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MIAMI (September 17, 2021) – On Friday, The Miami FC announced that the club has signed forward Chris Cortez for the remainder of the 2021 USL Championship season. Cortez has notched 52 USL Championship goals in his career, making him one of a select few to have scored over 50 league goals.

Born in Mission Viejo, California, Cortez played collegiately for the University of California for one season before signing with former Major League Soccer’s Chivas USA youth academy. The striker spent several years in the Chivas USA youth ranks before signing for the first team ahead of the 2011 season, where he appeared in nine league match.

After spending a season in the Mexican second division, the 6’4” forward returned to the United States, this time signing with Orange County SC of the USL Championship. Cortez scored 20 goals while adding 4 assists in 67 matches. After three seasons in California, Cortez moved to the Phoenix Rising SC in 2016. While in Arizona, Cortez made an impact netting 12 goals and adding 9 assists in his initial two seasons with the club. 

His breakout season came in 2018, where Cortez finished the year with 20 total goals and 5 assists. That same season, he played an integral part in helping Phoenix reach the USL Cup Final, where they would eventually lose to Paco Craig and “Speedy” Williams’ Louisville City FC. Overall, the 33-year-old recorded 32 goals and 14 assists in 81 matches for Phoenix. 

Cortez departed the United States after the 2018 season, spending one season at Denmark’s FC Helsingör prior to moving to play for Czech Republic’s 1. FK Příbram.

The striker has now been training with Miami FC for several weeks and is eligible for selection starting with tomorrow’s USL Championship match against Charleston Battery. For tickets, call 844-MIAMIFC or click here.

TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week Presented by Cleer Audio for Week 21 of the 2021 regular season on Tuesday, which included Miami FC’s goalkeeper Connor Sparrow and forward Christiano François.

Connor Sparrow recorded a nine-save shutout, including eight saves coming on shots from inside the penalty area, and also notched three punched clearances as Miami FC took a 2-0 victory on the road against Memphis 901 FC. 

François scored both goals as Miami took victory against Memphis 901 FC at AutoZone Park and completed 2 of 2 dribbles and 14 of 22 passes as the side kept pace with its rivals at the top of the Atlantic Division.

Rowdies’ Yann Ekra earned 43 percent of the ballot to claim the award. The Charlotte Independence’s Irvin Parra and Miami FC’s Connor Sparrow finished tied for second on 21 percent, with Parra notching two goals and one assist in his side’s two victories over the week and Sparrow recording a nine-save shutout in Miami’s 2-0 road victory against Memphis 901 FC.

The Championship’s Player of the Week is selected by the USL National Media Panel, which is made up of representatives from each media market in the Championship. 

USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 21

GK – Connor Sparrow, Miami FC: Connor Sparrow recorded a nine-save shutout, including eight saves coming on shots from inside the penalty area, and also notched three punched clearances as Miami FC took a 2-0 victory on the road against Memphis 901 FC. 

D – Hugh Roberts, Charlotte Independence: Hugh Roberts helped lead the Independence to a pair of shutout victories over the week, recording a goal and assist in the side’s win against Loudoun United FC while winning 3 of 3 aerials and 2 of 2 tackles and making eight clearances over two games.

D – Fabien Garcia, Austin Bold FC: The French defender scored the decisive goal in Austin’s 2-1 win against San Antonio FC and over two victories won 4 of 5 tackles while making 14 recoveries and four interceptions as Austin moved into the playoff positions in the Mountain Division. 

D – Elijah Martin, San Diego Loyal SC: Elijah Martin had a good two-way performance as San Diego earned a shutout on the road in Oakland, recording two key passes and winning 9 of 12 duels while making six recoveries and three interceptions.

M – Yann Ekra, Tampa Bay Rowdies: The Côte d’Ivoire native recorded two goals and two assists, recorded six key passes and completed 29 of 34 passes overall to lead the Tampa Bay Rowdies in a 6-0 victory against the New York Red Bulls II.

M – Kenardo Forbes, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: Kenardo Forbes had a standout two-way performance with two goals and two key passes while also winning 5 of 5 tackles, recording 12 recoveries and winning 7 of 8 duels in Pittsburgh’s 5-0 win against Loudoun United FC.

