The ball is about to roll. After a long wait, the Flamengo Nation will see the team back on the field this Thursday against Ajax, in the Florida Cup debut, their first official match of 2019. The game will be played at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando at 22 PM (Brasília time - 19 PM local time). On Saturday, Flamengo will face Eintracht Frankfurt at the same venue at 19 PM, concluding their participation in the competition.

The team returned from vacation on January 03rd and, with just seven days of work, will face the Dutch team, which is coming off a break in the season. It will also be the first game under Abel Braga, the team's coach, who took over in January. 

Abel Braga

The red-and-black coach for the 2019 season is in his second stint with the club. In 2004, Abel won the state championship and finished runner-up in the Copa do Brasil. Fifteen years later, he returns with a Club World Cup, a Libertadores, and a Brazilian Championship under his belt. Abel toured the new professional unit at Ninho do Urubu and was full of praise for the structure. See how the coach's visit went on Fla TV. 

Flamengo x Ajax

The two teams have met only once in history. The only meeting took place in 1988, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, with a 1-0 victory for the red-and-blacks, with a goal by Renato Carioca. The team on the field consisted of Zé Carlos, Jorginho, Leandro, Edinho, and Leonardo. Andrade, Delacir, Luvanor, and Renato Carioca (Alcindo). Bebeto and Zinho, under Candinho's command. 

Check out the winning goal below. 

Flamengo in the United States

Flamengo has played several friendlies in the United States. They have played 12 times in their history, with a favorable record of seven wins, two draws, and three losses. The first match was in 1967, a 2-1 loss to Roma in California. The last match was against América of Mexico, another 2-1 defeat, also in California. 

Check out the team's games in the USA below. 

• 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

Learn more about the Mais Querido's trips to the USA

New face on the block

The first reinforcement for the red-and-black team in 2019 is Rodrigo Caio, a defender who joined from São Paulo. The current number three will make his debut in the competition alongside his teammates. The player reported to the team on the 03rd and has been training normally, being one of Abel's options for the match.  

Tickets

The Nation present in the United States can purchase tickets for the match by accessing the event's official website: http://www.floridacup.com/tickets

Transmission

The season's opening match will be broadcast on TV Bandeirantes and SporTV.