Miami FC Suffers Worst Loss of the Season
August 26, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Miami FC traveled to WakeMed Stadium in North Carolina and walked away with a 9-0 defeat to the third place Carolina Railhawks Wednesday night. Miami will now travel to Nelson Stadium to play the Austin Aztex on Saturday, August 29th. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 PM.
"This is an unacceptable loss; it's an embarrassment for our players, coaches, front office and me, as the president," said Miami FC President Aaron Davidson. "Even though we played back to back road games and three games in five days, a loss like this should never be tolerated by any standard. We will revise the situation very carefully and make decisions accordingly."
Miami started the game with quality possessions, but after a string of controversial calls and being a man down, the Blues broke down defensively and allowed five goals in the first half.
Miami monopolized the beginning minutes of the game, creating numerous opportunities. Walter Ramirez took on two Railhawks defenders and made a move into the penalty box. Ramirez felt a tug on his jersey and seemed to have drawn the penalty, but referee Tony Crush decided it was a no call.
Controversy struck again when Marcina made a calculated run down the left flank and crossed a ball to the top of the box. Miranda got the ball in the air, and struck it with a potent and acrobatic strike. The ball sailed into the back of the net, which should have put the Blues up 1-0. The goal was quickly disallowed when the referee called an offside on Alen Marcina.
In the 30th minute, the Railhawks were awarded a free kick when Miranda got a hand on a Daniel Paldini's shot on goal. While the referee was setting the wall, Paladini snuck the ball past Pat Hannigan, catching him off guard as he was not ready, to put the Railhawks up 1-0. Needless to say, most of the Miami FC players rushed towards referee Crush to dispute the goal, but after hearing the livid arguments from the players, he ejected Edwin Miranda, leaving the Blues a man down for the rest of the match.
Soon after, John Cunliffe fired a beautiful shot that caught Pat Hannigan off his line, making the ball float over his head and straight into the upper ninety, putting the Railhawks up 2-0. A couple of minutes later, Andriy Bundnyy beat Pedre Faife in the air and headed the third Railhawks' goal of the night.
In the 43nd minute, Zach Kirby poked the ball away from Richardson, and the ball seemed to be destined for an own goal. The ball bounced off the post and was left for Gregory Richardson who buried it into the back of the net, giving the Railhawks a four goal advantage.
Toward the end of the first half, Joseph Kabwe gathered a Railhawks rebound, leaving the score 5-0 at the half.
The second half opened with a good opportunity for the Blues. Walter Ramirez got an accurate cross into the box, the Railhawks got the ball away, but Alen Marcina got a shot off that barley grazed the left post.
In the 76th minute, Kabwe got another goal in his account when he received a cross towards the second post from Richardson and headed the ball down and away from Hannigan, putting Carolina up 6-0.
In the 80th minute Joseph Kabwe completed his hat trick when he received a through ball from Bundu and calmly finished leaving the score 7-0.
Five minutes later, Sallieu Bundu made a great run and got a point blank shot on goal; the ball bounced back to Bundu, who fished in between the chain of Miami FC defenders, giving the Railhawks an eight goal advantage.
The Railhawks finished the night with a beautiful goal in the 87th minute. Bundu trapped the ball of his chest on the edge of the box, turned and sent a violent shot that beat Hannigan, leaving the score 9-0.
Miami will travel to Austin to face the last place Austin Aztex on Saturday, August 29th. The Blues will then return home to play the Aztex again at FIU Stadium on Saturday, September 6th. This will be final game at FIU Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled 8pm.
For more information, please visit www.miamifc.com.
USL First Division Stories from August 26, 2009
- Miami FC Suffers Worst Loss of the Season - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- RailHawks rout Miami 9-0, clinch playoff spot - North Carolina FC
- Timbers Face Battery Friday In Charleston - Portland Timbers
- Battery takes on league-leading Portland Timbers Friday night - Charleston Battery
- City Stars Travel To Minnesota For Thursday's Match with Thunder - Cleveland City Stars
- Islanders fall 3-1 in Costa Rica - USL-1
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
