Floridians FC
The Floridians Football Club (Floridians FC or FFC) was an American soccer team based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States, that plays in the Premier Development League (PDL), the fourth tier of the American soccer pyramid, in the Southeast Division of the Southern Conference.
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| Full name | Floridians Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | FFC | ||
| Founded | 2009 | ||
| Ground | Central Broward Regional Park Lauderhill, Florida | ||
| Capacity | 20,000 | ||
| Owner | Pascal Cohen & Franck Gotsman | ||
| President | Franck Gotsman | ||
| Head Coach | Fernando Valenzuela | ||
| League | Formerly PDL | ||
| 2016 | 4th, Southeast Division Playoffs: DNQ | ||
| Website | Club website | ||
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The team plays its home games on the Main Event Field at Central Broward Regional Park in nearby Lauderhill, Florida. The team's colors are navy and yellow.
History
On Wednesday, May 20, 2009 Schulz Academy was announced as a USL Premier Development League expansion franchise,[1] joining the league in 2010. The team played its first competitive game on May 7, 2010, a 1-0 loss to the Bradenton Academics.[2]
At the time, USL’s Executive Vice President and COO Tim Holt was “thrilled to welcome such a successful youth program as the Schulz Academy to the PDL". Their proven track record in developing players, including US National Team star Jozy Altidore, speaks for itself. "The club is a model organization in the Super Y-League and we are confident they will be an asset to the Southeast Division of the PDL.
The PDL team was coached by founder Dr. Josef Schulz, recognized as one of the top youth coaches in the country. Notable players that have been developed within the club included Matt Luzunaris, Hasani Sinclair and CJ Phelps of the U18 US Men’s National Team; Donovan Henry, Zach Herold, and Stefan Jerome of the US U17 Men’s National Team; and US National Team and Toronto FC striker Jozy Altidore. Academy founder Josef Schulz died of cancer on July 22, 2013.[3][4] With the sad passing of its founder, Schulz Academy decided to resume the Soccer Academy but gave up the PDL franchise to the Floridians FC. The Floridians F.C. are very proud to be able to provide a PDL team in the Miami Metropolitan Area.
The Floridians F.C. want to bring talents to South Florida and establish strong partnerships with professional players and clubs around the world. They will be competing in the PDL league of the USL and have established their home base at the Central Broward Park Stadium. The stadium, located at the heart of the Tri County Area offers easy access from the whole Miami Metropolitan Area, has a capacity of 15,000 seats and has the capabilities to welcome the tournaments and the many events the club will be hosting.
Players
Current Players
As of 2015
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Notable former players
This list of notable former players comprises players who went on to play professional soccer after playing for the team in the Premier Development League, or those who previously played professionally before joining the team with Schulz Academy.
Former players
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Regular Season | Playoffs | Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 4 | USL PDL | 8th, Southeast | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2011 | 4 | USL PDL | 6th, Southeast | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2012 | 4 | USL PDL | 7th, Southeast | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2013 | 4 | USL PDL | 8th, Southeast | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2014 | 4 | USL PDL | 6th, Southeast | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2015 | 4 | USL PDL | 4th, Southeast | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2016 | 4 | USL PDL | 4th, Southeast | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
Head coaches
Fernando Valenzuela (2014–Current)
Claude Anelka (2013–2014)
Josef Schulz (2010–2013)
Stadium
- Main Event Field at Central Broward Regional Park; Lauderhill, Florida (2010–present)
- Stadium at Florida Atlantic University; Boca Raton, Florida 1 game (2010)
References
- Schulz Academy joining PDL
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-05-14. Retrieved 2010-05-08.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "USL Mourns Passing Of Schulz". United Soccer Leagues (USL). July 23, 2013. Archived from the original on October 23, 2013. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
- "OBITUARY: The multi-talented Josef Schulz". Soccer America. July 23, 2013. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
- http://www.infosportinc.com/2009terrance_dieterich.htm
- http://www.umkckangaroos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=18300&ATCLID=204774031
- http://wakeforestsports.cstv.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/wright_andrew00.html
- http://www.goduquesne.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/trujillo_alex00.html
- http://www.fgcuathletics.com/msoccer/roster/113/938/
- http://www.oneshotonedream.com/charlie-caceda.php
- http://www.schulzsocceracademy.com/teampages/index_E.html
- http://www.fgcuathletics.com/msoccer/roster/262/1396/
- http://www.njcaa.org/colleges_college_player.cfm?sid=18&collegeid=1229&category=Roster&slid=9&teamid=77832&athleteid=239650
- http://www.njithighlanders.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=2668
- http://www.faulkner.edu/athletics/soccer/menssoccer/roster/miloradpasic.asp
