After a disappointing 2020 season, no one can blame The Miami FC for wanting to put last year behind them as quickly as possible.
Miami has a chance to do that Sunday night when they kick off their 2021 campaign against Loudoun United. It will be the first meeting between the two teams. They will get to see each other three more times later this season as Atlantic Division rivals.
A home opener against LA Galaxy. Great anticipation for a new season with promise, potential, and so many unknowns. It’s the launch of the 2021 Inter Miami CF capmaign in Major League Soccer, but it offers a sense of deja vu: We were in this place exactly one year and six weeks ago, when Inter Miami lost at DC United, headed home for its inaugural home match, and then the world stopped.
Inter Miami never did host LA Galaxy in its 2020 season, or play the Galaxy at all. COVID restrictions and a regionalized schedule update forced a lot of changes on a club that still has no true sense of normalcy.
But today’s match will really give the club a chance to change that for the first time.
Inter Miami CF conceded a goal early in the second half to fall behind 2-1 and two more late on, falling to New York Red Bulls 4-1 in the team’s first home game against an opponent outside the Southeast.
After 15 minutes Saturday night, you would have thought Inter Miami CF and Atlanta United FC were in for a blazing shootout. Some 75 minutes later, it was a scratch-and-claw victory for the Herons, hanging on for a 2-1 victory and three more points from the Peach State.
For a moment against Orlando City SC, it appeared Inter Miami CF might be able to find its footing and get back into the match. Might be able to forge the first winning streak in team history. But that moment was fleeting, and a Mauricio Pereyra goal off the post put the Purple and Gold up for good, 2-1.
Orlando struck first, applying pressure and dominating much of the first half, including a Nani free kick striking off the crossbar. In the 34th minute, Miami defender Andres Reyes unluckily put the ball in his own net off a curling set piece.
Miami drastically improved in the second half, as the infusions of Dylan Nealis and Brek Shea sparked several quality chances early on.
Finally, in the 65th minute, it was former Orlando man Shea who took a service from Rodolfo Pizarro and headed the ball in for the equalizer. It was a deserved reward for Miami, but the joy wouldn’t last long.
Textbook cross from @Rpizarrot.
Perfect header from @BrekShea. pic.twitter.com/CiyBt9DwBK— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) September 13, 2020
In what has become an unfortunate trend, a Miami goal is followed by a Miami concession. This time, the center of the Inter defense vacated a huge hole at the top of the 18-yard box. It was Pereyra taking a clever pass from Chris Mueller and slotting it past the diving Luis Robles.
😘 off the post from Mauricio 😈 #ORLvMIA | #VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/6soLomIt8R
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) September 13, 2020
Just a few minutes after that, a wild sequence ensued. A low cross nearly found the foot of Miami forward Julian Carranza, and after video review, it was determined that not only was Carranza fouled by Orlando’s Rodrigo Schlegel, but it was the defender’s second yellow card of the match. Before Inter could even line up for the penalty kick, a second review showed Carranza offside as the ball was played in, nullifying the foul and the yellow card. Schlegel was subsequently allowed back into the match and Inter’s wait for its first penalty kick of the season continued.
In the third match-up between these clubs, and the last presently on the schedule, it’s advantage Orlando (2-1). Miami next faces Atlanta United in Georgia on Saturday at 7 p.m. The latest round of MLS schedule updates has Inter playing home to New York Red Bulls on Wednesday, September 23 and at Philadelphia Union on Sunday the 27th.
The Miami FC finally recorded an away win in the USL Championship with a 2-1 victory over ATL UTD 2, thanks to a second-half strike by Miguel Gonzalez.
The main conductor of the attacking play in the draw vs Charleston Battery, Sebastian Velasquez, didn’t make the trip. Possibly Paul Dalglish did not want to risk him against Atlanta’s no-nonsense tackling. Lloyd Sam dropped to the bench. In came Gonzalez and Griffiths. Again a back three was deployed with Hassan Ndam as sweeper.
Atlanta set out to disrupt Miami’s possession and gave no quarter in the 50/50s. Jalen Markey was bundled over more than once but despite the persistent fouling from the home side, the ref kept his cards in his pocket.
Miami stood up to the physical challenge from the hosts and took the lead when Romario Williams tapped in a rebound after Atlanta keeper Ben Lundgaard spilled a Tomas Granitto free kick. Williams looked to be in the mood for a goal after failing to find the net since the 2-1 over Charlotte last month. His movement was good, he was taking players on with confidence. A great night for the number 9.
