Month: October 2020

The Miami FC

Classy FC Brush Aside Atlanta United 2

By on Monday, October 5, 2020

Miami FC turned in a dominant performance on Sunday evening sending Atlanta United 2 home empty handed. The Orange and Blue signed off for 2020 with a flourish, an emphatic 3-1 win.

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Following the goal fest on Wednesday where FC bested Charleston Battery 4-3 it was clear to see confidence had returned to the Miami camp. It’s been a commodity sorely lacking this season. Much is made in soccer these days of stats, systems, tactics and so on. But footballers thrive when they play with a smile on their face. Too often this season there have been furrowed brows and long faces in Miami FC jerseys. Not last night.

Even when the predictable happened and ATLUTD2 scored an early goal it didn’t seem to rattle the home team. Ndam was beaten to a long ball by Jackson Conway who finished well, Pais no chance. This has been familiar territory for Miami this season but instead of slouching shoulders and heads dropping, the players were encouraging each other and stuck to their game plan.

Mark Pais averted disaster again minutes after the goal. Dealing well with Amir Bashti when the Atlanta #10 had a great chance to double the lead in a one-on-one. Although both sides were out of playoff contention a long time ago there was something to play for in this game. Atlanta knew a win or draw would give them 3rd place in USL Championship Group H. Miami needed all three points.

So with the motivation of that third place spot it was no surprise that the game was physically competitive. Over the course of the game referee Alex Billeter dished out eight yellow cards. On the half hour mark she awarded Miami a penalty. Prince Saydee tore into the area and was brought down by ATLUTD2 keeper Ben Lungaard. It was a tough decision for the ref. Lundgaard got a little of the ball but also sent Prince flying. There was enough there to give the penalty. Romario Williams made no mistake and fired in an excellent penalty kick to level things up.

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From that point Miami controlled the majority of game with their signature brand of soccer. Bezecourt and Velasquez ran the show. Their styles contrast slightly. Bezecourt never stops running and drives the game forward whenever he gets the opportunity. Velasquez drifts around, demanding possession then toying with his opponents. The ball seemingly on a string attached to his foot. Often he would open up space with a trademark dribble for his team mates to run into. Both are given the freedom to operate by the reliable partnership of Harrison Heath and Tomi Granitto behind them.

Atlanta were limited to counter attacks, set pieces and crosses from out wide. They had no answer for Miami’s midfield. Five minutes into the second half Miami took the lead. Prince Saydee collected the ball from Granitto and went on a mazy solo run which he finished off in style. Prince’s exciting wing play has been a highlight of the season and if he can find this kind of end product consistently, he’ll be a force to be reckoned with in 2021.

Pais added another heroic save to keep his team ahead. Just getting a fingertip to a point blank header by Bashti. Harrison Heath brushed the woodwork with a nice curling effort. It felt like there might be one more goal in the game. Thiaw and Gonzalez entered the game for Williams and Prince. Fresh legs for the last twenty minutes. Thiaw had a chance for Miami’s third when another penalty was awarded for a seemingly tame push in the area. Thiaw sent his kick down the middle and Lundgaard got a foot to it to keep it out.

Miami’s third goal came in stoppage time. Velasquez capping his performance with a well taken goal that he both started off and finished. A lovely little move involving both the substitutes Thiaw and Gonzalez. The whistle went and Miami FC head into the winter with some positives to work on after a difficult season. It’s taken some time but it looks like Miami FC are getting to grips with the USL. If the team can replicate the form of the last two games week in week out they can be a force to be reckoned with in 2021. They just need to come out of the gates next time with the swagger they’ve found over the last week.

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The Miami FC

Miami Resurrection

By on Thursday, October 1, 2020

Miami FC turned the tables on Charleston Battery Wednesday evening. A four goal blitz in the second half gave the Orange and Blue a 4-3 win few would have seen coming before kick off.

The match did start with a similar script to most of Miami FC’s season. They struggled to compete with the visitors initially. Perhaps Charleston were enjoying the benefit of their rest at the weekend following the cancellation of their game vs Loudoun United. Barely ten minutes had gone when Miami were caught flat-footed and Nicque Daley turned in a loose ball in the six-yard box for Battery’s first.

Miami FC keeper Mark Pais once again came to his team’s rescue. Bravely denying Daley in a one-on-one that kept the deficit at one goal. It would be a missed chance that proved costly for Nicque and the Battery by the end of the evening. Daley should have had a hat trick. He scored his second when Hassan Ndam allowed him to wriggle free on the right. The Jamaican powered towards the Miami FC goal and made no mistake with the finish. Half time, the score two-nil.

It’s been a difficult season for Miami FC fans but those who stuck with this game were about to be rewarded for their patience. Indeed anyone who was watching the match can’t have complained about the entertainment value of the second half.

With their first meaningful attack of the game Miami got one back. Prince Saydee collected a ball from Marco Franco. He drifted by a Charleston defender and sent a cross low across the area. It didn’t look particularly dangerous. But Velasquez cleverly dummied the ball for the lurking Romario Williams who buried a simple finish from close range. For once, it was Miami’s opponents who were guilty of ball-watching.

Straight away Charleston replied. Robbie Crawford skillfully restoring the Battery’s cushion. That goal knocked Miami off balance for a few minutes but Charleston couldn’t take advantage. Step forward Sebastian Velasquez.

The skillful Colombian #10 has been a wonderful addition to the squad and he can change a game single handed. He’s been unlucky with injuries this season but last night showed everyone what he is capable of. Miami got on the scoresheet again when Velasquez sent in a perfect corner to the back post. Vincent Bezecourt was totally unmarked and was left with an easy header to score his first goal for the club.

Velasquez then put the ball in the net himself. Scoring a fantastic goal, dribbling expertly into the area and finishing from a difficult angle. Again Charleston almost came straight back, substitute Arthur Bosua heading against the bar after a swift Battery counter attack.

When Bezecourt missed an open goal that would have put Miami ahead it increasingly looked like the game would end 3-3. One last twist in the tale. Miguel Gonzalez adding another important goal to his resume with a couple of minutes left in the 90. It wasn’t the prettiest goal. Battery keeper Kuzminsky couldn’t keep his hands on a stinging effort by Prince, who had another great night on the wing. Gonzalez got to the rebound first. His shot was nothing special but caught Kuzminsky off-guard. The Battery defense reacted too slowly and the ball just crossed the line before being cleared. The goal would stand, 4-3 Miami.

That’s how it would finish. The smallest possible margin of victory, a goal that was mere inches over the line. But Miami will take it. A gutting result for Charleston who had control of the group in their hands and threw it away. The last time the Battery let in more than three goals was over a year ago when they got thumped 5-0 by the Rowdies at home.

The second half display was what many expected from Miami FC all season. Now they’ve proved they are capable of it the question is how do they do it on a consistent basis? Signing off with back-to-back wins would be a small victory for the team. One game remains against Atlanta United 2 on Sunday 4th October, kick off 7:30pm, live on ESPN+.

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