The Miami FC USL

Miami FC Unbeaten In 4 Straight; Thrash Loudoun 4-1

By on Sunday, July 11, 2021
Image Courtesy of The Miami FC
Image Courtesy of The Miami FC

The Miami FC were on a mission as they arrived in Leesburg, Virginia. Miami is an awkward stage of their 2021 USL Championship season having played more games than the other Atlantic Division contenders. Miami FC came into the match 5-2-5 having amassed 17 points in their first 12 matches. With Head Coach Paul Dalglish still away from the sidelines, Miami turned to assistant coach Andy Thomson again to run the squad.

First Half

Goalkeeper Connor Sparrow was called upon early in the action having to make a diving save to keep Loudoun off the board in the second minute. Loudoun controlled much of the opening minutes of the match. The boys in blue wouldn’t get their first crack at goal until the 17th minute. Lobe was alone on the left flank when he centered a perfect ball for Adonijah Reid. Reid was unable to round the keeper as Fordah made a strong charge to keep the game scoreless. 

In the 26th minute, Miami FC opened the scoring off a corner kick. Pierre Da Silva’s service ping-ponged around the six yard box before finding Bolu Akinyode. The Seton Hall Pirate calmly finished his shot in the back of the net from short range to give Miami the lead. 

Loudoun had a fantastic opportunity to equalize the match in the 34th minute. Junior Palacios committed a foul right on the edge of the 18-yard box against Darluis Paz. Despite the commentators correct observation that the foul was initiated prior to the penalty area, the referee awarded a penalty to Loudoun. Paz would step up to the spot and with a short run up drive his effort right off the crossbar. 

Second Half

At the half Miami was trailing in every statistical category except on the scoresheet. With 67% of the possession in the first half Loudoun only managed two shots on frame. Miami controlled possession for a bit more in the second half. 

In the 49th minute, Sparrow would be called on. Sparrow was able to get his foot on a re-direction of a free kick from Loudoun to keep Miami in the lead. The two teams would trade equal spells of possession until the door was kicked down by Christiano Francois. 

In the 70th minute, Francois would play the entire Loudoun backline out of position. Dumping the ball on Da Silva allowed Francois to cut through the back line and get return pass. Francois turned his body and unleashed a cannon into the roof of the goal doubling Miami’s lead. 

Reminiscent of years past, Miami was quick to add another goal. Just three minutes later Ariel Martinez, who had just come on the field, found himself on the receiving end of pass from Francois. The 2 on 1 against the keeper left Fordah helpless and Martinez with a wide open net for Miami FC’s third goal of the night. 

Loudoun would score just moments later off a corner kick that landed at the feet of Owen Walz. Walz made no mistake and slotted it past Sparrow on the near post to keep Miami at a lone clean sheet on the season. The game would remain level until the second minute of six in stoppage time. Ariel Martinez would pay it forward for Billy Forbes by slicing his way through the Loudoun defense before leaving Forbes a tap in for the last goal of the night. 

The Road Ahead

Miami will return to Riccardo Silva Stadium on Saturday July 17th. The match will be Miami’s Home “Re-Opener” as fans will be welcomed back for the first time since the Fall of 2019. Miami will put their four-match unbeaten streak on the line against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Tickets for the match are on sale and can be purchased by clicking here. 

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