MIAMI FC 2006 PREVIEW

Erush

Fraser

Guillaume

Harrington

Rodriguez

Romario

Fresh Meat

F Romário; from Vasco de Gama (Brazil)

F Luc Harrington; from B1909 (Denmark)

F John Pudilo; from FC Dallas (MLS)

M Zinho; from Flamengo (Brazil)

M Mario Rodriguez; from CD Municipal (Guat)

M Diego Walsh; from Kansas City (MLS)

M Sean Fraser; from Harbour View (Jamaica)

D Michael Erush; from CD Chivas FC (MLS)

D Stephane Guillaume; from Colorado (MLS)

GK Chris Doyle; from Charleston

People might be quick to say expansion teams – aside from the 1996 Rhinos, who made the finals of both the league playoffs and the U.S. Open Cup – don’t stand much of a chance in their inaugural seasons. But that’s not necessarily true. In the expansion-heavy years of 1997-1999, the then-A League saw five of its seven true expansion clubs qualify for the playoffs (Hershey and Toronto in 1997; Staten Island and U.S. Pro-40 Select in 1998; Pittsburgh in 1999 – only Maryland and Lehigh Valley pooped the bed). Since then, Portland did it in 2001. Syracuse struggled in 2003, but made the semifinals in their second year. Only Puerto Rico and Edmonton had truly abysmal first years (2004), but the Islanders came within one point of making the playoffs in their subsequent season.

Walsh

Zinho

Doyle

THE LOWDOWN:

So what does that mean for Miami? Not a whole lot, but we’ve got to write something about a team that hasn’t played one single match yet. The point is that they won’t be a pushover, even if their highest-profile signings have underpants older than Jordan Chirico. If RD was coaching the club (instead of Brazilian youth managing legend Chiquinho de Assis, who has discovered everyone from Dida to Dudu), we’d be more worried about keeping egos in check than the overall talent level of the roster (ditching former Rhinos star Onandi Lowe was probably an indication they’re on the right track). This does look like a pretty impressive bunch of players, and Miami will be certain to play a very entertaining type of South American football. Also, if Romário goes nuts and scores 41 goals, he’ll have 1,000 for his career. And you know what that means, don’t you? A shiny new walker. Look for a hot start from this club.