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HARTFORD, Conn. (July 24, 2021) — The Miami FC’s undefeated run came to an end on Saturday evening losing 2-0 to Hartford Athletic at Dillon Stadium in Hartford, CT. Hartford jumped ahead after half an hour with a goal by defender Alex Lara, while doubling its lead in the 67th minute off a long-ranged effort by Conor McGlynn.

The home side had a chance within second of the match kicking off as midfielder Danny Barrera played a lobbed ball into forward Sebastian Elney. Hartford’s forward tried playing the ball over the top of Sparrow but it went out for a goal kick.

Hartford had another chance in the 6th minute as forward Preston Tabort Etaka beat János Löbe close to the midfield circle. As Etaka seemed to have a breakaway on Connor Sparrow, forward Othello Bah sprinted back to get in front of Etaka’s shot from inside the box.

The home side took the lead in the 30th minute off a tap-in by Lara. After initially clearing a dangerous free kick, Miami was unable to do anything with Barrera’s cross into the heart of the box.

Despite having several chances, Miami FC went down 2-0 just after the 60th minute as Barrera backheeled a pass to McGlynn who first-timed a shot from well outside the box into the bottom corner of the net.

Miami pushed to cut the lead in half with constant crosses into the box, with the closest chance coming in the 81st minute. Midfielder Ariel Martinez smashed a free kick from the right side, forcing a diving save from Caldwell.

Up next, Miami FC will host Charleston Battery at home on Sunday, August 1. Click here to purchase tickets to Miami’s next home match at FIU Stadium.

MIAMI – A pair of first-half goals earned Miami FC a 2-1 victory against Florida rival the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday night at FIU Stadium as Miami moved within a point of Tampa Bay at the top of the Championship’s Atlantic Division with the win.

Looking for a second consecutive win against its in-state rival, Miami had an early chance in the eighth minute when Ariel Martinez beat a defender 25 yards from goal and fired a shot to the right side of the net that Rowdies goalkeeper Evan Louro punched away to safety. The Cuban forward capitalized on a loose pass two minutes later to put the hosts ahead, however, as he picked off Conner Antley’s pass and moved into the left side of the penalty area for a shot that tucked just inside the left post.

Tampa Bay almost responded immediately as after Leo Fernandes had a shot blocked, he recycled possession for Laurence Wyke, who cut into the left side of the penalty area and sent a low shot that hit the near post before Miami was able to clear. A few minutes later Wyke almost set up Zach Steinberger with a low cross from the left for a near-post finish that went just the wrong side of the upright for the visitors.

Miami doubled its lead 11 minutes before halftime, however, as Janos Loebe played a pass from the left flank in toward the goal line to find the run of Pierre Da Silva, who controlled and picked out Othello Bah with a cut-back cross the Liberian volleyed home into the right corner of the net. Da Silva then went close to a third as he was played into the left side of the penalty area for a shot from a narrow angle that was well saved by Louro as he pushed it over the crossbar.

The Rowdies made three substitutions at halftime as they looked to turn the game around, including the introduction of Sebastian Guenzatti who almost had an immediate impact with a header that went just over the crossbar off a free kick by Lewis Hilton four minutes after the break. Tampa Bay’s captain went even closer in the 56th minute as he connected with a cross from the right by fellow substitute Sebastian Dalgaard, only for Miami goalkeeper Connor Sparrow to make an excellent low save.

Miami put the ball in the net again a few minutes later but Christiano Francois’ finish was ruled out for offside, and the in the 64th minute the Rowdies got back into the game, halving their deficit. Dalgaard was involved again, taking a pass as he burst down the right side to deliver a cross that found Fernandes in the left side of the penalty area. The winger controlled and then unleashed an outstanding left-footed volley into the right side of the net.

Tampa Bay continued to push for an equalizer as the second half went on, but the visitors were unable to carve out many clear opportunities as Miami looked to close out the game. The closest the Rowdies came was with two minutes remaining when a corner kick was half-cleared to Yann Ekra at the top of the penalty area for a curling shot that went just wide of the right post. Despite a final push in stoppage time, though, the visitors weren’t able to test Sparrow in the Miami net as the hosts came away with its fourth win in the past five games.

TAMPA, Fla. – The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week Presented by Cleer Audio for Week 12 of the 2021 regular season on Tuesday which included Miami FC’s Christiano François. The Haitian winger played a crucial part in helping Miami earn a 4-1 win over Loudoun United FC on Sunday evening.

