Louisville City FC vs The Miami Football Club
Lynn Family Stadium – Saturday, March 19
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Watch: ESPN+
Miami, Fla. (Friday, March 18) – The Miami Football Club travel to Louisville ahead of its USL Championship clash against Louisville City FC on Saturday, kicking off at 7:30 p.m. ET. Fans can watch all the action exclusively on ESPN+.
Miami FC and Louisville City last met in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals on Nov. 6, 2021. On that day, Miami crashed out of the competition after suffering a 1-0 loss at Lynn Family Stadium. But things have changed in South Florida ever since. MFC implemented a new system under new head coach Anthony Pulis, and the club acquired ten players during the offseason who fit the equation.
Newcomers Mark Segbers, Romeo Parkes and Kyle Murphy featured in Pulis’ starting 11 against New York Red Bulls II on Saturday. Segbers was involved in Miami’s two goals on opening day, earning Week 1 Team of the Week honors. The St. Louis native dished out an assist to forward Josh Peréz to open the scoring in the first half and scored the second goal of the encounter thanks to an assist from Parkes. Murphy played all 90 minutes at the lone striker position.
A back-line featuring Connor Sparrow in goal and defenders Junior Palacios, Paco Craig, Luca Antonelli and Segbers kept a clean sheet. Midfielders Devon “Speedy” Williams and Bolu Akinyode kept control of the middle of the park, while wingers Pierre Da Silva and Peréz disrupted the flanks with skill and speed.
Miami FC looks to double its current three points against LouCity on Saturday.
About Louisville City FC
Like Miami FC, Louisville City won its 2022 home opening game against a Major League Soccer development team. Forward Wilson Harris filled in for Louisville City cult hero Cameron Lancaster, who suffered a lower leg injury in preseason. Wilson scored the only goal of the night in his debut.
As mentioned before, The Boys in Purple are without their best goal scorer. Lancaster led the team in goals – 20 – and averaged a goal every 92.6 minutes last season, finishing third in the Golden Boot race. The Englishman is also the club’s all-time goalscorer, posting 75 goals in 140 appearances. Harris will most likely fill in for Lancaster again this weekend.
Right midfielder Manny Perez landed his name in the Week 1 Team of the Week after an electric debut. The 23-year-old showed offensive and defensive competence, completing six out of eight dribbles, winning 11 out of 14 duels and recording 11 recoveries.
Up next for Miami FC
Miami FC hosts Loudoun United on March 26 at FIU Stadium. Miami fell to Loudoun 3-2 the last time they met. Fans can buy tickets for the game by clicking here.
