MIAMI (October 28, 2017) – The Miami FC hosted FC Edmonton in the NASL regular season finale on Saturday night, finishing its season on a high note with a 1-0 win that secured the Fall Season title for the Orange and Blue. Miami becomes the first NASL team to ever win both the Spring and Fall Season trophies.
While FC Edmonton’s initial first touches were a bit too heavy early on in the match, Miami used the opening stages of the match to set a tone on offense. Its penchant for going forward resulted in some early scoring chances and free kicks being awarded to the Orange and Blue in enemy territory.
Miami dominated possession for most of the first half, but the Eddies were stubborn defensively with two solid lines of four behind the ball.
In the 27th minute, Miami’s counter-attacking ability was put on full display. Richie Ryan threaded a ball forward to Kwadwo Poku, who quickly freed up Stéfano Pinho with a one-touch pass, but Pinho couldn’t get a shot off at the last minute due to great tracking back by Edmonton.
Another close chance presented itself three minutes later, once again started up by Ryan in midfield. Ryan found Hunter Freeman down the right wing with a perfectly weighted through ball past the Edmonton back line, and Freeman subsequently whipped in a threatening cross that found Vincenzo Rennella but was shot just over the crossbar.
The first half ended 0-0, with both team’s defenses answering the call early on.
Dylan Mares started off the second half with a bang, corralling a rebound and striking a dipping long shot that forced a reflexive save from Edmonton goalkeeper Tyson Farago in order to keep the match scoreless.
Miami would capitalize on the fast start, taking the lead in the 52nd minute and setting the NASL record for goals scored in a season. Rennella split open the Edmonton defense with a slicing through ball down the middle of the field that put Poku through on goal. Poku feinted to his left, crossed up Farago and easily slid his effort into an open goal.
Edmonton would not lay down, though, retaliating quickly just four minutes later. Eddies forward Daryl Fordyce drew a penalty and then buried his kick from the spot to tie the match at 1-1.
Discontent with just a draw, the Orange and Blue bounced back quickly, pulling ahead once again in the 72nd minute.
Dylan Mares carried the ball into the box from the left flank and crossed in to Pinho, who was at the top of the six-yard box with two defenders bearing in on him. Knowing he couldn’t get a shot off, Pinho flicked the initial pass on to a wide-open Poku behind him, who once again tapped in to an open net from the right side.
The match ended 2-1, while Miami extended its two NASL records in the process. Miami’s 69 points and 61 goals will be tough to top in upcoming seasons.
The Miami FC now begins preparations for its upcoming NASL Championship Semifinals match against either North Carolina FC or the New York Cosmos on Sunday, November 5 at 5:00 p.m.
Quick Hits
Starting Xl
GK – Vega
DEF – Freeman, Bernstein, Trafford, Smith
MID – Lahoud (c), Ryan, Mares
FWD – Pinho (81′ – Chávez), Poku (75′ – Martínez), Rennella
Goals
52′ – Poku (MIA) | Assisted by Rennella
56′ – Fordyce (FCE) | Penalty Kick
72′ – Poku (MIA) | Assisted by Pinho
Bookings
62′ – McKendry (FCE) | Yellow Card
84′ – Freeman (MIA) | Yellow Card
Stats
Possession: 62%
Shots: 12
Passes: 574
Pass Accuracy: 90.2%
Clearances: 11
Tackles: 8
