and speaking of “Like hot, buttered popcorn! Like baby oil and exotic entertainers!”

I could hear the man himself, that is Ray Hudson, saying these lines himself.

@yankiboy – A couple of thoughts for you my friend. I’m not associated with the team in any way except that I am a season ticket holder in section 122. My feelings of tradition and history for this franchise are about my memories as a kid of coming to Lockhart with my father and watching all the greats you mentioned – Ray, Nene, Gerd, Best, JVB, and even some of the lesser knowns like Ken Fogarty and Colin Fowles – we loved them all! Lockhart really rocked in those days. Now I get to bring my son to Lockhart and experience it again. Obviously not on the same level, but with the hopes that if built properly, it can grow to its previous heights.

All that said, the Strikers could have put a star on their crest for a championship in a “past life” so to speak, 1989 ASL Champions, but didn’t. But, even though it’s the Rowdies, and it would be easy to bash them for theirs, I’m not going to. And here’s why. This whole D2 thing needs to work somehow. I finally have my beloved Strikers back, and this weekend I’ll even be making my way to Tampa for the official renewal of a classic American pro soccer rivalry. And not just because I am an NASL and Strikers 1.0 fan, and I like the nostalgia, but also because I think this league and these teams need to do anything and everything they can to survive long enough to carve out their nitch. If part of that means hanging their hat, at least partially, on the nostalgia of the original NASL, who cares? Why knock it? MLS is finally figuring out it ain’t so bad to have some of that old-time NASL feel, so why can’t D2?

As for Ray, I know what you mean, and many Striker Likers have expressed similar concerns about his “treatment.” I think some of his feelings about not being warmly welcomed has to do with Traffic, not Tim. I think he’s probably still put off about it, and despite Tim’s attempts to get him more involved somehow, he’s still holding onto that. The Ultras had a t-shirt made with a silhouette of Ray after scoring a goal, being held up by some teammates, and it reads “4 Life” on it. This is how us old time Striker Likers feel, and honestly even a lot of younger ones who have grasped onto the tradition of the past. We would LOVE to see his #4 retired in a ceremony at a game. I have a feeling someday it will happen, especially once Traffic is finally 100% out of the picture down here. Ray loves this town and the Strikers, and I think once he feels it’s completely back to where it should be, he’ll allow himself to be pulled into the picture on some level.

Yeah. I love the fact that you guys purchased a brand. But let’s not get loopy with all of the “history and tradition” talk. Please, don’t be like your Central Florida brethren with their fraudulent star.

The only thing worse than we’re gonna pimp and celebrate nostalgia coz we purchased the rights is when you don’t even field a club in a pro league and you are pimping it and talking about the supertar club that played together and partied together. I’m not even gonna mention their name. Even FC New York managed to play more professional games than the NY RetroRockStars did last year.

I’m just saying–let’s keep it real, y’all.

As I mentioned to the great Ray Hudson, when he was a guest on MIA about a month ago–Hudson, Cubias and company–had a lot of love for them. This ain’t the same club. Exhibit A: The way Hudson talks, he gives it a spin like he almost has to purchase his own ticket to see these Strikers play. I’m not saying that they should put him on the payroll like it appears that the NY RetroRockStars have done with Pele, but can Hudson get a little more love?

Don’t get it tiwsted–I LOVE ME SOME TRAFFIC USA! I know that they have a lot of people whose employment they are funding–just sayin’ that maybe Hudson can get a little more acknowledgment.

Of course, TR’s response was thay Hudson is always welcome. Being told that you are welcome and being made to feel welcome are two very different things…

I gotta lot of love for the tradition of the club that relocated to Minnesota called the Strikers–the current clu–well, someone had to replace Montreal.

Thanks to D2′s post championship match comment where he referenced Puerto Rico–until someone better comes along(Sorry San Anton but you ain’t been here for but a minute)–the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers are the team that I want to see Puerto Rico beat more than any other club in the league.

Oh yeah, Playahs–it’s ON!!! Like hot, buttered popcorn! Like baby oil and exotic entertainers!

Tonight, anything less than 3 points will NOT temporarily quench my taste for vengeance!!!

Coach Shore was great…could have kept talking to him for hours. The NASL coaches are truly quality individuals, and it’s been a pleasure to hear their thoughts and opinions.

BTW, solid appearance by IMS’s own yankiboy on the Ultras Alive last night as well. I missed the live broadcast, but caught the podcast today at work. All I can say is, stop the hate yanki! The history and tradition of the Strikers is something you gotta love!

Good job overall on the interview with Coach Shore. I spoke with him for about 10 minutes after a match last season and had no clue about his background. I think he is probably one of my favorite opposing coaches. I hope to catch up with him again this year.