MIAMI (October 4, 2020) — The Miami FC finished their 2020 USL Championship campaign with a 3-1 win over ATL UTD 2. Despite going down a goal early in the first half, Miami was able to climb back and defeat their Group H rivals on Sunday night at Riccardo Silva Stadium.
Goals from forwards Romario Williams, Prince Saydee and Sebastian Velasquez lifted the home side to victory.
The visitors would get on the scoresheet in the 13th minute off a fantastic volley by forward Jackson Conway. A long ball by defender Patrick Nielsen left the striker one-on-one with goalkeeper Mark Pais. His shot from outside the box was too powerful for Pais to make a save, putting ATL UTD 2 up 1-0.
Moments later, Pais would get his revenge on ATL UTD 2 making a great save from point-blank.
In the 29th minute, Miami FC would be awarded a penalty after goalkeeper Ben Lungaard brought down Saydee inside the box. Jamaican international Romario Williams stepped up to the penalty spot and hammered home the equalizer.
After controlling the remainder of the first half, Miami FC came out in the final 45 minutes with the intention of stealing all three points.
The go-ahead goal would come in the 50th minute, as Saydee received a ball from midfielder Tomas Granitto and went on to weave his way past several Atlanta defenders. When he found space, the Liberian blasted a laser into the top right corner of Lungaard’s net putting Miami up 2-1.
Just moments after going up, Pais was called on again to make a spectacular save off of midfielder Amir Bashti’s header from point blank.
Despite nearly giving up the equalizer, Miami was able to take control of the match in the final 30 minutes, including a near goal by midfielder Harrison Heath. His curling shot missed by just inches, hitting the top right corner of the frame and going out for a goal kick.
The home side was awarded another penalty in the 72nd minute as defender Jalen Markey was brought down in the box after a free kick. Second-half substitute Mohamed Thiaw stepped up to take the penalty but Lungaard would make a kick save to keep Atlanta down only one goal.
Miami FC would seal the match in stoppage time as Thiaw fed a pass into the heart of the box, which Miguel Gonzalez let pass through his legs to find an incoming Velasquez at the top of the 18. The Colombian took a touch and calmly placed it past Lungaard to make it 3-1.
