Miami FC Looks to Continue Winning Streak Against First-Place Rhinos
Published on September 24, 2010 under U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Miami, Sept 24, 2010 - Miami FC will take on the Rochester Rhinos this weekend as the team looks to extend its season-best winning streak to four games at Fort Lauderdale Stadium this Saturday, Sept. 25. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.
"Its going to be a tough match. They are a very good team. We are on a bit of a roll and in order to keep it up we are going to have to play another solid game. It's important to go out on a positive note," said Head Coach Daryl Shore.
With the season coming to a close over the next couple weeks, the Blues are looking to finish the season on a strong note and are focused on picking up three points at home against the Rhinos.
The decision to switch the game to Fort Lauderdale Stadium, located right next to Lockhart Stadium, will set up a "Party on the Pitch" day for fans as they will be able to watch the game from the field and enjoy music, beer and other activities provided by team sponsors during the event.
This will be the fourth and final meeting between the two clubs this season. In the season opener, both teams fought to a 1-1 draw at Lockhart Stadium on Apr. 10 and the Blues picked up an impressive 2-1 victory in Rochester on Sept. 17.
The Blues will return to action on Oct. 2 for the regular season finale against the Puerto Rico Islanders at Lockhart Stadium.
SCOUTING ROCHESTER
The Rhinos are coming into this match fresh off that 2-1 loss to the Blues at Marina Auto Stadium on Sept. 17.
Ten minutes into the match, the Rhinos were able to grab a hold of the lead after a great cross on a Rochester corner kick, Anthony Hamilton backed up inside the box and headed the ball past a diving Matt Glaeser, putting the Rhinos up 1-0.
In the 17th minute, Miami put together some of its best soccer of the season as Danilo Martins knocked in the tying goal after Mike Randolph launched a great cross towards the second post and Abe Thompson was there to get a head on it, directing it towards the middle of the box for Danilo to finish.
The Blues continued to press, looking for the second goal and in the 24th minute Abe Thompson gave the Blues the lead after a Rochester miscue. Thompson took advantage of an errant pass that left him alone in the box, turned and beat the keeper to score his fifth goal of the season and his second goal in as many games.
Rochester currently sits in first place with 51 points and is fighting with the Austin Aztex for that top position heading into the playoffs.
The Rhinos have been one of the more well-rounded teams in the league this season, currently sitting third overall in the league in goals scored (36) and goals allowed (22). The offense is fairly well balanced and is led by Isaac Kissi, who is the Rhinos leading goal-scorer with six goals this season followed by Anthony Hamilton, who has tallied five goals this season.
LAST TIME OUT
The Blues, meanwhile, dashed any kind of playoff hopes for AC St. Louis with a 4-2 victory on Sept. 22 at Lockhart Stadium.
Miami FC struck first when Abe Thompson delivered a turnaround shot that made its way past Dufty to give the Blues a 1-0 lead shortly before the end of the half.
Thompson then knocked in his second goal of the game in the 56th minute to give Miami FC an insurance goal after a couple shots on goal by Danilo Martins and Gerson Mayen couldn't make their way into the back of the net.
Minutes later, Thompson struck yet again for the Blues, picking up another rebound after Dufty couldn't corral a cross from Euzebio Neto and knocking it easily into the back of the net to pick up the hat trick and giving Miami FC a comfortable 3-0 lead.
AC St. Louis, with its playoff hopes hanging by a thread, did not back down and went on the offensive. They struck back in the 68th minute when Stisser executed a sliding shot after a cross from Luke Kreamalmeyer while Gleaser was out of position.
It didn't take long for the Blues to respond, as Le Petit launched a curving a shot from 20 yards that swerved its way out of the reach of a diving Dufty after outmaneuvering former Miami FC midfielder Jack Traynor just outside the box.
The Blues continued their relentlessness around the net, but Stisser picked up his second goal of the game in the 83rd minute for St. Louis to cut the lead in half with just minutes remaining.
THOMPSON ON FIRE
The hat trick puts Abe Thompson among one the league's top scorers this season and bringing his goal total to a team-high eight goals.
Thompson is now tied for seventh in the league in that category. Five of those goals have been scored during this three-game winning streak and he has helped lift the Blues to a 3-1 record in the month of September.
U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from September 24, 2010
- NSC Minnesota Stars top Tampa Bay 3-1, extend winning streak to 4 - Minnesota United FC
- Poland to Play in Montreal Presented by Sportfive - Montreal Impact
- Miami FC Looks to Continue Winning Streak Against First-Place Rhinos - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- RailHawks Return Home Saturday to Face Puerto Rico - North Carolina FC
- Eight Playoff Spots Decided in USSF D-2 Pro League as Teams Wrap up Regular Season Schedules - USSF D-2
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