Miami, Fla. (Saturday, June 11) – The Miami Football Club fell to in-state rivals Tampa Bay Rowdies at FIU Stadium on Saturday night. Left-wing-back Othello Bah’s second-half goal was not enough to rescue a point.
Starting XI vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies
Head coach Anthony Pulis used his favorite 3-4-3 formation, making a couple of personnel changes.
The backline remained the same, with defenders Aedan Stanley, Benjamin Ofeimu and Chapman-Page sitting in front of goalkeeper Connor Sparrow. Bah started this time around next to Bolu Akinyode, Florian Valot and Sean McFarlane. Lastly, striker Romeo Parkes returned to the starting lineup, with Salvadoran wingers Christian Sorto and Josh Pérez playing by his sides.
First Half Breakdown
The visitors began firing away at Miami FC’s goal early in the match. A close-range effort from Tampa Bay forward Kyle Greig struck the crossbar and back into play in the 10th minute. Ofeimu made a couple of simultaneous blocks to keep the game scoreless.
It was not until the 15th minute that Miami FC made its way into enemy territory, with Bah hitting a powerful shot wide of the first post. Fifteen minutes later, Pérez launched a shot from a distance that skidded off the crossbar and out for a goal kick.
Despite Miami’s positive response, the Rowdies found the first goal of the game. Midfielder Leo Fernandes delivered a free-kick from the left wing and Akinyode accidentally knocked the ball past Sparrow.
Sparrow was called into action before the end of the half, producing a kick save to keep the score at 1-0.
Second Half Breakdown
Bay Rowdies doubled their lead three minutes into the second half. Fernandes scored from the spot after Bah conceded a penalty.
Valot, who captained the team for the fourth time this season, attempted to cut the difference in half, but his shot was deflected out for a corner in the 58th minute.
Nonetheless, the Frenchman made up for the missed chance by setting up Bah with a back-heel pass for the Liberian to blast a shot past goalkeeper C.J. Cochran and into the goal.
Perez tried a shot from distance again in the 67th minute, but the low-driven shot went inches wide for a goal kick.
Sparrow gave Miami FC hopes of at least coming back for one point, using his foot to make another key save in the 75th minute.
Substitute Adonijah Reid had a shot on target in added time, but Tampa’s goalkeeper pushed it out of play for a corner kick.
Miami FC remains eighth in the Eastern Conference table, seven points clear of FC Tulsa and tied in points with Indy Eleven.
Miami FC 0-0 Tampa Bay Rowdies: Game Notes
- Bah scored his third goal of the season. He is one goal shy from equaling his scoring tally from the 2021 season.
- Valot leads Miami FC in assists (4) and goal contributions (5).
- Pérez is the only player who has started every match this season, being named to the starting lineup 15 out of 15 times.
- McFarlane started consecutive games for Miami FC for the first time since October 2021.
- Sorto earned consecutive starts for the first time as a Miami FC player after scoring against Indy Eleven.
Up Next for Miami FC
The squad will have 14 days of rest and preparation until its next league fixture on Saturday, June 25. The Orange and Blue will clash against LA Galaxy II at FIU Stadium. Buy tickets HERE.
