pic courtesy: live5news.com

Miami FC finished a punishing run of four games in 11 days with a 3-1 loss on the road to Charleston Battery on Wednesday evening. With both sides having a busy August the game was predictably cautious in the opening exchanges. FC head coach Paul Dalglish had already been forced to shuffle his pack after injuries to Brian James and Sebastian Velasquez. So it was hugely disappointing when they lost Prince Saydee with barely ten minutes gone.

Goalkeeper Bryan Gammiero had just plucked a Battery corner out of the South Carolinian sky and hurled it into the path of Prince. Great distribution. But with a huge gap to run into the Miami FC winger pulled up clutching his hamstring. Prince couldn’t continue and Dalglish was forced into an early substitution, sending on Janos Löbe as a replacement.

Miami had started well but the break in play seemed to work in favor of the home team. Charleston grew into the game from that point, taking the lead through Logan Gdula who lashed a rocket home off the underside of the bar that gave Gammiero no chance. It was 2-0 not long after when Romario Piggott capitalized on a poor clearance by the FC defense and slotted home. You have to say the second goal was preventable and it fits into a worryingly familiar pattern of goals conceded by Miami FC which would be filed under ‘sloppy defending’.

Nevertheless this team is prepared to fight for a comeback and if Paul Dalglish gave them a few stern words at half time it seemed to do the trick. Romario Williams got a piledriver on target after a couple of minutes but it was well saved by Joe Kuzminsky in the Charleston goal. A couple of feet either side and it would have been in.

If Miami FC came out flying then it seemed The Battery were still in the dressing room and the Orange and Blue took advantage. Löbe found space down the left but cleverly squared the ball early instead of going for the line. Miguel Gonzalez got on the end of it, out-muscled a defender and finished well beyond the diving Kuzminsky.

53' – MIAMI FC GOALLLLL! @elmiggy_10 cuts Charleston's lead to just one. Löbe picks up the assist. 1-2 pic.twitter.com/0R93gQME1z

— The Miami FC (@TheMiamiFC) August 27, 2020

It looked like the match might turn back in Miami’s favor. The next goal would be vital. But it was Charleston who scored it. Dante Marini just getting the ball past a wrong-footed Gammiero after Paterson had picked out target man Arthur Bosua in the box. The two goal lead was restored.

Miami went looking for another goal of their own and Charleston were happy to sit back and let them have possession. The triangle on the left of Bah, Löbe and Bezecourt, who again was the most dangerous creative outlet all game, looked to be the most likely avenue to a chance. Lloyd Sam came on and couldn’t squeeze a second home from a tight angle. Another substitute Harrison Heath sent a low shot wide. Hassan Ndam had a great chance from a corner that he couldn’t get on target.

3-1 at the end. Miami FC have seven days rest before traveling to Tampa again for another pop at the Rowdies. 7:30pm, September 2nd on ESPN+.