Thought only Beckham wanted MLS in Miami?

Did you think only David Beckham and his apparent partner Marcelo Claure were the only ones interested in bringing a Major League Soccer team to South Florida? Nope, there are more.

We recently heard that Dolphins owner Steve Ross might bring a team too. Well, he's not the only one.

Last night on the Ultras Alive Show we heard from another possible MLS Miami Bid group lead by former The Childrens Investment Fund partner Alessandro Butini.
Alessandro, has been working with the University of Miami School of Architecture on a Stadium project . This past Monday he met up with the Dean of the Architecture school and the senior students taking part in a Fall studio which is centered on the project of a soccer specific stadium for an MLS team in Miami. In December, the senior professors of the architecture school will name the winner of the project which will help Alessandro find a location (said to be in Downtown Miami) and the perfect design for a Roofed Soccer Specific Stadium that he tells us will be completely privately funded.

Butini continued, that he has spoken to MLS commissioner Don Garber and Miami city officials about what is needed and required to make this happen. He is fully aware of the challenges South Florida brings and has identified Miami as an event town, which he expects to address accordingly. 
He has the backing of Suzie MacCagnan, who has worked in numerous transactions of football clubs in the UK, and advised many board of directors, like Liverpool, Sheffield United, and Portsmouth. Plus Marco Felice Novelli, an investment banker who has focused his career in Real Estate deals and distressed equities. Alessandro is looking for his Miami team to start playing in his fully operational facility in 2017 .

For more information listen to what he said on the Ultras Alive Show, here is the direct link:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/soccersupportersradionetwork/2013/10/01/ultras-alive-109

Alessandro Butini has launched a website, be sure to check it out and fill in the petition!
 http://mia4mls.com/
Also Follow on Twitter: @Miami_MLS
LIKE this facebook page: MLS Miami Bid
 

Looks like Beckham & Claure's MLS Miami team is taking shape.

It's been almost a month since a certain David Beckham was seen at a Miami Heat game with Bolivian billionaire Marcelo Claure.
We first heard the rumor of a Miami MLS team between Claure & Beckham a few years back. But, not many took notice until a small mention on May 1, 2013 on the Washington Post by Steven Goff:

*Getting word a David Beckham-backed effort to bring MLS to Miami is about to pick up a steam and could go public in about a month. The league has prioritized a second club in New York for the 20th team and is intrigued by Orlando’s aggressive expansion campaign, but with Miami featuring Beckham and Dolphins management, Miami has quietly re-emerged. South Florida had an MLS team from 1998 to 2001, the Miami Fusion, which played at Lockhart Stadium in north Fort Lauderdale (30 miles from downtown Miami) but lacked the investment muscle and public will to survive. Commissioner Don Garber has said repeatedly MLS needs to expand into the South; currently, there are no teams south of Washington on the East Coast.

You can read the rest of the piece HERE.

Fast Forward to Tuesday May 28 when Simon Evans breaks out the news that Beckham is indeed on his way to Miami to meet with Marcelo Claure at a Heat game no less!
 Simon Evans wrote:

Former England captain David Beckham will visit Miami this week as he steps up his interest in owning a new Major League Soccer (MLS) team.

 Beckham, who played for L.A. Galaxy in the MLS, has an option to create a new franchise in the North American league.

 While the exact location is still to be decided, he will be in the Florida city to explore possibilities, according to former Miami mayor Manny Diaz.

 "Yes, he is coming. My understanding is that it's very exploratory at this stage," said Diaz, who took part in the last time a Miami-based MLS team was under discussion in 2009.

Read the rest of the article HERE.

A few days later on Thursday May 30th, anyone that watched the Miami Heat game could see Simon Evans was on the money about the meeting.

Having had a couple of days to work with, a few fans decided to have a Beckham rally to show support. Michelle Kaufman from the Miami Herald covered it HERE.

 Beckham ended up staying almost a week touring stadiums and taking in everything Miami had to offer. South Florida was a buzz with Beckham sightings across town. A couple of local news sites were able to get an exclusive interview with him.

“I think bringing an MLS team here to South Florida would be exciting,” Beckham told Miami's CBS4 News. “I think Miami fans are very passionate about the sport and about winning and of course, it would have to be success but it’s definitely exciting.”

 David eventually attended a second Miami Heat game and for the next few days the media continued to cover his visit, as fans also began to light up twitter and facebook with pictures and mentions of sightings.

A month later and as talk of Orlando's stadium project began to get attention. Brightstar CEO Marcelo Claure tweets a picture of David Beckham holding a Club Bolivar jersey (Bolivian Champions also owned by Claure) which indicates talks are still on going and mentioning Beckham as Claure's MLS partner on his Twitter account.

