Miami Sharks

Welcome to the homepage of the Miami Sharks, who will be playing their matches from the Miami International Chess Academy



     The Sharks continued to demonstrate that they are without question one of the premier teams in the USCL, having made it to at least the Semifinals in four of their five seasons.  After two straight years of being knocked out in the Semfinals, Miami really got down to business in the Postseason in 2009, winning very convincingly in the Quarterfinals against the Division Winners, the Seattle Sluggers, and then knocking out the powerful San Francisco Mechanics, despite being faced with draw odds in both matches.

     Unfortunately, their great run fell short by the narrowest of margins, losing to New York in the Championship Match in the Blitz Tiebreaker. After tenaciously fighting back in the regulation match when things looked very grim, Miami then looked poised to win it all, taking a big lead early on in the tiebreaker, but some heroics from New York showed it wasn't quite meant to be.

     While they, like a few other teams who've had so much success, have to wait another season for a chance at the USCL title, Miami once again had every reason to be very proud of their season. Their leader GM Julio Becerra, after a mediocre regular season, really came on very strong in the Playoffs, making the All Star Team for the fifth consecutive year while NM Eric Rodriguez continued his excellent play receiving top All Star honors on Board Four, his second consecutive year as an All Star. Also, their two other main players, IM Blas Lugo and IM Alejandro Moreno Roman, both turned in some very big wins, each drastically improving on their previous years' performances.  Like many teams, with so many strong performers, it seems to be more of question of when a Championship will occur for the Sharks rather than whether it will happen.

Two Time All Star: NM Eric Rodriguez

Roster
Schedule
History
Team Blog

Miami's Historical Results:

2009:  6.0 4.0, 4th Place in the Western Division.  Lost in Championship to New York in Tiebreaker
2008:  7.0 3.0, 1st Place in the Western Division.  Lost 3 - 1 in Semifinals to Dallas
2007:  5.0
5.0, 3rd Place in the Western Division.  Lost 3.5 - 0.5 in Semifinals to Dallas
2006:  4.0 6.0, 4th Place in the Western Division.  Failed to qualify for the playoffs
20055.5 4.5, 2nd Place in the Western Division.  Lost 3.5 - 0.5 in Championship to Baltimore


To show your support for the Miami Sharks, click on the link below to make a donation to the team.  Please contact the League Commissioner at admin@uschessleague.com to donate money via check.  Please make it clear which team you are donating to in the "payment for" line while sending your donation.



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