MIAMI (August 19, 2020) — The Miami FC battled back from two goals down on Wednesday night to earn a very important 2-2 draw against ATL UTD 2 at Riccardo Silva Stadium.
After going down 2-0 just 23 minutes into the match, a brace by Jamaican forward Romario Williams put Miami FC back into the match. The home side would have several chances to win the match but would be unable to capitalize and secure the three points.
“If we play like this for the rest of the season, I will take it,” said Head Coach Paul Dalglish. “I was very pleased with not only the reaction of the team after going down two goals, but also of the intensity they showed until the final whistle. This is something that has been building up since preseason and I am glad it’s starting to show.”
Atlanta United 2 got off to a dream start scoring goals in the 18th and 23rd minute, one coming off a rocket by defender Jack Gurr and another off a penalty kick by forward Amadou Diop.
Just moments after giving up the second goal of the night, a deep run by forward Prince Saydee would see Miami’s deficit cut to just one. The Liberia native reached the final third and drove in a low cross which Williams tapped home to make it 2-1 for the visiting side.
24′ – @iam_pavyrgwvii scores his third goal of the season to put @TheMiamiFC within one goal. pic.twitter.com/og9FMSr916 — The Miami FC (@TheMiamiFC) August 19, 2020
Midfielder Vincent Bezecourt would put Atlanta on notice, with a chance in the 31st minute. Atlanta’s goalkeeper Ben Lungaard had to stretch out to get his fingertips on the low shot, keeping them up 2-1.
31′ – Vincent Bezecourt gets a chance for the equalizer but Lungaard makes a diving save. pic.twitter.com/lYXsdHK4W0 — The Miami FC (@TheMiamiFC) August 19, 2020
The lead would not last for the visiting team, as moments before the half, Williams would be on the end of a through ball by Bezecourt, with the Jamaican taking full advantage of the space to make it 2-2.
Forward @iam_pavyrgwvii with the brace! @TheMiamiFC and @atlutd2 are tied 2-2- after the first 45 minutes. pic.twitter.com/Ni77Q56HD8 — The Miami FC (@TheMiamiFC) August 20, 2020
“I felt like although I scored two goals, it could have been more and I left a couple out there on the pitch,” said Williams. “I felt that on both a personal and collective front, we played our best football of the season and the numerous chances throughout the match showed that. We need to continue this intensity on Sunday and keep grinding to get very valuable points.”
Miami FC came out in the second half, in what was one of the best half of football the club has played in recent years.
Numerous chances by the attacking half of Miami pinned Atlanta in their half without leaving them any other option than to defend inside their own 18.
The clearest chance in the second half came moments before Williams would be subbed off. 15 minutes into the second half, Williams fought off a couple defenders outside the box and fired a shot that was heading in, but Lungaard stretched out and denied the Jamaican the hat trick.
Inches from taking the lead. pic.twitter.com/9pb1G8N4Yw — The Miami FC (@TheMiamiFC) August 20, 2020
The home side had several chances in the final 30 minutes of play, with both forwards Mohamed Thiaw and Prince Saydee showing glimpse of just how dangerous this Miami side can be.
“We need to continue this momentum into Sunday’s match,” said Dalglish. “If we capitalized on our chances, the game could have had plenty of goals, but it’s positive to see this type of performance.”
Up next, The Miami FC will look to continue the positive momentum as they host Charlotte Independence this Sunday at Riccardo Silva Stadium.
STARTING LINEUPS
Miami FC (4-3-3): GK Bryant Gammiero; D Brian James, Lance Rozeboom (C), Hassan Ndam, Othello Bah; M Tomas Granitto, Harrison Heath, Vincent Bezecourt; F Sebastian Velasquez, Romario Williams, Prince Saydee
ATL UTD 2 (4-3-3) – GK Ben Lungaard; D Jack Gurr, Modou Madama, Efrain Morales, Caleb Wiley; M Baboucarr, William Reilly, Abdoulaye Diop; Coleman Gannon, Amadou Diop, Phillip Goodrum
Scoring Summary
Atlanta: Jack Gurr – 18th minute
Atlanta: Amadou Diop – 23rd minute (Penalty Kick)
Miami: Romario Williams – 24th minute (Assisted by Prince Saydee)
Miami: Romario Williams – 46th minute (Assisted by Vincent Bezecourt)
