During the broadcast of the A-League final, the announcers stated that the A-League might have a team in South Floridanext season. Does anyone have any info on this? Where will they play? What city? Who's in charge? Etc....
That would be sweet. I would definatly make a road trip down to Ft. Lauderdale for a match. I have also read that Ajax might have a A-League team in Orlando in 2005.
Yeah, I caught that, too. Ft. Lauderdale seems like the only possibility in "SOUTH" Florida. Didn't know an ownership group was interested down there. The stadium, of course, would be excellent. Bring back the Strikers?
It would be a little isolated for Fort Lauderdale down there alone, but with the addition of Orlando and possibly Tampa (and even Jacksonville) it would be great. Tampa and Ft. Lauderdale did well back in the ASL/APSL days and were attendance leaders. They would be good additions to the league.
Florida's only chance... I think the only chance Florida has of ever getting a MLS team is to build a successful A League team. Show a consistent 10,000 attendance and Garber will be down there talking about letting by-gones be by-gones. I can't see any way that anyone would be willing to risk the money otherwise.
Does anyone know who the coach and GM are going to be of this new A-League in Ft Lauderdale. Has anything been officially announced yet?
I hope whoever it is has his eyes set on Lockhardt Stadium. It would be great to se matches in there. Has anyone ever considered a "Florida League" division of USL that could play outdoors through the ideal winter months -- Nov. to April?
Thats an interesting idea. I think MISL is the big player when it comes to indoor soccer. They are mostly up north. So this would mean teams would be in the USL for the summer then MISL (or a USL indoor equivalent) in the winter. Seems like a hard sell, but who knows. Also, I contacted some sports journalists in Miami and it seems there is a group trying to bring A-League to South Florida. No other details forthcoming.
I've heard some rumors, not sure if any are legit. A while ago there was talk of a Real Miami being affiliated with Madrid. Any truth to that?
Real Miami coming soon! It's true, seems like a good plan, but it will happen by 2010, check it out: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/soccer/sfl-rusnak24aug24,0,7724222.column?coll=sfla-sports-soccer http://www.as.com/articulo.html?xref=20030815dasdai_12&type=Tes&anchor=daspor&d_date=20030815
Ajax Orlando announces A-League ambitions 30 September: Ajax Orlando Football Club (AOFC) announced this week that it has officially applied for membership in two national soccer leagues, the Premier Development League (PDL) and the A-League, a top U.S. professional soccer circuit. "We are very excited at the prospect of playing in the PDL during the 2004 season, and bringing A-League soccer back to the area in 2005," said Ajax Orlando President Mark Dillon. Full story: http://www.ajax-usa.com/news/2003-2...pplication-for-national-soccer-franchise.html
From every "rumor" that I have heard, I fell pretty sure that it is going to happen. I have heard Argentinian investors are bringing an A league team to Lockhart, and calling them the Strikers. Lockhart is now operated by the Broward County School board, who took over the management of the facility from Ken Horrowitz earlier this year. I wish they would hurry up and announce it. I have been hearing things for the past few months, and I want a team back. PS Screw MLS. GO Strikers!
When are they planning on making an announcement, if there really is going to be an A League team here? Isn't the League going to have to make up the '04 schedule pretty soon. Wouldn't it be nice if they knew how many teams are going to be in the League?
I dont know if you guys caught it, but a few weeks ago on the Soccer Fanatics Radio network I had them ask Tim Holt of USL about A_league in Florida. Holt said that they are pursuing S. FLorida, but didn't have anything definite yet. Nothing really new, but it was good to hear an official at USL say it.
Since the A-League doesn't have to align its schedule to suit ESPN or the Deuce, would it be possible to schedule night games in June-July-August? I love Florida -- the wife and I plan to move there in a few years (Port St. Lucie) -- but you have to admit that summer afternoons are a steam bath, and no time for football players and fans to gather in a stadium. That's why I've always hoped for a Florida League of outdoor, winter soccer. (So much for dreaming.) I remember Tony Meola remarking, after a midday match in July at Lockhardt, that he was amazed the team could walk, let alone run. I always feared for the players -- heat exhaustion, dehydration, cramps, the works. Frankly, DC is no picnic in the summer, either, in fact it can get hot in most of the US, but Florida is our only state with a bonifide sub-tropical climate. It just seems prudent to work with the elements, rather than against them.
I'm sure you'll be sucking Garber's D*ck as soon as he announces that he wants a team back in Miami. Don't be a jerk. Even though I don't follow it, I have nothing but respect for the A-league. You should do the same for MLS.
Speak for yourself Homie, and I will do the same. Why should I have respect for (MLS) Minor League Soccer?