Miami, Fla. (Wednesday, May 18) – The Miami Football Club picked up a point at home against an in-form Detroit City FC side. Forward Adonijah Reid scored the equalizer in the final play of the match.
Starting XI vs. Detroit City FC
Head coach Anthony Pulis made modifications to his formation and personnel ahead of the Eastern Conference clash. Pulis’ formation shifted from a 4-2-2-2 used against San Antonio FC to a 5-2-3. Three different players were introduced to the game. Defender Junior Palacios, winger Pierre da Silva and wingback Othello Bah started this time around, replacing Reggae Boyz Romeo Parkes and Lamar Walker and defender Luca Antonelli.
Right-back Mark Segbers made his 100th USL Championship appearance, starting all eleven league matches so far in his debut season for Miami FC.
First Half Breakdown
Miami FC took charge of the game early in the game, creating multiple chances in the opening 15 minutes. The clearest of the bunch was a Da Silva first-time shot that floated over the bar in the 10th minute.
The visitors spoiled Miami’s positive momentum by producing a goal in the 20th minute. Forward Antoine Hoppenot, who came into the match after notching two assists against Loudoun United on the weekend, crafted and finished a counterattack.
MFC kept control of the game despite the goal but was unable to capitalize on its chances.
Second Half Breakdown
The Orange and Blue continued its chase for the equalizer.
Bah struck the crossbar with a powerful shot from an acute angle near the endline in the 50th minute. The ball deflected back into play, denying the Liberian his first goal of the season.
Pulis made two double substitutions. The first pair was introduced in the 62nd minute, with Reid coming on for Da Silva and Parkes subbing on for right-winger Joshua Pérez. Right-back Sean McFarlane returned to action from the bench – last played in the season opener – for Segbers, and left-winger Christian Sorto came on for Bah.
Reid showed his speed and ability on the ball 75th-minute, taking on three defenders and unleashing a low-driven shot across the goal. However, Detroit goalkeeper Nathan Steinwascher got down low to his right and saved it.
Desperately looking for a goal, Miami overloaded Detroit’s half in the final minute of the game. And Reid found the back of the net as the final second of added time hit the clock.
The 22-year-old Canadian received a pass from Parkes inside the area, cut and diced a defender and kicked the ball well enough to beat Steinwascher.
Up Next For Miami FC
Miami FC travels to South Carolina to face Charleston Battery at Patriots Point on Saturday.
The Battery is living a rocky 2022 USL Championship season. The Black and Yellow has four points after nine matches, winning one, drawing another and losing seven.
