Strikers defender and 2009 player of the year Zach Kirby has announced he will retire from soccer today after multiple injuries which have kept him out of many games in his career. Known to the fans as "Beowulf", Zach was one of the best players on the team and considered by many too good to be playing 2nd division soccer.

The second-division NASL side Miami FC changed its name, changed its colors, and moved 30 miles up the road to become the latest incarnation of the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. There was a ceremony in Fort Lauderdale to unveil the new identity of the team. The Strikers will play in Lockhart Stadium in the northern end of the city, which was the home to soccer in South Florida during the Strikers' heyday in the 70s and early 80s, and then restored to its former glory for the MLS' Miami Fusion in the late 90s.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Union

Before the Union won the rights to Chris Agorsor they announced that Eduardo Coudet had been waived, thus ending weeks of speculation about his status with the club. The addition of Agorsor combined with the subtraction of Coudet means that the club's roster remains at 25 players.

Today is a big day for NASL as they are poised to receive or get denied the approval of the Division 2 status they seek.
The NASL is confident they have met the standards imposed by the USSF, so much so that member teams continue to move forward signing players and making announcements. That being said the Strikers have organized an event.

Lot's of soccer news this week!
We start with the Strikers re-signing 3 players yesterday. Here is what the team had to say:

The Strikers announced today that they have resigned forward/midfielder Martin Nuñez, midfielder Lennon Celestino, and forward Brian Shriver for the 2011 season.

Hola Amigos! Burrito been in the dawg house (Liter-ally) lately. Pero no problem, He back now!
It's been almost a month since MLS Commisionado El Don Garber came to South Florida to talk to Burrito's compadres the Miami Ultras. Burrito was mad cause they no let in dawgs to Hotel pero Burrito was able to steal pictures from Uncle Ed's cell phone and si the picture not good qualities pero thats life.

Calling all supporters groups! Calling all Miami Ultras, Southern Legion, South Florida Football Fanaticos, Hooligans, Striker Likers, anyone who loves Soccer in South Florida!
It's time we all get together and meet each other. No matter if we don't agree and want to be different entities.

After the decision made by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), that revoked their preliminary sanctioning of the North American Soccer Leagues (NASL) for Division 2 soccer, the NASL teams supporters groups united and sent a letter to USSF President Sunil Gulati.
Their message follows:

February 1, 2011
President Sunil Gulati
U.

Today the Strikers announced the re-signing of two key defenders, It's a good sign of things to come for Striker Likers!
Here is a little about them:
English defender Martyn Lancaster. Lancaster was born November 10, 1980 in Wigan, England.
He began his career playing for Chester City in the English Football League and Football Conference between 1998 and 2003.

The New York Cosmos don't need Major League Soccer. But MLS needs the Cosmos.
The Cosmos flexed their muscles in recent weeks with the announcement of Eric Cantona and Cobi Jones joining the organization. The subsequent media blitz across the big apple further showed how the Cosmos brand still has allure even after 30 years since they last played in the old North American Soccer League.

The Atlanta Silverbacks announced that Mexican Jose Manuel Abundis is their new coach. They also announced that one time Miami Fusion star Alex Pineda Chacon will be the assistant coach. Check it out:

The Atlanta Silverbacks announced today that JOSÉ MANUEL ABUNDIS will join the club as its head coach.

By abdallah

Amidst our discussions over USL-PRO and the USSF soccer pyramid, the NASL released some good news this week and announced its 2011 season schedule.

The NASL, now composed of eight clubs, will have each club play 28 games and face each opponent four times. The season runs from April 9 through September 24, with the top six teams making the playoffs.

The Strikers have released their 2011 schedule Here is the press release:

Miami FC/ Strikers 2011, NASL 2011 Schedule Released

Ft. Lauderdale, FL (January 25, 2011) – Miami FC/ Strikers 2011 and the North American Soccer League have released the 2011 schedule today.

Miami FC's (Soon to be Strikers) PR Manager Ignacio Rodriguez was on Daniel Feuerstein's "Feuerstein's Fire Episode #40" yesterday along with FC Tampa fan and Ralph's Mob member Garrett Tozier.
Following you will be able to listen to it but it starts off talking about the world Cup and the awarding of the 2022 event in Qatar and the possible changing of the schedule to accommodate the World Cup to the Winter.

Think you have what it takes to be a Professional Soccer player?

The Strikers announced that they will be hosting their sixth annual open tryouts (Their first as the Strikers) for aspiring soccer players over a two-day span from January 22th to the 23rd at Fort Lauderdale Stadium, home of South Florida's only men's professional soccer team.

The Miami Ultras, South Florida soccer fans were mentioned on MLS the Daily today.
It's all due to the meeting they will have with MLS Commissioner Don Garber this coming Saturday. We will have a full report.
Also this weekend is the MLS Combine which is taking place this weekend. South Florida Soccer fans need to come out and support!