ORLANDO, Fla. (February 16, 2022) — The Miami Football Club continued its 2022 preseason on Wednesday, visiting Major League Soccer’s Orlando City SC at Osceola County Stadium. The scoreless draw was a tale of two halves, with Miami FC dominating in the first half, while the home side made changes in the second half to level the match out.
“The match was a great test for our team as we continue to prepare for the March 12 Home Opener against Red Bulls II,” commented Head Coach Anthony Pulis. “It was good to see our team in different scenarios throughout the match as we were able to control the ball in the first 45 minutes, and in the second half had to grind out a result against most of their regular starters. We continue to give our players the minutes they need to properly get ready for the USL Championship season.”
The first half saw Miami FC’s goalkeeper Connor Sparrow make a great save early on to deny Orlando the lead. Miami countered with multiple chances through both flanks as forwards Pierre Da Silva and Adonijah Reid looked very dangerous in the attacking third.
As the half was coming to an end, newly-signed forward Romeo Parkes’ hard work nearly paid off as he gained space just outside and ripped a shot toward Orlando’s net. His shot went just wide but Miami’s positioning and high press continued to be a threat to an Orlando side who spent much of the half pinned back.
The second half saw an entire new team on the pitch, with dangerous wingers Lamar Walker and Joshua Pérez entering the match. Despite the changes for Miami, Orlando also made several changes of their own in the 60th minute, which included several regular starters.
Miami’s clearest chance of the second half came in the 57th minute off a curling effort by Walker, which saw goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar dive to his left to send the ball out for a corner kick.
After the line change for Orlando at the hour mark, Miami FC was forced to focus on its defensive shape to fight for the draw. The home side nearly went ahead in the 85th minute, but forward Kyle Murphy was on the line to make a defensive goal-line clearance which ended up bouncing off defender Luca Antonelli and went out for a corner kick.
Miami FC continues its preseason this Sunday in Melbourne, Fla., where they will face Orlando City B and Soccer Institute at Montverde Academy at Orlando Health Stadium on the campus of Eastern Florida State College.
