It’s without a doubt that Paul Dalglish is looking for revenge tonight against Atlanta United 2. It is a quick turnaround for The Miami FC after collecting their first USL point on Sunday. The boys in blue displayed many positives in the road match against an excellent Rowdies side and Miami must build on that momentum. Dalglish is not one to experiment once he finds a cohesive unit. The question remains, which Miami side shows up tonight.
Tonight’s match has been three years in the making. Unfortunately for soccer fans in Florida, this game has to take place behind closed doors. The Miami FC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies have been some of the most competitive clubs in lower division soccer for quite some time. Last sharing a league in 2016 (NASL), the Rowdies made the jump to USL and never looked back. Miami opens their “home” season tonight hoping to secure their first USL win.
“Miami will go as far as their defense and Brian Sylvestre’s goalkeeping will take them”. Well those words came to fruition last night as Atlanta United 2 capitalized on every defensive mistake. Despite a beautiful effort by the men up front, namely Mohamed Thiaw, Romario Williams, Sebastian Velasquez, and Magic City Soccer’s man of the match Harrison Heath, the men in the back couldn’t get out of their own way. Miami FC’s potent attack could not keep up with the sinking ship that was the defense in the loss.
Saturday night at FIU Soccer Stadium was like a page out of an old script. Miami FC have had their fair share of run-ins with mother nature. Saturday would be no different as the skies opened with lightning bolts on campus an hour before kickoff. By the time the weather cleared, it was thirty minutes past kickoff. It would be another forty-five minutes before the teams could commence the NPSL Semi-Final.
It’s been a long, long, time since the Miami FC played an official match in central Florida. The Orlando area has always treated Miami quite well on the pitch. I don’t have to remind you of the 2017 #cupset over Orlando City behind the hat trick from Stefano Pinho. Those days are long gone, but the Miami FC are in fine form and look to keep racking up the wins in the 407 over NPSL Sunshine Conference newcomers CFSC.