CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Miami FC extended its undefeated streak to seven games as it rallied for a 2-2 draw with the Charlotte Independence at American Legion Memorial Stadium on Saturday night as Haitian international Christiano Francois scored the equalizer in the 88th minute after the visitors had trailed by a pair of goals at halftime.
Looking to boost their playoff chances, the Independence created the first real chance in the 13th minute as Enzo Martinez had to stretch to guide a header on target off Joel Johnson’s cross from the right that didn’t get enough purchase behind it to trouble Miami goalkeeper Connor Sparrow. Six minutes later, however, the hosts took the lead from a similar opportunity as Sylvain Marveaux cut in from the right and delivered a left-footed cross that picked out Irvin Parra at the far post for a close-range header into the left corner.
Miami almost leveled quickly as Billy Forbes won back possession in the penalty area and fed Othello Bah, who passes to his left for Adonijah Reid to shoot only for Independence defender Hugh Roberts to make a decisive block. Marveaux then went closer for the hosts as he seized on a mishit clearance to get to the ball between two defenders but shot off the left post. The rebound caromed to Parra, who was denied as he recovered and made a fine kick save before the visitors cleared to safety.
Enzo Martinez doubled the Independence’s advantage a minute before halftime, however, as Adam Armour cut in from the left side and played a through-ball that sent Martinez in behind the Miami back line and the veteran made no mistake with a lifted finish to the left corner of the net just over Sparrow’s shoulder.
After adjusting with a pair of changes, Miami gained more of a foothold in the game early in the second half and in the 63rd minute the visitors halved the lead. A free kick from just outside the center circle in Charlotte’s half was clipped by Robert Kcira into the right half of the penalty area where Paco Craig rose to dent a looping header over Independence goalkeeper Austin Pack as he got caught off his line and int the left corner of the net.
Charlotte was able to settle the game down after Miami’s goal, though, and with eight minutes to go Martinez almost notched a second after receiving a pass from the right flank by Joel Johnson that Sparrow kept out. A minute later, Armour had a chance of his own for the hosts as he powered a shot from 25 yards that Sparrow parried away.
But with two minutes to go, Miami found an equalizer as Francois found a way. Off a long throw-in from the left, the visitors kept the play alive as former Italian international Luca Antonelli found Francois just outside the top-right edge of the penalty area, and the Haitian winger cut onto his left foot and sent a low ball into the box that found its way into the left corner of the net.
