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Mason Trafford, Miami FC Win 2017 NASL Spring Championship
Stone Sports Management LLC (Columbus, Ohio) - July 18, 2017
Stone Sports Management LLC congratulates Mason Trafford and Miami FC for clinching the 2017 NASL Spring Season Championship after the team’s dominant performance in its 7-0 win against the 2nd place San Francisco Deltas in front of its home crowd at Riccardo Silva Stadium. The Spring Season Championship meant a great deal to the Miami squad who finished last during the 2016 Spring Season in its expansion season. With a full pre-season with its core players in place, Miami FC led the NASL in Offense (33 Goals) and Defense (11 Goals Against) which established a 10 point lead over the Deltas heading into the Fall Season.
"I could not be more happier for Mason to lift the NASL Spring season championship after accomplishing the fall title with Ottawa in 2015," reflected SSM's President and USSF Licensed Intermediary Justin B. Stone. "Mason has been Head Coach Nesta's 1st choice in Miami FC's central defense pairing since last year and can tell it means a lot to Mason and the club to lead the league in cleansheets and goals against. I know they only see the Spring title as one goal for the season and look forward to seeing how they can progress in US Open Cup play and continue their form within NASL."
A big reason for Miami’s spring success is Mason Trafford's play. The veteran Central Defender defender is among the league leaders in passes (960) and passing accuracy (92.0%) while helping the team post a league leading 7 cleansheets out of 16 games played in league play. After leading the team in minutes in 2016, Trafford continued to be one of the minutes leaders, as he started 14 of the 16 total games and logged 1269 minutes. Mason's play earned him Team of the Week Honors three times in Week 6, Week 11 and Week 13. In addition to being one of the best left sided Central Defenders in NASL, Trafford stood out against MLS competition in Miami FC's US Open Cup wins against Orlando City and Atlanta United. The team's Round of 8 matchup against FC Cincinnati was postponed to August 2nd.
"I am honored to be part of this team and extremely proud of our achievements in the NASL and US Open Cup," reflected Mason Trafford. "Miami FC as an organziation and the players have grown together since our first year, and our performances to date and this championsihp are great rewards for these efforts."
Even though Miami FC secured a place in the NASL's Playoffs, the club is focused on the #1 seed and also winning the NASL Fall championship. They will take a mid-season break before returning to league play for the Fall season opener on July 29th against the New York Cosmos.
SSM wishes Mason and Miami the best of luck during the Fall season. View Championship clinching highlights against San Francisco HERE. Follow Mason Trafford on Twitter HERE.