|
South Florida (Miami/Fort Lauderdale) History Miami and Fort Lauderdale are a mere twenty miles apart on the map, but the atmosphere of the two cities is very different. Miami is predominantly Hispanic, and primarily Cuban-American. However, in recent years the increasing number of other immigrants from the Caribbean and Central and South America are starting to change the political landscape in South Florida. Fort Lauderdale has also seen a large influx from Latin American and the Caribbean in recent years. Following Hurricane Andrew in 1992, many Miamians were forced to relocate to the north and settle in the more suburban environs of Broward County. While more Spanish is now spoken in Fort Lauderdale, English is still the predominant language unlike Miami. The history of the region dates back more than 10,000 years with a settlement of Paleo-Indians south of modern-day Miami. Much later, but still before the Spanish explorers arrived in the area, Tequesta Indians developed numerous settlements in the region. In 1998, construction of a new waterfront develpment was halted following the discovery of what appears to be the remains of a Tequesta mini-stonehenge on the downtown waterfront called the Miami Circle. When the first explorers 'discovered' Florida in 1513 there were more than 350,000 Indians already settled in the area. Spain dominated Florida for the next three centuries before the US purchased the territory in 1821. In the middle of the 19th century, Miami and Fort Lauderdale were just distant dreams. In 1838, Major William Lauderdale led his Tennessee Volunteers into the New River area during the Seminole War. Around the same time, Fort Dallas stood as a bulwark against the Indians along Biscayne Bay near what is now downtown Miami. It took many years after the battles before settlers started to come in greater numbers. Julia Tuttle, William Brickell and Henry Flagler are the three most important people at this point in Miami's history. In 1871, Brickell and his family moved from Cleveland and bought large tracts of land near what are now the downtown areas of both Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Tuttle followed in the early 1890s and her efforts convinced Henry Flagler to extend his railroad down from West Palm Beach. That allowed the first influx of the northern snowbirds starting in 1896, the same year Miami was officially born. Three years earlier, Frank Stranahan developed the first trading post near the old New River fort and in 1911 Fort Lauderdale was officially incorporated. After Fidel Castro's rebellion in 1959, the Cuban population swelled with over 100,000 refugees. Fort Lauderdale earned fame as a tourist destination during the 1960s when teen movies depicted the area as a Spring Break haven. In the late 1970s, another 150,000 Cubans migrated during the Mariel Boatlift putting more strain on the Miami area. By the late 1980s, the glitz of Miami Vice and the redevelopment of a formerly run-down section of Miami resulted in South Beach's Art Deco district turning into a world center of hipness. In recent years, the backgrounds of South Florida's newest residents became more diverse. Economic conditions led many hopeful people to leave South and Central America and the islands in the Caribbean for a more prosperous life in South Florida. From its humble roots, South Florida has grown to a metropolitan region with nearly 5,000,000 residents. Soccer History South Florida is synonymous with soccer nowadays because of the large Latin American community. However, the region's experience with soccer is relatively recent. The Miami Gatos came into being when the NASL's Washington Darts moved south. They quickly changed their name to Toros and soon moved north to Fort Lauderdale and became the Strikers. Perhaps it was because there was not the glut of sports alternatives in the region then, or just a case of good timing but the Strikers took the region by storm. The team brought in world stars like Gerd Muller, Teofilo Cubillas, Elias Figueroa, George Best, Bernd Holzenbein, Gordon Banks and Jan Van Beveren. The Strikers also created some of their own stars in Ray Hudson, Arnie Mausser and Ken Fogarty. The team was a contender right away and made it to the Soccer Bowl in 1980 where they ran into a Cosmos buzz saw and a 3-0 loss. Unfortunately, for the Robbie family that owned the Strikers, the rest of the NASL was not doing as well and with the NASL's insistence on an indoor season -- and with nowhere to play indoors in South Florida the team moved to Minnesota in 1983 for one final season. For the next fifteen years, a variety of teams made an effort to rekindle the passion. The most successful effort was a reborn Strikers side that played in the precursors to the A-League, making it to the final three straight years (1988-90) and winning the ASL title in 1989. However, play was far below the level the Striker Likers were used to and drawing fans became too difficult to continue. In 1998, two years after Major League Soccer brought back top-flight soccer to the United States, the Miami Fusion were born. However, personal difficulties between Fusion ownership and the politicians in Miami forced the team north to the Striker's old home, Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. A sell-out crowd with fans being turned away at the gate on opening day was a rare highlight. Overpriced tickets, poor marketing and a mediocre performance on the field led to a less-than-perfect relationship with potential fans. Still, South Florida soccer fans are left waiting for another chance, biding their time with international games and local tournaments with the only organized side, the PDL's Palm Beach Pumas. South Florida Teams and honors: Palm Beach Pumas - www.palmbeachpumas.com (PDL, 2000-current) College scene: While the Fusion are resting in peace, college soccer is still alive and well in South Florida. However, fans of the men's program at Miami's Florida International University got a scare when the administration announced it was pulling the plug. However, protests led to a rethink and the Golden Panthers are back for at least the next two years. FIU has won two NCAA Division II crowns and was in the 1996 Division I final against eventual champion St. Johns. FIU also has a women's program, as does the University of Miami. Several other South Florida schools have soccer programs: (Miami-Dade County) Barry University, St. Thomas, (Broward County) Nova Southeastern, and (Palm Beach County) Florida Atlantic University and Lynn University. Lynn, under its former name of the College of Boca Raton, won the NAIA men's crown in 1987, while the women equaled the feat the following year. Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale also played host to the college soccer All-Star game for the past few years. However, the Select Classic was cancelled the past season and there is no word on whether it will reappear next year. Select Classic All Star Games - selectclassic.com Other soccer: One of the most passionate displays of South Florida's soccer affliction occurs on an annual basis. The Copa Latina is a mini-World Cup of sorts. It is a 32-team, month-long soccer tournament that takes advantage of the vast number of immigrants in the region. In 2002, Copa Latina celebrated its eleventh anniversary with representatives from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Peru, Mexico, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela. For many years, the Gold Coast League has operated for talented players who relished the competition. In addition, there are many ethnic leagues throughout the region. One of the most successful clubs in the region is the Ft. Lauderdale-based Uruguay Soccer Club. Former US World Cup player Fernando Clavijo is actively involved with the club, which has qualified several times for the final rounds of the US Open Cup. One of the most impressive groups of soccer performers in the region is the girls' high school program at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Ft. Lauderdale. The Raiders have won eight state championships and have been ranked number one in the nation five times. In addition, one of the nation's largest girls' soccer tournaments takes place in Broward County every year. The Orange Classic began in 1995 as the Junior Orange Bowl Classic and currently fields age groups from U-10 to U-19. Gold Coast League - www.angelfire.com/journal2/gcsl/homepage.html Fan Culture Throughout the history of soccer in South Florida, there have been a number of fan groups, both organized and informal. This dates back to the heyday of the NASL in the late 70's and the Striker Likers to the more recent Afusionados that fiercely supported MLS' Miami franchise. Florida International University fans are some of the more colorful in the nation. Meanwhile, whenever almost any international team shows up they will find a large show of support from South Florida's ethnic communities, especially from Colombia, Honduras, Haiti, Guatemala, Jamaica, Argentina, Brazil and Peru. Soccer Friendly Pubs and Restaurants South Beach is always an attractive stop any time you visit South Florida. If you step just a couple of blocks away from the beach you will find a soccer landmark where you can grab a bit of football with your meal. Sport Café has good Italian food and lots of televisions filled with soccer. About a mile to the northwest just off Alton Road, you will find the Playwright Irish Pub, a soccer-friendly bar with a wide selection of imported beer. If you are at Lockhart, you do not have to go far to sample a bit of South Florida soccer history. Just before you get back to I-95, you will come to Powerline Blvd. Just a couple of blocks up from Commercial is the Tudor Inn, a Scottish Pub that has been a soccer watering hole since the days of the Strikers. A little further east is the Fox and Hounds, a British American pub with pool, darts and four soccer-filled television sets and traditional British food. Just east of Federal Highway in Ft. Lauderdale, you will find the Ambry, a restaurant formerly owned by Gerd Muller, the former Striker and Bayern Munich legend. Soccer memorabilia lines the walls, and if you like German food you'll be in heaven. If there is a game you desperately want to see at almost any hour, there is no better place to look than Churchill's Hideaway, a well-renowned English Pub with a big soccer and music scene in the middle of Miami's Little Haiti section. There are also plenty of Latin American restaurants and bars that show the big South and Central American matches on a regular basis. The best thing to do is to pick up a copy of el Nuevo Herald and look at the ads to see what is close. If soccer is not on the wish list and you just want to enjoy the scene, in Miami there is always South Beach. In Fort Lauderdale, there is Riverwalk and Las Olas, which are good places to eat and people watch. Take Las Olas Blvd. to the beach and there is plenty more nightlife, including the new Beach Place. And if you travel north to West Palm, check out the nightlife on Clematis Street. The Ambry Churchill's Hideaway Fox & Hounds Trafalgar Tavern Playwright Irish Pub Sport Café Tudor Inn Stadiums: Orange Bowl The Grand Old Lady of the Miami sports scene rules the roost when it comes to soccer in South Florida. Too large for many events and too old for others the Orange Bowl is still a great place to watch a game when there is some emotion and a crowd. The U.S. National Team continues to play several matches here, and it has become a nearly permanent home for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The one negative for US fans is that with Miami's large immigrant population it often feels like a road game for the US. Parking can be difficult to find for a really big game, but many area residents are more than happy enough to let you park in their yard for a small fee. Street Address: Phone: 305.643.7100 Website: www.ci.miami.fl.us/PublicFacilities/Stadiums/Orange_bowl/Quick_Facts.htm Directions: Year Opened: 1937
