Miami FC Returns Home to Fight for Playoff Berth
July 30, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Miami, Florida July 30 2009 - Miami FC returns to FIU Stadium after earning three points on the road last week. Miami must now face the 7th place Montreal Impact, who are only two points behind the Blues and currently hold the last play-off spot. Miami beat the Impact the last time they played at FIU Stadium with a masterful performance by one-time Miami Fusion striker Diego Serna. The game will be following the first annual Miami FC One Day Summer Camp. Kick-off is scheduled for 8 pm.
"It's not a three point game, it's a six point game", said head coach Zinho. "This game is not only important for our play-off hunt but also important so we can own the tie breaker in the series. The players have been practicing hard all week; I think they are ready for the challenge."
The Impact had a historical run in last year's CONCACAF Champions League, reaching the quarterfinals and playing in front of 55,000 fans at Olympic Stadium in Montreal, but was defeated by Mexican Giant Santos Laguna. This year, however, things have shifted as the Impact struggle to come away with victories. In the month of July, the Impact went 0-2-3, losing both games at home. Montreal has not had the best road record either; the team has only won two games on the road in the month of July and has given twice as many more goals (8) as it has scored (16). This past Tuesday, the Impact also lost 2-1 against French Ligue 1 champions FC Girondins de Bordeaux, in the 5th of six international matches presented in Montreal this summer.
The Blues have had an interesting month of July as well. The team started the month undefeated before losing to the record-setting Portland Timbers. The Blues then traveled to Minnesota and won a very challenging road game against the Thunder. Miami has already faced the Impact twice this season. The team won the opening match against Miami at FIU Stadium by a final score of 2-1. This was the first time the Blues beat the Impact in franchise history. For the second match, Miami traveled to Saputo Stadium and lost 1-0.
``It's a really important game, because they're right on our heels,'' said defender Cristiano Dias, who has been part of Miami FC since the team's inaugural game in 2006. ``There's a little more pressure, playing a team right under us in the standings.''
USL First Division Stories from July 30, 2009
- Miami FC Returns Home to Fight for Playoff Berth - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Whitecaps on the road - Vancouver Whitecaps
- RailHawks announce Bark in the Park Night on August 1st - North Carolina FC
- Pozniak Returns to the Whitcaps - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Islanders win CCL opener in Toronto - USL-1
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