M – Sylvain Marveaux, Charlotte Independence: Sylvain Marveaux scored both goals as the Independence took a 2-0 victory against Hartford Athletic on Saturday night while completing 29 of 32 passes and winning 3 of 3 duels in midfield.

M – Aodhan Quinn, Phoenix Rising FC: Aodhan Quinn recorded a goal and assist and seven key passes overall in Phoenix’s 4-3 victory against the LA Galaxy II on Saturday night, and in turn became only the third player in Championship history to reach both 35 regular-season goals and assists in the league’s history.

F – Irvin Parra, Charlotte Independence: Irvin Parra led the Independence to a pair of victories over the week, including defeating playoff rival Hartford Athletic on Saturday night, scoring twice and recording one assist while notching four key passes.

F – Sebastian Guenzatti, Tampa Bay Rowdies: The Rowdies’ captain joined teammate Yann Ekra in recording two goals and two assists in the side’s 6-0 victory against the New York Red Bulls II and also had three key passes while completing 15 of 20 passes overall.

F – Christiano Francois, Miami FC: The Haiti international scored both goals as Miami took victory against Memphis 901 FC at AutoZone Park and completed 2 of 2 dribbles and 14 of 22 passes as the side kept pace with its rivals at the top of the Atlantic Division.

Bench: Austin Pack (CLT), Rob Kiernan (OC), Matt Mahoney (COS), Brian Ownby (LOU), Leo Fernandes (TBR), Jose Francisco Torres (COS), Johnny Rodriguez (OAK)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Haiti international Christiano Francois scored both goals as Miami FC took a 2-0 victory against Memphis 901 FC on Saturday night at AutoZone Park to extend its undefeated streak to eight games while continuing its pursuit of a top-two finish in the USL Championship’s Atlantic Division.

Looking to build on its dramatic victory last time out, Memphis almost took the lead in the eighth minute as Dre Fortune fired a shot from 25 yards to the top-right corner that was clawed wide of the post by Miami goalkeeper Connor Sparrow. The visitors also got an early look from distance as well after 901 FC gave away possession in its own half, but Billy Forbes’ low shot to the left corner was turned wide by Memphis’ Cody Cropper.

The visitors took the lead just past the half-hour mark, however, as after the ball popped loose in the penalty area off a cross from the right, a shot by Miami’s Janos Loebe was blocked but came straight to Francois, who fired home into the left corner of the net. 901 FC almost responded quickly as off a corner from the left, Fortune delivered a back-post cross that found Niall Logue for a header that Sparrow was well positioned to save. Skylar Thomas then went close as well off another good set piece delivery by Fortune from the right, but Sparrow was again equal to his header to the left corner of the net.

Miami went close to adding to its lead in first-half stoppage time as after a low cross from the left was blocked, Rahshaun Anglin cut a pass back to Pierre da Silva, who fired a shot from the left side of the box just wide of the right post. But a second goal arrived for the visitors five minutes into the second half as after a cross went behind its intended targets from the left side, Anglin chased down possession and slipped a pass into the penalty area for Francois, who controlled and the fired into the left corner of the net.

The hosts continued to be dangerous on set pieces, though, and almost pulled a goal back in the 64th minute when a deep cross from the right by Kadeem Dacres found Kyle Murphy at the back post for a volleyed finish that Sparrow got down well to save at the left post. Another corner kick presented a chance for Laurent Kissiedou as Miami didn’t clear cleanly, and Sparrow punched away the midfielder’s bouncing effort before the ball was sent out of the penalty area. Murphy then found another chance with 15 minutes to go as he cut past his defender in the right side of the penalty area, but had his shot blocked behind by Miami defender Paco Craig.

The visitors almost added a third a minute later as Lamar Walker – in his return to the lineup after international duty with Jamaica – curled a shot from 25 yards just over the top-right corner of the net, while Murphy had another chance denied for the hosts by Sparrow with bouncing shot that was parried away before Francis Atuahene’s attempt on the rebound was blocked and cleared. 901 FC wouldn’t find any late magic this time around, however, as Miami saw out the game to continue its drive toward the postseason.

