Miami Soccer Fans Suggest Names For David Beckham's Team

MIAMI, FL — David Beckham's former mates from Manchester United gave Miami soccer fans a taste of what's to come with a 2-1 win over Real Madrid Tuesday at Hard Rock Stadium. The near-sellout crowd of 64,141 left little doubt that Miami is primed to support Beckham's Major League Soccer dream and serve as a likely host city for the 2026 World Cup games. The soccer-lirious crowd also had some suggestions on a name for Miami's still nameless soccer club.

Marcello, Miguel and Carlos all play for a junior soccer team called Kaptiva in the Miami area. The trio of 13-year-olds were thrilled to see the European pros take the pitch in the Magic City though Marcello and Miguel of Doral were cheering for Real Madrid and Carlos cheered for Manchester United.

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"The Madrid fans were a little bit too loud for my liking," insisted Carlos, who is from Miami Lakes. "When we scored it kind of just shut them up a little bit."

One of those Madrid fans happened to be his father, Miami area builder Carlos Rodriguez, who brushed off the defeat and said his family loves the sport. They plan to become season ticketholders for the Miami team. "Beckham United is good," Rodriguez offered for a possible team name.

Real Madrid and Manchester United were playing in the International Champions Cup, an annual summer soccer tournament featuring top European clubs across North America, Europe and Asia. The friendly tournament is intended to bring world-class soccer to the masses by organizing marquee matches that attract record-breaking crowds — including the largest recorded attendance for a soccer match ever played in the United States when Real Madrid and Manchester United played in front of 109,318 at Michigan Stadium in 2014.

Founded in 2013, the tournament’s sixth installment features 18 of the top clubs in the world playing 27 matches in 22 cities across the globe, along with the first ever Women’s International Champions Cup and first ever International Champions Cup Futures event featuring top youth players from around the world.

Keegan and Kallie drove to the International Champion's Cup game from nearby Boca Raton. Aside from getting caught in rush hour traffic and paying $150 apiece for their tickets, they loved the experience. "It was a good game," said Kallie. "Soccer is a fun sport to watch."

The couple said they are eager to be in the stands when Beckham's Miami team takes the field for the first time in 2020. "I'll always come back to watch soccer every single time it's in Miami," said Keegan,who is a plumber's apprentice. "When Beckham's team comes we'll be there."

Steve Callaghan is originally from the British city of Manchester but now lives in Southwest Ranches.

"This is a brilliant outcome of lovely competion in the United States," declared Callaghan after Tuesday's game. He said he had seen Beckham play many times back home and looks forward to the start of the famous striker's future legacy in Miami.

"Bring this team to Miami very quickly because there are plenty of good soccer supporters who want to see good football in America, football played with the feet," Callaghan advised.

As far as a name for the Miami team, Callaghan said he will be happy with whatever name Beckham comes up with.

"I would have said Miami United but I think it's gone," Callaghan explained. "Just Miami Football Club is great — Miami FC."

Cristina Ortiz and her boyfriend Angel Castillo from Homestead are originally from Latin America, where soccer is a passion and a big part of the culture.

"In Miami we have a large Latino population. The Latino population likes soccer a lot. For me, it's something at least that reminds me of my culture, reminds me of my home town," said Ortiz. "Everyone gets together to watch the game."

Alexei Carter brought his eight-year-old son Robert all the way from Connecticut for a chance to see Beckham's former soccer team up close.

"It can't be the Dolphins," posited Carter of a possible Miami team name as his young son held a Manchester United vs. Real Madrid banner across his small frame.

"The Sharks," he offered as a possible Miami team name.

Photo gallery by Paul Scicchitano