Leesburg, Va. (Saturday, July 23) – The Miami Football Club secured three points against Loudoun United on the road. Captain Paco Craig’s game-winning goal in stoppage time edged Miami FC closer to sixth-place Birmingham Legion, who are now just one point ahead with two games in hand.
Starting XI vs. Loudoun United
As expected, head coach Anthony Pulis rotated his starting eleven. Goalkeeper Connor Sparrow, winger Christian Sorto, attacking midfielder Florian Valot and Craig started this time.
Game Breakdown: Loudoun United 1-2 Miami FC
The Orange and Blue kicked off the game on the front foot, despite an hour-and-fifty-minute weather delay. A blocked shot landed at the feet of midfielder Bolu Akinyode inside the box in the seventh minute of the match. He struck the ball as soon as possible, but the attempt deflected out for a corner.
Center-back Benjamin Ofeimu came off the field in the 12th minute after suffering an injury. As a result, defender Callum Champan-Page came on to replace him.
A minute after the substitution, Loudoun’s Aboul Zanne scored a goal to give the home side an early lead. Nonetheless, Miami FC did not back down.
Rivas and Chapman-Page tested goalkeeper Luis Zamudio, who saved both chances. Moreover, Sparrow made a save at the other end of the pitch to stop Loudoun from doubling its lead.
Miami FC finally scored in the 34th minute to level the scoring. The team goal started with Sorto at the right end of the halfway line. The ball traveled through the feet of Williams, striker Kyle Murphy and Akinyode before reaching left-back Aedan Stanley on the left flank. The 22-year-old sent a cross to the top of the six-yard-box, and Valot headed it into the goal.
The two sides entered the locker room tied 1-1 at the half. Regarding possession, Miami FC held onto the ball for longer (52%). On the other hand, the shot count was a different story, with MFC ending the half with double the shots (12) as Loudoun.
The second half was completely different from the first. Miami FC did not produce any big chances other than a long-range attempt from Williams in the 77th minute.
Craig saved Miami from conceding a second goal thanks to a sliding tackle in the 83rd minute. Moreover, the captain would go on to win the game for Miami, scoring the game-winning goal in stoppage time.
Up Next for Miami FC
Miami FC will enjoy a bye-week, with its next fixture arriving on Saturday, Aug. 6. The Orange and Blue will hit the road again, this time to face Western Conference foe New Mexico United in Albuquerque, N.M.
MFC’s next home game will be against FC Tulsa on Wednesday, Aug. 10. You can buy tickets for the game HERE.
