Miami FC says farewell to 2008 season on a high note
September 21, 2008 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Miami, September 21, 2008 - Miami FC played the final game of their season against the Atlanta Silverbacks on Sunday afternoon at Tropical Park and ended victorious with a 1-0 win. In the home finale there was some good soccer played and a strange series of events led to a Sean Fraser goal to cap off the season for the Blues.
The Blues looked good and fast early as they did not want to disappoint the good crowd (2,301) on hand for the finale. Miami attacked, with Alex Afonso acting as the spearhead of the offense.
Walter Ramirez was part of the action in the first 25 minutes as he played as his usual self by going one on one down the left flank. In the 21st minute he ripped a low hard shot from the edge of the box that forced Atlanta keeper Felipe Quintero into a low diving save.
In the 32nd minute Sam Reynolds had to save a hard header that was directed down into the goal by Martin Lancaster of the Silverbacks. Reynolds blocked it away and did well by dealing with the header from only a few yards away.
Ansu Toure almost opened his Miami FC account in the 44th minute as his left footed shot whizzed by the top left angle. He was only a few feet from scoring against his former team.
After a competitive first half the Blues went into the locker room looking to cap their season off with a victory.
Miami started off the second half well and in an unusual way. A poor back pass to keeper Felipe Quintero started a strange play. The ball bounced high in the air toward the goal and Quintero ran back to block it out of goal but Afonso put pressure on the keeper and the ball bounced and hit the cross bar. Sean Fraser swooped in to easily put home the rebound and put Miami up 1-0.
In the 76th minute Afonso almost aided another goal. He stormed through the Silverbacks defense and had an excellent shot fake which he turned into a slick pass through the back line. Sean Fraser almost got a foot on it but it slid just past him.
In the 78th minute Eric Brunner misheaded a ball that was crossed into the area and Duke Hashimoto was unmarked at the 6 yard box but his header went right down into Sam Reynolds.
The whistle was blown after several minutes of added time and with it an exciting season came to a close after the 1-0 victory.
USL First Division Stories from September 21, 2008
- Impact, Islanders close season with scoreless tie - Montreal Impact
- Miami FC says farewell to 2008 season on a high note - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Battery to face Rochester Rhinos in first round of playoffs - Charleston Battery
- Silverbacks Fall to Blues 0-1 in Season Finale; Come Up Short on Playoff Berth - Atlanta Silverbacks
- Playoffs Tickets On Sale Tuesday - Montreal Impact
- Rhinos To Open Postseason At Home Aganst Charleston - Rochester Rhinos
- RailHawks Announce Team Awards at 2008 Season Finale - North Carolina FC
- Whitecaps close regular season with 3-2 win - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Sounders Fall 3-2 To Vancouver In Final Regular Season Match - Seattle Sounders
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