Vs. Louisville City FC at FIU Stadium
Saturday, Aug. 27
Kickoff: 7:06 p.m. ET
Watch: ESPN+ (USA), YouTube (International)
Tickets: Click Here
Miami, Fla. (August 26, 2022) – The Miami Football Club will be tasked with taking on Eastern Conference leaders Louisville City FC at FIU Stadium on Saturday night.
Miami FC heads into the game in a run of good form, boasting a 4-0-1 record in its last five league matches. Away wins at Loudoun, New Mexico, Atlanta and Hartford make up the four games in the victory column for Miami. The team ranks first in away points (27) in the Eastern Conference, and second overall in the league only behind San Antonio (30).
Head coach Anthony Pulis and his men are looking to improve home form. The Orange and Blue gathered four points from its last five fixtures at FIU Stadium. Their last home win came against Charleston Battery (1-0) on July 13.
With eight regular-season games left in the year, Miami FC aims to secure playoffs and climb higher in the Eastern Conference standings. The side enters the game in sixth place (40 points) with a game in hand. Pittsburgh Riverhounds is in fifth place with 44 points. Meanwhile, Detroit is seventh with 39 points, eight points clear of FC Tulsa.
Returning home from Hartford with three points
Miami FC made it four consecutive away triumphs, defeating Hartford Athletic 2-0 on Saturday, Aug. 20.
The two sides traded punches in the opening minutes of the game. the first significant event came in the 30th minute when midfielder Bolu Akinyode had a goal disallowed. The Nigerian struck the ball from outside the box. The shot deflected off a defender and into the goal. however, Joaquín Rivas was unfortunately in the keeper’s way when it all happened.
Nonetheless, Miami persevered and succeded. Right-back Mark Segbers was taken down inside the box in the 43rd minute, leaving the referee no other option but to call a penalty kick. Murphy stepped up to the spot and tucked his shot in to give the Orange and Blue the lead just before the half.
Miami closed out the game in the 62nd minute. Left-back Aedan Stanley passed a ball back to the top of the box into Valot’s path. The attacking midfielder took two touches; one to set himself up and the other to put the ball in the top corner.
Miami FC went on to defeat Hartford 2-0, the same scoreline of their previous fixture at FIU Stadium in April.
Last time out against Louisville City FC
Miami and Louisville faced-off in the second and first away game of the 2022 USL Championship season. LouCity came out on top in that away match by a scoreline of 2-0.
At the time, Miami FC was without goalkeeper Connor Sparrow, defenders Aedan Stanley and Callum Chapman-Page. These three defenders have been clinical in Miami’s defensive successes this year. MFC is tied with Lousiville City at the top of the league for most clean sheets.
About Louisville City FC
There are many positives and a few negatives to touch up when discussing Louisville’s performances.
Let’s start with the positives going into this game. LouCity has not dropped points in its last four games, taking down El Paso, Charleston, Tampa Bay and Detroit. Moreover, the side is currently on a 10-game undefeated streak, their second one of the year. Also, the Boys in Purple are the best defensive team in the league, keeping 13 clean sheets and allowing the least amount of goals (16).
Now, turning to the negatives, the team will be without striker Wilson Harris. The 22-year-old was shown a second yellow card in stoppage time against Detroit City last weekend.
On another note, center-back Wesley Charpie will play against Miami despite also being red-carded in that game. The league overturned the call after noticing he did not deny a goalscoring opportunity, which was the call given in the moment. Also, star forward Brian Ownby returned from injury and will be traveling with the team to Miami.
Up next for Miami FC
Miami FC fans will have to wait exactly seven days to watch their Orange and Blue play at home again. This time, Miami will take on Birmingham Legion, who rank fourth in the Eastern Conference.
Fans can buy tickets for the game HERE.
