NPSL Archives - Page 7 of 14 - Magic City Soccer

Duluth Can’t Weather The Miami FC 2’s Storm

By Lee Ifans on Monday, July 30, 2018

Bobcat Field at St. Thomas University is pictured before kickoff between The Miami FC 2 and Duluth FC on July 28, 2018.

The Miami FC 2 signed off a six-game stand at home by easing past Duluth FC with three unanswered goals.

Somehow the deluge engulfing the rest of Florida on Saturday evening missed the Opa Locka-Miami Gardens area and the fans were treated to lovely evening perfect for soccer. And the fans showed up. The hype of the International Champions Cup and the hoopla of Futbol Miami MLS has not dampened the enthusiasm of the Miami FC faithful. Many people in this part of the World claim to love soccer, the 1289 people who showed up to this claim are probably the ones who mean it. The second highest attendance of the season at the Bob.

The Miami FC The Miami FC 2

Miami FC 2 v Duluth FC: Previewing The Match

By Omar Moubayed on Friday, July 27, 2018

For The Miami FC faithful, this season has gone just about as well as you could’ve hoped. Sure, a longer U.S. Open Cup run would have been welcomed, but this post-season has been a delight for supporters. Coming off the hiatus of the NASL, Miami FC was left with no place to play. In a scramble the organization created Miami FC 2 and entered the NPSL’s Southeast Conference. That last minute addition is now one of the final four teams vying for the NPSL Title.

The Miami FC The Miami FC 2

Miami FC 2 Advance To NPSL Final Four; Oust Little Rock 3-0

By Omar Moubayed on Sunday, July 22, 2018

The Miami FC 2 won the NPSL South Region title on Sunday night. Photo by Omar Moubayed.

In the words of the great musician Billy Joel, “Oh what a night”. The Miami FC 2 clinched their ticket to the national tournament and took care of business at the BOB. To make things even sweeter, Miami will get to play another match in front of the FC2 faithful. Despite some mid-week heroics, Little Rock was just no match for this professional outfit.

The Miami FC The Miami FC 2

Miami FC 2 v Little Rock Rangers: Previewing The Match

By Omar Moubayed on Saturday, July 21, 2018

The Miami FC 2 will host the Little Rock Rangers to contest the NPSL South Region title. Graphic via The Miami FC 2.

The season that just doesn’t want to end continues. Magic City soccer fans are going to be treated to at least one more match of significant importance Saturday as The Miami FC 2 take on the Rangers of Little Rock, Arkansas. In a season that has bloomed in the darkest of skies, Miami has a unique ability to win their second NPSL title of the season and earn a place in the national finals.

NPSL The Miami FC The Miami FC 2

Miami FC 2 Avoid A Slip Against Silverbacks

By Lee Ifans on Wednesday, July 18, 2018

The Miami FC 2 defender Tyler Ruthven battles an Atlanta Silverbacks player for possession during the NPSL South Region semifinals. Photo courtesy The Miami FC.

It wasn’t easy under the floodlights of the Bob for Miami FC 2 on a steaming hot Tuesday night in Miami. A very useful Atlanta Silverbacks squad was in town for more NPSL playoff soccer. Atlanta were the strongest side to come to the 305 all season and they might feel like they could have got something out of this very even game, but Miami’s unbeaten run continues.

The Miami FC The Miami FC 2

Miami FC 2 v Atlanta Silverbacks: Previewing The Match

By Omar Moubayed on Tuesday, July 17, 2018

The Miami FC 2 will host the Atlanta Silverbacks in the NPSL South Region semifinals. Image Courtesy Of The Miami FC

Last week the Miami FC 2 managed to do something they couldn’t last year, win a playoff. Unlike the NASL, the NPSL has a “three-round” playoff system. After a team makes it out of their conference playoffs, they enter the regional stage, then move on to the national final four. During the playoffs each round is a one-legged fixture hosted by the team that earned a higher points per game tally during the regular season. Miami’s stellar regular season forces the Atlanta Silverbacks to come to town.

