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MIAMI (October 4, 2020) — The Miami FC finished their 2020 USL Championship campaign with a 3-1 win over ATL UTD 2. Despite going down a goal early in the first half, Miami was able to climb back and defeat their Group H rivals on Sunday night at Riccardo Silva Stadium. 

Goals from forwards Romario Williams, Prince Saydee and Sebastian Velasquez lifted the home side to victory.

The visitors would get on the scoresheet in the 13th minute off a fantastic volley by forward Jackson Conway.  A long ball by defender Patrick Nielsen left the striker one-on-one with goalkeeper Mark Pais. His shot from outside the box was too powerful for Pais to make a save, putting ATL UTD 2 up 1-0.

Moments later, Pais would get his revenge on ATL UTD 2 making a great save from point-blank.

In the 29th minute, Miami FC would be awarded a penalty after goalkeeper Ben Lungaard brought down Saydee inside the box. Jamaican international Romario Williams stepped up to the penalty spot and hammered home the equalizer. 

After controlling the remainder of the first half, Miami FC came out in the final 45 minutes with the intention of stealing all three points.

The go-ahead goal would come in the 50th minute, as Saydee received a ball from midfielder Tomas Granitto and went on to weave his way past several Atlanta defenders. When he found space, the Liberian blasted a laser into the top right corner of Lungaard’s net putting Miami up 2-1. 

Just moments after going up, Pais was called on again to make a spectacular save off of midfielder Amir Bashti’s header from point blank.

Despite nearly giving up the equalizer, Miami was able to take control of the match in the final 30 minutes, including a near goal by midfielder Harrison Heath. His curling shot missed by just inches, hitting the top right corner of the frame and going out for a goal kick.

The home side was awarded another penalty in the 72nd minute as defender Jalen Markey was brought down in the box after a free kick. Second-half substitute Mohamed Thiaw stepped up to take the penalty but Lungaard would make a kick save to keep Atlanta down only one goal.

Miami FC would seal the match in stoppage time as Thiaw fed a pass into the heart of the box, which Miguel Gonzalez let pass through his legs to find an incoming Velasquez at the top of the 18. The Colombian took a touch and calmly placed it past Lungaard to make it 3-1.

MIAMI (September 30, 2020) — In a match that saw 37 combined shots and seven goals, Miami FC proved victorious 4-3 against Charleston Battery on Wednesday night at Riccardo Silva Stadium. The home side scored four goals in the second half, to erase a two-goal deficit from the first half.

Two goals, which came in the 12th and 30th minute by forward Nicque Daley, had put the visiting side up 2-0 early in the match. After missing several chances to extend their lead, Charleston would see their advantage disappear in the second half.

Miami FC came out with the energy that was missing in the first half and forward Romario Williams would cut the away side’s lead to just one. A cross by forward Prince Saydee found the Jamaican in the heart of the box to blast it home.

While Miami was still celebrating, Charleston found what they thought would be the goal that would take the wind out of Miami’s sails. Robbie Crawford slipped through defenders and put his shot past a diving Mark Pais. 

Despite going down two goals again, Miami FC did not give up and would cut the lead to just one goal again in the 60th minute. Frenchman Vincent Bezecourt was left alone at the far post after a curling corner by Sebastian Velasquez and the midfielder headed the ball into the back of the net. 

Miami FC continued to push with the equalizer coming in the 65th minute. A fantastic individual effort by the Colombian saw him weave through defenders and finally beat a diving Joe Kuzminsky.

A plethora of chances followed for the home side, as they dismantled a tired Charleston Battery side. The final strike came in the 88th minute, with just minutes left on the clock.

Coming off the bench, forward Miguel Gonzalez was the hero once again like he had been several matches ago. Saydee’s rocket on frame forced Kuzminsky to leave a rebound just outside the six-yard box, where Gonzalez saw his ensuing shot barely trickle past the goalkeeper and cross the goal line. Despite the clearance by Charleston, both the linesman and center referee headed to the center circle validating the game-winning goal.

Miami FC will now host ATL UTD 2 this Sunday in their season finale at Riccardo Silva Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

MIAMI (September 26, 2020) — A match which started over two hours and a half after it’s slated kickoff time due to a lightning delay, saw Miami FC lose to the Tampa Bay Rowdies 1-0 at Riccardo Silva Stadium.  A first-half goal by forward Sebastian Guenzatti lifted the away side to victory.

Goalkeeper Mark Pais was called upon twice in the first 20 minutes, as forward Kyle Murphy and Guenzatti both saw their attempt denied by the keeper. Pais first made a diving stop to his right on Murphy’s shot, with the second save coming from point blank after a great first touch by Guenzatti.

With the clock reaching the 26th minute, Miami FC would have their clearest chance of the night. A great build up by the home side found midfielder Tomas Granitto alone just outside the 6-yard box. The El Salvador international muffled his shot, and it went well wide of the goal.

Tampa Bay would score the lone goal of the match in the 37th minute. Defender Jordan Scarlett headed a corner kick back into the heart of the box, finding the Uruguayan in front of goal, who sent his header to Pais’ right to make it 1-0.

Despite controlling the Rowdies in the second half, Miami FC would be unable to create any danger in the final third to find the equalizer. The Rowdies missed two clear chances, especially forward Lucky Mkosana missing a chance in front of goal. This seemed to give Miami life with the clock winding down, but the home side could not reach the Rowdies goal to find the equalizer.

Up next, Miami FC will host Charleston Battery on Wednesday, September 30 at Riccardo Silva Stadium. They then will host ATL UTD 2 on Sunday, October 4 in the season finale.

MATTHEWS, NC (September 23, 2020) — The Miami FC played to a scoreless draw on Wednesday night against Charlotte Independence at The Sportsplex at Matthews. The 0-0 draw earned Miami their first clean sheet of the 2020 USL Championship season.

The first half saw both teams generate several chances, but it was Charlotte who would come knocking first as forward Derek Gebhard has his one-on-one shot denied by goalkeeper Mark Pais in the 5th minute.

Moments later, forward Prince Saydee created a crafty individual run on the left flank, but the Liberian’s shot would go wide right, foreshadowing many of Miami’s chances that would be to come.

Pais would be called back to action in the 11th minute, this time making a phenomenal save on midfielder Brunallergene Etou. The midfielder hit a volley off a corner kick clearance and in the last moment, Pais extended his hand to send the shot out for a corner kick.

Miami’s goalkeeper continued his strong performance with another good save on Gebhard in the 16th minute. After the initial push by the home side, Miami was able to settle in the match and began applying the pressure in Charlotte’s half.

Chances by both midfielders Tomas Granitto and Vincent Bezecourt seemed like they would put Miami ahead on the scoresheet, but both of their shots were off target keeping the match scoreless at the half.

Miami FC struggled to create chances in the second half, but were able to focus on defending the clean sheet. 

The visiting side was lucky to not concede in the 62nd minute as forward Valentin Sabella blasted a shot off the right post of Pais, who had no chance at the strike. 

Miami FC closed the match with a save by Pais after forward Christian Chaney was not able to get power on a head just outside the six-yard box. 

Miami FC will now host the Tampa Bay Rowdies, as they look to play spoiler in Group H, The match at Riccardo Silva Stadium will take place this Saturday, September 26 at 7:30 p.m.