MIAMI (September 9, 2021) — The Miami FC continued to support their community-oriented  Fútbol305™ initiative on Thursday morning, taking part in the monthly free food drive-thru distribution at Goulds Park.

Miami FC partnered up with Miami-Dade County, Project P.E.A.C.E., Be Strong International, Farm Share and Miami-Dade Police Department – South District to give free food to 500 households of the 305 community.

Miami FC launched Fútbol305™ with the main goal of becoming a club that ingrains itself in the community. We will once again be out in the 305 community on Tuesday, as we partner up with Feeding South Florida in their upcoming food packaging event.

TAMPA, Fla. (August 8, 2021) – Miami FC’s Paul Dalglish has been voted the USL Championship’s Coach of the Month for August presented by Cleer Audio, earning the honor after leading his side to an undefeated month that saw Miami win four times in six games to join the race for first place in the Atlantic Division, while posting impressive comeback victories against division rivals the Charleston Battery and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. 

In its second season in the Championship, Miami made an up-and-down start to the season as the club’s finishing lagged behind its overall play as the club introduced a large contingent of new faces to the squad including former Championship All-League selections Paco Craig, Speedy Williams and Christiano Francois. Since the start of July, however, the side has clicked into gear. In August, that resulted in impressive victories on the road against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC and at home to the Charleston Battery in which the side trailed by two goals, only to rally to claim all three points.

The mode of operation hasn’t changed for Dalglish over the duration of the season, but now the results are consistently living up to the performances the side is putting in on a weekly basis. 

“The outcome has changed but the process has stayed the same,” said Dalglish. “The most important thing is to have the patience to trust the process. We needed to allow time for the team to develop as we were more or less an expansion team with the amount of new players [we had]. Next year, we expect things to come together much quicker.”

Miami is currently in third place in the Atlantic Division after another comeback to earn a 2-2 draw with the Charlotte Independence this past Saturday, which moved the club’s undefeated streak to seven games overall. The side sits six points behind second-placed Pittsburgh currently but has two games in hand with 10 games to go in the regular season that could make the race for a home playoff game in the USL Championship Playoffs in November one that goes to the wire.

“Every game now is one-and-done playoff mentality,” said Dalglish. “We are not too concerned about the ten games as a whole, rather taking every game as a new challenge. If we look too far ahead, we might not take care of the games in the short term. If we have that attitude now, we don’t need to change our mentality when the playoffs come around.”

Dalglish received 68 percent of the vote to take the fourth monthly award of the season. The Tampa Bay Rowdies’ Neill Collins finished in second on 27 percent after leading his side to four wins in five games while only conceding one goal during an undefeated month, while Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC’s Brendan Burke finished third after leading his side to a five-game undefeated streak to end the month while leading the Championship with 18 goals in August overall.

The USL Championship’s Coach of the Month award is voted upon by the USL Championship National Media Panel and the USL Championship Technical Committee, with each group responsible for 50 percent of the overall vote.

TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week Presented by Cleer Audio for Week 20 of the 2021 regular season on Tuesday, with San Diego Loyal SC forward Corey Hertzog voted Player of the Week after notching a pair of goals in his side’s 4-2 victory against the LA Galaxy II on Sunday afternoon, moving the veteran forward into a tie for second place in the Championship’s all-time regular season scoring list.

Miami’s Bolu Akinyode was named to the Team of the Week after his performance in Miami’s 2-2 draw in Charlotte. The Nigerian defensive midfielder put in work on Saturday night  winning 11 of 13 duels and 8 of 9 tackles and recording 16 recoveries defensively while also completing 57 of 63 passes.

A four-time Championship All-League selection during his career, Hertzog joined SD Loyal last offseason and currently sits tied for second on the club with five goals this season. The veteran notched a pair of goals in Sunday’s victory against Los Dos, which moved the side into second place in the Pacific Division.  Hertzog’s brace also moved him to 72 regular-season goals for his career in the Championship, level with former Charlotte Independence forward Jorge Herrera. Hertzog will have his first chance to take sole possession of second place on Saturday when SD Loyal visits Oakland Roots SC at Laney Stadium. 