Francois recorded a goal and assist, had three key passes while completing 16 of 20 passes overall, and completed three dribbles and made four recoveries in Miami’s 4-1 win against Loudoun United FC on Sunday.

Miami FC also saw midfielder and Captain Ariel Martinez make the bench of the Team of the Week. The Cuban midfielder scored a goal and added in assist after coming off the bench late in the second half.

Memphis 901 FC goalkeeper Kyle Morton voted Player of the Week after recording an eight-save shutout in his side’s 1-0 victory against Birmingham Legion FC at BBVA Field on Saturday night.

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 12

GK – Kyle Morton, Memphis 901 FC: Kyle Morton recorded an eight-save shutout as Memphis took a 1-0 victory against Central Division-leader Birmingham Legion FC in its first road victory at BBVA Field in its history.

D – Tony Leone, Las Vegas Lights FC: Tony Leone’s first goal for Lights FC proved the winner as the side rallied for a 2-1 win against Oakland Roots SC on Saturday night, and the center back also won 9 of 10 duels, 6 of 6 aerial duels and completed 50 of 57 passes.

D – Eder Borelli, El Paso Locomotive FC: Eder Borelli recorded one assist and three key passes in Locomotive FC’s 3-1 victory against Real Monarchs SLC on Friday night and won 7 of 9 duels while completing 42 of 50 passes overall.

D – Nathan Smith, Orange County SC: Nathan Smith helped Orange County record a pair of shutouts against Tacoma Defiance and Sacramento Republic FC, while against Sacramento he notched one assist, two key passes and completed 66 of 73 passes overall.

M – Isidro Martinez, New Mexico United: Isidro Martinez sparked New Mexico after coming on as a second-half substitute with half-an-hour to go, recording the assist on both of United’s late goals and notching six key passes overall in a 3-1 win against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.

M – Daniel Crisostomo, Las Vegas Lights FC: Daniel Crisostomo scored the opening goal in Las Vegas’ 2-1 comeback victory against Oakland Roots SC on Saturday night and had two key passes while completing 49 of 54 passes overall in the win.

M – Chris Wehan, Orange County SC: Chris Wehan led OCSC to its third victory against Sacramento Republic FC this season with a goal and assist in Saturday’s 2-0 win at Heart Health Park while also completing 24 of 27 passes and recording three key passes overall.

M – Christiano Francois, Miami FC: Christiano Francois recorded a goal and assist, had three key passes while completing 16 of 20 passes overall, and completed three dribbles and made four recoveries in Miami’s 4-1 win against Loudoun United FC on Sunday. 

F – Rodrigo da Costa, FC Tulsa: Rodrigo da Costa continued his strong run of form with a goal and assist in Tulsa’s 3-2 victory against Louisville City FC on Saturday while also recording five key passes and winning 5 of 9 duels.

F – Omar Sowe, New York Red Bulls II: Omar Sowe recorded two goals and one assist across two games while also notching five key passes as the Red Bulls II took victory against the Charlotte Independence and drew with Hartford Athletic over the week.

F – Luis Solignac, El Paso Locomotive FC: Luis Solignac recorded a goal and assist to lead El Paso’s attack in a 3-1 victory against Real Monarchs SLC on Friday night, had three key passes overall and also won both of his aerial duels on the night.

Bench: Eric Dick (IND), Mohamed Traore (LV), Jordan Scarlett (TBR), Thomas Janjigian (HFD), Marcelo Palomino (CLT), Ariel Martinez (MIA), Dane Kelly (CLT)

LEESBURG, Va. (July 11, 2021) – Miami FC earned back-to-back victories for the first time this season as Christiano Francois and Ariel Martinez each recorded a goal and assist in a 4-1 victory against Loudoun United FC on Sunday evening at Segra Field.

The hosts had an early chance as Nicky Downs fired a low shot that was deflected by Miami defender Janos Loebe before being blocked by goalkeeper Connor Sparrow and launched away to safety by a defender. Loudoun’s Timmy Mehl then set up a chance for Giovanni Montesdeoca only for the forward to tamely shoot wide as the side continued to pressure early.

Miami’s first real chance came in the 17th minute as a good move set up a low cross from Loebe from the left that was met with a heavy first touch by Adonijah Reid, which allowed Loudoun goalkeeper Jermaine Fordah to claw the ball away before he could shoot. The ball spilled to Othello Bah as he arrived in the penalty area, but his shot went high and wide of the right side of the net.

