South Florida Soccer News: More Red Bulls vs Strikers, Billboard and Flight 19.

Strikers Billboard is up! If you are headed Northbound on I-95 be on the look out for this new Fort Lauderdale Strikers sign pictures captured by Miami Ultra Pabony Rivera and Flight 19 member Derek Reese. It's between Sunrise and Oakland Park.
The good news we hear is that the Strikers front office is selling season tickets like hotcakes! The bad news we have heard is that last years MVP Christian Gomez and top scorer Abe Thompson will not be back this year. (Gomez is said to be headed to China). The absence of both are a tough blow for the offense of the team which seemed non existent during Saturdays game. A notable presence Saturday was Eduardo Coudet, the Argentine midfielder who played for the Philadelphia Union last year. Former clubs he played in include Celta de Vigo in Spain, San Luis in Mexico, and River Plate.
The Strikers defense looked solid against the Red Bulls considering they had only practiced for a week before their first scrimmage. There is no doubt the Strikers need some top fire power upfront and a good playmaker. Let's see what coach Daryl Shore comes up with as preseason continues.

In the picture below, fan favorite and Strikers defender Martyn Lancaster can be seen after the Red Bulls game with  forward Theirry Henry.  

Be sure to visit www.strikers.com for more info on the team as things heat up on the road to the season opener versus FC Edmonton April 9th at Lockhart Stadium.
Following is a video by Miami Ultra Alan Guevara.

 MLS News

South Florida resident and Reuters journalist Simon Evans has launched a new Reuters Soccer blog. His latest piece is an interview with Thierry Henry.

Q: Was the fact that America is still, in some ways, a new frontier for the sport and you have a role in spreading the game’s popularity, an attraction?

No, I know that people are always going to talk about me, Rafa (Marquez), Becks, Donovan, they will talk about us but it is up to everyone in the league, all of us, to perform well and attract more fans and let everyone see that MLS is serious. When you have things like the All Star game, I know its only a friendly, but again, it is a chance to show that you can compete. It is down to everyone, to Real Salt Lake, to Dallas to all the organizations in the league to make the league better, not only what you could call the ‘usual suspects’

Be sure to follow Reuters Soccer Blog on facebook http://www.facebook.com/reuterssoccer 

Flight 19
Flight 19 is a Fort Lauderdale and Broward County based supporters group dedicated to passionately supporting our local professional club team, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, as well as South Florida soccer in general.

The group was conceived in 2010 by a handful of Miami Ultras members, as part of the broader South Florida United effort, to stir up support for local soccer in the Fort Lauderdale area, coinciding with the return of the legendary Strikers and North American Soccer League in 2011.

The group is named in honor of the flight of 5 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers that took off from Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale(now Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport) in December of 1945, disappearing in perhaps the most famous incident associated with the Bermuda Triangle. Our crest is based on the roundel insignia found on WWII era US Military Aircraft, the original NASL style soccer ball and the triangular shape of the Bermuda Triangle. The story of Flight 19 is part of the history of Fort Lauderdale, and considering the home of the Strikers, Lockhart Stadium, is situated on land that was once part of an airport built to train WWII Naval pilots, it is a fitting name to represent our efforts to honor Fort Lauderdale and our rich history.

Be sure to check out and join Flight 19 and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Strikers vs Red Bulls in pictures.

The Fort Lauderdale Strikers played their first scrimmage yesterday at Lockhart Stadium against the New York Red Bulls. For a team that has only been working together for less than a week they played well against a Red Bulls team stacked with stars such as French forward Thierry Henry and Mexican defender Rafael Marquez. In the end the score was 2-0 in favor of the Red Bulls. Read more about the game at www.strikers.com  or go to newyorkredbulls.com
You can also read an article written by Jeff Rusnack of the Sun Sentinel 
Here is the complete game video courtesy of MLS.com:




Following are a number of fan pictures and video:

Special thanks to Miami Ultras Mitchell Rivera for the pictures.
You can also visit the following sites and view their pictures of the Strikers vs Red Bulls game:
http://fllstrikers.net/
http://www.thepursuitofvictory.com/2011/02/strikers-vs-red-bulls.html
http://www.newyorkredbulls.com/content/friendly-red-bulls-v-strikers
http://www.miamisoccerfan.com/Soccer/Home/Entries/2011/2/28_Strikers_preseason_game_1.html

Fort Lauderdale Strikers vs New York Red Bulls Saturday Feb 26 at 2:30 PM

Yes folk, your Fort Lauderdale Strikers will play the New York Red Bulls this Saturday Feb 26 at 2:30 pm. You don't believe us?

