Miami FC and California Victory Tie 1-1
Published on July 22, 2007 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Miami, July 22 - Miami FC (7-10-3) and the California Victory (3-10-7) fought a tough match on a rain soaked field and finish in a 1-1 draw. Afternoon showers made for some slippery conditions, but most of the rain was gone by kickoff. Miami FC enters the game winning its last three matches.
The Blues tried to get on the board early with a shot by Sean Fraser in the second minute of the game but California quickly countered. Victory forward Josh Hansen scored off the extended hand of goal keeper Gabard Fenelon. California went up 1-0 in the 4th minute of the game.
California continued to put pressure on Fenelon with a huge shot coming off the foot of Yuri Morales in the 9th minute.
In the 18th minute Miami FC won a corner kick taken by Zinho. Zinho's ball found the head of a charging Sean Cameron. Cameron's got his whole head on the ball, but the ball traveled over the net. Four minutes later Zinho crossed the ball to a cutting Fraser whose shot hit the top goal post.
Miami FC had another opportunity sail over the goal coming in the 23rd minute. Eric Vasquez's corner kick was just a little too high for Cameron to get his entire head on the ball. The Victory continued to hold the lead.
The Blues continued to put pressure on the California defense earning a corner kick for Vasquez in the 30th minute. Vasquez's ball hit the Victory's Morales who scored an own goal as he tried to clear the ball. Miami FC and California entered the half tied 1-1.
Miami FC came out of the locker room firing with one of the best chances of the game coming in the 47th minute. Zinho crossed the ball to Fraser, but his efforts sent the ball over the net. Five minutes later Vasquez sent a ball across the field to Zinho. Zinho's attempt to chip the ball over a charging goalie missed just wide.
Head coach Chiquinho made two quick subs with half an hour left in the match to try and bring some fresh legs onto the field. A minute later Luchi Gonzalez, one of the subs, found a crossing Fraser, but his header went over the crossbar.
Fenelon saved the game for Miami FC when he made a huge save off an extraordinary attempt at goal by California's Mike Muñoz in the 69th minute. As Fenelon was holding off the Victory, Miami FC had many quality attempts at goal. The 75th minute saw a flurry of chances created by Gonzalez and Zinho.
A free kick awarded to Miami 20 yards from goal set Zinho up for a shot reminiscent of the goal he had against Vancouver a week before. Zinho's kick brushed by the Victory wall and missed the goal by a couple of feet.
The end of the game brought lots of "edge of your seat" excitement to Miami FC fans. With three minutes left in the match Nico Mosquera made a great touch to Gonzalez in the middle of the goal box. Gonzalez's took a hard shot that went sailing over the net.
Miami FC kept the hearts of the crowd pumping when Jamil Jean-Jacques made a beautiful move down the left sideline. Jean-Jacques controlled the ball and set up a beautiful pass to a diving Zinho. Zinho put his head on the ball, but he was unable to find the back of the net.
The Victory countered in the 90th minute with a Muñoz shot that rolled passed an outstretched Fenelon brushing the outside of the left goal post.
Miami FC had a couple chances in the stoppage period. The best came when Jean-Jacques forced his way down the left sideline finding an open Gonzalez in the middle of the field. The well guarded Gonzalez was able to make a few pretty moves and turn on the ball creating a left footed shot. Gonzalez's shot was on goal forcing a tremendous block by the Victory keeper.
The match ended with Miami FC and the California Victory tying 1-1. Miami's next match is on the road against the Carolina RailHawks on July 28th starting at 7:30 pm. Miami FC beat Carolina 2-1 Friday night.
USL First Division Stories from July 22, 2007
- Miami FC and California Victory Tie 1-1 - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Charleston Cuts Down Timbers 2-0 - Portland Timbers
- Hansen nets in Victory's 1-1 tie at Miami FC - California Victory
- Battery beats Portland Timbers - Charleston Battery
- RailHawks Drop Second Straight - North Carolina FC
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