Miami FC Earns First Road Win of the Season
Published on June 18, 2009 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Miami, FL. June 18, 2009- Miami FC beat the USL-2 Champions, Cleveland City Stars, 2-1 this Thursday at Middle Field Cheese Stadium. The Blues were down 1-0 at half time, but Zinho's squad regrouped in the second half, playing their best soccer on the road. Miami FC will face the City Stars again on Saturday, June 20th in Cleveland.
Miami FC started by controlling the tempo of the first half. Alen Marcina had two quick opportunities in the first ten minutes, but both shots sailed wide left. The Blues kept possession for the first fifteen minutes of the match, showing some of their most attractive soccer.
In the 21st minute, a costly turnover gave the City Stars their best opportunity of the first half. Joshua Boateng received the ball in open space and with one touch put the ball past Miami's goalkeeper, Pat Hannigan.
In order to look for a more offensive unit, Zinho made three quick substitutions for the second half that quickly paid off. Leo Inacio Nunes scored off a precise shot that found the inside of the bottom right post, tying the score 1-1. Three minutes later, Orlando Bueso initiated a string of passes that led to Alen Marcina's second goal and Paulo Jr..'s second assist.
"Sometimes it's hard to bounce back from a hard defeat, like the one we suffered against the Battery in the second round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. I'm very happy with the character the team showed today and the type of soccer we are playing. I am looking forward to getting positive results this Saturday against Cleveland," said General Manager Luiz Muzzi
In the 90th minute, the City Stars were awarded a penalty kick after a Nicky Torres handball. Pat Hannigan dove to the right side denying Cleveland a golden opportunity to tie the game.
Notes... Nicky Torres and Zourab Tsiskaridze were issued yellow cards by head referee Tony Russo... This is Orlando Bueso's first start of the season...This is the second time this season Pat Hannigan saves a game winning penalty kick...The Blues still have two more games left on the road trip before returning home on July 4th to face the Puerto Rico Islanders...
USL First Division Stories from June 18, 2009
- Miami FC Earns First Road Win of the Season - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- First Loss for Lightning on First Road Game Against Chicago Red Eleven 0-2 - Minnesota Thunder
- Charleston Battery Mourns Loss of Chief Operating Officer Betsy McAdams - Charleston Battery
- Battery Streak Snapped By Late Puerto Rico Goal - Charleston Battery
- City Stars Give Up Two Second Half Goals And Fall To Miami FC 2-1 - Cleveland City Stars
- RailHawks Look to Snap Three Game Skid at Austin - North Carolina FC
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