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MIAMI (August 29, 2021) – Lamar Walker scored twice after coming on as a second-half substitute as Miami pulled away from the New York Red Bulls II for a 3-0 victory on Sunday night at FIU Stadium, matching the wins by the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC on Saturday to keep the hosts within three points of the USL Championship’s Atlantic Division leaders.

New York opened aggressively and went close to opening the scoring in the third minute as Mathias Jorgensen was played into the right side of the penalty area by Jeremy Rafanello but was denied by a kick-save from Miami’s Connor Sparrow. The hosts also had a good early opportunity kept out six minutes later as Adonijah Reid’s corner from the left was headed on target by Paco Craig but parried over the crossbar by New York’s Luca Lewis.

Miami hit the front in the 15th minute, however, as Bolu Akinyode sent Billy Forbes into space on the left on a counterattack and after shuffling past a defender the Turks and Caicos international lashed home a low shot into the right corner for his third goal in the past two games. The hosts threatened again eight minutes later as on another counterattack Othello Bah’s pass was slightly behind Reid after Lewis had come off his line to confront the Liberian forward, allowing Lewis to recover and parry Reid’s shot before the danger eventually passed.

Rafanello forced Sparrow into another good save for the hosts in first-half stoppage time with a powerful free kick to the top-right corner that the goalkeeper parried way for a corner, while early in the second half Reid fired a similar effort from 25 yards to the top-left corner of the net for the hosts that Lewis just turned over the crossbar with a diving save.

Miami doubled its lead with 19 minutes to go as second-half substitute Lamar Walker added to his tally for the season after a neat piece of play around and in the penalty area. Christiano Francois began the move as he drifted centrally from the right and lifted a ball into the left side of the area for Bah, who passed first-time inside to the Jamaican international before he cut past a defender and lifted his finish into the net.

The Red Bulls II tried to find a way back into the game but were stymied by Miami’s back line, with a pair of shots from distance by Rafanello the only real threats the visitors posed in the final 20 minutes, the second coming on a free kick with two minutes remaining. New York’s playmaker had one final effort to break the shutout as the game moved into stoppage time with a good curling effort to the top-right corner from 30 yards that Sparrow punched away, but in the fifth minute of stoppage time Walker added his second for the hosts on a breakaway to seal the win and keep Miami in touch with the Atlantic Division leaders.

MIAMI (August 26, 2021) – The Miami FC announced on Thursday the addition of forward Joshua Perez, pending league and federation approval. Perez is a current member of the El Salvador national team, which will be facing the United States in the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. 

El Salvador announced earlier on Thursday that Perez will be on the senior squad in their upcoming crucial 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. El Salvador will face the United States on September 2, while later facing Honduras and Canada on September 5 and 8 respectively. Perez most recently started all four matches for El Salvador in their 2021 Gold Cup run, where they reached the Quarterfinals. 

Perez joins Miami FC after spending the 2020-21 season with UD Ibiza, where he helped the club earn its first-ever promotion into the second division of Spanish football. Prior to joining Ibiza, the forward featured in 15 matches for Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles FC from 2018 to 2019. During his time at LAFC, Perez netted one goal and one assist. Perez has also appeared in the USL Championship, featured in three league matches during his time at LAFC, going on loan to Phoenix Rising FC. 

The California native joined Italian Serie A’s Fiorentina at the age of 16 as one of the most promising U.S. youth national team players, and would go on to sign a professional contract at the age of 18. In 2016, Perez made his senior debut at Fiorentina against Italian giants Inter Milan at San Siro, which made him the youngest American to ever feature in Italian top-flight football. After spending the 2016 season with Fiorentina, he would go on loan to Serie C’s Livorno, featuring in 23 league matches. 

Prior to representing El Salvador, which was made official in February 2021, the winger was a staple in the U.S. youth national team system. Perez was a part of the U.S. U17 squad that took part in the 2015 U17 FIFA World Cup which took place in Chile. On that squad was current Miami FC forward Pierre Da Silva as well. 