Hertzog earned 40 percent of the ballot to claim the award. OKC Energy FC’s CJ Cochran finished second on 30 percent after recording 13 saves across a pair of contests during the week, including a seven-save shutout against Memphis 901 FC on Wednesday night.

The Championship’s Player of the Week is selected by the USL National Media Panel, which is made up of representatives from each media market in the Championship. 

USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 20

GK – CJ Cochran, OKC Energy FC: CJ Cochran recorded 13 saves across two outings, including a seven-save shutout on Wednesday night against Memphis 901 FC that helped his side to a 1-0 victory despite being reduced to 10 men for more than an hour of action.

D – Isaiah LeFlore, Sporting Kansas City II: The 18-year-old had a pair of assists in SKC II’s 3-0 victory against OKC Energy FC on Saturday evening and across two games completed 109 of 124 passes, recorded three key passes and recorded five interceptions and 16 recoveries.

D – Joey Farrell, Phoenix Rising FC: Joey Farrell impressed throughout Rising FC’s 3-1 victory at Tacoma Defiance, winning 11 of 13 duels and 5 of 6 tackles while recording four interceptions and nine recoveries for the Pacific Division leaders.

D – Jelani Peters, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: The Trinidad and Tobago international scored the only goal as the Hounds took a 1-0 victory against the New York Red Bulls II on Wednesday, and over two games recorded seven interceptions, won 8 of 9 tackles and 18 of 24 duels and made 10 clearances.

M – Josh Suggs, New Mexico United: New Mexico’s captain recorded a goal and assist in his side’s 3-2 victory against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC on Saturday night while completing 28 of 32 passes overall and making three interceptions and three recoveries defensively.

M – Laurence Wyke, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Laurence Wyke notched a pair of assists in the Rowdies’ 3-0 victory against Oakland Roots SC on Friday night and had four key passes overall while completing 39 of 48 passes and winning 3 of 3 tackles in the center of midfield.

M – Bolu Akinyode, Miami FC: The Nigerian defensive midfielder put in work on Saturday night in his side’s 2-2 draw with the Charlotte Independence, winning 11 of 13 duels and 8 of 9 tackles and recording 16 recoveries defensively while also completing 57 of 63 passes.

M – Marcus Epps, San Antonio FC: Marcus Epps recorded a goal and assist across two games for San Antonio while also winning 18 duels, 3 of 3 tackles and 11 recoveries defensively as SAFC took four points to continue its recent undefeated streak.

F – Corey Hertzog, San Diego Loyal SC: The veteran forward scored twice in SD Loyal’s 4-2 victory against the LA Galaxy II on Sunday to move level with Jorge Herrera for second all-time in the Championship on 72 regular-season goals for his career, while also completing 22 of 36 passes and winning 4 of 6 duels.

F – Darren Mattocks, Phoenix Rising FC: The Jamaican forward scored his first two goals in Rising FC colors in his first start for the club on Sunday afternoon, and also completed 11 of 17 passes as Phoenix handed Tacoma Defiance its first home defeat of the season at Cheney Stadium.

F – Preston Judd, LA Galaxy II: Preston Judd scored a pair of goals and drew a penalty kick as Los Dos rallied from a two-goal deficit to earn a 3-3 draw with Sacramento Republic FC on Wednesday night while also winning 8 of 11 duels and recording four shots overall.

Bench: Ben Lundgaard (ATL), Matt Sheldon (TUL), John Cortez (NY), Jose Gallegos (SA), Luis Felipe Fernandes (SAC), Eric Calvillo (OC), Sebastian Guenzatti (TBR)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Miami FC extended its undefeated streak to seven games as it rallied for a 2-2 draw with the Charlotte Independence at American Legion Memorial Stadium on Saturday night as Haitian international Christiano Francois scored the equalizer in the 88th minute after the visitors had trailed by a pair of goals at halftime.

