Miami FC Falls to Reigning Champions Vancouver Whitecaps
June 13, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Miami FL - Miami FC lost a hard fought game against the Vancouver Whitecaps. Although the Blues started the game winning 1-0, a controversial call and an untimely expulsion lead to the Blues' second road defeat. The team returns home on Sunday July 14th to face the Austin Aztex at Lockhart Stadium.
The first goal of the game came from Zourab Tsiskaridze after Walter Ramirez's corner kick. Tsiskaridze headed the well placed cross towards the back of the net. This goal ended a five game scoreless streak of the 2009 USL-1 season.
Six minutes later, after a long Wes Knight throw in, Charles Gbeke tied the score with a header that beat Schoeni at the near post for his third goal of the season.
In the 34th minute, the Whitecaps took the lead off a controversial goal by forward Charles Gbeke. Wes Knight cross reached the hands of Miami FC's goal keeper, Kenny Schoeni, and as he grabbed the ball, Gbeke knocked it lose giving the Whitecaps a one goal advantage over the Blues.
"The guys showed a lot of heart tonight considering all the problems we had for the game. Despite having played a man down for a good part of the game we could still have come away at least with the tie. Their second goal was just unbelievable that a referee can let that go. We'll need to regroup and come strong at home against Austin," said general manager Luiz Muzzi.
Towards the end of the first half, tempers flared costing Miami FC one of their key players. Leo Inacio Nunes was shown a second yellow card for a push on Martin Nash after Vancouver's captain squabbled with Blues' forward, Danny Vasquez. Nash also received a yellow card after participating in a skirmish that involved most of the players from both teams.
The second half featured a Miami FC that despite playing a man down played to win the game; but the Whitecaps found the goal first. In the 76th minute Martin Nash crossed the ball to Gbeke. The Canadian forward knocked the ball to Reda who would finish and make the score 3-1.
Zinho's squad responded two minutes later when Ramirez's free kick found a streaking Richard Perdomo who drove the ball in to make the score 3-2.
In the 85th minute, forward Charles Gbeke -who scored the first two Vancouver goals- got into a screaming match with Whitecaps defender, Wesley Charles. Charles was sent off and Gbeke was cautioned with his second yellow card. After Gbeke was sent off he lost control on the side line earning him an expulsion from the bench.
The team will return home on Sunday June 14th to face the Austin Aztex at Lockhart Stadium. For more information please log on to www.miamifc.com.
USL First Division Stories from June 13, 2009
- Portland stretches unbeaten streak to record-matching 10 games - Portland Timbers
- City Stars Offense Comes Alive In 3-0 Defeat Of Rochester - Cleveland City Stars
- Miami FC to continue free admission to Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Matches - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Miami FC Returns Home to Face Austin Aztex - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Miami FC Falls to Reigning Champions Vancouver Whitecaps - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Whitecaps Top Miami 3-2, Break Skid - Vancouver Whitecaps
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