Reid had another chance seven minutes later as Francois found his run to the left post from the top-right edge of the penalty area, but Fordah got across well to block the shot behind for a corner. Miami continued to press after the ensuing corner kick as Paco Craig had a header tipped just over the crossbar, but in the 26th minute Bolu Akinyode gave the visitors the lead when a corner kick fell to him in the right side of the penalty area, and after a quick exchange of passes with Reid the experienced midfielder shot home just inside the right post.

Loudoun almost answered immediately as Darluis Paz fired a good shot from the top-right edge of the penalty area that was tipped wide of the left post by Sparrow, and in the 34th minute the hosts were awarded a penalty kick as Paz was brought down just inside the left edge of the penalty area. The Venezuelan stepped up to the spot himself but rattled the crossbar with a shot aimed to the top-left corner to leave Miami ahead.

The pressure from United continued as Kimarni Smith got past his defender on the right and delivered a low cross that deflected toward the top of the six-yard area. Massimo Ferrin almost applied a finish only to be crowded out, but the ball spun left where Montesdeoca had a chance to finish only for Sparrow to get across quickly from the initial chance to make a low save.

The visitors almost added to their lead inside the opening minute of the second half when Loebe slipped Pierre Da Silva into the left side of the penalty area for a low shot that was saved by Fordah. A few minutes later Sparrow had to come up big once again as Robbie Dambrot flicked a free kick by Ferrin from the right on target, forcing a kick-save from the Miami goalkeeper.

Miami struck for its second of the game with 20 minutes to go, however, as Da Silva tried to go around his defender inside the penalty area but instead set up Francois for a strong first-time finish into the top-right corner of the net. The visitors then added a third three minutes later as Francois beat the offside line after a turnover in midfield by United to run onto a pass by Junior Palacios and then laid a pass across for Martinez to finish after having drawn the goalkeeper to leave an open net.

Loudoun pulled a goal back in the 75th minute as Abdellatif Aboukoura delivered a back-post ball from a corner kick on the left that found Owen Walz arriving late for a volleyed finish. Downs then went close again for the hosts with five minutes to go as he shot just wide of the top-left corner from the top of the penalty area after a free kick on the left was played laterally for his shot, but in second-half stoppage time Billy Forbes tapped home from close range for Miami’s fourth after a neat piece of play by Martinez to weave past two defenders to set up his teammate to wrap up the win for the visitors.

MIAMI (July 7, 2021) — The Miami FC jumped to third place in the Atlantic Division with tonight’s 2-1 win over  the Tampa Bay Rowdies at FIU Stadium in Miami. A late goal by defender Callum Chapman-Page lifted Miami FC to victory over first-placed Rowdies.

Canadian Forward Adonijah Reid had an early chance to give Miami the lead after he received a long pass by defender Paco Craig. The Canadian beat the Rowdies back line and put a shot on frame forcing goalkeeper Evan Louro to make a save to his right.

Goalkeeper Connor Sparrow was called into action in the 10th minute making an acrobatic diving stop on a powerful strike by midfielder Max Lachowecki.

As the clock approached the 21st minute, Miami FC jumped into the lead. Defender Richard Ballard pulled off a nifty move well outside Tampa Bay’s box and found space to send a cross into the far post. An oncoming Pierre Da Silva connected on the cross and sent in a low driven pass into the far post, finding an oncoming Reid for the tap in.

In the 51st minute, the Rowdies found the equalizer off a powerful header by defender Jordan Scarlett. The defender was on the end of a curling free kick by midfielder Lewis Hilton.

With the match tied up, Chapman-Page was the difference making in the 77th minute. The defender netted his second goal of the season to put the home side up 2-1 after heading home a cross by forward Cristiano François.

Miami FC now travels to face Loudoun United this Sunday, July 11 at SEGRA Field in Leesburg, VA.

MIAMI (July 7, 2021) — The Miami FC announced on Wednesday that the club has added goalkeeper Luis Zamudio on loan from USL League One’s Fort Lauderdale CF.  Zamudio will be available immediately for selection.

Goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre will be unavailable for the next several weeks after debuting with the Haitian national team on Tuesday night and helping them secure their passage to the 2021 Gold Cup. Haiti will compete in Group B alongside the United States, Canada and Martinique. 

