FC Miami City have been improving leaps and bounds over their previous season. The massive overhaul of the roster and staff has so far been vindicated by the results being earned on the field. While it hasn’t always been pretty, FC Miami City have found themselves near the top of the table 2 games before the half way point of the season. Their victory against Weston was another result earned by grinding out their opponent.
On a steamy afternoon at Tropical Park, FC Miami City were looking to earn points in their fourth straight match. FCMC boast quite a bit of history with their rivals north of the county line in Weston FC, but the rivalry is clearly one-sided. In four previous matches over the last two years, the Citizens are 3-1 with a +9 goal differential against Weston.
First Half
Both clubs would trade possession and take some deep runs into the attacking zone but find difficulty in getting a clear chance at goal. Weston would find themselves on the flanks early on near the penalty area but with a lack of runners into the box, the service was often opted against for a negative ball to the midfield. City would attack on these back-passes and spring forward looking for an opportunity to strike on a counter. In the 31st minute, FCMC would get their first great chance with a nifty ball played into the middle of the box. The strike would beat the keeper but not the far post as City narrowly missed taking the lead.
On the play out of their own zone, Weston would commit a foul challenging late on a loose ball that would earn Miami a free kick from about 38 yards out. The free-kick would find the towering City captain Josiah Trimmingham and his header would find twine as City took the lead.
Just like in the match versus Daytona, City would make a mess of a set-piece, this time a corner for Weston, that found a midfielder and his header would be buried into the back of the net. The match would quickly break for half-time and both sides would come out unchanged.
Second Half
The second half saw the rivals get physical and the play on the field intensify. Both sides looked for an early answer with deep attacking runs that found no threat at the goal. City would be cautioned twice by the referee on two hard challenges in the 62nd and 71st minute.
In the 74th minute, FC Miami City would launch a counter that would be finished by Martin Marijuan. After a few quick passes through the midfield, Marijuan would break through the backline and beat Weston’s keeper with a shot that would give City the lead again. The next 16 minutes of the match would be a collection of wasted opportunities and rash challenges that found five other players entered in the referee’s discipline book. City would withstand the final waves of attack from Weston and earn their second straight victory and third in four matches.
Up Ahead
Miami now sit second on the USL League Two Southeast Division Table, trailing only the Treasure Coast Tritons on goal differential. Every match in a shortened season is crucial and up next is a U.S. Open Cup team in The Villages S.C on Saturday before returning to South Florida with an away fixture against Weston at Broward College. Four points in these next two road matches would put City in a fantastic position to win the division and earn a playoff spot.
Click here to watch the live stream of The Villages SC v FC Miami City on MyCujoo.
