AUSTIN, Texas (August 14, 2021) – Austin Bold FC and Miami FC played to a 0-0 draw on Saturday night at Bold Stadium as the hosts were unable to find a way through despite Miami ending the game with only nine men as both goalkeeper Connor Sparrow and winger Christiano Francois were sent off in the second half.
Looking to rebound from defeat last time out, Bold FC had a pair of early chances as first Nick Hinds dragged a shot wide of the right post from the top-left edge of the penalty area before less than a minute later Alasanne Ates Diouf couldn’t get full purchase on his header off Collin Fernandez’s angled cross, allowing Sparrow to easily claim. Chances proved hard to come by overall in the opening half, and it wasn’t until deep in stoppage time that Miami had it first effort on goal as Paco Craig’s header was saved by Austin’s Elliot Panicco off a cross from the right by Sean McFarlane.
Craig had another chance for the visitors in the 54th minute as he headed a corner kick by Adonijah Reid from the right down on goal, only for Panicco to smother the effort, but Austin went closer four minutes later as Diouf played a nice through-ball for Hinds as he drove in from the left to receive the pass but sent his shot off the right post and behind for a goal kick.
Miami was reduced to 10 men with 21 minutes to go as Xavier Baez tried to head a ball to the top of the penalty area past Sparrow as he tried to intercept, but the Miami goalkeeper had moved outside the box and was sent off as he handled. Nothing came from the ensuing free kick as Fabien Garcia’s effort went into the defensive wall, and Miami tried to close down chances to try and ensure it would emerge with a point.
Austin tried to push late and Beto Avila sent a header over the crossbar off a cross by Kofie Sarkodie, while Emilo Ycaza headed wide of the left post with a minute to go after he was picked out by a cross by Baez from the right unmarked 10 yards from goal. Miami was then reduced to nine men as Francois was sent off in second-half stoppage time for a hard challenge on Avila just outside the penalty area, and from the ensuing free kick Baez fired a shot that was punched away by substitute goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre. The visitors held the game scoreless, though, as Austin was unable to find a late breakthrough.
