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2017 Florida Cup Preview: Esporte Clube Bahia

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 01/04/17, 4:43PM EST

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Bahia prepares for return to top flight with visit to Florida

Arguably the most popular club in northeast Brazil, Esporte Clube Bahia returns to Florida as it prepares for its return to Brazil’s top flight in 2017. The historic club bounced back from relegation after the 2015 season with promotion, while also finishing second in the state tournament this past year. Bahia visited Florida a year ago for an international exhibition against Major League Soccer’s Orlando City SC, and will be hoping for a pair of positive performances as it builds toward the new season.

NEED TO KNOW

Head Coach: Guto Ferreira
League: Serie A
Schedule: Jan.  12 – vs. VFL Wolfsburg, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Jan. 15 – vs. Estudiantes de la Plata, Bright House Networks Stadium, Orlando, Fla.

CLUB HISTORY

Clube Esporte Bahia was formed in 1931 after the merger of two clubs - Associação Atlética da Bahia and Clube Bahiano de Tênis – and soon developed a major following. The club was dominant in the Campeonato Baiano state competition, reeling off multiple championships in every decade prior to the year 2000, and 46 overall in its history.

The club also claimed a pair of national championships, the most recent coming in 1998. Bahia struggled at the start of this century, but has begun to return to prominence after the reopening of Arena Fonte Nova ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Back in Serie A for the new season, the club will continue its rivalry with Vitoria, the other major club in the state.

Player to Watch

Hernane

A veteran forward, Hernane joined Bahia prior to the 2016 season and provided the goals the club needed to gain promotion back to the top flight. The 30-year-old, who began his career as an academy signing for Sao Paulo, notched 11 goals which put him tied for fifth in the league. A former player for Flamengo, Hernane will be aiming to maintain that standard as Bahia looks to impress in its return to the top flight.

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