MIAMI – Ariel Martinez lifted Miami FC to a 2-1 victory against the Charlotte Independence at FIU Stadium on Saturday night as the hosts snapped a four-game winless streak in its second win against the Independence this season.
Looking to rebound from a midweek defeat, Miami almost grabbed an early lead as Bolu Akinyode played Janos Loebe in down the left side but the full-back was unable to put his finish from the left side of the penalty area on target as it flashed across the face of goal. Loebe was involved again moments later as he got in behind the defense on the left and delivered a low cross that was trapped at the top of the six-yard area where Miami’s Lamar Walker tried to finish, only for Charlotte defender Christian Dean to block the shot and clear.
The hosts took the lead in the 18th minute, however, as after Charlotte goalkeeper Brandon Miller was penalized for a handball outside his penalty area, Pierre Da Silva stepped up and delivered an outstanding left-footed free kick to the top-left corner of the net that Miller got a hand to but couldn’t keep out as it just crossed the line.
The Independence’s first real chance on goal almost provided an equalizer three minutes later as Irvin Parra sent Dane Kelly into the left channel with space to shoot, but the Jamaican’s effort to the top-right corner of the net was palmed behind by Miami goalkeeper Connor Sparrow. Kelly found the net in the 32nd minute, however, as USL Academy signing Blake Pope stole possession on the right side in Miami’s half and drove forward before delivering a low cross for a first-time finish by the Jamaican that got through Sparrow and found the net.
Kelly then received a chance to give the Independence the lead nine minutes into the second half after he was brought down in the penalty area by Miami’s Richard Ballard, but his shot from the ensuing penalty kick missed the top-right corner of the net to keep the game level. Miami almost hit on a counterattack moments later as Walker pulled a shot just wide of the left post, but with 14 minutes to go the hosts regained the lead as an attempted clearance came to Othello Bah, who moved into the left side of the penalty area and delivered a clever pass to a cutting Martinez, and the Cuban fired home a shot that clipped the inside of the left post and found the back of the net.
The Independence had a chance to level again with five minutes to go when Jordan Bender sent a shot on target that was saved by Sparrow from the center of the penalty area, while Martinez could have put the game away for Miami in the 89th minute only to scuff his shot wide of the left post. Charlotte had one more late chance that found the back of the net, but the offside flag was raised on Noah Paravicini as the ball bounced home, and from there Miami saw out the win and crucial three points on home turf.
