Miami FC Opens 2009 with Vibrant Victory
April 18, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Miami FC opened its 2009 USL season with a 3-1 victory over the 2008 USL- 2 Champions, Cleveland City Stars. This game marked the first time Miami FC played in Broward County at Lockhart Stadium. The Blues opened the festivities by honoring past and present South Florida soccer stars Teofilo Cubillas, Ray Hudson, and Diego Serna during the ceremonial first kick in but it was Diego who then stole the show with two assists, and one goal.
"I'm very happy to be back at Lockhart, this is like my home. I love south Florida," proclaimed Diego Serna.
The Blues dominated the first half by controlling the pace and keeping possession of the ball. In the 33rd minute, Alen Marcina found the back of the net off of a beautiful header from Diego Serna. After the goal, Serna ran over to the Miami FC bench to embrace Zinho.
Five minutes later, the Cleveland City Stars tied the game with a well placed kick by current Haitian national team player Ricardo Pierre-Louis.
Serna gave the Blues the lead once again on a breakaway goal when he was left one-on- one with the goalie. After stealing the ball from Stars defender Ibrahim Kante, Serna was left alone with the goalie and calmly finished, putting the Blues up 2-1.
"I'm very happy with what Diego did on the pitch, he fights every ball and he brings a dimension of leadership and creativity that makes us a dangerous soccer team," said Head Coach, Zinho.
At the end of the first half, Cleveland City Stars midfielder Joshua Boateng was issued a red for an elbow to the head leaving Alen Marcina down on the pitch for approximately two minutes.
Miami FC would take advantage of Cleveland being a man down and continue controlling the pace of the game in the second half.
Diego Serna would leave his mark on the game one more time by assisting Leo Inacio Nunes in the 78th minute. After a great through ball by Serna, Leo Inacio finished with a violent kick that sailed into the upper left hand corner of the net.
Miami FC starting Lineup - GK Pat Hannigan, D Zach Kirby, D Cristiano Dias, D Chris Williams, D Walter Ramirez, M Edwin Miranda, M Richard Perdomo, M John Pulido, M Leo Ignacio Nunes, F Alen Marcina, F Diego Serna.
Cleveland City Stars- GK Christopher Seitz, D Anthony Stovall, D Troy Roberts, D Ibrahim Kante, D Godfrey Tenoff, M Warren Kanu, M Gordon Kljestan, M Ronald Aguilar, F Joshua Boateng, F Ryan Stewart, F Ricardo Pierre Louis.
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USL First Division Stories from April 18, 2009
- Aztex First USL-First Division Appearance Ends With a 1-1 Draw Against the Thunder - Minnesota Thunder
- Austin Aztex FC Manage 1-1 Tie in USL-First Division Debut - Austin Aztex
- Miami FC Opens 2009 with Vibrant Victory - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- City Stars Drop 3-1 Decision To Miami FC - Cleveland City Stars
- Hudock records second shut-out as Battery ties Impact - Charleston Battery
- Impact Tie Charleston on the Road - Montreal Impact
- RailHawks dump Rochester, 1-0 - North Carolina FC
- City Stars Add Five In Time For Tonight's Season Opener - Cleveland City Stars
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