Miami FC Earns Important Draw against Puerto Rico in Heroic Fashion
July 17, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Miami, FL - Miami FC witnessed some late heroics from Paulo Jr. to earn a thrilling 1-1 draw against the Puerto Rico Islanders as head into their upcoming road trip on a high note. After four games on the road, the Blues will return to South Florida to take on the FC Tampa Bay Rowdies at home on August 14.
"If we stay on the same track and we stay committed we can do great things," Miami FC Head Coach Victor Pastora said. "We have players in the right mindset right now and we just have to play aggressive from the first minute. We have to go out and get after it."
Both clubs attempted to gain control of the midfield during the early stages of the match, looking to set themselves up for scoring opportunities later on. Both defenses managed to keep the opposing offense at bay for the better part of the first half.
Puerto Rico broke through and got on the scoreboard in the 33rd minute when Nicholas Addlery fired a shot from the right side that went top shelf past Miami FC goalkeeper Caleb Patterson to give the Islanders a 1-0 lead.
Miami FC would fight back and attempt to even the score before the end of the first half, and in the 40th minute, Brian Shriver nearly brought Miami FC level when he settled the ball inside the box and took a shot, hoping to find the far post. His shot missed the mark just wide of the right post and the Blues went into the half trailing by one goal.
The Blues came out looking for the tying goal and in the 60th minute nearly got it when Paulo Jr. unleashed a dangerous shot from a few yards outside of the box that Islanders goalkeeper Cody Laurendi knocked just over the crossbar and out of play.
On the ensuing corner kick delivered by Christian Gomez, Cristiano Dias nearly finished the job as the corner ended up at his feet inside the box but his shot went just above the crossbar.
Despite a long spells of possession and good pressure in the second half, the Blues continued searching for an opportunity to tie the game. The search finally ended in stoppage time, when Shriver took a hard shot on goal towards a diving Laurendi. The Islanders goalkeeper made the stop but the ball bounced away from him and skidded into open space where Paulo Jr. was there to knock in the tying goal and bring the crowd to its feet in the final minutes of the match.
The tie helps the Blues keep pace with the rest of the league and within striking distance of playoff contention as Miami FC passes the halfway point of the season and prepares for a four-game road trip.
U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from July 17, 2010
- RailHawks top Rhinos 1-0 in Rochester - North Carolina FC
- Aztex Blank AC St. Louis: Further Stretch League Lead - Austin Aztex
- Miami FC Earns Important Draw against Puerto Rico in Heroic Fashion - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- AC St. Louis Falls 2-0 To Austin - AC St. Louis
- AC St. Louis Falls 2-0 to Austin - AC St. Louis
- Impact Faces Baltimore Sunday - Montreal Impact
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