Perez joins a list of young talented forwards on the Miami FC roster, as the club sets its focus on earning a playoff spot in the 2021 USL Championship Season. 

TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week Presented by Cleer Audio for Week 18 of the 2021 regular season on Tuesday, which included Miami FC’s Billy Forbes. The forward only needed 45 minutes to earn himself a spot on the TOTW for the first time in 2021.

The Turks & Caicos international came on as a halftime substitute against Hartford Athletic on Sunday night and had an immediate impact for the hosts, scoring three minutes into the second half on the way to a pair of goals in a 2-0 victory while also notching two key passes.

The Championship’s Player of the Week is selected by the USL National Media Panel, which is made up of representatives from each media market in the Championship. 

USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 18

GK – Andre Rawls, Phoenix Rising FC: Andre Rawls produced a nine-save shutout to earn Phoenix a 0-0 draw against Sacramento Republic FC on Saturday night to maintain the club’s undefeated home record this season.

D – Rashid Tetteh, New Mexico United: The Ghanaian put in a strong performance in New Mexico’s 1-1 draw with Oakland Roots SC, making a key goal line clearance in the second half while winning 8 of 9 duels and making nine recoveries.

D – Jackson Ragen, Tacoma Defiance: The Sounders Academy product continued to come into his own after signing recently with the Defiance and notched the opening goal in Tacoma’s 3-0 win against Orange County SC last Wednesday while also recording nine clearances and completing 54 of 56 passes. 

D – Andre Fox, El Paso Locomotive FC: Andrew Fox had an excellent two-way performance in Locomotive FC’s 3-1 victory against Rio Grande Valley FC on Saturday night, recording one assist, two key passes and three shots in attack while winning 3 of 4 tackles and 4 of 6 duels defensively.

M – Danny Barrera, Hartford Athletic: The Championship’s co-assist leader had a goal as well as his eighth helper of the year in Hartford’s 2-1 win against the Charleston Battery last Tuesday night and also recorded eight key passes while completing 46 of 57 passes and winning 7 of 9 duels in midfield.

M – Miguel Ibarra, San Diego Loyal SC: The former United States international starred as San Diego recorded its biggest win in club history in a 5-1 victory against Las Vegas Lights FC last Wednesday night with one goal, two assists, three shots and six key passes for the hosts at Torero Stadium.

M – Alex Dixon, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: Alex Dixon continued his outstanding recent run of form as he recorded two assists and five key passes in the attacking half while also winning 7 of 9 duels and 4 of 4 aerial duels in Pittsburgh’s 4-1 win against Atlanta United 2.

M – Ted Ku-DiPietro, Loudoun United FC: The 19-year-old notched the final goal in United’s 4-1 victory against Indy Eleven on Wednesday night to cap a performance that saw him record five shots and six key passes while completing 44 of 50 passes overall.

F – Russell Cicerone, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: Russell Cicerone scored the first hat trick of his professional career to lead the Hounds to a 4-1 victory against Atlanta United 2 on Sunday night while recording five shots and completing 15 of 20 passes.

F – Billy Forbes, Miami FC: The Turks & Caicos international came on as a halftime substitute against Hartford Athletic on Sunday night and had an immediate impact for the hosts, scoring three minutes into the second half on the way to a pair of goals in a 2-0 victory while also notching two key passes.

F – Michee Ngalina, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: The Congolese winger notched a late game-tying goal to add to his eighth assist of the season earlier in the contest to remain tied with Danny Barrera for first place in the league, and also completed 35 of 40 passes and won 9 of 14 duels in a 3-3 draw with the Charlotte Independence.

Bench: Jeff Caldwell (HFD), Leland Archer (CHS), Mitchell Osmond (OKC), Eric Bird (TUL), Sebastian Velasquez (ELP), Hadji Barry (COS), Sylvain Marveaux (CLT)

MIAMI (August 22, 2021) — Billy Forbes scored twice after coming on as a halftime substitute to lead Miami FC to a 2-0 victory against Hartford Athletic on Sunday night at FIU Stadium to give the hosts their first win against the Athletic in the final regular-season meeting between the Atlantic Division foes.

