MIAMI (August 22, 2021) — Billy Forbes scored twice after coming on as a halftime substitute to lead Miami FC to a 2-0 victory against Hartford Athletic on Sunday night at FIU Stadium to give the hosts their first win against the Athletic in the final regular-season meeting between the Atlantic Division foes.
Miami looked to get out on the front foot early, and the hosts had the first good look in the 11th minute as a clearance by Hartford goalkeeper Jeff Caldwell was controlled in midfield and quickly worked upfield for a shot by Ariel Martinez from 20 yards that was saved by the Athletic shot-stopper. Callum Chapman-Page also sent a header just off target for the hosts off a free kick by Lamar Walker 10 minutes later, while Walker fired just over the crossbar after cutting back onto his right foot after driving to his left into the penalty area just before the half-hour mark.
Walker went close again 10 minutes before halftime as Ariel Martinez set up a first-time shot with a clever back-heeled pass inside the penalty area that saw Walker’s effort blocked side for a corner by Hartford defender Tulu. The hosts maintained their pressure, though, and a minute before halftime Miami was awarded a penalty kick as Othello Bah was brought down in the penalty area. Speedy Williams stepped up to the spot but his low shot to the left was saved by Caldwell and cleared behind for a corner by his defense.
Miami took the lead three minutes into the second half, however, as Forbes found space in the left side of the penalty area after a pass by Bah and rifled a left-footed shot into the upper-left corner of the net that gave Caldwell little chance to save. Hartford had a chance to level on the hour-mark as Preston Tabort Etaka surged into the penalty area past a challenge and cut back onto his left foot only for Miami goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre to make a one-handed save that parried the ball into the air before he gathered after quickly recovering.
The hosts pushed for a second goal as the second half progressed and almost found it just past the hour-mark as Forbes played Adonijah Reid into the penalty area for a shot that forced a good save from Caldwell. Miami kept the play alive in the right side of the penalty area, where Walker set up Williams for a shot that Caldwell also kept out in spectacular fashion.
The Athletic almost found an equalizer with 10 minutes to go, however, as a cross by Arthur Rogers from the left was flicked on at the near post by Sebastian Elney off the crossbar before a follow-up chance was saved by Sylvestre as Gabriel Torres fired on frame for the visitors. Forbes put the game away in the final minute, however, as he controlled a crossfield pass by Reid at the top-left edge of the penalty area and then slotted home a low finish to the right corner that wrapped up all three points for the hosts and another positive step toward the postseason.
