Miami FC plays early-season games at historic Orange Bowl
Published on May 16, 2007 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Miami, May 16, 2007 - The Orange Bowl will be Miami FC's home away from home this weekend. The stadium that once hosted an undefeated Miami Dolphins squad and three University of Miami National Championships is set to take on USL soccer. This is a big step for Miami FC in only its second season.
Miami FC will play two games this weekend. The first will be against the Minnesota Thunder, Friday night at 8pm. It will be played in front of a nationally televised audience courtesy of Fox Soccer Channel. The second is against the Atlanta Silverbacks Sunday evening at 6pm.
Miami FC is a young team with many players who will be playing their first game in a stadium of this magnitude. In their last match against the Charleston Battery, the team started to come together as a unit. Although they lost 0-2, they were able to keep possession of the ball most of the game.
Assistant Coach Bruno Costa believes that, "80% of the teams come at you the same way. The teams are predictable. There are no big surprises."
A loose Miami FC squad and an experienced coaching staff should make for some intriguing games. Miami FC enters the weekend with a record of 1-3-0.
"Whether we're playing in my backyard or in a huge stadium, the guys know we have to win right now no matter what. We are really focused," said Midfielder Eric Vasquez. Vasquez practiced yesterday (May 15th) for the first time with the squad after suffering an ankle injury on April 27th during the game against the Seattle Sounders. He is healed, and he plans to make his comeback on June 7th, when Miami FC plays home at the Tropical Park Stadium against the Puerto Rico Islanders.
Miami FC will make its Orange Bowl debut against the Minnesota Thunder. The Minnesota Thunder are 0-2-2 on the season suffering two consecutive losses.
Their most recent loss was last Sunday against the Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1. Two Minnesota players, Alfredo (D) and Ansu Toure (M/F), had to leave the game with injuries. Their health is uncertain for Friday's match. Jeremiah Bass (M) continues to be bothered by an injured groin.
The injuries will not help the Thunder who have given up five goals in the last two games, and they have yet to record an assist on the season.
Minnesota is led by Brian Farber and Freddy Juarez who each have a goal this season.
The second game Miami FC will play in the Orange Bowl will be against the Atlanta Silverbacks. The Silverbacks suffered their first loss of the season last Saturday to the Carolina RailHawks 2-1.
Atlanta's Machel Millwood did not play in the loss because of a slight knee injury. He is expected to play this weekend. Millwood is a major contributor to the team having one goal on the season. He also leads the team with 11 shots.
Other notable players for Atlanta include Daniel Antoniuk and Justin Moore who both have two goals on the season.
Atlanta will travel to Puerto Rico on Friday before they travel to Miami for Sunday's 6pm kickoff at the Orange Bowl. They have a record of 2-1-2 going into this weekend, and they sit in second place of the USL First Division.
USL First Division Stories from May 16, 2007
- USL Launches Customizable Merchandise Store - USL-1
- Thunder Battles Miami Friday On Fox Soccer Channel - Minnesota Thunder
- Miami FC plays early-season games at historic Orange Bowl - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Charleston Battery away games broadcast on Real 1340 AM in 2007 - Charleston Battery
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