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The Miami FC 2 claims NPSL Sunshine Conference title in complete performance against Jacksonville Armada

By Matthew Bunch on Sunday, July 15, 2018

The Miami FC won the Sunshine Conference title on Saturday night, defeating Jacksonville Armada FC 3-1. Photo by Omar Moubayed.

With the loss of forward Jaime Chávez to a red card and the late scratch of Don Smart, it appeared Saturday night’s challenge against Jacksonville Armada FC for the NPSL Sunshine Conference championship would be an uphill battle. But virtually from the moment of kickoff, The Miami FC 2 were in the driver’s seat and their play took them all the way to the title, thoroughly defeating the Armada 3-1.

Miami United FC NPSL The Miami FC The Miami FC 2

The Miami FC 2, Miami United FC well represented in NPSL Conference XI selections

By Matthew Bunch on Saturday, July 14, 2018

The NPSL Conference XI was announced on Friday. Graphic courtesy the National Premier Soccer League

Miami-Dade County was well represented in the NPSL Conference XI on Friday, as three players from The Miami FC 2 and two players from Miami United FC were recognized by the league for their performance in the Sunshine Conference. In addition, Miami FC coach Paul Dalglish was named the coach of the year in the conference.

The Miami FC The Miami FC 2

Miami FC 2 v Jacksonville Armada: Previewing The Sunshine Conference Title

By Omar Moubayed on Friday, July 13, 2018

The NPSL Sunshine Conference championship game. Graphic courtesy The Miami FC 2.

We have the opponent, and we have the date. As we mentioned earlier, this 2018 NPSL season has been eerily similar to a roller coaster ride. You have the anxiety before you take your seat, the high’s, the low’s, the fear, the excitement. Yet, at the end of the ride you pull off your safety constraints and you get off knowing you always would. Despite everything that has happened, the draws, the losses, and the unconvincing victories, it’s Miami FC versus Jacksonville for the title. It’s what was always supposed to be.

Miami United FC

Jacksonville Armada defeats Miami United to advance to NPSL Sunshine Conference final against The Miami FC 2

By Matthew Bunch on Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Fans of Jacksonville Armada, Section 904, celebrate after the team's first goal against Miami United on July 11, 2018. Image from Jacksonville Armada broadcast.

Jacksonville Armada and Miami United have played two winner-take-all matches this year. Last May, Miami United traveled to Duval County and emerged with a win to advance in the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Wednesday night, they would not be so fortunate, as a second-half blitz guaranteed that Jacksonville Armada would face fellow NASL exile The Miami FC 2 for the National Premier Soccer League’s Sunshine Conference title.

The first half was a relatively even match. Jacksonville Armada struck first in the eighth minute, with a goal from JC Banks.

The goal seemed to wake up Miami United, and it responded with a headed goal from Nicolas Micoli in the 26th minute.

That goal seemed to reinvigorate Armada, and they had the better of the rest of the first half. The second half, however, was a different story altogether.

Second-half shock

Two goals in two minutes proved to be the major difference. Banks earned a brace in the 47th minute thanks to a deflection, and was followed two minutes later by Ciarán Kilduff to give Jacksonville Armada a 3-1 lead it would never relinquish.

Kilduff got his brace in the 74th minute to close the scoring, and close the story on Miami United’s season.

Miami will be remembered for a tremendous Open Cup run, which concluded with a match at home against Orlando City SC. It will also be remembered, however, for a post-Cup swoon which took Miami United from the top of the Sunshine Conference table to a third-place finish which saw them traveling to Jacksonville.

The Armada will now travel to Miami-Dade county to face off against Miami FC 2. The winner will win the Sunshine Conference advance to the NPSL’s regional playoffs. The match kicks off at Bobcat Field at St. Thomas University on Saturday at 7 p.m. Tickets are available on MiamiFC.com.