Miami Fusion FC (2015–17)
The Miami Fusion FC was a soccer team based in Miami, Florida. They competed in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) Sunshine Conference.[2] They were founded in 2013 and named after the former Major League Soccer team, Miami Fusion.
 | |||
| Full name | Miami Fusion Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2013 | ||
| Dissolved | 2018 | ||
| Ground | Ives Estates Park[1] | ||
| Capacity | 1,000 | ||
| Coach | Giuseppe DePalo | ||
| League | National Premier Soccer League | ||
| Website | Club website | ||
|
| |||
History
Miami Fusion FC was founded in 2013 by InteliSport, alongside Ferdinando De Matthaeis, as an expansion team in the National Premier Soccer League. The club played their first season in 2015.
2015 NPSL season
In the first competitive season, the Fusion were coached by Ferdinando De Matthaeis. They finished the season as the Sunshine Conference Champions with a record of 8–1–1 and a total of 25 points. In the regional semifinal round of the NPSL, the Fusion faced Chattanooga FC but fell short losing 1–0 ending the season. Winning the 2015 conference championship would qualify them to represent the NPSL Sunshine Conference in the 2016 US Open Cup.
2016 NPSL season
In 2016, Giuseppe DePalo was announced as the second coach in club history following his time in charge of the men's program at Nova Southeastern University.[3] DePalo came to the Fusion with years of experience as a player as well, playing with the Connecticut Wolves in the A-League and the US Open Cup. De Matthaeis also hired Keith Ehrhart as club operations director before the 2016 season after serving as an intern for the front office. The Fusion finished in third place of the NPSL Sunshine Conference with a record of 5–2–3 and 18 points.
2016 US Open Cup
The Fusion qualified for the 2016 US Open Cup after winning the Sunshine conference in the first year of league play. In the first round they were matched up against local rivals Boca Raton FC and the game was held a Broward College soccer stadium.[4] The Fusion came out on top after extra time, which advanced them to the next round of the tournament. In the next round, the Fusion traveled to Wilmington, North Carolina, to face the Wilmington Hammerheads FC of the United Soccer League. The game was held at Legion Stadium with the Fusion falling to the home team after 90 minutes of play, thus ending their US Open Cup run.[5]
2017 NPSL season
The Fusion saw the return of Ferdinado De Matthaeis as head coach for the 2017 season.
Season records
| Year | Division | League | Regular Season | Season Record | NPSL Playoffs | US Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 4th | NPSL | 1st | 8–1–1 | Southern Region | |
| 2016 | 4th | NPSL | 3rd | 5–2–3 | Did not qualify | 2nd Round |
| 2017 | 4th | NPSL | 1st | 11-0-2 | Southern Region | Qualified 2018 |
Head coaches
| Year | Name | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Ferdinando De Matthaeis | 8–1–1 |
| 2016 | Giuseppe DePalo | 6–2–3 (includes US Open Cup matches ) |
| 2017 | Ferdinando De Matthaeis | 11-2-0 |
Stadiums
| Year | Name |
|---|---|
| 2015 | FIU North Stadium |
| 2016 | Ives Estate Orange Bowl |
| 2017 | Ives Estate Orange Bowl |
References
- http://www.npsl.com/fieldlocations
- "MIAMI FUSION FC JOINS THE NPSL". NPSL. April 2015. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
- "The Official Website of Nova Southeastern University Athletics". www.nsusharks.com. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
- "2016 US Open Cup Round 1 : Miami Fusion FC pull away in OT to oust APSL champion Boca Raton FC |". Retrieved January 14, 2017.
- "Miami Fusion FC at Wilmington Hammerheads - 2016 U.S. Open Cup - Second Round - 7 p.m. ET - Legion Stadium; Wilmington, N.C." www.ussoccer.com. Retrieved January 14, 2017.