25 for 25: The story of the Miami Fusion from those who lived it
25 years ago, on March 15, 1998, the Miami Fusion kicked off their opening game in MLS' 3rd season, becoming one of the 2 expansion teams in this ever-growing professional league. In 2001, despite putting together one of the best seasons in MLS history (at that point and arguably since), the decision was made to fold the Fusion. This podcast tells the story of the Miami Fusion through the voices of those who actually lived it. 25 interviews across 25 episodes charting the good, the bad, and the unbelievable.
Episodes
In Chapter XXII: "It was painful" former Miami Fusion owner Ken Horowitz shares his side of the story.
Ken shares how he came to own & start the Fusion 25 years ago and what caused him to make the decision to fold the Fusion after the 2001 season.
Ken takes care to set the record straight about why the Miami Fusion folded, what led up to the folding, and how some of those issues still exist today.
In Chapter XXI: "The Reunion" we FINALLY had our first ever Miami Fusion reunion event!
Held at Mickey Byrnes Irish Pub in Hollywood, FL on Friday, October 6, 2023 there was a LIVE podcast recording of '25 for 25' as part of the Miami Fusion Reunion Event festivities!
Former players, coaches, staff, and fans all congregated in their Fusion gear to drink beer, swap stories, cry, and laugh in a ...
In this bonus episode of the podcast, Alexi Lalas, former USMNT & MLS player (New England, Kansas City, LA & the MetroStars) shares his perspectives on the early days of MLS. Alexi reflects on where we've been and where we're going.
He reflects on his own experience with the 'Beckham Experiment' back in the '00's and how it corresponds with what we're witnessing with Lionel Messi...
In Chapter XX: "We went out on top" former Director of Marketing Services for the Miami Fusion, Laina DeLima Rosales shares her perspective of working for the Miami Fusion 25 years ago.
She shares her memories growing up around the NASL, including being a ball kid for the NY Cosmos! She shares how she took her passions and experience into MLS when she was hired on to work for the Miami Fusion, and later, MLS as a...
- 22 years ago the world came to a screeching halt.
- 9/11/01 not only impacted the United States, it had an impact on the entire world.
- All active sports leagues, including MLS, suspended play while everyone tried to come to grips with what was happening, in real-time, all around us.
In this special bonus episode of the podcast, Al Rooney shares his perspective of being around the Miami Fusion when these events ...
In Chapter XIX: "Soccer has everything" Phil Schoen shares his perspective of both the Miami Fusion and the early days of MLS as a whole.
Phil had the unique perspective of calling MLS' first ever match 27 years ago in 1996 AND the Miami Fusion's first ever match 25 years ago in 1998!
Throughout the years, Phil has continued to broadcast MLS matches including the current Inter Miami season. Phi...
In Chapter XVIII: "A team that started it", Jeff Bilyk shares his experiences playing for the Miami Fusion under Ivo Wortman and continuing under Ray Hudson.
Jeff shares his experiences playing for the Project-40 team back in the 90's, how it was the precursor to the Generation Adidas program we have now, and the overall talent development evolution in MLS.
There are also plenty of fun Miami Fusion...
In Chapter XVII: "You had to be sharp" Tyrone Marshall shares his experiences playing for the Miami Fusion from 1998-2001.
Tyrone shares what it was like joining the Fusion midway through their inaugural season, how he got along with Carlos Valderrama, and what shifting from Ivo to Ray Hudson was like during the 2000 season.
Enjoy!
** Announcing the FIRST EVER #miamifusion reunion and live podca...
In Chapter XVI: "We just had fun!" Carlos Llamosa shares his experiences suiting up for that magical 2001 Supporters Shield-winning team!
Carlos also shares his connection with the World Trade Center, and how he went from working at a cleaning company in NY to the 2002 USMNT World Cup squad (and everything in between!)
Enjoy!
** Announcing the FIRST EVER #miamifusion reunion and live podcast rec...
In Chapter XV: "I was a journeyman" former Miami Fusion player and current Tacoma Defiance Head Coach Wade Webber shares his perspective playing for the Miami Fusion in their inaugural season 25 years ago in 1998!
