It didn’t start exactly how the team imagined, but the end result was sweet nonetheless. Miami United FC overcame an early deficit to storm back and defeat FC Kendall, 5-2. Miami United will advance to the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup to face The Miami FC 2.
Miami United FC and FC Kendall will face off at Ted Hendricks Stadium in Hialeah. Open Cup debutantes Kendall are looking to pull the upset over NPSL power Miami United. The winner will face the winner of the match between The Miami FC 2 and Red Force FC. You can watch the live stream of the match below!
The U.S. Open Cup is officially under the way with a pair of first-round matches taking place in Miami-Dade County. The Miami FC 2 and Miami United (both NPSL) will face off against a duo of local qualifiers in Red Force FC and FC Kendall. In matches that could easily become high scoring affairs, the firework alert is ringing loudly in Westchester and Hialeah. Before we breakdown the matches let’s take a look at how each club has gotten here.
Boca Raton FC will begin its NPSL Sunshine Conference season hosting Miami United FC in Delray Beach on Saturday at 6PM. These opponents are no stranger to each other, playing twice last year in the Sunshine Conference with Boca losing both games one to zero. United, who also placed a squad in the APSL last year, faced Boca twice with Boca winning both those games 2-1. The ties between the club go deep as Boca and United have also previously faced off in last years first round of the US Open Cup with United advancing to the second round.
Miami United FC found itself atop the Sunshine Conference table Sunday night, after handling visiting Naples United 3-0.
It was an unsurprising result, as Miami United had control of the match. Naples United is still searching for its first win against a team from Miami-Dade County.
It was an eventful week for Miami United FC. On Thursday, representatives from both the City of Miami and Miami-Dade County proclaimed April 27 as Miami United Day.
The team has been heavily focused on Miami-Dade County the last few weeks, after all, with the first two matches of the Magic City Clásico. Finally, on Sunday, the club will have the opportunity to look away from Dade and face some competition from outside the county. Naples United FC will be traveling across Alligator Alley and visiting Ted Hendricks Stadium.
Image Courtesy of The Miami FC 2
Act Two of the #MagicCityClasico did not go as planned for anyone involved. What should have been a coronation for one of these clubs ended in carnage and disappointment for everyone involved. However, the city showed up for the intense second match and Bobcat field was just as vibrant, if not more so, than Riccardo Silva Stadium.
Looking back at Act One of the #MagicCityClasico, I want to apologize for sounding like a complete idiot regarding the match preview. Miami FC 2 stumbled out of the gates and Miami United looked to be the team that was full of professional experience. Perhaps things will change Saturday as MFC 2 host United at St. Thomas University. Let’s take a look at what both teams need to do in Act Two in order to walk away with all of the points.
Whether you call a rivalry match a derby or a clasico, there is usually some sort of animosity between the two clubs. Sunday night in Hialeah, there was no hatred between Miami United and Miami FC 2. How could there be? The two have never squared off in a meaningful match, the teams are relatively unknown to each other, and the supporters groups actually get along well. The match may have laid the foundation for the idea of no love lost between the two organizations.
Magic City Soccer is bringing you everything you need for the start of soccer in Miami Dade County! It’s the Magic City Clásico LIVE pregame show, from outside Ted Hendricks Stadium at Milander Park in Hialeah. The Miami FC are visiting Miami United FC to start the season for both teams. Get ready with Matthew Bunch here!