Miami looked to get out on the front foot early, and the hosts had the first good look in the 11th minute as a clearance by Hartford goalkeeper Jeff Caldwell was controlled in midfield and quickly worked upfield for a shot by Ariel Martinez from 20 yards that was saved by the Athletic shot-stopper. Callum Chapman-Page also sent a header just off target for the hosts off a free kick by Lamar Walker 10 minutes later, while Walker fired just over the crossbar after cutting back onto his right foot after driving to his left into the penalty area just before the half-hour mark.

Walker went close again 10 minutes before halftime as Ariel Martinez set up a first-time shot with a clever back-heeled pass inside the penalty area that saw Walker’s effort blocked side for a corner by Hartford defender Tulu. The hosts maintained their pressure, though, and a minute before halftime Miami was awarded a penalty kick as Othello Bah was brought down in the penalty area. Speedy Williams stepped up to the spot but his low shot to the left was saved by Caldwell and cleared behind for a corner by his defense.

Miami took the lead three minutes into the second half, however, as Forbes found space in the left side of the penalty area after a pass by Bah and rifled a left-footed shot into the upper-left corner of the net that gave Caldwell little chance to save. Hartford had a chance to level on the hour-mark as Preston Tabort Etaka surged into the penalty area past a challenge and cut back onto his left foot only for Miami goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre to make a one-handed save that parried the ball into the air before he gathered after quickly recovering.

The hosts pushed for a second goal as the second half progressed and almost found it just past the hour-mark as Forbes played Adonijah Reid into the penalty area for a shot that forced a good save from Caldwell. Miami kept the play alive in the right side of the penalty area, where Walker set up Williams for a shot that Caldwell also kept out in spectacular fashion.

The Athletic almost found an equalizer with 10 minutes to go, however, as a cross by Arthur Rogers from the left was flicked on at the near post by Sebastian Elney off the crossbar before a follow-up chance was saved by Sylvestre as Gabriel Torres fired on frame for the visitors. Forbes put the game away in the final minute, however, as he controlled a crossfield pass by Reid at the top-left edge of the penalty area and then slotted home a low finish to the right corner that wrapped up all three points for the hosts and another positive step toward the postseason.

TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week Presented by Cleer Audio for Week 17 of the 2021 regular season on Tuesday, with Miami FC midfielder Speedy Williams voted Player of the Week after recording a pair of goals in his side’s comeback victory against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC and helping Miami earn four points over its two games during the week overall.

A 2020 USL Championship All-League First Team selection, Williams has been a notable part of Miami FC’s turnaround in its second season in the Championship. The Jamaican international – who competed this summer at the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup for his country – was at the center of a big road victory for Miami last Wednesday night, scoring twice. Williams scored the late game-winner from the penalty spot, helping the visitors rally from a two-goal deficit early in the second half to take a 3-2 victory. Miami is now only two points off top spot in the Atlantic Division while sitting undefeated in its past four games.

Williams earned 33 percent of the ballot to claim the honor, narrowly edging out Atlanta United 2 forward Phillip Goodrum on 27 percent, who had two goals and one assist after coming on as a halftime substitute in his side’s 4-1 victory against Sporting Kansas City II on Saturday evening. 

The Championship’s Player of the Week is selected by the USL National Media Panel, which is made up of representatives from each media market in the Championship. 

USL Championship Team of the Week – Week 17

GK – Paul Lewis, Charleston Battery: Making only his second professional start, Paul Lewis recorded a two-save shutout against Loudoun United FC, including a key first-half penalty kick save to keep the game scoreless. The Battery were able to secure three points with a late winner in their pursuit of a playoff place.

D – Caleb Wiley, Atlanta United 2: Caleb Wiley earned his second consecutive selection as he helped Atlanta to four points over two games, winning 15 of 24 duels and completing four tackles. He also recorded 16 recoveries, four interceptions and three key passes throughout the two matches.

D – Tumi Adesodun, Charleston Battery: Tumi Adesodun put in a strong two-way performance in the Battery’s 1-0 victory against Loudoun United FC on Friday night, winning 11 of 13 duels and making three interceptions while also completing 5 of 5 dribbles and two key passes.