Wade shares how his journeyman career took him through various incarnations of the Seattle Sounders organization in the A-league and how he finally joined MLS towards the end of his career. Wade reflect...
In Chapter XIV: "We were a real mishmash" former Miami Fusion player and West Ham United legend Ian Bishop shares his perspective and stories from that magical 2001 Supporter's Shield-winning season!
Ian shares what brought him to MLS originally, what his plans were after the 2001 season, and his thoughts on how the game can continue to grow in America.
Enjoy!
** Announcing the FIRST EVER ...
In Chapter XIII: "The Fusion paved the way" former assistant coach Nick Megaloudis shares his perspective and stories working with the Miami Fusion for all 4 years of their existence, including a very memorable practice involving Carlos Valderrama!
Nick also shares his thoughts on what new fans of MLS and Inter Miami should know before they dive into any new discussions about Inter Miami and Lionel Messi.
What if the Miami Fusion never folded?
What would a 2002 MLS Season have looked like for Miami?
Who would've stayed?
Who would've left?
Who would be the new crop of players tasked with taking Miami to an MLS Cup?
All these questions and more are discussed in this latest bonus episode of the podcast featuring noted MLS reporter/host Eli Lesser of the popular channel 'This week in MLS'!<...
In Chapter XII: "It belongs in Miami" legendary Miami Herald sportswriter Michelle Kaufman shares her perspective on covering the Miami Fusion all 4 years of their existence.
Michelle also shares her perspective covering soccer in Miami currently and how Lionel Messi joining Inter Miami will elevate MLS forever.
Enjoy!
** Announcing the FIRST EVER #miamifusion reunion and live podcast recording...
Remember Saginaw?
Throughout this podcast folks continuously have brought up this lesser-known story about the Miami Fusion's 2000 US Open Cup run which included a thrilling 3-3 (6-5 PKs) result over the PDL's Mid-Michigan Bucks on July 25, 2000 in Saginaw, MI!
This story DEFINITELY fell under the "unbelievable" category of stories for the Miami Fusion and when I had the opportunity to intervi...
In Chapter XI: "It was magic" former community relations coordinator and "team mom". Dona Cardoza shares her experiences from all four years with the Miami Fusion!
Dona shares what it was like working for the Fusion for all four of those years and how she ended up working for the team simply by being across the hall from their offices 25 years ago!
Dona shares her passion for the team, what it ...
On this bonus episode of the podcast, host Joe Shaw, former captain Jim Rooney, and former coach John Trask were all guests on the 'Good Seats Still Available' podcast back on Monday, May 29.
Joe shared the genesis of the podcast while Jim & John shared their stories and perspectives of the Miami Fusion on this sports history podcast.
We cannot thank host Tim Hanlon and then entire GSSA crew for havi...
In Chapter X: "Diego didn't have an ACL!" former athletic trainer and eventual strength & conditioning coach, Jaime Rojas, shares his experiences from all four years with the Miami Fusion!
Jaime shares what it was like working for the Fusion for all four of those years and how he was baptized by fire immediately with team.
Jaime also discusses several memorable injury/recovery stories featuring...
In Chapter IX: "It comes down to moments" current Chief Soccer Officer & Sporting Director of Inter Miami and former Miami Fusion player Chris Henderson shares his perspective playing for the Fusion during their magical Supporter's Shield-winning season back in 2001.
Chris shares what it was like going from winning the domestic double in Kansas City the year prior to heading down to south Florida with Pr...
In Chapter VIII: "Peacocks and double wides" current Atlanta United President and CEO and former Miami Fusion goalkeeper Garth Lagerwey shares his perspective playing for Miami back in 1999 & 2000.
Garth shares what it was like playing soccer in South Florida, what the atmosphere was like back then, how MLS has grown significantly since that time and how Doug Hamilton served as a mentor for Garth and helped l...
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