Flamengo will finally make its debut in the Florida Cup in 2019. In the fifth edition of the competition that opens the season and has been attracting more and more attention from Brazilian teams, the Mais Querido will be alongside São Paulo as the national representative and will return to the United States, where it has not played since 2006. As the name suggests, the matches will all be in Florida, more specifically in Orlando, at the Orlando City Stadium, starting on January 10th.

In the current edition, the Mengão will face the Dutch powerhouse Ajax on the 10th, and Eintracht Frankfurt from Germany on the 12th. These are two schools that will be in the middle of two seasons and the test will be extremely valuable for the Mais Querido to start its own, which promises to be intense in 2019. After the Florida Cup, the team returns to compete in the State Championship and the first - and main - objective of the season, the Copa Conmebol Libertadores. 

Flamengo in the United States

Playing in the US is a positive thing for Flamengo. Over the years, they've played 12 times, with seven wins, two draws, and three losses, all in friendlies. National teams, combinations, teams—the Mais Querido has faced a variety of opponents. We've gathered some interesting facts for you while you wait for the US visa appointment line to move forward. 

In the video above, the only goal of Flamengo's victory over the US team, scored by Fernando, the scorer of the winning goal of our first Copa do Brasil, in 1990. 

1. Rota 66

Flamengo has played on both the East and West Coasts during its stints in the United States. The club's popularity helps with this logistics, as many Brazilians live in that country and the majority of its fans are Flamengo fans. But it was in the West that the team played the most. They played eight matches on the Pacific coast, three in San José, in friendlies against Mexicans, and three in Los Angeles, including the legendary venue of the 94 World Cup final, the Rose Bowl. Check out all the games in the US:

• 18/10/2006 - Flamengo 1 X 2 América (MEX) - Coliseum/Los Angeles - Coliseum Trophy
• 12/08/1990 - Flamengo 1-0 Alianza Lima (PER) - Giants Stadium/New Jersey - Marlboro Cup
• 10/08/1990 - Flamengo 1 X 0 United States National Team (USA) - Giants Stadium/New Jersey - Marlboro Cup
• 28/08/1987 - Flamengo 2 X 1 Monterrey (MEX) - Harder/Santa Bárbara - International Friendly
• 25/08/1987 - Flamengo 1 X 0 Monterrey (MEX) - Spartan/San José - International Friendly
• 22/08/1987 - Flamengo 5 X 0 Mexico All Star (MEX) - Spartan/San José - International Friendly
• 19/08/1987 - Flamengo 2 X 3 Mexico National Team (MEX) - Spartan/San José - International Friendly
• 15/10/1985 - Flamengo 2 X 0 Guadalajara (MEX) - Rose Bowl/California - International Friendly
• 12/10/1985 - Flamengo 3-0 San José (USA) - Rose Bowl/California - International Friendly
• 28/09/1982 - Flamengo 3 X 3 Cosmos (USA) - Giants Stadium/New Jersey - International Friendly
• 26/03/1967 - Flamengo 1 X 1 Roma (ITA) - Downing Stadium/New York - International Friendly
• 23/03/1967 - Flamengo 1 X 2 Roma (ITA) - Kezer Stadium/California - International Friendly

2. The first time

Flamengo's first match in the US was in 1967 against Roma of Italy. With a mixed lineup due to commitments in Brazil, Flamengo ended up losing 2-1 to the Italians, playing at Kezer Stadium in California. Three days later, the teams crossed the country to face each other again in New York, at Downing Stadium. This time, the match ended in a 1-1 draw, ending the tour.

Interestingly, Flamengo played in Roma's second jersey. Those were different times; we didn't have as many jerseys for players. It's also worth mentioning that a certain striker was emerging on the team, a certain Fio Maravilha, who would later score some legendary goals.

3. Against that famous Pelé team

Fifteen years later, Flamengo was back in the US, this time facing perhaps the most famous North American team in history, the NY Cosmos. However, since the match was in 1982, Pelé had long since retired from soccer. Even so, it was a game with enormous appeal. More than 37 fans packed Giants Stadium in New Jersey to see Zico and company face Beckenbauer, Chinaglia, Sócrates, Carlos Alberto Torres, and other greats from the green team from New York. The final score was 3-3, with Zico, Wilsinho, and Junior making it 3-0 in the first half, but Chinaglia, with three goals (two from the penalty spot), equalized.

Some interesting facts about the match:

Paulo Cesar Carpegiani was the team's coach, but he played during the first half, to remember the times he shared the midfield with Zico and Adílio.

The game was played on a field with American football lines, painted red rather than soccer lines. Players often confused themselves with the lines.

It was Carlos Alberto Torres's farewell as a player. Soon after, the Tri-Captain joined Flamengo to begin his coaching career, and in his first job, he won the Brazilian championship in 1983.  

4. Mexicans everywhere

Of the 12 games played in the US, six were against Mexicans, including the national team. The team recorded four wins and two losses. Due to their proximity to the US, all games were played in California, to facilitate the Mexican fans. There aren't many records of these games, but from the lineups, we can see that some emerging names had already made their mark in the US and would later reach the peak of their careers there.

Against Guadalajara in 1985, Flamengo won 2-0, and the right-back was Jorginho, who 11 years later would be on the team that won the fourth World Cup in the same stadium. Jorginho returned to the US with Mengo in 1987, alongside Aldair, Bebeto, and Zinho, for four more games against Mexican teams (2-3, Mexico; 5-0 Mexico All Stars; 1-0 Monterrey; and 2-1 Monterrey). Little did they know...

5. The Florida Cup

Flamengo postponed its debut in the competition by two years. It was supposed to take place in 2017, but the tragic accident involving the Chapecoense delegation changed the schedule, and the Mais Querido had to withdraw its invitation. The time has come, and this time Flamengo has already confirmed its presence.

The games will be played on the stage below, the brand-new Orlando City Stadium, with a capacity of 25.500. Opened in 2017, it has already become a gem and another tourist attraction in trendy Orlando.

Flamengo fans in the US or traveling to the competition will have nothing to complain about in the city. Orlando isn't just an amusement park. Restaurants, shows, the NBA, events—it has it all. And Flamengo embassies in the US are already mobilized to invade the city.

Tickets are now on sale: http://www.floridacup.com/pt/matches

CVC Viagens has organized a package for those who want to travel to the United States to watch the competition, including hotel accommodation, tickets to the games and Universal parks. Click here to check.  

Competition schedule? Check it out below.

 

 Now it's just a matter of planning and waiting to see Mengão in the season opener. It won't be long before we see our team on the field again.