Looking to boost their playoff chances, the Independence created the first real chance in the 13th minute as Enzo Martinez had to stretch to guide a header on target off Joel Johnson’s cross from the right that didn’t get enough purchase behind it to trouble Miami goalkeeper Connor Sparrow. Six minutes later, however, the hosts took the lead from a similar opportunity as Sylvain Marveaux cut in from the right and delivered a left-footed cross that picked out Irvin Parra at the far post for a close-range header into the left corner.

Miami almost leveled quickly as Billy Forbes won back possession in the penalty area and fed Othello Bah, who passes to his left for Adonijah Reid to shoot only for Independence defender Hugh Roberts to make a decisive block. Marveaux then went closer for the hosts as he seized on a mishit clearance to get to the ball between two defenders but shot off the left post. The rebound caromed to Parra, who was denied as he recovered and made a fine kick save before the visitors cleared to safety.

Enzo Martinez doubled the Independence’s advantage a minute before halftime, however, as Adam Armour cut in from the left side and played a through-ball that sent Martinez in behind the Miami back line and the veteran made no mistake with a lifted finish to the left corner of the net just over Sparrow’s shoulder.

After adjusting with a pair of changes, Miami gained more of a foothold in the game early in the second half and in the 63rd minute the visitors halved the lead. A free kick from just outside the center circle in Charlotte’s half was clipped by Robert Kcira into the right half of the penalty area where Paco Craig rose to dent a looping header over Independence goalkeeper Austin Pack as he got caught off his line and int the left corner of the net.

Charlotte was able to settle the game down after Miami’s goal, though, and with eight minutes to go Martinez almost notched a second after receiving a pass from the right flank by Joel Johnson that Sparrow kept out. A minute later, Armour had a chance of his own for the hosts as he powered a shot from 25 yards that Sparrow parried away.

But with two minutes to go, Miami found an equalizer as Francois found a way. Off a long throw-in from the left, the visitors kept the play alive as former Italian international Luca Antonelli found Francois just outside the top-right edge of the penalty area, and the Haitian winger cut onto his left foot and sent a low ball into the box that found its way into the left corner of the net.  

MIAMI (September 1, 2021) – The Miami FC and Feeding South Florida have teamed up to help end hunger in South Florida. The USL Championship club announced today Feeding South Florida as one of the Founding Partners of Fútbol305™, the name of Miami FC’s new outreach initiative focused on leveraging our unique influence on and off the field as the club introduces new ideas and a new bold vision for our Miami-Dade community.  

As part of a nationwide initiative created by Feeding America®, Miami FC will go orange and actively participate in Hunger Action Month® which takes place throughout September. The main goal is to raise awareness about the issue of hunger in America and inspire action toward ending it. With “Hunger Action Day” set for September 17, Miami FC will also be wearing its orange kit in their next home match on Saturday, September 18. For tickets to that match, click here. 

As Miami FC continues its focus on being a club of the 305 community, the issue of poverty and hunger will be one of the main pillars of the Fútbol305™ movement. Through partnerships like this, Miami FC will show its commitment to aiding one of the top issues in the region.  

In South Florida, nearly one million individuals don’t know from where they will get their next meal – nearly 300,000 of whom are children. Hunger Action Month is your opportunity to be a part of a month-long movement that has a real and lasting impact on our mission of ending hunger in South Florida. Miami FC will be providing opportunities, including at upcoming home matches this month, for fans to help us in donating to the cause and helping us combat hunger in South Florida. 

Feeding South Florida is a member of the Feeding America network of food banks and the leading domestic hunger-relief organization serving Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties. Providing support for 25 percent of the state’s food insecure population, its mission is to end hunger in South Florida by providing immediate access to nutritious food, leading hunger and poverty advocacy efforts, and transforming lives through innovative programming and education. In addition to innovative programs that address the root cause of hunger and help break the cycle of hunger and poverty, Feeding South Florida distributed over 176 million pounds of food (147.5 million meals) in 2020, to over one million individuals through direct- service programs and a local network of nearly 500 nonprofit and community partners. 

TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week Presented by Cleer Audio for Week 19 of the 2021 regular season on Tuesday, which included Miami FC forward Lamar Walker.