Born in Las Vegas, NV, Zamudio joined Fort Lauderdale ahead of the 2021 season and has started in seven matches. Prior to coming to South Florida, the 23 year-old spent the 2020 season with League One’s North Texas Soccer Club, where he featured in four matches.

Zamudio played in LigaMX’s Club  América youth academy for four seasons with his performances earning him a promotion to the first team in July 2019.

Miami FC plays at home Wednesday against in-state rivals Tampa Bay Rowdies. 

MONTCLAIR, NJ (July 2, 2021) — The Miami FC and New York Red Bulls II are level at 1-1 after the first 45 minutes at MSU Soccer Park. Despite going down early, a goal by forward Othello Bah in the 24th minute equalized it for Miami FC.

Miami FC was moments away from a dream start in the 6th minute as forward Adonijah Reid had a clean chance on goal but defender Mandela Egbo displaced the Canadian saving the goal for the home side. On the counter attack, Red Bulls II went down the length of the field and opened up the scoring with a low driven shot by midfielder Jack Lacava.

The away side was able to react quickly and apply pressure in the Red Bulls II half which led to several dangerous  chances. The continuous effort paid dividends in the 24th minute. Bah was on the end of a great cross by forward Christiano François and put the match 1-1 with a fantastic volley.

Reid nearly added a second goal just three minutes later sending a shot on frame and forcing goalkeeper AJ Marcucci to make the save. With the moment passing the 30-minute mark, weather in the area cause the match to enter a half-hour delay. 

Reid had two clear-cut chances to kick off the second half but his efforts would be once again denied by Marcucci in both occasions. With Miami controlling the flow of the match and generating chances, the game found itself in another weather delay, which luckily lasted just another 30 minutes.

Miami kept on applying the pressure with minutes falling off the clock, and the clearest chance came in the 88th minute as forward Billy Forbes fired a shot off the woodwork after receiving a through ball by Cuban Ariel Martinez.

Miami will now host the Tampa Bay Rowdies this Wednesday, July 7 at FIU Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+.

MIAMI – Ariel Martinez lifted Miami FC to a 2-1 victory against the Charlotte Independence at FIU Stadium on Saturday night as the hosts snapped a four-game winless streak in its second win against the Independence this season.

Looking to rebound from a midweek defeat, Miami almost grabbed an early lead as Bolu Akinyode played Janos Loebe in down the left side but the full-back was unable to put his finish from the left side of the penalty area on target as it flashed across the face of goal. Loebe was involved again moments later as he got in behind the defense on the left and delivered a low cross that was trapped at the top of the six-yard area where Miami’s Lamar Walker tried to finish, only for Charlotte defender Christian Dean to block the shot and clear.

The hosts took the lead in the 18th minute, however, as after Charlotte goalkeeper Brandon Miller was penalized for a handball outside his penalty area, Pierre Da Silva stepped up and delivered an outstanding left-footed free kick to the top-left corner of the net that Miller got a hand to but couldn’t keep out as it just crossed the line.

The Independence’s first real chance on goal almost provided an equalizer three minutes later as Irvin Parra sent Dane Kelly into the left channel with space to shoot, but the Jamaican’s effort to the top-right corner of the net was palmed behind by Miami goalkeeper Connor Sparrow. Kelly found the net in the 32nd minute, however, as USL Academy signing Blake Pope stole possession on the right side in Miami’s half and drove forward before delivering a low cross for a first-time finish by the Jamaican that got through Sparrow and found the net.

Kelly then received a chance to give the Independence the lead nine minutes into the second half after he was brought down in the penalty area by Miami’s Richard Ballard, but his shot from the ensuing penalty kick missed the top-right corner of the net to keep the game level. Miami almost hit on a counterattack moments later as Walker pulled a shot just wide of the left post, but with 14 minutes to go the hosts regained the lead as an attempted clearance came to Othello Bah, who moved into the left side of the penalty area and delivered a clever pass to a cutting Martinez, and the Cuban fired home a shot that clipped the inside of the left post and found the back of the net.

The Independence had a chance to level again with five minutes to go when Jordan Bender sent a shot on target that was saved by Sparrow from the center of the penalty area, while Martinez could have put the game away for Miami in the 89th minute only to scuff his shot wide of the left post. Charlotte had one more late chance that found the back of the net, but the offside flag was raised on Noah Paravicini as the ball bounced home, and from there Miami saw out the win and crucial three points on home turf.