D – Nick Hinds, Austin Bold FC: Nick Hinds helped Austin Bold FC’s back line contain Miami FC in a 0-0 draw on Saturday night. He won 6 of 7 duels and made six recoveries while completing 37 of 44 passes and recording a pair of shots as he joined the attack.

D – Aaron Guillen, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Aaron Guillen won 4 of 4 tackles and 7 of 7 duels while making four interceptions and completing 48 of 55 passes as the Rowdies held Hartford Athletic to only two shots in a 1-0 win at Al Lang Stadium on Friday night.

M – Speedy Williams, Miami FC: The Jamaican international helped his side to four points on the road over the week, including scoring two goals in Miami’s comeback 3-2 victory against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC on Wednesday night. He completed 111 of 130 passes, won 3 of 3 tackles and made 15 recoveries across two games.

M – Nicky Law, Indy Eleven: Nicky Law had a goal and assist to help lead Indy’s 2-1 victory against OKC Energy FC on Saturday night while also completing 36 of 40 passes, recording three key passes and making five recoveries.

M – Robbie Mertz, Atlanta United 2: Robbie Mertz had one goal and two assists across a pair of games as Atlanta took four points from its week of action, and additionally completed 62 of 73 passes overall while winning 9 of 15 duels.

F – Cameron Lancaster, Louisville City FC: Cameron Lancaster scored both goals as Louisville City FC extended its lead in the Central Division with a 2-1 win against FC Tulsa on Saturday, had six shots overall and won 7 of 7 duels and 2 of 2 tackles in an impressive all-around performance.

F – Hadji Barry, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: The Championship’s Golden Boot leader scored three goals across two games, including a two-goal outing in the Switchback’s 5-2 win on Saturday against Rio Grande Valley FC, and completing 70 of 87 passes across the two games.

F – Phillip Goodrum, Atlanta United 2: Phillip Goodrum came on as a halftime substitute on Saturday against Sporting Kansas City II and made an immediate impact, notching a goal and assist inside 10 minutes before adding his second goal of the game to wrap up a 4-1 victory for the side.

Bench: Patrick Rakovsky (OC), Anderson Asiedu (BHM), Zeiko Lewis (CHS), Brandt Bronico (CLT), Junior Flemmings (BHM), Enzo Martinez (CLT), Cameron Iwasa (SAC)

AUSTIN, Texas (August 14, 2021) – Austin Bold FC and Miami FC played to a 0-0 draw on Saturday night at Bold Stadium as the hosts were unable to find a way through despite Miami ending the game with only nine men as both goalkeeper Connor Sparrow and winger Christiano Francois were sent off in the second half.

Looking to rebound from defeat last time out, Bold FC had a pair of early chances as first Nick Hinds dragged a shot wide of the right post from the top-left edge of the penalty area before less than a minute later Alasanne Ates Diouf couldn’t get full purchase on his header off Collin Fernandez’s angled cross, allowing Sparrow to easily claim. Chances proved hard to come by overall in the opening half, and it wasn’t until deep in stoppage time that Miami had it first effort on goal as Paco Craig’s header was saved by Austin’s Elliot Panicco off a cross from the right by Sean McFarlane.

Craig had another chance for the visitors in the 54th minute as he headed a corner kick by Adonijah Reid from the right down on goal, only for Panicco to smother the effort, but Austin went closer four minutes later as Diouf played a nice through-ball for Hinds as he drove in from the left to receive the pass but sent his shot off the right post and behind for a goal kick.

Miami was reduced to 10 men with 21 minutes to go as Xavier Baez tried to head a ball to the top of the penalty area past Sparrow as he tried to intercept, but the Miami goalkeeper had moved outside the box and was sent off as he handled. Nothing came from the ensuing free kick as Fabien Garcia’s effort went into the defensive wall, and Miami tried to close down chances to try and ensure it would emerge with a point.

