Miami FC loses for the second time in the season
Published on May 2, 2009 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Miami FC hosted a very difficult match against the Charleston Battery on Saturday May 2nd at Lockhart Stadium. The Battery came away with a hard fought victory beating the Blues by a final score of 1-0. This is the Battery's first victory of the season.
The first half featured both teams playing very offensive soccer. Within the first fifteen minutes, Battery defender, Frankie Sanfilippo, unleashed a violent free kick that sailed wide-right. Soon after, Miami FC would create their best opportunity of the match, after a Miami FC corner kick that left Edwin Miranda alone with the goalie and inside the box; he couldn't finish. Cristiano Dias had a chance off the rebound but was denied by Dusty Hndock. Two minutes later Leo Inacio tried to sneak a shot over the Battery goalkeeper's head, but wasn't able to get the ball in the back of the net.
In the 18th minute, Miami FC defender, Walter Ramirez, was shown the red card after knocking down Tsuyoshi Yoshitake from behind.
"It's always difficult to play a man down. Losing Walter in the first fifteen minutes of the match changed the entire outlook of the match. We had a couple of chances in the first half but we didn't finish. I am confident that this group will work hard towards playing a very talented Carolina team that will come to town on the 16th," said General Manager, Luiz Muzzi.
The expulsion would not deter the Blues from playing offensive soccer. Head Coach, Zinho, would push his lines forward; leading to another missed opportunity for Miami FC. Edwin Miranda crossed a ball leading to a Diego Serna header from the middle of the box, but - once again - Dusty Hndock would deny the blues.
The numerical disadvantage would prove to be the difference in the second half with the blues spending most of the time playing defense. Battery forward, Randi Patterson, had a clear chance on a breakaway against Miami's Goalkeeper, Pat Hannigan. The blues' keeper came up with a tremendous save keeping the score even. Charleston finally found the back of the net when Tsuyoshi Yoshitake crossed a free kick to Ian Fuller who finished off a beautiful header. Miami would have one final opportunity when an Orlando Bueso free kick would sail over the Battery goal.
Miami FC's next game of the season will take place two weeks from now, when the Blues face the Carolina Railhawks on May 16th, 8PM at Lockhart Stadium.
USL First Division Stories from May 2, 2009
- Thunder Lose Home Opener in a Heartbreaking Loss to Vancouver 3-2 - Minnesota Thunder
- Timbers trim RailHawks, 2-0 - North Carolina FC
- Miami FC loses for the second time in the season - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Impact lose to Puerto Rico - Montreal Impact
- Fuller scores as Battery gets first win - Charleston Battery
- Government, Whitecaps and Delta to Build National Soccer Development Centre - Vancouver Whitecaps
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