Miami FC Earns 1-1 Draw Against Rowdies in Second Coastal Cup Matchup
Published on July 15, 2010 under U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
MIAMI July 5, 2010, - Miami FC battled to a 1-1 draw against the FC Tampa Bay Rowdies in the first game of an extended road trip after a goal in the final minutes helped the Blues secure an important point as they look to keep pace in the USSF D-2 Pro League standings. The Blues next home game will be against the Puerto Rico Islanders on July 17 at Lockhart Stadium. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.
"We must capitalize on the opportunities that we create. Until that happens, even if we control the game, like we did for most of the second half, we will also be exposed to a result less worthy of our performance," said Head Coach Victor Pastora
After nearly two hours delay due to heavy rain, the match finally got underway and the weather finally improved, setting the stage for an unpredictable match on a difficult pitch for both clubs.
Both teams seemed evenly matched through the first 45 minutes of action with both squads tallying four shots on goal during the opening stanza.
The Blues had a good opportunity to strike first when Christian Gomez took a free kick from about 25 yards out in the 31st minute. The midfielder delivered a shot on goal, but Rowdies goalkeeper Daryl Sattler made a diving stop to keep the game scoreless.
Minutes later, another blast from Gomez in the 38th minute almost gave Miami FC a lead late in the first half, but his shot missed high just above the crossbar.
Miami FC goalkeeper Caleb Patterson was challenged in the closing minutes of the half as Kwame Ajdeman-Pamboe delivered a dangerous shot on net that forced Patterson to dive to his left to make deflect the ball away from the net.
Gomez picked up where he left off, firing a shot on goal from outside the box in the 63rd minute, but Sattler once again made a diving stop to deny the midfielder once again.
Paulo Jr. found himself with the ball at the top of the box in the 69th minute and fired a shot towards the net, but the Rowdies defense came through as Rob Valentino dove in front of the ball and deflected it away.
Despite the numerous chances, it was the Rowdies who struck late as Jeremy Chrsitie, coming back from his stint with New Zealand in the World Cup, rifled a shot from 25 yards out to beat Patterson and give Tampa a 1-0 lead in the 82nd minute.
The Blues bounced back in the final minutes of the match when Bryan Dominguez delivered a corner kick that found Edward Santeliz on the far post as he headed the ball into the back of the net for the equalizer in the 90th minute of play to help the Blues gain a crucial point.
U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from July 15, 2010
- Timbers Face England's Manchester City Saturday at Merlo Field - Portland Timbers
- Forward Ali Gerba Joins the Impact - Montreal Impact
- Miami FC Earns 1-1 Draw Against Rowdies in Second Coastal Cup Matchup - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Aztex Face off Against Streaking St. Louis for Second Time This Season - Austin Aztex
- NSC Minnesota Stars to Play Exhibition Friday with Rochester Thunder - Minnesota United FC
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