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MIAMI (February 22, 2020) — The Miami FC defeated USL’s League One Orlando City B 2-0 on Saturday as the club continues their preparations for their 2020 season.

Goals by forward Romario Williams and defender Marco Franco gave Miami FC the victory at Florida International University.

“I am delighted with the result but I know we still have some work to do,” said Miami FC Head Coach Nelson Vargas. “We created plenty of chances, but I think we could do a lot better in capitalizing on our opportunities.”

Miami FC’s goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre was key in the first half, making back-to-back saves in the 19th minute. The first save was made off a shot from outside the box, with the second save coming off the ensuing rebound from point-blank range.

Moments later Williams put the home side on the scoresheet, scoring a 24th minute goal. The Jamaican forward got on the end of a low cross from midfielder Prince Saydee and flicked it passed a diving OCB goalkeeper.

The first half saw both teams share most of the possession, with Miami FC creating several opportunities but not being able to capitalize on them.

“At the half, I told the team that we needed to go back to what we practice every week,” said Vargas. “We were not implementing our style of play in the first half and it showed in our positioning. The second half was much better in that regards.”

The home side came out swinging in the second half, creating over eight chances in the final 45 minutes.

The first of those came in the 55th minute, when Williams made a run into the box and fired a shot wide right. Moments later, defender Lloyd Sam and second-half substitute Vincent Bezecourt saw their back-to-back chances saved by OCB’s goalkeeper, who would be one of the main reasons the match ended only 2-0.

Seconds later, Jalen Markey forced OCB’s goalkeeper to make yet another diving save, this time off a header inside the 6-yard box.

In the final 15 minutes, Miami FC was able to really grab a hold of the possession of the ball and control the match.

With just over ten minutes left, Saydee made one of his signature one-on-one runs into the box flying past the defender. The left winger fed in another perfect low cross to the far post which was fired into the back of the net by Franco.

“It’s always great when not only your forwards are creating scoring chances,” explained Vargas. “Several of our defenders got chances to score, with Marco (Franco) scoring a goal of his own, and the midfielders also were able to create dangerous opportunities. The Miami FC style of play is exactly that, and we’re exciting to be close to playing our first game of the 2020 season.”

Miami FC Lineups (4-3-3): GK Brian Sylvestre (Mark Pais 46′, Bryant Gammiero 74′); D Lloyd Sam (Marco Franco 64′), Lance Rozeboom (Jalen Markey 20′), Lawrence Olum, Janos Löbe (Othello Bah 46′); M Tomas Granitto, Harrison Heath (Brian James 64′), Sebastian Velasquez; F Miguel Gonzalez (Vincent Bezecourt 55′), Romario Williams (Mohamed Thiaw 70′), Prince Saydee

BOCA RATON, Fla. (February 13, 2020) — The Miami FC continued their regular season preparations on Thursday, playing to a scoreless draw against Major League Soccer’s New York City FC. The match was played on the campus of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.

The preseason friendly consisted of two 30-minute halves, in which both teams created plenty of chances, but neither was able to get on the scoresheet. 

Goalkeeper Mark Pais was crucial in the first half, keeping NYCFC off the scoreboard. Pais was forced to make back-to-back saves after NYCFC broke through the backline and had two clear chances in front of goal.

Moments later, it was Miami FC who would have their clearest chance of the first half. Forward Miguel Gonzalez received a through ball from defender Marco Franco and found himself one-on-one with the keeper. Miami FC’s forward tried to play the ball past the keeper but was fould just feet outside the box, earning a free kick. The ensuing free kick would be blasted just wide by forward Romario Williams.

The second half was dominated by Miami, with Gonzalez once again finding himeself in the epicenter of the attack.

A great buildup on the right side found Franco making a dashing run into NYCFC’s box. Upon reaching the endline, Franco sloted a pass back into the heart of the box, finding Gonzalez. The Mexican midfielder was able to fire a shot before NYCFC defenders approached him, but his attempt would be denied by the crossbar.