 It's an exciting time to be a South Florida resident and soccer fan. Hopefully we'll soon know if our Miami MLS dream will come true!

Want to be part of the South Florida MLS movement?
Join MLS Miami Bid:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MLSMiamiBid
Twitter: @Miami_MLS
Website: mlsmiamibid.com
Email: info@mlsmiamibid.com

Will David Beckham bring MLS to Miami ?

It's all over the internet this week, but it's been talked about for a few years now. David Beckham is going to be part of an ownership group that would bring a Major League Soccer team to Miami.

The case for Miami:
Miami is becoming a soccer hub and growing soccer scene: Home to CONCACAF, Traffic Sports, beIN Sport, Univision-ABC, Telemundo, US training base, new owner of World Football Challenge, NASL, GolTV, and all the soccer stars who own homes here.
All we need is MLS in Miami!

It's our time to act! He already denied any contact with a NY team but he hasn't done it with South Florida.

Let's send emails, tweets and facebook messages to David Beckham to show our support. We've done this in the past with MLS and its worked.

Tell them you want MLS in Miami and that we will support them!
#BeckhamMLSMiami

Simon Oliveira

simon.oliveira@xixentertainment.com
Twitter: @simonolive

Victoria Beckham
Twitter: @victoriabeckham

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Beckham

Check out all the sites that have reported about #BeckhamMLSMiami

Links below.
Palm Beach Post
ESPN
BBC
Sports Business Daily 
Digital Spy
Give Me Football  
Daily Mail
People UK
Football365
Terra
WNZine

Support our push for MLS.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MLSMiamiBid
Website: http://mlsmiamibid.com/
Twitter: @Miami_MLS

Chelsea FC and AC Milan to play at Sun Life Stadium July 28, 2012

Two great teams will play in Miami! Check out the press release: MIAMI (May 7, 2012) – The eyes of the soccer world will focus on South Florida again this summer when two of Europe’s most storied clubs, England’s Chelsea FC and Italy’s AC Milan, face-off at Sun Life Stadium at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 28 as part of the World Football Challenge. The announcement was made by RSE Ventures, in partnership with CAA Sports, a division of Creative Artists Agency (CAA), the world’s leading entertainment and sports agency, and Major League Soccer (MLS), the top-flight professional soccer league in the U.S. and Canada. RSE Ventures also announced that Insignia Sports and Entertainment will be assisting with sponsorship and television elements associated with the highly-anticipated match. Details regarding media accreditation for the 2012 World Football Challenge will be announced the first week of June. “We're excited to team up with CAA Sports and MLS to bring two of the most successful clubs in the world to Miami,” said Matt Higgins, CEO of RSE Ventures. “We’re pleased Chelsea FC and AC Milan are coming to the home of international soccer for an unforgettable match. Working with the Dolphins and Sun Life Stadium, we plan a full line up of summer soccer in what promises to be an annual tradition in Miami.” Tickets start as low as $29 and go on sale at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 10 through all Ticketmaster outlets. With this game, Sun Life Stadium continues to establish itself as South Florida’s top venue for world-class international soccer. In August 2011, the FC Barcelona v. Chivas Guadalajara match drew 70,080 fans, setting a state attendance record for a soccer match. In February 2012, 51,615 saw Colombia take on Mexico. “Miami is a soccer hotbed,” said Mike Dee, CEO of the Miami Dolphins. “This announcement continues the tradition of bringing world-class events to our facility.” Chelsea FC, currently a finalist in the prestigious UEFA Champions League, will be visiting South Florida for the first time, led by international superstars such as Spanish forward Fernando Torres and English National Team standouts John Terry and Frank Lampard. AC Milan last played in South Florida in 1994, when more than 57,000 fans saw them take on the Colombian National Team. The defending Italian champions boast a roster of top international stars, including Brazil’s Robinho and Pato, and Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic. “We look forward to working with RSE Ventures, CAA Sports and Major League Soccer to help make a positive and tangible impact through creative and innovative branding around this great game,” said Peter Murray, CEO of Insignia Sports and Entertainment. “The demand for soccer in South Florida is at an all-time high and the fan experience at this event will be second to none.” One of the largest and most successful soccer exhibitions ever staged in North America, the World Football Challenge brings together many of the world’s most accomplished and celebrated soccer clubs to play in major sports venues across the region. The event gives soccer fans the unique opportunity to see global superstars play live and experience first-hand the fast-paced, skillful competition that has made soccer the most popular sport in the world. Now in its third year, the World Football Challenge is hosted in partnership by CAA Sports and MLS. More than half a million fans attended the event last year and sports fans across North America will once again enjoy a summer of top international matches in 2012.
*** Stay tuned for more information!
Get tickets HERE:
http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0D0048A36FDF3293

Ultras Alive returns Monday February 13 at 10pm, Colombia vs Mexico ticket give away!

