Miami, Fla. (Tuesday, April 19) – The Miami Football Club fell to Inter Miami CF 1-0 in the first-ever Miami Clásico. As a result, Miami FC was knocked out of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The Miami Clásico was played in front of a club-record 11,158 fans at FIU Stadium.
The Orange and Blue lined up with their usual 4-2-3-1, with captain Paco Craig being their only notable absence. Colombia’s Junior Palacios filled in for the captain. The remaining ten players were the same who lined up against Hartford Athletic on the weekend.
Miami Clásico: First half breakdown
Devon “Speedy” Williams got things started at FIU Stadium, hitting a shot wide in the ninth minute of the game.
Goalkeeper Connor Sparrow was called into action in the 18th minute, intercepting an Inter Miami fast break.
A combination play between attacking midfielder Florian Valot and forward Kyle Murphy was the most dangerous chance of the half. Valot orchestrated the play, sending a perfectly weighted pass into Murphy’s path. The 29-year-old got past the last defender with a forward touch, but Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender made a valiant save to keep the game 0-0.
Winger Pierre Da Silva struck a low free-kick with power in added time, but Callender made another save to keep the game 0-0 at the half.
Miami FC dominated the first half of the Miami Clásico, posting more possession and shots than Inter Miami.
MFC connected 235 passes at the half and had 52 possession of the ball, creating six chances in the process. Two of those chances forced saves out of Callender. On the other hand, the team from up north only amassed two shots off target.
The Orange and Blue’s dominance forced five yellow cards upon the Herons. The home side remained clean on the half, with zero cards shown to them.
Miami Clásico: Second Half Breakdown
Inter Miami awoke from its slumber in the second half after a slew of substitutions.
The 50th minute was a dangerous one in front of Miami FC’s goal. In a matter of 10 seconds, Sparrow made two saves and center-back Ben Ofeimu had two goal-line clearances to keep the score even. However, Murphy clapped back with a shot just off target seven minutes later.
Sparrow made another save in the 60th minute, catching a headed attempt low to his right.
Valot blasted a free-kick attempt at goal but Inter Miami’s goalie made an outstanding save to keep his goal untouched.
The Herons took the lead in the 83rd minute, with Ecuadorian forward Leonardo Campana pulling the team from up north ahead.
Miami FC fought hard in the final minutes but was not able to find an equalizer.
Up Next for Miami FC
Three consecutive away USL Championship games await for Miami FC on the horizon.
The team will travel westward for the first time this season to face Western Conference opponent Phoenix Rising on Saturday, April 23. The cross-conference fixture is Miami’s first of the season.
The other two away games are against Memphis 901 and Birmingham Legion.
The next home game will take place on Saturday, May 14, at 7 p.m. ET. Buy tickets ahead of time here.