The Fort Lauderdale Strikers announced today that its preseason match against the New York Red Bulls is OPEN and free to the public. Kickoff is set for 2.30pm at Lockhart Stadium. Come and watch world renowned stars like Rafa Marquez, Thierry Henry and the rest of the New York Red Bulls, as they take on the Fort Lauderdale Strikers for their first ever preseason game. Remember Strikers fans February, is your last chance to secure season tickets for only $99.

Read all about it on the flyer below and here http://www.strikers.com

The Strikers also announced the signing of veterans Nicolas Platter and Adam "Batman West. (Adam is going to hate us for that nickname)

Here is the press release:

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL (February 24, 2011) - The Strikers announced today that they have signed defender Adam West and goalkeeper Nicolas Platter for the 2011 season. West was signed after participating in the inaugural NASL Combine that saw over 80 players from all over the world competing for professional contracts. Per team policy, terms of the deals have not been disclosed.
“We are happy to add two veteran players within our league to our team. Both Nic and Adam will add valuable experience to our group and we look forward to both of them helping us solidify our defensive group,” said Head Coach Daryl Shore.
West, 24, started his career at the University of Washington where he played from 2004-2006. In the spring of 2007, West was signed by the Seattle Sounders where he won the 2007 USL First Division Championship. He later signed with the Rochester Rhinos in 2010, where he made 7 appearances. West was signed after participating in the NASL Combine in Fort Lauderdale earlier this month.
Platter, 29, is a California native that began his college career at the University of California at Davis. He had a stellar career where he became the all time shutout and saves leader, for the school. Platter signed with Minnesota in 2005 and spent the first five years of his professional career making 85 appearances for the club. He signed with the Carolina Railhawks in 2010, appearing in 10 matches.

Tickets for the Strikers 2011 are on Sale Now! Call today for pricing and availability. Founding Season Ticket Holder Specials Available! Call 954.606.0400 or e-mail info@strikers.com

Barcelona Miami hints Henry or Puyol will be marquee player

Things are looking positive as the days go by for Miami's hopes for an MLS team.
In an Article printed for Diario de Las Americas Marcelo Claure, owner of Brightstar Communications and Bolivian Soccer club Bolivar, stated that with Barcelona's help he intends to bring a quality team to Miami and Major League Soccer. Claure said: "History has taught us that when the Marlins, the Heat and the Dolphins exhibit results the fans respond. This is our philosophy, to offer a show that will captivate the heart of the community and fill the stadium". Marcelo went on to add that he has never been one to conform himself with mediocrity and has pledged to develop an aggressive program that will put the best 11 players on the field. Claure, in association with Barcelona are looking forward to starting the team in 2010. "In reality our passion does not permit us from waiting any longer then 2010, The 14 owners of the other teams are enthusiastic about us joining and we have everything ready".
The agreement with Florida International University begins next year and confidence is high that the 21,000 seat stadium will be enough to satisfy the initial demand the team will bring.

As far as who the marquee players might be Claure added, "We don't want to raise false expectations, as of this moment we can't bring Lionel Messi nor Samuel Eto, but we can say that Carles Puyol or Thierry Henry could be the marquee player".

Barcelona would also have a major part concerning the direction of the team and Claure went on to say that current Barcelona FC coach Joseph Guardiola could assume responsibility over the Miami team in one way or another.

It's hard to deny that Miami looks to be the favorite among the candidate cities to be awarded an MLS franchise. The clock is ticking and everyone waits for the announcement.