Miami Falls to Rochester
September 8, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
MIAMI, September 8, 2009 - Miami FC fell at home to the Rochester Rhinos 1-2 at Lockhart Stadium Tuesday night. Although Miami displayed some of its best soccer of the season, the team could not comeback against one of USL's elite franchises. Miami will now travel to Blackbaud Stadium to face the fourth place Charleston Battery. This game will be broadcasted on FOX Soccer Channel as the USL Game of the Week. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m.
"At times we looked like the team that won on Friday. In the second half, the team looked strong, and had numerous chances to take the lead," said head coach Zinho. "All we can do now is focus on energy for the Battery and continue to treat each game like a final."
Miami had the first chance of the game in the 8th minute when Leo Inacio Nunes received a ball from Miami newcomer Brain Shriver. Nunes fired a shot at the edge of the box that sailed just above the post.
In the 21st minute, Aaron King snuck a beautiful through ball to Nunes on the outer fringe of the box. Nunes threw a high floating ball to Nelson Pizarro, who could not gather the ball and unleashed a wild shot into space.
Four minutes later, John Menyongar managed to pass the last Miami FC defender and was left one on one with the goalie. Jack Traynor appeared out of nowhere, forcing Menyongar to shoot a ball that was on target but sailed high over the post.
Rochester continued to put pressure on Miami's defense. Menyongar broke through the defense once again and had an almost identical shot on the edge of the box; this time, Menyongar's shot hit the right post and bounced into the back of the net, giving the Rhinos a one goal advantage.
Towards the end of the first half, Miami had a great opportunity to equalize the game off a Miami corner kick by Miami FC. King received the ball and shot it with a difficult angle. Unfortunately, the ball skimmed close to the end line and was just inches away from making it Miami's first goal.
Head coach Zinho made a tactical substitution for the second half, substituting Alen Marcina for Walter Ramirez. Ramirez instantly brought an element of speed, taking advantage of the spaces on the left flank.
In the 56th minute, Ramirez used an array of moves to get deep into Rochester's territory and fired a violent shot towards the left post. Scott Vallow used excellent positioning to diffuse the fierce full shot.
Moments later, Shriver received a cross ball on his chest and left the ball for Nunes, but he could not manage to get a clear shot off.
Fourteen minutes later, Traynor opened up wide on the left flank and crossed an accurate ball to King, who headed the ball straight into the net. With the game tied 1-1, King brought the excitement and the hopes back to the team and its fans.
A controversial no-call denied Miami a clear opportunity to grab the lead. A long ball found its way into the Rhinos' penalty area. The Rhinos' defender went to cover King, but the ball bounced and rode up the defender's arm; the referee missed an obvious handball and waved for play to continue.
The Blues continued to assert themselves offensively looking for a victory. Traynor left a ball for Tim Merrit on the right edge of the box. Merritt made a series of jukes and rifled a shot that barley grazed the top post.
The Rhinos put the nail in the coffin in the 76th minute when Tiger Fitzpatrick broke loose off the left side of the pitch after a Miami turnover and crossed a ball to a streaking Menyogar, who calmly kicked the ball into the net, putting the Rhinos up 2-0.
Notes....
Miami still has playoff possibilities, but the team must win its three remainder games while the Vancouver Whitecaps have to lose the remainder of theirs... Aaron King has scored twice in both his starts with Miami... Miami will return home on September 19 to face the Puerto Rico Islanders at Lockhart Stadium in what will be the last home game of the season. The match will include a Powerade Pre-Game Parade, and the Miami FC Challenge; for every 500 fans that attend the game, one Miami FC player will shave his head. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m.
USL First Division Stories from September 8, 2009
- Miami Falls to Rochester - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- RailHawks fall in Puerto Rico, out of second place - North Carolina FC
- Montreal Impact In The Playoffs - Montreal Impact
- Impact Faces The Vancouver Whitecaps Wednesday - Montreal Impact
- RailHawks close out road schedule Tuesday at Puerto Rico - North Carolina FC
- Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
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