Florida Soccer Soldiers is an American semi-professional soccer club based in North Miami Beach, Florida, that plays in the United Premier Soccer League. The club was established in 2018 and gained notoriety after they qualified for the third round of the 2019 U.S. Open Cup, defeating professional clubs Miami FC and Charlotte Independence.
 | ||
| Full name | Florida Soccer Soldiers | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2018 | |
| Ground | SDG Soccer Complex North Miami Beach, Florida | |
| Head Coach | Daniel Godoy | |
| League | United Premier Soccer League | |
| 2018 Fall | Florida South Division: 1st Florida South Division Playoffs: Runners-up | |
| Website | http://www.floridasoccersoldiers.com/home | |
|
| ||
History
editThe Florida Soccer Soldiers were founded in 2018 and joined the United Premier Soccer League Florida South Division.[1] During their first season, the club managed to finish top of their division and won in the playoffs, defeating Miami Sun 2–1.[1] During the national championships, the club defeated Inocentes FC in the Quarterfinals 2–0 before falling to eventual champions, Milwaukee Bavarian, 2–0.[1]
The next year, the Soccer Soldiers qualified for the 2019 U.S. Open Cup, the national domestic cup competition in American soccer.[1] Their first round match was against reigning National Premier Soccer League champions Miami FC on May 9. The club managed a major upset, coming from behind to win 2–1 away from home and thus qualified for the second round.[2] Their second-round match was against USL Championship side Charlotte Independence on May 14. The Soccer Soldiers managed to pull off another upset, defeating the second division club in a penalty shootout 5–4.[3] The Soccer Soldiers' run ended in the third round, losing 1–0 to North Carolina FC of USL Championship.[4]
Management team
edit| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach |  Daniel Godoy
|
Statistics and records
editSeason-by-season
edit- As of May 31, 2020
| Season | League | Playoffs | U.S. Open Cup | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | Position | |||
| 2018 Spring | 9 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 7 | 27 | 1st | NP: Semi-finals | Did not play |
| 2018 Fall | 12 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 56 | 6 | 33 | 1st | FS: Runners-up | Qualified |
| 2019 Spring | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 22 | 1 | 22 | 3rd | FS: Quarterfinals | Third Round |
| 2019 Fall | 12 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 39 | 9 | 30 | 1st | FS: Runners-up[5] | Second Qualifying Round |
References
edit- ^ a b c d Ifans, Lee (7 May 2019). "2019 Meet the Underdogs: First year Florida Soccer Soldiers winning with "respect, pride and commitment"". thecup.us. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
- ^ "2019 US Open Cup round 1: Florida Soccer Soldiers upset NPSL champion Miami FC in tournament debut". thecup.us. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
- ^ KAUFMAN, MICHELLE (15 May 2019). "Local semi-pro soccer club pulls off shocker, beats USL team in U.S. Open Cup". Miami Herald. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
- ^ "North Carolina FC vs Florida Soccer Soldiers". USL Championship. 29 May 2019. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
- ^ "UPSL Division I". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
