The Miami Fusion has named former Fort Lauderdale Strikers captain Ray Hudson interim head coach, replacing Ivo Wortmann, who was relieved from his duties earlier today. According to Fusion Vice President and General Manager Doug Hamilton, the search for a permanent replacement will begin immediately. “We have not been pleased with the team’s efforts and results so far this season and felt a change needed to be made,” said Hamilton. “This demonstrates the commitment from management to our supporters not to tolerate the performance of the team to date. We all shoulder the responsibility for the position the club is presently in, and we all expect much more out of this group of players. It’s a long season and we fully expect to be in the mix at playoff time.” Hamilton added: “I have asked Ray to step in and help out the club in the transition. He knows our players well and will do a solid job until a permanent replacement is found. We have already identified a number of candidates and will make an announcement once we decide on the right person for the job.” For the past two and one-half seasons, the animated Hudson has gained fame as the Fusion’s popular television color analyst on Sunshine Network and host of the team’s post-game radio show on WAXY 790 AM. Before the start of the 2000 campaign he joined the Fusion front office as community outreach manager. As a player, Hudson was a five-time NASL all-star midfielder for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, leading the club to the Soccer Bowl in 1980. He began his playing career with Newcastle United of the English Premier League at the age of 17. Hudson, 45, has served as coaching director for several youth soccer organizations, but has no professional coaching experience. “I’m proud and pleased to respond to the bugle,” said Hudson. “This is my town, I’ve always been here and I’ll never leave. I’m so familiar with these players that I can act as a stepping stone between the old coach and the new coach. My intention is to put a spark and some real fight into the team and try to make a fist out of them. The talent is there, but the players seem to have lost their drive; I will challenge them to stand up for the colors of the Fusion and for their personal professional integrity.” Hamilton also announced that strength and conditioning coach Sidney Zabeau has been released from his duties and assistant coach Nick Megaloudis has been reassigned to the front office, where he will work as a team administrator. To assist Hudson, the Fusion has brought in former U.S. national team forward and long-time South Florida resident Eric Eichmann. A former teammate of Hudson’s with the Strikers and a member of the 1990 U.S. World Cup team, Eichmann, who turned 35 yesterday, had been serving as director of player development for the Boca United F.C. Youth Club. The Fusion (1-3-4, 7 points.) currently sits on the bottom of the Eastern Division, ranking last in the league in goal scoring and wins. Since joining the Fusion on July 24, 1998 as the team’s second-ever head coach, Wortmann has posted a regular season record of 21-28-4. “Ivo is a talented coach and a fine person of great integrity and honesty,” said Hamilton. “He has been loyal to our club and we appreciate his hard work. The change was necessary and will be beneficial to all involved.” Hudson will have his hands full as the Fusion returns to action Wednesday at Lockhart Stadium in a battle against defending MLS Cup Champion D.C. United (7:30 PM, no TV). For ticket information call 1-888-FUSION-4. The club is offering $3 off admission to anyone who presents a ticket stub from last Saturday’s game against Chicago. The team is scheduled to train tomorrow at 10 a.m. at the Fort Lauderdale Stadium practice fields.