Miami FC falls in stoppage time
Published on July 1, 2008 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Dallas, July 1, 2008 - Miami FC faced MLS' FC Dallas in the 3rd Round of the 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tonight at Pizza Hut Park in a very exciting game. Miami had never played an official match against any MLS team before, and the Blues lost with 2 goals scored in stoppage time at each half, both by Abe Thompson, after Alex Afonso had given Miami the lead in the beginning of the first half.
In the 7th minute, Alex Afonso started his dribbling exhibition by megging two FC Dallas defenders. He kicked the ball in the lower right corner of goalkeeper Ray Burse to give Miami an early lead in the game. Just like last Tuesday, when the Brazilian forward scored the winning goal with a tremendous shot against the Atlanta Silverbacks goal, this one was also a powerful shot, but this time from inside the penalty area.
Working in favor of Miami FC was their defense which has played a remarkable stretch of games only allowing 3 goals in the last 9 matches played. However, this did not intimidate FC Dallas and they pressured Josh Saunders' goal numerous times.
However, it was only in the 48th minute, after 3 minutes of stoppage time, that FCD was able to tie the match. Number 25 Dominic Oduro passed the ball to the most dangerous player for FC Dallas in the entire match, Abe Thompson who scored from the inside of the penalty area.
Second half was scarce in chances, but FC Dallas came back stronger. FCD's Kenny Cooper had a couple of good chances saved by Josh Saunders. Miami had trouble breaking down FC Dallas' defense for much of the half.
In the 93rd minute, Drew More crossed the ball to Abe Thompson. Miami's defense was static and Thompson headed the ball with no trouble toward the goal. It looked like Josh Saunders was going to stop it but the ball found the net.
FC Dallas will now be looking to add another U.S. Open Cup trophy to their collection after winning the tournament in 1997. They advanced to the Quarterfinal to face the Charleston Battery (USL-1) which defeated the Houston Dynamo (MLS) in PKs. The match will be played at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, South Carolina, on Tuesday, July 8.
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