Franco, Griffiths, James, Granitto and González to suit up in 2020
MIAMI (January 9, 2020) The Miami FC roster for the USL Championship debut season is beginning to take shape, with a further five players committing to the club for 2020.
Defenders Marco Franco and Brenton Griffiths, midfielders Brian James and Tomas Granitto and forward Miguel González all return to the club ahead of preseason.
Fan favorite Marco Franco, 28, who signed for The Miami FC in January 2019 was a first-round pick in the MLS SuperDraft, having been selected by Chicago Fire in 2014. He spent one season with Chicago before becoming a staple on Indy Eleven’s back line from 2015 to 2017. The defender made 13 appearances for The Miami FC in 2019.
Jamaican U-20 international Brenton Griffiths was a regular fixture in The Miami FC backline in 2019, making 13 appearances and registering 3 goals. Griffiths, 28, signed for The Miami FC in January 2019 off the back of two successful seasons with Reno 1868, having helped Reno reach the Western Conference Semifinals in 2018.
Brian James returns for a third spell with The Miami FC. The 26-year-old midfielder was drafted out of college by Toronto FC in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft. James’ father, Alvin, played professional soccer for Fort Lauderdale Strikers.
Midfielder Tomas Granitto spent time with FC Edmonton, Swope Park Rangers (now fellow USL Championship side Sporting Kansas City II) and Portland Timbers II. After a season with Miami United FC, Granitto, 26, signed for The Miami FC in January 2019. He would later go on to make his international debut for the El Salvador national team in March 2019.
A native of Mexico, Miguel González, 29, spent the first two years of his professional career in the PDL with Seattle Sounders II and the Kitsap Pumas. He then moved to the USL with the Colorado Springs Switchbacks before joining Oklahoma City Energy FC in 2017, where he spent two seasons and made 46 appearances. In 2019, González’s racked up 22 goals, setting a new single calendar year record for goals scored by a Miami FC player.
Ahead of the return to preseason next week, Head Coach Nelson Vargas said: “I’m ecstatic that we have been able to maintain the core of the team. The value of having players who have worn the crest and who embody The Miami FC DNA help with our transition to a new league.
“Retaining a consistent core of our squad was one of the most important decisions we made when building our roster. We have a clear methodology, playing style and demands that require a certain player profile. I’m grateful to the players, Paul Dalglish and the whole Miami FC organization for all the hard work in getting a lot of our guys back.”
The USL Championship Eastern Conference gets underway in March, with The Miami FC facing Saint Louis FC on the road on March 7. The Miami FC returns to Riccardo Silva Stadium for a Friday night home opener versus Tampa Bay Rowdies on March 13.
Match ticket and season ticket details will be announced shortly. Keep an eye on The Miami FC social channels.
Players confirmed for 2020 returns
(GK) Mark Pais
(GK) Bryant Gammiero
(D) Jalen Markey
(D) Brenton Griffiths
(D) Marco Franco
(M) Harrison Heath
(M) Brian James
(M) Tomas Granitto
(M) Hector Morales
(F) Othello Bah
(F) Lloyd Sam
(F) Miguel González
(F) Mo Thiaw
