Miami FC kicked off a two game home stand with a 2-1 victory over Charlotte Independence at Riccardo Silva Stadium Saturday evening.
The one goal margin might suggest a close game but in truth the Orange and Blue turned in a complete performance. Charlotte scored from a direct free kick right on the edge of the area just before the hour mark to tie things up. It made for an exciting finish but it was their only effort on target. The rest of the match was about the home team.
Despite a respectable showing, The Miami FC left Tampa Bay last weekend empty handed. Now the club returns home for a date with the Charlotte Independence, hoping to bounce back within the friendly confines of Riccardo Silva Stadium.
But Charlotte is coming into South Florida with some momentum. And if Miami FC wants to avoid another disappointing result they will need to find a way to finish and find the back of the net.
This is the one we’ve all been waiting for. The Miami FC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies will square off for the first time this season, continuing an in-state rivalry that began back in 2016. Both teams will be jockeying for position atop the Atlantic Division standings in the early stages of the season.
There was plenty of reasons for soccer fans in and around the South Florida soccer world to be happy about this week.
The Miami FC got things off to a great start with a win away at New York Red Bulls II on Friday night. The game’s only goal came when Billy Forbes clipped a lovely ball through for János Löbe. The full back centered for Ballard who had his shot blocked but Jamaican international Speedy Williams rifled home a smart finish from the edge of the box.
It was a disappointing evening for Miami FC at Riccardo Silva Stadium in their second gameweek of USL Championship action. A disjointed performance against Hartford Athletic saw the Orange and Blue beaten 1-0.
It’s hard to imagine the first 14 minutes of Miami FC’s season opener against visiting Loudoun United going any better.
Six minutes into the match, Ariel Martinez delivered a beautiful cross to newcomer Gigi Craig, who expertly headed the ball into the back of the net. A minute later, a defensive mishap from Loudoun United (and some pressure from forward Pierre da Silva) led to an own goal. And just like that, the Orange and Blue had a 2-0 lead.
The Miami FC got their 2021 campaign off to a winning start Sunday evening at Riccardo Silva Stadium, grinding out a 2-1 win after playing much of the game with ten men.
After a disappointing 2020 season, no one can blame The Miami FC for wanting to put last year behind them as quickly as possible.
Miami has a chance to do that Sunday night when they kick off their 2021 campaign against Loudoun United. It will be the first meeting between the two teams. They will get to see each other three more times later this season as Atlantic Division rivals.
