Miami FC to Host two game home stand this weekend

Published on April 23, 2009 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release


Miami, FL - Miami FC will host games two and three of their opening five-game home-stand this weekend. To kick it off, they face the Montreal Impact on Friday April 24th at 8PM at FIU Stadium. This will be the first official soccer game played at The Cage in its brief existence. This game will also be featured on Fox Soccer Channel as the USL Game of the week. The Blues will then travel back to Fort Lauderdale to host the Rochester Rhinos at Lockhart Stadium on Sunday April 26th at 6pm.

"We had two great practices at our Dade County home - FIU - this week. On Friday we are going to make history when we play the first official pro soccer game played at FIU Stadium. We already started the year with a victory which is something we didn't do in our first three years. The atmosphere was amazing at Lockhart. I am now looking forward to that energy carrying over to FIU Stadium and giving us that home field advantage which can help us beat Montreal for the first time," said Head Coach Zinho.

Lockhart proved to be a great venue as Diego Serna contributed with one goal and two assists in an emotional 3-1 victory over the 2008 USL-2 champions, the Cleveland City Stars. This was the first time Diego or the local professional soccer team had played at Lockhart since the Miami Fusion folded in 2001.

The Blues will be able to count on Connally Edozien and Nicky Torres for the first time this season. Edozien, who played for the team last year, reported to camp this week. And Torres received his international clearance this week.

The Impact is coming off a 0-0 tie with the Charleston Battery. The Blues were (0-1-2) last season against The Impact, and played them in their first pre-season scrimmage of the season. Nevio Pizzolito and Leonardo Di Lorenzo, two of Montreal's players, were honored this week by the USL as players of the week.

The Rhinos lost their first game of the season 1-0 to the Carolina Railhawks. Rochester has made the news lately by raffling off the name of the stadium to the public. Any fan, organization, or company that purchases $1,000 in season tickets with the Rhinos for the 2009 season by May 29th, receives an entry to name the stadium.

Activities around Game

The evening will start with a pre-game party from 7 - 8PM at the Stadium Club/Lounge at Gate 4. Miami-Dade Commissioner Pepe Diaz will then officially welcome professional soccer to FIU Stadium and jointly participate in the ceremonial "First Kick" with FIU's Athletic Director Pete Garcia. Commissioner Diaz represents District 12 which is where FIU is located and has had a long-lasting relationship with the local sports community serving as the co-chair of the Board of Directors of the Miami-Dade County Sports Commission. The Sports Commission is in charge of attracting youth, adult-amateur, and professional sporting events to the county and attracting support from the citizens.

Powerade will present the halftime Ion "4 Penalty Shoot Out" where lucky fans will have a chance to shoot on Miami FC mascot Hotshot in goal to win prizes.

After the game, the general public is again invited to a post-game meet-and-greet at the Stadium Club/Lounge at Gate 4. Everyone is invited and encouraged to meet all the players and coaching staff of Miami FC.

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USL First Division Stories from April 23, 2009


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