WE'RE BACK! Ultras Alive returns this Monday February 13 at 10pm for it's 35th show and the first one in 2012 with guests Gabriel Gabor Major League Soccer / Soccer United Marketing's  (Twitter: @MLSGabor )who will be promoting the Mexico vs Colombia game this coming February 29, 2012
We will also be giving out 2 tickets to the game so stay tuned on how you can win them.
Also making a cameo will be the Ultras new partner ESPN Deportes Miami Radio 1210 AM who will be discussing our partnership, programing and future events.
Be sure to tune into the show by going to: http://www.ultrasalive.com
Our live chat room will be opened 10 minutes before the show, you can ask questions there or you can call in with your questions by dialing (323) 927-1455
Follow us on Twitter: @ultrasalive
or follow @miamiultras
Join and LIKE our new facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/MiamiUltras

If you don't win the free tickets don't worry! The Ultras have a discount for the Mexico vs Colombia game. Go to Ticketmaster and use Ultras discount code: Ultra12

Be sure to join the Ultras, South Florida's premiere soccer supporters group and come out to support the Fort Lauderdale Strikers! You can join us at Lockhart Stadium in section 117 or become an official member for only $20 which will get you an Ultras scarf, T-shirt and ID card good for discounts with the Strikers, 20% discount at both Fritz & Franz Bierhaus locations (Miami and Fort Lauderdale), 15% discount at Mickey Byrnes Irish Pub in Hollywood (official home of USMNT games), 15% discount at Wecando, printing anything you need as well as other soon to be announced discounts at local businesses.
Get your membership HERE

This weeks 1210AM ESPN Deportes Miami soccer schedule

This week's soccer programing on ESPN Deportes Miami 1210 AM

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7
COPA LIBERTADORES DE AMERICA
Chivas (MEX) vs Deportivo Quito (ECU)
Time: 9:00 PM – 12:00 AM ET

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8
COPA DEL REY - Spain
Valencia vs Barcelona
Time: 2:00 – 5:00 PM ET

COPA LIBERTADORES DE AMERICA
Nacional (ECU) vs Cruz Azul (MEX)
Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10
MEXICAN SOCCER LEAGUE (Clausura Season)
Morelia vs Santos
Time: 9:00 PM – 12:00 AM ET

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11
LA LIGA – Spain’s Soccer League
Osasuna vs Barcelona
Time: 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM ET

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12
MEXICAN SOCCER LEAGUE
Tijuana vs Cruz Azul
Time: 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM ET

MLS Cup trophy in South Florida this Sunday at Mickey Brynes pub in Hollywood!

The Miami Ultras invite everyone to watch the Major League Soccer Playoffs featuring the genuine MLS Cup trophy!
Our special guest will be one of Major League Soccer’s best playmakers of all time, LA Galaxy and Salvadorian national team legend Mauricio Cienfuegos.
Come by Mickey Byrne’s Irish Pub & Restaurant http://www.mickeybyrnes.com/ in Downtown Hollywood on Sunday, Nov. 6, to catch some MLS playoff action and take a photo with the beautiful MLS Cup Phillip F. Anschutz Trophy, designed in gold and silver by Tiffany & Co.

WHERE:           Mickey Byrne's Irish Pub & Restaurant
1921 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, FL 33020, (954) 921-2317
WHEN:            Sunday, Nov 6 in the evening (time TBD based on TV schedule)
COST:              FREE ADMISSION

Join the Ultras, South Florida's largest soccer supporters group or follow them on Facebook or Twitter @MiamiUltras. Website: www.miamiultras.com
This is part of our MLS Miami Bid effort. www.mlsmiamibid.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MLSMiamiBid
Join us and tell your friends.
Don't forget to listen to Miami Ultras Alive every Monday LIVE at 10PM on blog talk radio!
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/miamiultras

UPDATE:  11/4/11 4:00PM
News just in confirms that anyone wearing a soccer jersey (Preferably an MLS jersey) will receive a shot (drink) every time a team scores. Ask for specials! http://www.mickeybyrnes.com/
Teams to play will be L.A. Galaxy vs Real Salt Lake at 9 PM
We hope to see everyone there!

