Miami FC Drops Second Leg of West Coast Trip
August 23, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Miami FC came away short-handed from its visit to Swangard Stadium Sunday night. The Blues lost to the Vancouver Whitecaps 2-0 and are now six points outside of the last playoff spot. Although the Whitecaps have one more game in hand, and they still have seven matchs to get some points and return to the playoffs after a 3 year absence. Miami must now travel to WakeMed Soccer Park and face the Carolina Railhawks on Wednesday, August 26, 2009. Kickoff is set for 7 PM.
Miami started the game by continuing to show some of the tactical discipline that it has shown during the last couple of games. John Pulido and Jarryd Goldberg shrunk the midfield and won most of their 50/50 balls, giving Miami some crisp possessions.
In the 4th minute, Martin Nash got an accurate cross into the second post, but Marcus Haber could not get a solid strike on the ball. A few minutes later, Haber once again got a great look at the goal, but Pat Hanigan showed his text book technique to close Haber's angle.
Moments later, Jack Traynor made a masterful run down the left flank when he saw an opportunity to test goalkeeper Jay Nolly, cracking a violent ball, but the shot sailed over the goal.
The second half featured Miami FC trying to maintain possession of the ball and creating quality opportunities.
Tim Merrit had a great look at the goal after a great run by Leo Inacio Nunes. Merrit fired a great shot from the top of the box that seemed destined for goal; however, Nolly positioned himself properly to diffuse the opportunity.
Tim Merritt had another great look off a Miami FC corner kick. Merrit got a nice strike head-in the ball down and away but Nizar Khalfancleared the ball off the line.
Moments later, Nolly had to come off his line to intervene with a Miami FC possession, leaving Leo Inacio Nunes with a shot at an empty goal. Nunes' shot curved, looking for the left hand upper 90, but the ball could only skim the post.
In the 70th minute, Edwin Miranda was granted some yardage in the final offensive third and unleashed a right- footed shot that bounced off the post.
Ten Minutes later, Gordon Chin crossed a pin point accurate pass to the second post of Pat Hanigan, who came off his line to intercept the cross. Charles Gbeke got an unexpected head on the ball, lifting it past the outstretched arms of Hanigan, putting the Whitecaps up 1-0.
In stoppage time, Randy Edwini-Bonsu made a timely run on a Whitecaps' counter attack and crossed the ball to a streaking Charles Gbeke. The forward maneuvered the ball around Pulido and calmly finished nailing his second goal of the match and sealing the Vancouver Whitecaps' victory.
Although Miami is six points behind 7th place Vancouver Whitecaps, the team still has seven games left. With up to 21 points up for grabs, the Blues still have a chance to make the playoffs. Miami FC will now face the Carolina Railhawks at WakeMed Soccer Park on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at 7 PM. The game will be shown live on www.usllive.com.
The Blues will return home to play its FIU season finale on Saturday Sept 5th. The Blues will face the Austin Aztex at 8 PM.
For more information, please visit www.miamifc.com.
USL First Division Stories from August 23, 2009
- Miami FC Drops Second Leg of West Coast Trip - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Whitecaps Beat Miami - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Impact Blank Austin, 2-0 - Montreal Impact
- RailHawks, Rhinos end in scoreless stalemate - North Carolina FC
- Miami Suffers Heart Breaking Loss - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Keita's Two Goals Leads Timbers To Win, 23-Game Unbeaten Streak - Portland Timbers
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