Miami FC Looks To Remain Undefeated Against The First Place Austin Aztex
May 25, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Miami, May 22, 2010 - Miami FC, coming off a six game undefeated streak is preparing for a mid-week home match against the first-place Austin Aztex on May 26th at Lockhart Stadium as the team looks to remain the only unbeaten team in the league. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.
"Austin is doing well, but so are we. It should be a fun game to watch. We intend to stay consistent in our approach to get after the game," said Head Coach Victor Pastora
This game will mark the first meeting of the season between the Blues and Aztex and fourth overall meeting between the two teams.
The Blues will then hit the road for a two-game road stint that starts in Puerto Rico on June 2nd. Miami FC will then travel to Montreal on June 6th to square off against the Impact.
SCOUTING AUSTIN
The Aztex have gotten off to a fast start in their second season as a team and heads into South Florida without a loss in its past five games.
Austin is coming off a 3-3 draw against the FC Tampa Bay Rowdies, in which Aztex forward, Eddie Johnson, scored two goals in the stalemate. The Aztex took an early 1-0 lead after Yohance Marshall headed a ball into the back of the net from a free kick in the 28th minute.
The Rowdies tied the game minutes later and after Johnson regained the lead for the Aztex in first half stoppage time, Tampa Bay answered right back with a stoppage time goal of their own.
Johnson once again gave the Aztex the lead with a goal in the 53rd minute to give Austin a 3-2 advantage, but they could not hang on to the lead as the Rowdies tied the game with a late goal in the 88th minute.
Johnson has established himself as one of the most dangerous strikers in the USSF D-2 Pro League with five goals this season, good for second in the league. Johnson is also second in the league in the points category (11) and is just ahead of fellow teammate Jamie Watson, who ranks third (9).
The team features a robust offensive unit that leads the league in goals scored with 14, but has struggled to keep opposing offenses from scoring on them. The Aztex defense has surrendered 10 goals this season, the third highest total in the league.
LAST TIME OUT
Miami FC celebrated their first victory of the season after defeating the NSC Minnesota Stars 1-0 on May 22, a victory that kept the team undefeated after six regular season matches.
After a scoreless first half in which the Blues applied pressure on the Stars defense, Miami FC came out aggressive and in a attacking scheme. After missing a number of opportunities, the Blues finally broke through when Christian Gomez broke free across midfield and found Paulo Araujo Jr. deep in Stars territory.
The Brazilian forward then sped past defenders and fired a shot from point blank into the back of the net to give Miami FC a 1-0 lead that would stand as time expired, giving the Blues their first win of the season.
MIAMI-AUSTIN HISTORY
The Blues and Aztex have met three times, all last season in Austin's inaugural season, and so far the results have tilted in Miami FC's favor.
After three games in 2009, the Blues hold a 2-1-0 advantage over the Aztex.
PAULO JR. CONTINUES TO PRODUCE
Paulo Jr. has proven to be the key staple in the Miami FC offense with his game-winning goal on May 22 as he continues to establish himself as one of the league's top performers.
The goal gave him a team-high three goals on the season and is now tied for fifth in the league. In points, however, the Brazilian forward now has eight points and now moves into sole possession of fourth place in that category.
Paulo Jr., along with Christian Gomez, have tallied two assists each on the year and are both tied for second in the league in assists.
ABOUT MIAMI FC
Miami FC, South Florida's only professional soccer team, is currently in its fifth season. For the 2010 season, the Blues will play in a second division league established and administered by the United States Soccer Federation. The league will feature two conferences with Miami playing in the NASL Conference. The team is owned by Traffic Sports USA, the North American subsidiary of The Traffic Group, the leading soccer event management company in the Americas with headquarters in Brazil, and offices in the U.S. and Europe. The organization is committed to the advancement of soccer in South Florida at the youth, amateur and professional levels.
U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from May 25, 2010
- Impact Plays Last Match of NCC Wednesday Versus Vancouver - Montreal Impact
- Miami FC Looks To Remain Undefeated Against The First Place Austin Aztex - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Stars Make Second Trip To Florida To Face Rowdies - Minnesota United FC
- Boca Juniors Unveils Travel Roster For Saturday's Exhibition Against Timbers - Portland Timbers
- RailHawks Begin Four-Game Road Trip In Puerto Rico - North Carolina FC
- Timbers Introduce First In Series Of Online Video 'Clues' To New MLS Logo - Portland Timbers
- Whitecaps FC Seek Victory In Montreal - Vancouver Whitecaps
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