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USL Miami FC

Miami FC Draws against Birmingham Legion for a Second Time this Season

September 4, 2022 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Miami FC News Release


Miami, Fla. - The Miami Football Club and Birmingham Legion drew 1-1 at FIU Stadium on Saturday night. Both sides arrived boasting a good run of form and each left with a hard-earned point.

Miami FC sits in sixth place in the USL Championship Eastern Conference, with 44 points after 28 matches. The Orange and Blue sit a point above Detroit City, who have a game in hand, and four points under Pittsburgh Riverhounds (48).

Starting XI vs. Louisville City FC

Head coach Anthony Pulis fielded the same players who faced Louisville City FC, except for goalkeeper Connor Sparrow. Instead, shot-stopper Jake McGuire was called into action on his birthday.

Miami FC 1-1 Birmingham Legion: Match Breakdown

The home and visiting teams tested one another in the opening 15 minutes of the match. The first true chance arrived in the 16th minute when Birmingham executed a successful set-piece.

A corner kick was played short to forward Enzo Martinez, who sent in a low-driven cross that found its way to the top of the six-yard-box. There, striker Juan Agudelo controlled it and kicked the ball at the goal. Miami FC defenders blocked the shot, but it ended up landing at the feet of center-back Alex Crognale. The American defender launched a shot that struck MFC center-back Callum Chapman-Page arm, and the referee awarded the visitors a penalty.

Jamaica's Lamar Walker was Miami FC's attacking spark in the first half. His first chance of the game unfolded in the 28th minute. The Reggae Boy hit a couple of stepovers before launching a low-driven shot toward the second post. However, goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel was able to put a hand on the shot and deflect it for a corner kick.

Four minutes later, the 21-year-old redeemed himself by scoring his first goal of the 2022 USL Championship campaign. The Jamaican volleyed a loose ball at the top of the 18-yard-box with power and precision into the back of the net.

Miami FC players entered the locker room with a one-goal advantage. But unfortunately for Pulis and his men, the lead did not last the entire match.

The Three Sparks swarmed the Orange and Blue in the second half, pressing high and holding onto possession. Their efforts paid off, with midfielder Bruno Lapa scoring a scrappy goal to level the scoring.

Substitute Romeo Parkes had a chance to pull Miami FC again in the 86th minute, but Van Oekel made a 1v1 save.

Up Next for Miami FC

Miami FC hits the road next week to take on New York Red Bulls 2 at MSU Soccer Park. The game is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 9, at 7:06 p.m. ET.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from September 4, 2022


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