The Jamaican international scored a pair of goals after coming on as a substitute to help Miami pull away for a 3-0 victory against the New York Red Bulls II on Sunday night and recorded three shots while completing 12 of 15 passes.

Walker’s week has also included a call-up to the Jamaican national team in their upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches against Mexico, Panama and Costa Rica.

Tampa Bay Rowdies goalkeeper Evan Louro was voted Player of the Week after recording two shutouts and eight saves, including his second penalty kick save of the season, as the Rowdies claimed a pair of victories to remain on top of the Atlantic Division.

Louro earned 56 percent of the ballot to claim the award. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC’s Russell Cicerone finished second on 22 percent, earning his second consecutive selection to the Championship Team of the Week after scoring twice, including a late winner, in the Hounds’ 3-2 victory against Hartford Athletic on Saturday night at Dillon Stadium.

The Championship’s Player of the Week is selected by the USL National Media Panel, which is made up of representatives from each media market in the Championship. 

USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 19

GK – Evan Louro, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Evan Louro recorded back-to-back shutouts against Loudoun United FC and the Charlotte Independence, including a six-save performance that included his second penalty-kick save of the season at Loudoun on Monday night.

D – Triston Hodge, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: The Trinidad and Tobago international scored his first goal for the Switchbacks and was big defensively, recording 11 recoveries and six interceptions while winning 5 of 6 tackles in his side’s 4-1 win against Austin Bold FC.

D – Matt Sheldon, FC Tulsa: Matt Sheldon recorded his second goal of the season and across a pair of Tulsa victories won 16 of 24 duels and made two interceptions and nine recoveries while completing 49 of 66 passes against Memphis 901 FC and Atlanta United 2.

D – Forrest Lasso, Tampa Bay Rowdies: The 2020 Championship Defender of the Year scored his first goal of the season in Tampa Bay’s victory against Loudoun United FC and over two shutouts recorded 12 clearances, won 13 of 18 duels and 9 of 12 aerial duels as well as completing 74 of 88 passes.

D – Oliver Larraz, San Diego Loyal SC: Oliver Larraz recorded his first goal for SD Loyal since arriving on loan from the Colorado Rapids and completed 4 of 5 dribbles while making 10 recoveries and completing 32 of 39 passes in the side’s 3-1 victory against Sacramento Republic FC on Saturday night. 

M – Jorge Hernandez, LA Galaxy II: The 20-year-old made the Galaxy II attack go in a 3-2 victory against Las Vegas Lights FC on Friday night, tying a USL Championship all-time high of 11 key passes in the game while notching one goal, completing 25 of 30 passes and 6 of 6 dribbles, and winning 7 of 9 duels.

M – Lebo Moloto, FC Tulsa: The South African playmaker recorded his first two goals of the season on Saturday night in Tulsa’s 3-1 win against Atlanta United 2 and had four shots and two key passes while winning 4 of 5 duels and completing 22 of 31 passes overall.

M – Lewis Hilton, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Lewis Hilton recorded his first goal of the season and an assist in the Rowdies’ victory against Loudoun United, and over the week completed 78 of 91 passes, had four key passes overall and made nine recoveries as Tampa Bay picked up six points over its two outings. 

F – Russell Cicerone, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: Russell Cicerone moved into second place in the Championship’s Golden Boot race as he recorded a pair of goals including the winner in second-half stoppage time as the Hounds defeated Hartford Athletic 3-2 at Dillon Stadium while completing 22 of 27 passes and recording three shots overall.

F – Marlon, FC Tulsa: Marlon scored twice after coming on as a second-half substitute, including a stoppage-time winner, as Tulsa took an important 2-1 win against Memphis 901 FC on Wednesday night and had five shots and won 14 duels over the side’s two games for the week.

F – Lamar Walker, Miami FC: The Jamaican international scored a pair of goals after coming on as a substitute to help Miami pull away for a 3-0 victory against the New York Red Bulls II on Sunday night and recorded three shots while completing 12 of 15 passes.

Bench: Jordan Farr (IND), Ryan James (BHM), Jorge Corrales (TUL) Wal Fall (OAK), Manuel Arteaga (IND), Joey Calistri (PHX), Augustine Williams (SD)