Romario während Saisonpause zu Miami

[Funkmaster]

Romario to play for Miami FC

SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) - Romario agreed to play for Miami FC on Thursday in America's second-tier United Soccer Leagues.

The veteran striker, who helped Brazil win the 1994 World Cup in the United States, said he will join Miami FC in the team's inaugural season in the USL. The club confirmed the deal on its Web site.

The USL season is from late April to early September, and 40-year-old Romario will return to Vasco in September to play in the Brazilian league, Vasco president Eurico Miranda said in a news conference.

Romario did not speak to reporters and confirmed only his move to the United States.

Details on the transaction were not immediately available. Miami FC is owned by Brazilian company Traffic Sports, which has a close relationship with Romario.

"Our objective with Miami FC is to build a winning team of international transcendence," Julio Mariz, president of Traffic Sports USA, said on Miami FC's Web site. "Today with the signing of Romario, we have taken an important step in that direction."

Miami FC had already announced the signing of Brazilian midfielder Zinho, who played alongside Romario on Brazil's 1994 team. The club, coached by Brazilian Chiquinho de Assis, has also acquired Jamaica's Onandi Lowe, a veteran of the 1998 World Cup in France, and Guatemala international Mario "El Loco" Rodriguez.

Romario was under contract with four-time Brazilian champion Vasco until the end of 2006, but hadn't showed up at the club since March 15, when Vasco lost 2-0 to minnow Cabofriense and was virtually eliminated from the Rio de Janeiro state championship.

"It was a personal decision that Romario and I agreed was interesting for both parts," Miranda said.

The striker is 36 goals shy of his 1,000th career goal. He surprised everyone last year by topping the scoring charts in the Brazilian league with 22 goals.

The USL's first division includes teams in Montreal, Vancouver, Toronto, Atlanta, Portland and Minnesota.

Miami FC will host its first regular season match against the Montreal Impact on April 23.

Foxsports.com

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