American Professional Soccer League (1990-1992)
Tombstone
Born: 1990 – Re-branded from Miami Sharks
Folded: September 1992
First Game: April 14, 1990 (L 1-0 vs. Albany Capitals)
Last Game: August 30, 1992 (L 2-1 @ Fort Lauderdale Strikers)
APSL Championships: None
Stadium
The Orange Bowl (75,000)
Opened: 1937
Demolished: 2008
Branding
Team Colors: Orange & Green
Ownership
Owners:
- 1990-1991: Julio Moreira, et al.
- 1992: Amancio Suarez
OUR FAVORITE STUFF
Miami Freedom T-Shirt
With the exception of the Tropics football team that played a single game in 2000, the Miami Freedom soccer club was the last professional sports team to make their home at the city’s historic Orange Bowl stadium.
This Freedom logo tee is available from American Retro Apparel in White or Grey and in sizes small through XXXL today!
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Background
The Miami Freedom soccer club was an undistinguished entry in the American Professional Soccer League from 1990 to 1992. At the time, the APSL represented the highest level of professional soccer in the United States, although it was a far cry from today’s Major League Soccer. The Freedom, playing in one of the nation’s most apathetic pro sports markets, averaged fewer than 1,000 fans per match in Miami’s 75,000-seat Orange Bowl during their first season in 1990.
Hungarian forward Laszlo Barna led the Freedom in scoring in 1990 with 7 goals.
In 1991, the club signed American striker Ken Snow, a two-time Hermann Trophy award winner as the nation’s top college soccer player while at the University of Indiana. The rookie paced Miami’s anemic 1991 offense with 5 goals and 1 assist. The 1991 Freedom finished in last place with a league-worst 19 goals in 21 matches.
1992 was more of the same. The Freedom finished bottom of the table again (4-12) with the fewest goals in the league (16) by wide margin. Zico Doe was the top scorer with 4 goals and 3 assists.
Rivalry with Strikers & Demise
Throughout their three-year existence the Freedom had a local APSL rival in the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. The Strikers commanded considerably more loyalty and attention among Miami’s soccer community due to the legacy of the Strikers name from the North American Soccer League days (1977-1983) and their superior soccer venue at Lockhart Stadium. At the end of the 1992 season, Freedom owner Amancio Suarez decided that the Strikers were the far more desirable property. He folded the Freedom in September 1992 and bought controlling interest in the Strikers instead.
Miami Freedom Shop
In Memoriam
Forward Ken Snow (Freedom ’91) died on June 21, 2020 at age 50, a victim of the COVID-19 pandemic. ESPN.com obituary.
Downloads
6-3-1990 Freedom @ Albany Capitals Game Notes
6-3-1990 Miami Freedom at Albany Capitals Game Notes
Links
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