Miami FC Falls Short in its Season Finale
September 19, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
MIAMI, FL - Miami FC ended its season with a loss against the Puerto Rico Islanders Saturday night at Lockhart Stadium. The Islanders denied Miami's hopes of closing the season with a win, scoring three goals against the Blues.
"Unfortunately, we did not end the season the way we wanted to," said head coach Zinho. "We were unable to take advantage of the opportunities we had throughout the game, leading us to fall against one of the best teams in the league."
Puerto Rico dominated the game the moment the whistle blew. With just over a minute into the game, forward Nick Addlery maneuvered his way through the Miami defense, shooting the ball straight into the net, putting the Islanders up 1-0.
Miami tried answering back five minutes later when defender Jack Traynor kicked a perfect cross off a free kick, but there was no Miami player nearby to follow through. In the 16th minute, The Blues had yet another chance to tie the game when Jarryd Goldberg caught the ball off a Puerto Rico free kick and ran with the ball across to Puerto Rico territory. Pressured by Puerto Rico's defense, Goldberg was forced to kick a weak shot.
In the 25th minute, Puerto Rico pressured Miami's defense once again through an array of passes. Forward Sean Fraser left a ball for USL seasoned veteran Jonathan Steele, who gathered the ball and unleashed an accurate shot that found the bottom left hand corner of the net, giving the Islanders a 2-0 lead.
The Islanders missed out on a third goal seven minutes later, when Josh Hansen kicked the ball straight to the net. Pat Hannigan managed to save the ball, but it fell out of his hands. Zack Kirby reacted quickly by kicking the ball away.
The Blues had a clear chance to get back into the game when Tim Merritt whipped a cross to Alen Marcina, who got a great shot off, but the ball sailed wide off the mark.
Fourteen minutes into the second half, after a string of precise passes, Addlery snuck the ball to Josh Hansen, who buried the shot, giving the Islanders a three goal advantage.
Miami tried to react offensively, when Danny Vazquez had a precise through ball to King. The forward tried to get Miami's first goal of the game, but Gaudette made a world-class save, denying King's attempt at tying the game.
In the 65th minute, Miami got on the score board via an auto goal. Walter Ramirez sent a corner kick to the near post. Ex-World Cup finalist Junior Baiano deflected the ball, which rebounded off Gargan and trickled between the legs of Gaudette, giving Miami FC its only goal of the game.
Although Miami lost its final season of the game, the team was cheered on by its fans as the last whistle was blown.
"I would like to thank the fans that came out and supported the team not just tonight but throughout the entire season," said Miami FC Director of Soccer Fernando Clavijo.
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USL First Division Stories from September 19, 2009
- Miami FC Falls Short in its Season Finale - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
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