Austin tried to push late and Beto Avila sent a header over the crossbar off a cross by Kofie Sarkodie, while Emilo Ycaza headed wide of the left post with a minute to go after he was picked out by a cross by Baez from the right unmarked 10 yards from goal. Miami was then reduced to nine men as Francois was sent off in second-half stoppage time for a hard challenge on Avila just outside the penalty area, and from the ensuing free kick Baez fired a shot that was punched away by substitute goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre. The visitors held the game scoreless, though, as Austin was unable to find a late breakthrough.

PITTSBURGH, Penn. (August 11, 2021) — The Miami FC once again pulled off an incredible comeback win on Wednesday night in Pittsburgh against the Riverhounds. Despite going down 2-0 by the hour mark, Miami FC scored three unanswered to steal three points at Highmark Stadium.

The home side didn’t have to wait long to get their first chance of the night, which came in the third minute of play. Thomas Williamson played a low through ball to Kenardo Forbes, who curled a ball to the far post of Connor Sparrow. Miami’s goalkeeper was able to make a comfortable save to keep the match tied early on.

Moments later, it was Sparrow who was able to find a sprinting Othello Bah, placing a pass past Pittsburgh’s back line. Bah toe-poked the ball in an effort to get past goalkeeper Jake Leeker but his shot went wide right.

Miami would get a great chance on frame in the 20th minute as Lamar Walker shared off several Pittsburgh defender and fired a shot but it went straight at Leeker for the easy save.

Despite controlling the match, Miami FC found themselves down a goal after a perfectly-placed free kick by Williamson. A sprawling Sparrow had no chance as the shot found its way over the wall and into the back of the net.

The visitors had a chance to level before the break as Paco Craig was left unmarked on a free kick by Ariel Martinez as Pittsburgh’s defense was flat-footed. The hosts doubled their lead in the 50th minute, though, as Forbes put home his first goal of the season with a thunderous volley from the left side of the penalty area off a cross from the right by Alex Dixon to put the Hounds in the driver’s seat.

Just as quickly as Pittsburgh took a two-goal lead, though, Miami pulled level with two goals in the space of just over a minute. Ninety seconds after Forbes’ goal for the hosts, former Pittsburgh player Christiano Francois scored his second goal in as many visits to Highmark Stadium this season as an intercepting header inside the penalty area went straight to the Haitian international, who controlled well and then slid a finish back into the left corner of the net.

Barely a minute later, the visitors saw Martinez steal possession in the Hounds backline and after driving into the left side of the penalty area as support arrived, he found Williams for a shot that took a deflection off a defender on its way to the back of the net. Pittsburgh had a chance to immediately regain the lead through Anthony Velarde, whose shot went high from just outside the six-yard area, while Bah did the same from just inside the penalty area on a turning shot for the visitors.

Miami went close to grabbing the lead with 24 minutes to go when Junior Palacios hit the left angle of the crossbar and post with a shot from 25 yards out that had Leeker beaten. With nine minutes remaining, however, Francois was brought down just inside the penalty area to earn the visitors a penalty kick, allowing Williams to step up to the spot and bury his second goal of the game with a shot down the middle as Leeker went to the right side of the net. The goal proved decisive as Miami held firm defensively to see out the remaining minutes and bring the Hounds’ winning streak to an end.

HARTFORD, Conn. (August 4, 2021) – Hartford Athletic and Miami FC both notched first-half goals as the sides played to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday night at Dillon Stadium as neither side was able to take advantage of its chances to claim a winner in an entertaining contest in the USL Championship’s Atlantic Division.

Both teams opened positively, but the Athletic gained the early advantage in the 14th minute as Juan Carlos Obregon Jr. was brought down in the penalty area after controlling a long ball forward from Danny Barrera well to lead his run into the box. Bradford Jamieson IV stepped up to the spot and fired to the left corner as Miami’s Connor Sparrow went the other way for his first goal for Hartford.