20' – MIAMI FC GOAL!!!! @iam_pavyrgwvii makes it 1-0 scoring off a rebound caused by a @tomasgranitto free kick. pic.twitter.com/2sflraFoym
— The Miami FC (@TheMiamiFC) September 12, 2020
In a familiar story for FC fans, Atlanta equalized minutes later. The Miami defense failed to clear a loose ball in the area, Ajani Fortune firing home a great effort. Miami have been much improved of late, especially at the back, but this was an echo of past collapses. Thankfully they steadied themselves and made it to half time tied up 1-1.
Sometimes you just feel a game is going the way of one of the teams. Last night it was our turn and Miami wouldn’t be denied three vital points. Miguel Gonzalez was the hero of the hour with a crisp finish from the edge of the area after a corner early in the second half. It’s two goals in two games for Miguel now. His confident, first-time finish for the goal sums up Miami FC’s renaissance. A bit of belief and swagger is coming back.
49' – MIAMI FC GOAL!!! @elmiggy_10 puts Miami back in front, leading @atlutd2 2-1. pic.twitter.com/aiWqaeN4sl
— The Miami FC (@TheMiamiFC) September 13, 2020
ATLUTD2 had a couple of chances to get level and even hit the crossbar, however Miami’s defense held firm. Keeper Mark Pais turned in a commanding performance. Mark controls his area so well and came bravely out of his goal to snuff out an Atlanta chance on the hour mark. Centerback Hassan Ndam was impressive too, as the Cameroonian provided a key block late in the game to ensure an important victory for the Orange and Blue.
90' – HUGE defensive tackle by Ndam to avoid the equalizer. pic.twitter.com/Lb3rfzsVrr
— The Miami FC (@TheMiamiFC) September 13, 2020
Although unlikely, the win means Miami still have a mathematical chance to catch second place in Group H, Charleston Battery. Next up is the “Magic City Derby,” as the Birmingham Legion will come to Riccardo Silva Stadium on Wednesday at 7:30pm, watch on ESPN+.
Four days after a scoreless draw against Atlanta United, Inter Miami CF again went 90 minutes without conceding or scoring a goal.
Nashville SC traveled to Inter Miami CF Stadium and withstood a hearty effort from the Herons, including two must-make opportunities for Julian Carranza and Rodolfo Pizarro.
Inter Miami CF, coming off a 1-0 loss to fellow expansion side Nashville SC, will look to win on the road for the first time tonight, at Atlanta United.
Tonight’s Inter Miami CF match against Atlanta United FC at Inter Miami CF Stadium in Fort Lauderdale has been postponed in response to player protests sweeping the country.
The postponement was the first in Major League Soccer. A match between Nashville SC and Orlando City SC scheduled for 7:30 p.m. kicked off as scheduled. The Inter match was scheduled for an 8 p.m. kickoff.
Tonight’s #InterMiamiCF game vs. @ATLUTD has been postponed.
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 27, 2020
“Black Players for Change asked us not to play, and I think at that point we respect them and we have to respect why we wear these [Black Lives Matter] shirts,” Inter Miami CF defender A.J. DeLaGarza told Inter Miami CF’s Kaylyn Kyle on the team’s broadcast after the match. “And that’s to make a change and to have our voices heard.”
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 26, 2020
The announcement was just the latest in a turbulent day in the world of sports, kicked off by the Milwaukee Bucks’ wildcat strike of its NBA Playoffs game against the Orlando Magic, originally scheduled for 4 p.m. The Bucks’ move was prompted by the shooting of Jacob Blake by Kenosha, Wis. police officer Rusten Sheskey in the back seven times.
“Athletes have a huge platform, and we have to use that right now,” DeLaGarza said.
AJ DeLaGarza on tonight’s CBS My33 broadcast:
“We have to respect them and we have to respect why we wear these shirts, and that’s to make a change…
“I think we had to make a very tough decision in front of our coaches minutes before walking out here.”#InterMiamiCF #MLS pic.twitter.com/5eE2KqrIU0
— Franco Panizo (@FrancoPanizo) August 27, 2020
Stay with Magic City Soccer as this story updates.
Not all heroes wear capes but some of them do score goals and when you have a goalscoring superstar hero of a number 9 called Romario in your team like The Miami FC does, you always have a chance.
The home side didn’t have much time to rest up after Sunday’s tie against the Rowdies in St. Petersburg. They measured the early pace, setting out to control the opening exchanges with their trademark game of keeping possession and patiently working the spaces to open up chances. ATLUTD2 did a good job to keep their shape in response and frustrated the Orange and Blue. They ended up taking the hosts by surprise, upping the tempo in a flash and taking the lead against the run of play. Jack Gurr rifled the ball home on a counter-attack having been given the freedom of the Miami FC half.
