Super Subs Give Miami FC A Win Over Charlotte

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.

A typically cautious start from both sides. The Independence were coming off back-to-back wins and Miami afforded them an appropriate level of respect. Neither team were prepared to take many risks. There were a couple of half chances and a few misplaced passes. With Ariel Martinez again employed as a False 9 the cutting edge was down the flanks. Francois and Forbes were getting into some good positions supported by fullbacks McFarlane and Bah.

The connection of Forbes and McFarlane down the right provided the first goal. Good interplay had the ball at Forbes’s feet in a dangerous area. He’d drawn players out of position and McFarlane ghosted into the space in the penalty area. Forbes found him with a delightful lobbed pass and McFarlane applied the finish.

23' – MIAMI FC GOAL! @Seanmjr17 with his first of the season to put Miami up 1-0. pic.twitter.com/ngiWtgF7xW

— The Miami FC (@TheMiamiFC) May 30, 2021

That goal gave Miami a bit of confidence and they made it to half time one goal up. They stuck to their game plan in the second half and when Charlotte scored the equalizer they didn’t let their heads drop. Coach Paul Dalglish sent on a triple threat of Janos Lobe, Richard Ballard and Adonijah Reid for McFarlane, Bah and Forbes. All three of the players leaving the field had put in a shift but with Charlotte chasing Miami for much of the game three sets of fresh legs was a great idea to try to get a winner.

However it was the introduction of Pierre Da Silva a few minutes after that changed the game. Coming on for Junior Palacios, who had a reliable game in midfield, Da Silva looked determined to make an impact.

72' – PIERRE DA SILVA OFF THE POST! Wow, that was a 🚀… pic.twitter.com/aoy70GalvI

— The Miami FC (@TheMiamiFC) May 30, 2021

After rattling the woodwork with a great free kick the livewire Da Silva caused problems in the Charlotte backline searching for a ball clipped forward from midfield. With Brandon Miller caught in no man’s land after racing out from his goal Da Silva fed Nijah Reid. It wasn’t an easy finish even with the open net. But Reid guided the ball over the covering defenders and squeezed it in for the winning goal.

74' – MIAMI FC GOAL!

"NOW IS MY TIME!" – @LILUZIVERT🗣️ @King_Nijah pic.twitter.com/ePgTtybHe7

— The Miami FC (@TheMiamiFC) May 30, 2021

 

The attacking players always get the limelight but there were creditable perfomances right through the team. Center back Callum Chapman-Page was a giant at the back all night. Dealing with everything that came long and high at the Miami defence. Bolu Akinyode bossed the midfield with support from Palacios and Speedy Williams proved again how important he is. He used the ball well all night and linked up with well with Martinez who did everything but score. A great captain’s performance from the number 10.

Miami FC fans woke up to a league table that saw them 2^nd in the Atlantic Division and 4^th out of 16 in the East. The bad news for the other teams is even after a good performance like this there is still some room for improvement. Sometime soon the performance is coming when everything clicks for Miami FC and they might need it in their next game against a very good Rio Grande Valley Toros outfit. Kick off 7:30pm Saturday June 6^th. Watch on ESPN+ in the US or free on YouTube internationally.