I was conversating with Kartik Krishnaiyer after a Miami FC game and this topic emerged. Although people don't want to admit it, there is quite a history in this town. Memory Lane was a place that we visited and all of these names started to surface. It was incredible as the history we started to retell came to life in my childish mind as Valderrama was the most relevant one. Meanwhile player like Elias Figueroa, Teófilo Cubillas, Gordon Banks, and others and a host of others were able to attract me to the history of the game at a young albeit they were way before my time. Some of these individuals were either highlight reels that I obtained on old VHS or Betamax tapes that my uncle had. Some were just players whose legacy was passed down to me from anecdotes from my elders.

Below are who I think are the greatest players to have ever played in the Magic City as well as the rest of South Florida and the greatness that they forever imprinted in this area's history of the Beautiful Game.









South Florida Starting XI

Gordon Banks- How can he not be? The former England goalkeeper is a shoe-in for this team's responsibilities in goal.

Leo Cullen- It would be a disrespect to leave the Fusion's all-time leader in minutes and games played out of this one.

Tyrone Marshall- The FIU product and Jamaican international is a symbol of the game in the mid-90's and is now applying his craft with the Seattle Sounders.

Elias Figueroa- Althought his time was brief, I had to include one of the greatest defenders in world football history.

Jay Heaps- Was a crowd favorite during his time with the Fusion.

Dirceu- Attack minded on the left and what better player to have than the left-footed genius from the Miami Freedom in 1988.

Carlos Valderrama- "El Pibe" is obvious. If I have to explain, please stop reading this.

Teófilo Cubillas- Just one word, "Nene".

Romário- O Baixinho was arguably the most ballyhooed acquisition in Miami football history when Miami FC began back in 2006. He was able to be one of the top scorers in USL that year, but wasn't able to accomplish what the team had in mind- getting butts in the seats and a title.

Gerd Muller- If I didn't he'd probably kick my ass.

George Best- Arguably the greatest player to have played down here.

---------------------Banks----------------------

---Cullen---Marshall----Figueroa---Heaps--

--------Cubillas---Valderrama----Dirceu----

----------Romário---Muller----Best-----------


Bench
Nick Rimando
Pablo Mastroeni
Marcelo Herrera
Tab Ramos
Zinho
Troy Edwards
Alex Pineda Chacón
Eric Wynalda
Romário
Roy Lassiter