Miami, Fla. (Wednesday, June 8) – The Miami Football Club collected one point against old rivals Indy Eleven at home. The draw extended Miami FC’s undefeated streak to five matches, drawing four and winning one.
The Orange and Blue currently sit eighth in the Eastern Conference table tied for points (21) with the Boys in Blue and seven away from ninth-place FC Tulsa.
Starting XI vs. Indy Eleven
Head coach Anthony Pulis changed his formation from a 3-4-3 to a 4-2-3-1 and with it came modifications to the starting eleven.
Right-back Sean McFarlane and center-back Callum-Chapman Page made their first start of the season. Meanwhile, attacking midfielder Christian Sorto and winger Lamar Walker earned their start.
Goalkeeper Noah Abrams returned to the bench after a good showing last weekend with Charlotte Independence in the USL League One.
Match Breakdown
Miami FC kicked off on the right foot, producing two early chances in the opening five minutes. Striker Kyle Murphy struck a shot against the side-netting and Sorto registered Miami’s shot on target, heading a cross from the right flank sent in by Walker.
The Jamaican international sent another cross into the box, this time a low one destined for winger Josh Pérez. However, the Salvadoran was not able to get a foot on the ball despite diving toward it.
A spontaneous thunderstorm cast over FIU Stadium, leaving the referee no other option but to halt the match in the 14th minute. The match resumed two hours and 37 minutes later, at 9:57 p.m. ET.
Walker and Sorto combined for a goal 20 seconds after the match restarted. Walker served another cross, this time parallel to the six-yard-line and Sorto poked it past goalkeeper Til Trilk.
Center-back Ben Ofeimu defended the lead just before the half, stopping striker Manuel Arteaga in a breakaway as he was getting ready to shoot the ball.
The second half saw the Boys in Blue equalize in the 56th minute. Former Miami FC forward Stéfano Pinho tucked a shot past goalkeeper Connor Sparrow.
Substitute Romeo Parkes produced a shot that sailed close to the crossbar in the 74th minute, and Sparrow made a clutch save to secure one point at home in the 83rd minute.
Miami FC 1-1 Indy Eleven: Game Notes
- The result goes down as the second draw between Miami FC and Indy Eleven. MFC leads the series 6W-1L-2D.
- Sorto scored his first goal of the year, becoming Miami FC’s tenth goalscorer this season.
- Walker notched his third assist of the campaign, leading the team alongside Florian Valot.
- Weather Delay Fun Facts:
- Miami FC and Indy Eleven resumed the match at 9:57 p.m. ET, the same exact time the delayed game against Pittsburgh Riverhounds started on May 28.
- All three USL Championship matches on Wednesday were delayed due to bad weather. A clash between Loudoun United and New York Red Bulls II in Virginia and a contest between Birmingham Legion and Memphis 901 in Birmingham suffered from delays.
Up Next for Miami FC
The Orange and Blue continue its three-game home skid against in-state rivals Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday. The Rowdies arrive at Miami after a 1-0 home win against Louisville City FC.
Miami FC hopes to come out victorious in the Florida Derby twice in a season for the first time in history after taking three points at Al Lang Stadium earlier this year. Buy tickets for the game here.
