Brazilian Boost

Today the team announced the signing of five players from Miami FC's sister team Desportivo Brasil, including 2009 Miami FC standout Paulo Araujo Jr. (left), to help add some speed and skill to this year's roster. You can check out some highlights on Miami FC TV.

These signings were designed to bolster the roster from the back line to the front line, addressing many of the team's needs. It also adds depth, flexibility and youth to a midfield that is expected to be a strong unit for the Blues with the ability to create many scoring opportunities in addition to disrupting opposing attackers.

Fans already know what Paulo Jr. has to offer after he burst onto the scene last season, emerging as one of Miami FC's most reliable players. He is quick, athletic and showed an ability to create scoring opportunities for himself and fellow teammates. Last season, the forward logged in nearly 1,000 minutes of play in 15 games, scoring three goals and providing a spark for the team on the pitch. The team is very glad to have him back for this season and provides a sense of continuity from last season.

The signings include three midfielders (Ariel Germiniani, Paulinho Le Petit and Lennon Celestino) who will join Jarryd Goldberg and Bryan Perez to form a midfield that will difficult for opponents to figure out. Germiniani, who turns 20 next month, has an aggressive style of play and is not afraid to challenge and go after the opposing defenses. He has a strong, mid-range shot and speed to cause damage deep in opponents' territory with great ball movement that will keep defenders missing. Le Petit is more of a defensive midfielder, who has great vision and awareness on the pitch. He is a player with an uncanny ability to get the ball to playmakers and create opportunities to put up points on the scoreboard. And Celestino will be a disruptive defensive presence who is known for breaking up plays with a nose for finding the ball and anticipating and reading attackers.

In the backfield, Euzibio Neto is expected to make an impact at right back. He has speed in the open that will allow him to make on-field adjustments and will challenge opposing attackers, forcing them to make mistakes.

You can see what these players can do with your own eyes and get a better idea of what they can do on the pitch this upcoming season or with highlights for all five signings on Miami FC TV or as shown above!