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Miami FC Completes Season Sweep of FC Edmonton to End Inaugural Season

October 28, 2016 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Miami FC News Release


Miami FC Completes Season Sweep of FC Edmonton to End Inaugural Season
Miami FC Completes Season Sweep of FC Edmonton to End Inaugural Season
(Miami FC)

MIAMI- The Miami FC hosted FC Edmonton, Friday night, in the last match of the 2016 season.

"Since the beginning of the season we changed so much," said Head Coach Alessandro Nesta. "Our players have grown so much and I think they can get even better."

The Miami FC came out on fire in the first half as the offense was firing on all cylinders.

Just 10 minutes into the match, a lofted ball found a Chavez in the box but his header took a bounce and hit the far post.

The Orange and Blue would find the woodwork again in the 17th minute. Poku found space deep in the Edmonton box and lofted a shot over the defense, only to see it hit the crossbar.

Ariel Martinez was fantastic in the first half. His consistent movement put him in great positions to shoot and pass. The 30th minute saw Martinez nearly score in back-to-back attacks. First, Poku threaded a pass through the Eddies' backline, but it was a bit too long for Martinez who was open at the far post. Seconds later, Martinez received another pass from Poku but was called offside before he could put a shot on frame.

Richie Ryan got involved in the attack in the 31st minute with a fantastic free kick that skimmed the crossbar.

The Miami FC closed out the first half with another golden opportunity as a long ball connected with Poku in front of goal, but the header would bounce past the far post.

The Miami FC did not slow down in the half, deploying a suffocating high press for the rest of the match.

The first great chance of the second half came in the 50th minute as a corner kick deflected off an Edmonton defender before finding its way to the head of Gabriel Farfán. Unfortunately, the attempt was just high.

Six minutes later, Poku sent a great ball to Chavez but the diving header hit the near post and would ricochet off Chavez out of bounds.

The Orange and Blue would finally break down the vaunted FC Edmonton defense and get on the board in the 65th minute. Blake Smith played a smart ball over a defender to find Martinez who turned and fired a shot past Eddies, keeper Tyson Farago to give the Miami FC the lead.

As the offense continued to pressure Edmonton, the defense was quick to smother the Eddies whenever they had the ball. The Miami FC would go on to dominate 63 percent of the possession, allowing Edmonton only five shots in the match, with one reaching the goal.

As time ticked away in the Miami FC's final match of 2016, the Club never let up on the field and secured a 1-0 victory, ending an amazing and historic inaugural season.

Quick Hits

Starting Xl

GK - Vega

DEF - Farfán, Freeman, Trafford, Borrajo

MID - Smith, Ryan, Rezende, Poku (83' - Rennella)

FWD - Chavez, Martinez (90' - Bernstein)

Bookings

82' - Poku (yellow)

Stats

Possession: 63%

Shots: 12

Passes: 443

Pass Accuracy: 79%

Clearances: 15

Tackles: 13

 

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Miami FC Completes Season Sweep of FC Edmonton to End Inaugural Season
Miami FC Completes Season Sweep of FC Edmonton to End Inaugural Season
   



North American Soccer League Stories from October 28, 2016


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