The Montreal Impact soccer club was founded in 1992 and is making the jump to MLS play in 2012.
They have played in many different leagues throughout their existence. The APSL, A-League, USL and
NASL are just a few.
In August, the club announced that 14-year MLS vet, Jesse Marsch, would be their head coach moving
forward.
Miami FC Press Release - Miami FC announced today its commitment to officially pay homage to the
richest legacy in South Florida soccer, the storied Ft. Lauderdale Strikers. Â The Strikers
competed in the North American Soccer League (NASL) from 1977 to 1983, the American Professional
Soccer League (APSL) from 1988 to 1994 and the United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues Pro
Division (USISL Pro) from 1995 to 1997.
Everyone in the American/Canadian soccer press does their best job to keep up with the goings on
throughout the continent and stories involving North American ties abroad. The sheer volume of
stories makes it difficult to cover everything well, and a few stories have slipped largely under
the radar for their overall significance.
One of the biggest derbies in US soccer history returns Saturday night when the Tampa Bay
Rowdies visit Fort Lauderdale's Lockhart Stadium for a match against their arch-enemy.
Since the 1970's, the names and ownership of both Florida clubs have changed on many occasions.
But the competitive nature between Tampa and South Florida remains more than 30 years later.
September 27, 1993 - Ken Fogarty is voted the APSL Coach of the Year after taking the Tampa Bay
Rowdies from a 4-11 start to a final 12-12 regular season record. He had to battle injuries on his
squad throughout the season and the absence for much of the season of 1992's team and league
leading scorer Jean Harbor.
September 11, 1993 - The Tampa Bay Rowdies play their last match at Tampa Stadium before folding.
The regular season finale was against the Los Angeles Salsa and the Rowdies pulled out a 3-2
victory with a last gasp goal by Derek Backman [left].
The win gave the Rowdies third place in the APSL regular season with a 12-12 record and qualified
them for a playoff spot.
The Rowdies will most likely announce their temporary home soon (we hope). Most speculation rests
on the soccer stadium on the USF campus [pictured left] as the place that the new Rowdies will
debut in 2010 before opening their own purpose built ground in 2011 (we hope
and pray).
June 27, 1992 - The US Olympic Team lost 2-1 at Tampa Stadium to the APSL Rowdies in front of a
crowd of 4,723. The match was a tune up for the Summer Games in Barcelona and featured goals from
Mike Lapper for the USA, Mark Abboud and Rob Ryerson for Tampa Bay. This was the last match the
Olympic squad played before heading to Spain for the Games.
Soccer America's Ridge Mahoney writes of the Vancouver Whitecaps' hiring of Denis Hamlett to add
some MLS experience to their coaching staff.
During its job search the Vancouver Whitecaps made it clear to potential candidates that it needed
someone with MLS experience to join the staff as an assistant.
In the wake of the Fire blowing points at home again this weekend, assessing Denis Hamlet is a
timely subject. The 2-2 draw at Toyota Park with the Crew, gives Columbus the inside track on
winning its second consecutive Supporters Shield and the Eastern Conference.
Former Air Force soccer player Chris Foster was recently hired as an assistant coach for the
Falcon men's soccer program, according to head coach Doug Hill. Foster, who recently retired from
the U.S. Air Force, had served as a volunteer assistant for the program the last four seasons.
Â
"We are very happy to officially have Chris on board with us," said Hill.
With MLS announcing yesterday that it won't schedule league matches during the group stage of
the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, you might wonder if the United Soccer Leagues will follow
suit.
My man Tim Holt, USL president, told me today:
"We have yet to determine the specific schedule structure for next season including
any possible league blackout periods.