Shortly after, midfielder Tomas Granitto would have his chance to get Miami on the scoresheet, but this time NYCFC’s goalkeeper was able to get a hand on it and make the save.

Miami FC’s preseason continues when they face Orlando City B on Saturday, February 22 at Florida International University.

Miami FC lineup: GK Mark Pais (Brian Sylvestre 31′); D Marco Franco, Lance Rozeboom (Hassan Ndam 42′), Lawrence Olum (Jalen Markey 42′), Othello Bah (Janos Löbe 42′); M Tomas Granitto, Harrison Heath, Brian James; F Miguel Gonzalez, Romario Williams (Mohamed Thiaw 42′), Sebastián Velásquez (Prince Saydee 38′)

MELBOURNE, Fla. (February 8, 2020) — The Miami FC continued their preparations for the 2020 USL Championship season, facing Major League Soccer’s Minnesota United FC on Saturday at Titan Soccer Complex on the campus of Easter Florida State College.

The Loons defeated Miami FC 5-0, giving up two goals in the first half and three in the second half.

“Despite the result, these matches are great to test yourself against quality opposition,” said Miami FC head coach Nelson Vargas. “It’s a great barometer for us to see where we are at and what we all want to aspire to. We knew it was going to be difficult but there were several things as a staff that we were happy with.”

An 11th minute goal by Minnesota’s newest signing Luis Amarilla found Miami down early in the match. A header at the far post left goalkeeper Mark Pais without any chances, as the Paraguayan was left open.

Similar to the first goal, Minnesota midfielder Jan Gregus found himself close to the top of the box with plenty of space and double their lead in the 24th minute.

Miami FC did create several chances in the first half, but Loons goalkeeper Tyler Miller provided several saves to keep his team up two at the half.

“Even with the lopsieded result, one of the positives I mentioned was the creation of chances,” explained Vargas. “We had a clear chance very early in the match and if we capitalized on it we would have been up early on. The difference was they took advantage of their opportunities, but we need to look at this match more like a test to see where we are in our preseason. Again, there were plenty of positives to take from today’s performance.”

With forward Romario Williams coming on at the half, Miami was able to link up their front three and create space.

Miami’s clearest chance of the match came in the 55th minute, when the club’s newest addition midfielder Sebastian Velasquez played a through ball to forward Prince Saydee into space. The Liberian was able to get a shot off, but it would be saved by Minnesota goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair.

Despite moving the ball in the second half, Miami FC was unable to get on the scoresheet, while Minnesota capitalized on their chances. The Loons went on to score in the 66th minute (Andrew Booth), with Mason Toye scoring a bracelate in the second half.

“The most important thing is for us to focus on our style of play,” said Vargas. “The results are not what’s important to us right now. We care more about preparing the team for our first USL Championship match, when the results will matter.”

Miami FC continues their preseason on Thursday, February 13, when they face New York City F.C. on the campus of Florida Atlantic University. The match will be open to the public and will kick off at 12 P.M.

Miami FC lineup: GK Mark Pais (Brian Sylvestre 46′); D Lloyd Sam, Hassan Ndam, Jalen Markey, Bah Othello (Janos Löbe 61′); M Tomas Granitto (Lance Rozeboom 46′), Harrison Heath (Lawrence Olum 61′), Brian James; F Prince Saydee (Miguel Gonzalez 61′), Mohamed Thiaw (Romario Williams 46′), Sebastián Velásquez

According to FiveThirtyEight.com, Miami FC has the highest chance of all clubs in the Easter Conference to reach the USL Championship Final in 2020.

This is according to the analytics-based predictive website, which gives Miami a three-percent edge on our in-state rival, the Tampa Bay Rowdies and also Indy Eleven.

The website also notes that Miami FC has a 95% chance of reach the USL Championship Playoffs in the club’s inaugural season.

For complete projections of the 2020 USL Championship season, click here.