Miami FC Entrusts Josh Saunders With Goal keeping Duties For 2008 Season
April 11, 2008 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Miami - Miami FC announced that it will be entrusting 27-year-old former Puerto Rican Islander Josh Saunders with its goal keeping duties for the 2008 season. The news was officially released to the public yesterday on the premiere of "El Show del Miami Fútbol Club," a Spanish language program featured on Radio Caracol 1260 AM that covers all news and updates regarding the club.
The decision to sign Saunders comes with less than one week until Miami FC's season opener on April 12 versus the Charleston Battery.
In response to outside criticism in recent weeks of the team's inability to secure the position until now, General Manager Luiz Muzzi was quoted as saying: "We were waiting for the right cards to fall into place before committing to anything." He continued to explain that "we needed someone with experience at that position, and having competed against Josh in 06' and 07' we know that he is truly capable of running a defense."
There is plenty of cause for celebration in Miami with Saunders arrival, as the 6'4" Oregon native is expected to create an immediate impact in team's backfield. Posting an average of 1.18 goals allowed last season in 22 starts with Puerto Rico, including 6 shutouts, Miami FC fans can rest assure their net will be guarded by very capable hands.
Before joining the Puerto Rican Islanders of USL in 2007 Saunders spent time with the Portland Timbers, on loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy of the MLS. During his senior season in college at the University of California, Berkeley, he was the first goalkeeper ever to be named Pac-10 Player of the Year.
"After participating in preseason scrimmages, I have grown an enormous amount of respect for my teammates here," the 2008 Miami FC goalkeeper was proud to admit. "It is an honor to be playing under a guy like Zinho, he is someone who has an enormous knowledge of the game. I am always out there looking to win a championship, and I think that if you're not looking to win a championship then you have no business to be on the field at all."
Miami FC will resume competition for the 2008 season on Saturday, April 12th, at Tropical Park Stadium against the Charleston Battery at 7:30 p.m. Season tickets are currently on sale by visiting www.miamifc.com or by calling 305-728-2612. Single game tickets are available through Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-866-57-MIAMI. Miami FC games can be watched live at: www.usllive.com.
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USL First Division Stories from April 11, 2008
- Timbers Battle Pilots To 1-1 Draw In Preseaon Finale - Portland Timbers
- Sounders To Face UW In Final Exhibition Weekend - Seattle Sounders
- Miami FC Entrusts Josh Saunders With Goal keeping Duties For 2008 Season - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Railhawks Host Free Exhibition Match Saturday April 12th Against University of Virginia - North Carolina FC
- Impact Kicks Off The 2008 Season Saturday In Vancouver - Montreal Impact
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