Charleston, S.C. (Saturday, May 21) – The Miami Football Club claimed its fifth win of the regular season, putting four goals past Charleston Battery at Patriots Point in South Carolina. Miami FC maintained its position in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, with 18 points after 12 games.
Starting XI vs. Charleston Battery FC
Manager Anthony Pulis deployed the same formation he used against Detroit City FC during the week; a 3-4-3. With it came four changes.
Defender Luca Antonelli returned to the squad at the left center-back position after missing the game against Detroit City, and midfielder Bolu Akinyode earned a strat over Reggae Boy Devon “Speedy” Williams. Forwards Adonijah Reid and Romeo Parkes, who combined for the game-tying goal against Detroit, started up top alongside winger Josh Pérez.
First Half Breakdown
Miami FC got off on the front foot, scoring its first chance produced in the fifth minute. Left-wing back Othello Bah and left-winger Adonijah Reid combined for a wall pass up Miami’s left flank. Bah beat goalkeeper Joe Kuzminsky with a low-driven strike to the second post.
MFC doubled its lead ten minutes later, with Florian Valot scoring his first goal of the year. Reid dished off the ball to Valot, who struck the ball with power from 25 yards out. The shot was good enough to beat Kuzminsky, who could not get down to his left quickly to make the save.
Unfortunately for Miami, Antonelli came off injured and left-back Aedan Stanley came in for him. The substitution took place after the goal in the 18th minute.
Parkes almost made it 3-0 for Miami FC on two different occasions. The first one was a headed attempt caught by the goalkeeper in the 20th minute. The second one was a low-driven shot from the Jamaican that deflected off the keeper in the 25th minute.
Bah scored again in the 32nd minute. The Liberian received a pass from Valot in a similar position where he scored the first goal. This time, the Liberian chipped the ball over the keeper and into the top right corner of the goal.
Second Half Breakdown
Miami FC had an identical start to the first half, scoring five minutes into the second period. This time, Parkes found the back of the net. The No. 9 met a through ball provided by fellow Reggae Boy Lamar Walker, who was subbed on for Pérez at halftime. Parkes took a touch and struck the ball with power past the keeper.
the referee issued a red card to Charleston Battery’s DZ Harmon in the 54th minute, leaving the home side with ten players on the pitch.
Right-back Sean McFarlane made his 100th appearance from the bench, coming in for right-back Mark Segbers in the 61st minute. Winger Pierre da Silva and striker Kyle Murphy were summoned for Reid and Parkes in the 77th minute.
Other than a couple of saves produced by goalkeeper Connor Sparrow, the match did not see other action ending in a 4-0 win for Miami FC.
Charleston Battery 0-4 Miami FC: Game Notes
- Miami FC’s 4-0 win over Charleston Battery is its biggest-margin victory this year. The team had not scored more than two goals in USL Championship action this season.
- Goalkeeper Connor Sparrow notched his fifth clean sheet of the season, ranking second in USL Championship.
- Bah scored his first and second goals of the year on Saturday, becoming Miami FC’s first player to score a brace this season.
- After scoring a key goal in a one-all draw against Detroit City FC on Wednesday, Reid dished out assists for the first two goals. The Canadian is the first Miami player to dish out a pair of assists in a single game. Now, he shares the lead for assists in the roster with Da Silva and Valot.
- Parkes found his second goal of the year and his first as a starter. Valot scored his first goal of the season.
Up Next for Miami FC
Miami FC returns to South Florida to face Pittsburg Riverhounds on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET.
Fans can buy tickets HERE.