Other sites picking up on this news:

Miami Herald Blog
MiamiUltras.com
Dunord (Wednesday Nov 2)

Rise & Shine: The Jay DeMerit Story in Miami

The Jay Demerit Story will be showing in Theaters across the country Thursday November 3, 2011. You can see it in Miami at AMC Sunset Place - 5701 Sunset Drive South Miami, FL 33143 (305) 740-8904 – RSVP
Following is a brief description:

Rise & Shine: The Jay DeMerit Story
The true story of a young American’s impossible journey – a journey never experienced or heard of in the soccer world. After college, Jay’s dream of playing pro soccer in Europe seemed unreachable. Sleeping in an attic, painting houses and eating beans and toast to survive, Jay took the most unlikely route to the top. After not making the professional leagues in the U.S., Jay left for Europe at the age of 21 without any professional experience – only a passport, $1500 and a backpack full of dreams. The film documents Jay’s journey from the bottom – playing in Sunday park leagues and lower level division London clubs earning 40 pounds a week – to playing in the English Premier League – to starting in the 2010 World Cup. The Jay DeMerit Story is a story of perseverance, hard work and relentless belief in a dream… It is a story that needs to be told.
The poorest man is not without a cent, but without a dream…

Here is the trailer:



Be sure to meet up with the American Outlaws at this event!
Follow @AOSouthFlorida on Twitter
Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=264860026887010

USA 1 Honduras 0 in Miami in-front of over 21K. Fan pictures and videos.

The haters of Miami as a soccer town were out in full force last week as it was announced that fewer than 6800 tickets had been sold for the USA vs Honduras game to be played at Sun Life Stadium. The game hadn't even been played yet and already they were bashing.
In the end over 21,000 showed up on a wet night to watch the United states defeat Honduras 1-0 thanks to a wonderful goal by Clint Dempsey. Lets not point out that this game was played on Yom Kippur, that there was little promotion for the game, that a basketball event with NBA stars was being played and did I mention torrential rain?
Some mention that tickets were being given away thanks to a groupon special. But what town does not have special ticket sales for games? Sources within the Dolphins organization tell us fewer than 1,000 tickets were sold using the special. That still makes it 20K purchasing tickets by conventional means. Many of those walk up purchases. Imagine if it didn't rain? Other haters will say that 15K of those fans were Honduran nationals. In my opinion the crowd was divided... but, ok let's say they were all Honduran. It's still 15K Hondurans that live in South Florida!
In the end most haters are those who don't even live in South Florida and have no idea what it takes to make soccer a success in this town. The old Fort Lauderdale Strikers back in the 70's and 80's was a success. And the Miami Fusion in 2001 was also turning the corner but was taken from us before time.

What will it take for South Florida to succeed in MLS? An investor(s) with deep pockets that will make each game an event. Who can bring in soccer stars like the old Strikers did with George Best, Teofilo Cubillas, Gerd Muller to name a few. This will attract the soccer snobs of this town.
Over 70K showed up to see Barcelona play at that same stadium a few months back. The fans are here. We just need to give them the quality they are used to and this can be done. Any player in the world would love to play here and that's a fact.

Following are pictures and video of the game this Saturday:

Pictures and video by Uncle Ed

Veronica Paysse on ESPN Deportes Miami 1210 AM

Si, Burrito's new girlfriend, Veronica Paysse is now on the radio! You never heard of her? Well, Burrito's love affair with her began many a futbol years ago.
In 2001 The Miami Fusion was shut down. Burrito's heart was broken and Burrito swear he would never see another MLS game again. EVERS!

Pero, one day when Uncle Ed was changing channels, and as Burrito was chewing on a bone, there, there, out of the corner of Burrito's eye he see a real mamacita! (Pardon the French). In 2002 the only thing that make Burrito watch MLS was Veronica.

But all good things come to an end. Veronica moved on to another TV channel and so Burrito again told MLS to go to hell! Si, again they brake Burrito's heart.But just the other day, as usual, when Uncle Ed go to work he leave radio on for Burrito to listen to and this time he leave it on 1210 AM. Burrito hear her voice and is now addicted.
You too should listen to ESPN Deportes Miami 1210 AM every morning from 9am to 12pm. It's in Spanish!
You can also follow Veronica Paysse on twitter: @VPMIA
The shows Twitter is: @ESPNDeportesMia
www.espndeportesradio.com
Pictures taken from Veronica's twitter and the internet.

About Burrito:
Burrito is the only soccer blogging dawg in the known universe! Since 1998! Join Burrito's twitter or he hit you on head with quesadilla! @Burritofutbol Burrito want MLS in Miami! Help us bring a team to South Florida.
Go Here to join the facebook page
or check out the website: http://www.mlsmiamibid.com/

Don't understand Burrito's Spanglish? Click on the words to find out the definition.