Pro Player Stadium, then Joe Robbie Stadium, was built by the late Dolphins owner to host his NFL team as it moved north from Miami's Orange Bowl. However, the Robbie family, former owners of the NASL's Fort Lauderdale Strikers also designed the stadium to host matches for the 1994 World Cup. However, the arrival of baseball's Florida Marlins in 1993 necessitated the move of World Cup matches up to Orlando. Since then, it has hosted a few soccer matches, most notably the United States 2-0 loss to Holland in 1998. There is not a bad seat in the stadium, but it can feel a little too cold, even with a full house. Street Address: Phone: 305.623.6100 Website: www.pro-player-stadium.com Directions: Year Opened: 1987
Lockhart Stadium has history on its side, but that is not always such a good thing. Its two most famous tenants, the NASL's Fort Lauderdale Strikers and MLS' Miami Fusion are both long gone. With its intimate feel, you cannot blame the stadium. Even though it might not be as comfortable as other stadiums, it is still one of the best places to watch a game. However, only the rare game is on the schedule nowadays. Street Address: Phone: 954.202.3420 Directions: Year Opened: 1959 (renovated 1998) Hendricks Stadium (Milander Park) Hendricks Stadium is the Hialeah home of the Copa Latina, the month-long mini-World Cup that involves players and teams from the melting pot that is South Florida soccer. It is a typical high school stadium, but with a decent pitch and a great atmosphere during the tournament. Street Address: Phone: 305.687.2662 Website: www.ci.hialeah.fl.us/recreation/parkfac/rental.htm#TED%20HENDRICKS%20STADIUM Directions: Year Opened: 1959 On the Web Florida Youth Soccer Association - www.fysa.com Print Coverage Miami Herald - www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/soccer El Nuevo Herald - www.miami.com/mld/elnuevo/sports/soccer South Florida Sun Sentinel - www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/soccer El Sentinel - www.sun-sentinel.com/elsentinel/deportes There are also many ethnic papers in the area and several of them provide good coverage. Among them, Golazo Deportivo, the Brazilian Paper and el Argentino. Soccer shops There are two well-respected soccer-specific shops in South Florida if you are looking for some gear to grab a quick kick-around or a replica jersey to show your colors. Soccer Locker has been around for many years, located just south of the University of Miami off US-1. Soccer Max is newer, but just as stocked, and located in Broward near Sawgrass Mills Mall. Soccer Locker - www.soccerlocker.com Soccer Max - www.soccer-max.com Sight-seeing There is plenty to see and do away from the soccer field in South Florida. From hopping on a cruise ship for a weeklong trip through the Caribbean or a day cruise trip to the Bahamas, or even a night out gambling on a 'cruise to nowhere', two of the busiest ports in the world are here: the Port of Miami and Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades. If a spot of gambling is on your to-do list, there is also Mikosukee Casino in West Dade and a couple of casinos on Seminole Indian land in Broward County. There are also Calder and Gulfstream for horseracing, Pompano for the trotters, Hollywood greyhound track and jai alai frontons in Dania and Miami. For more athletic recreation, there are plenty of golf courses and tennis courts and the world famous beaches. There are also plenty of attractions worth seeing if you make it south of Disney World. Near Miami, there is the Metrozoo, Monkey Jungle, Parrot Jungle, the Seaquarium, the Museum of Science and Space Transit Planetarium and Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Near Fort Lauderdale, there is the Museum of Discovery and Science and Blockbuster IMAX Theater. Further north in West Palm, there is Lion Country Safari. In addition, if you want to sample some other sports, there ARE the Miami Dolphins (NFL), Miami Heat (NBA), Florida Marlins (MLB) and Florida Panthers (NHL). And the University of Miami has championship-caliber teams in football, basketball and baseball. For fans of the arts, there is the Gusman Center and the Jackie Gleason Theater in Miami and a brand new Art Center complex under construction. There is also the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach's Kravis Center. They all host fantastic musicals, concerts and Broadway plays. There is the Miami City Ballet, the Florida Philharmonic and the Florida Grand Opera and numerous museums and concert halls. Hotels & Accommodations Being a major tourist destination, there are plenty of hotels to go around in any price category. However, there is one that stands out for soccer fans. The Ft. Lauderdale-Sunrise Hilton is a popular stop for many soccer teams visiting the area because of a soccer field that was constructed on hotel property for training purposes. The US National Team stays here, as have many MLS and international teams, like River Plate, Rangers and Fulham. Sunrise Hilton - www.fortlauderdalehilton.com Transportation There is a vast and somewhat reliable and comfortable bus system in the region. However, the reach of these systems is limited and most likely you will need to take a cab or rent a car. If you rent, you can rent anything down here from a wreck to a Lamborghini, if you have the money! Miami-Dade Transit - www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/transit/home.htm Shopping If you are looking to shop, there are plenty of places for you to spend your money. If you want to hit the trendy boutiques, there are many to choose from, from South Beach to Las Olas to Palm Beach's famous Worth Avenue. Here are some of the better places to mingle and shop in a more reasonable price range: Bayside Marketplace (Miami) - www.baysidemarketplace.com |