Miami worked to respond quickly and nine minutes later Speedy Williams was played into the left side of the penalty area by Ariel Martinez before cutting onto his right foot for a low shot that was saved by Hartford’s Jeff Caldwell. The visitors pulled level in the 25th minute, however, as after a shot by Martinez from 20 yards was partially blocked, Janos Loebe responded to keep the attack alive in the left side of the penalty area, and his cutback cross was put home by Othello Bah for Miami’s first goal against the Athletic this season.

Martinez had a chance to put Miami ahead just past the half-hour mark as a good passing on the left that went through the Cuban forward saw Loebe pick him back out for a first-time shot from the edge of the penalty area that went high. Both Lamar Walker and Bah also went close for the visitors late in the half, while Obregon had a shot saved for the Athletic, but the teams went to the break level.

Hartford introduced recent 17-year-old USL Academy signing Kenan Hot at the halftime break, and he almost made an early impact in his debut for the side with a floated cross from the right that was headed down in the left side of the penalty area by Walmer Martinez for a snap shot by Barrera that was parried away by Sparrow. Hot also had a look himself just past the hour-mark after a good piece of interplay with Obregon set up a shot at the top of the penalty area, but his effort went wide of the left post.

Miami had a big chance to go ahead midway through the second half as Billy Forbes sent Adonijah Reid forward on a counterattack but after he spun onto his right foot in the left side of the penalty area his finish was parried behind for a corner by Caldwell. Jamaican international Jahshaun Anglin also forced a low save from Caldwell as the game entered the final 20 minutes, while Reid had a shot from the right side of the penalty area saved before Forbes whistled a shot wide of the left post from 20 yards.

The Athletic almost grabbed a late winner with two minutes to go as the ball was worked to Barrera on the left side to deliver a cross for Derek Dodson in the left side of the penalty area that he headed just wide of the right post. Dodson got another half-chance as he gained possession under pressure after a good piece of work by Jeciel Cedeno on the right, only for his turning shot to go wide of the left post. After a frantic five minutes of stoppage time, however, honors ended even as each side took home a point.

MIAMI (August 1, 2021) — The Miami FC trail Charleston Battery 2-1 at halftime at FIU Stadium in the heart of Miami. Charleston scored two quick goals to put the away side up, but midfielder Ariel Martinez was able to slice the lead in half moments before the half.

Despite having several chances, Miami FC would go down in the 11th minute off a goal by forward Nicque Daley. Charleston’s striker had the ball take a deflection off his head, leaving him one-on-one with Connor Sparrow and curling it into the net to make it 1-0.

Charleston doubled the lead in the 30th minute as midfielder Zeiko Lewis received a through ball past Miami’s backline and found himself alone inside Miami’s 18-yard box. Lewis calmly fired it past Sparrow, who again was left with no chance to keep it out.

Moments after going down two goal, Ariel Martinez was taken down inside the box by Joe Kuzminsky but the referee made no call, leaving the Cuban midfielder furious.

Martinez would get his revenge in the 45th minute as he glided past several Charleston players and fired a low-driven shot into the bottom right corner of the net. This was the Cuban’s fourth goal of the season.

Moments into the second half, Miami threatened as Junior Palacios regained possession after a piece of interplay with Othello Bah that set up a powerful shot that Kuzminsky did well to turn wide. The hosts got on level terms just past the hour-mark, though, as Robert Kcira played a perfect through-ball for Francois to break onto in the left side of the penalty area, and after his first touch created an angle to shoot past the advancing goalkeeper the Haitian international slid home his finish just inside the left post.

Kcira was sent off with 20 minutes to go after receiving a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident behind the play, leaving the hosts down a man, but despite that Miami took its first lead of the night in the 78th minute as Forbes struck. Awarded a free kick beyond the top-right edge of the penalty area, 25 yards from goal, the Turks and Caicos international fired a shot that went over the wall and picked out the top-right corner of the net.

Up a player, Charleston tried to find a response in the final 10 minutes and both Ben Di Rosa and Romario Piggott sent chances off target in the closing stages. As the game moved into stoppage time, the Battery went even closer as Piggott headed just wide of the left post off a cross from the left by Burke Fahling after the visitors had recycled a corner kick back out to the flank. There would be no late finish, however, as Miami held on for a big comeback victory.