Barcelona vs Chivas in Miami August 3, 2011

The rumored game between Barcelona and AC Milan was just that, a rumor. Instead Miami will host FC Barcelona vs Chivas of Guadalajara at Sun Life Stadium! A very exciting game for all of us in South Florida.

NEW YORK -- This summer’s lineup of heavy-hitting international matches just got a little heavier.

On Monday, Major League Soccer and CAA announced the addition of three global powerhouses—FC Barcelona, Club América, and CD Guadalajara—to the 2011 Herbalife World Football Challenge.

Also announced was Herbalife’s title sponsorship for the event, which kicks off with the New England Revolution vs. Manchester United on July 13 and also includes Real Madrid taking on the LA Galaxy, the MLS side which sports Herbalife on their jerseys. Herbalife is also a sponsor of Barcelona.
Video:





The Blaugrana, favorites to win their third straight Spanish title and finalists in this year’s UEFA Champions League, will face Chivas at 8 pm ET on Wednesday, August 3, at Sun Life Stadium in Miami.

They will then travel to Dallas, where they will take on Club América at Cowboys Stadium on Saturday, August 6. Kick off is at 4 pm ET.

These two games are the continuation of Barça’s US tour, which begins with the previously announced clash with Manchester United on July 30 at FedEx Field outside of Washington, DC. The meeting will be a rematch of the upcoming UEFA Champions League final, which takes place May 28 in London.

Further games for América and Chivas will be announced later, MLS and CAA said.

For the full schedule go HERE
See seat arrangement below:

To buy tickets and get more information go HERE
*Keep in mind the price may change with service fees, etc.
UPDATE:
Password:WFC11

Beach Soccer Worldwide on Miami Beach this weekend!

This weekend come out and see the Beach Soccer Worldwide!
It's Friday, Saturday and Sunday (April 29 to May 1) and includes tons of fun activities for everyone that loves the beautiful game.

The magic of beach soccer comes to Miami´s South Beach with The Beach Soccer Worldwide Miami Cup immediately following the Miami Beach Polo. A temporary stadium set between 20th and 22nd streets will host the thrilling action of this electric sport, and soccer fans will have the chance of enjoying the most spectacular version of ¨the beautiful game¨ on the pristine sands of Miami Beach.

Read more HERE

The game I'm most interested in is the Mexico v. USA game on Friday!

Full schedule:
29/Apr/2011 15:30 Mexico - USA
29/Apr/2011 16:45 Brazil - Spain
30/Apr/2011 15:30 Spain - Mexico
30/Apr/2011 16:45 Brazil - USA
01/May/2011 13:00 USA - Spain
01/May/2011 14:30 CELEBRITY GAME
01/May/2011 16:00 Brazil - Mexico

I hope to see everyone out there!
Note: If you can't make Friday's matchup between USA vs Mexico, it will be on FOX soccer channel!

Miami MLS Champions League Final watch party, MLS Miami videos and more...

Our good friend and Miami Ultras member Brian Corey has started a new MLS Meetup group with the intention of catching big MLS games and tonight happens to be one of those days as Real Salt Lake will attempt to be the first MLS team to win a Champions League Final. Come join us at Mickey Byrnes tonight, Wednesday at 10 PM. Please come join us and join this awesome group: http://www.meetup.com/Miami-Major-League-Soccer-MLS-Fan-Club/ .

Talk about MLS... I've never won anything before so when I received an envelope in the mail the other day I was surprised I had won a Major league Soccer T-Shirt. Here is how I won it:

Hey Ed, Thanks for pledging to watch Tuesday night's opening match of the MLS season. I'm happy to report that you were one of the first 2,000 fans to take the pledge, so your free t-shirt is on its way! Russ Findlay Chief Marketing Officer Major League Soccer

MLS asked the winners to post a picture of yourself with the T-Shirt on so I decided to wear the T-Shirt to a Strikers game and sent it in. MLS put the picture up on their facebook page! Check it out below:

The push for MLS to Miami continues and it is being talked about in Bigsoccer and other forums not to mention blogs and other media.
Following are videos of recent mentions of MLS Miami, both in Spanish. This one is from ESPN's Jorge Ramos y su banda. They even mention the Miami Ultras.


This video is from an MLS game transmitted on Galavision, one of the Univision channels. They constantly mention MLS Miami in their broadcasts.


Do you want to help bring MLS to South Florida? Then join, follow or visit these sites:

Website: http://www.mlsmiamibid.com/

Blog:  http://mlsmiami.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mlsmiami

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MLSMiamiBid

Email us to: info@mlsmiamibid.com

Don't forget to support your local soccer teams WPS team magicJack and the NASL's Strikers!