, in the heart of Miami-Dade County. Dates and times are as follow:
For local participants (Miami and surrounding areas):
January 31st and February 1st and 2nd
8:00h - check-in
12:00h to14:00h - lunch break
17:00h - end of day
For participants outside of the Greater Miami Area:
February 6
8:00h - check-in
12h00 to 14:00h - lunch break
17:00h - end of day
February 7
8:00h - check-in
12:00h - end of day
For participants selected from January 31 to February 7:
February 8
8:00h - check-in
12:00h to 14:00h - lunch break
17:00h - end of day
February 9
8:00h - check-in
12:00h - end of day
Tropical Park Stadium will be open to those who want to watch the tryouts. Tryout entries are closed with more than 230 players confirmed.
Miami FC also announced the signing of four more players: Luis "Luchi" Gonzalez, Eric Vasquez and Nicolas "Nico" Mosquera from Miami; and Sean Cameron, who until last year played for Rutgers University in New Jersey. They will join the following members of the inaugural 2006 Miami FC squad who have that renewed their contracts: Zinho, Sean Fraser, Stephane Guillaume, John Paul "JP Rodrigues, John Pulido and Walter Ramirez.
"The interesting thing about our new players is their versatility. Sean Cameron, for example, has in impeccable physical condition and can play many positions. Luchi has an impressive experience for his 26 years of age. Eric is a Center Midfielder who can also play as Attacking Midfielder and Nico can make the difference in future seasons once he gains more experience, or he can even be a great surprise this year", said Chiquinho de Assis, Miami FC's head coach.
Luchi, originally from Miami, Florida, scored 21 goals in 21 games in his senior year at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where he received the Herman Trophy and the MAC player of the year award on the same year.
The 26-year old forward has had experience in European and South American soccer, where he played for Sporting Cristal who lost to Boca Juniors in the round of 8 at Copa Libertadores de America in 2004. Luchi was also part of the United States National Under-20 team that played in the 1999 Under-20 World Cup in Nigeria and in the Under-17 World Cup in Egypt. He also played for the MLS team Colorado Rapids.
Eric Vasquez played the 2005 and 2006 seasons for Columbus Crew, and received the MLS's Goal of the Year trophy in 2005. The Center Midfielder was born in Miami, Florida, and participated in the training camp of the Under-20 US National Team in 2002 in San Diego, California.
Young midfielder Sean Cameron, 21, who was born in New Jersey, started his college soccer career at University of Connecticut where he played 15 games. Later he was transferred to Rutgers University in New Jersey, where in 2005 he was a starter in all 17 games he played that season.
The youngest player signed by Miami FC is Nico Mosquera, an 18-year old Colombian that resides in Kendall, Florida. He played for Miami Sunset Jr. and he was called up for the United States National Under-20 training camp. Nico is a speedy and spontaneous forward and he is one of the club's most promising prospects.
"We are extremely happy to bring these professionals to play for Miami FC. They will join some of our key players from last season who already renewed their contracts. These players, along with the ones chosen from the tryouts that begin tomorrow, will transform our team into a leading candidate to win the title this year", said Luiz Muzzi, Miami FC's General Manager.
USL First Division Stories from January 30, 2007
- Miami FC bets on new talent for 2007 - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Battery brings back four players for 2007 - Charleston Battery
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
