Miami FC Ties Front End of Weekend Double Header
July 17, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
MIAMI, July 17, 2009 - Miami FC has yet to disappoint its Miami fans, as they remain undefeated in its Miami-Dade home stadium, FIU Stadium. The Blues faced one of the hottest teams in the USL, the Portland Timbers Friday night. Although the Blues remained on top for most of the game, Portland managed to come back in the second half, tying the game 1-1. The Blues return to FIU Stadium this Sunday to face the Timbers again at 6pm.
The Blues blew off the first half by taking control from the beginning. After a deep ball from John Pulido, Brazilian striker, Paulo Jr., found the ball inside the Timber's box. Paulo got a foot on the ball, sneaking it between his legs, beating goal keeper Steve Cornin, but a Portland defender soon cleared the ball off the line.
The Timbers also had a clear opportunity in the first half. Swedish international, Johan Claesson, got an excellent shot on goal but was denied by goalkeeper, Kenny Schoeni.
Miami FC continued to maintain control of the game. Playing possession soccer, the Blues kept the ball away from the Portland Timbers. In the 23 minute, Miami put together a string of passes that lead to a beautiful goal by Orlando Bueso. Bueso gathered the balled after a Paulo Jr. pass and fired a wicked shot, giving Miami FC a 1-0 lead.
In the 33 minute, Ryan Pore escaped the Miami FC defense and was left alone with Schoeni. Schoeni left the box and tried to head the ball out of Pore's way, only to mistakenly hit Pore in the head. The play was stopped by the referee, but both seemed to be ok.
The second-half showed signs of life from the Portland Timbers. Five minutes after the beginning of the second half, Keita drove a pin point cross to the head of Taka Suzuki. Kenny Schoeni came up with an excellent one handed save to keep the score 1-0.
The game continued to elevate the crowd's excitement eleven minutes later when Keith Savage got a rebound on the edge of the box and unleashed a violent shot that missed the goal by centimeters.
In the 69 minute, Paulo Jr. got the ball off a Timber mistake. He pushed the ball forward and serviced a ball to a streaking Diego Serna. Serna got a good shot off, but the ball sailed high.
Ten minutes later, Portland was given a free kick on the edge of the box. Team captain, David Hayes, placed a violent free kick that beat Kenny Schoeni and continued the Timbers unbeaten streak to 15.
One minute later, head coach Zinho was sent off, for a bizarre reason.
"I was upset with myself for not making the right adjustment during [Portland's] free kick," said head coach, Zinho. "I was trying to kick a water bottle and a shoe flew off my foot; when I went to the field to get it, the ref ejected me."
USL First Division Stories from July 17, 2009
- Whitecaps Lose Second Straight - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Richardson, Bundu Goals Life RailHawks over Vancouver - North Carolina FC
- Miami FC Ties Front End of Weekend Double Header - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Hayes Leads Timbers to Draw - Portland Timbers
- Defender Kevin Sakuda And Forward Pa Amadou Gai Released - Montreal Impact
- RailHawks Down Whitecaps - North Carolina FC
- Battery Ties City Stars - Charleston Battery
- Defense Leads City Stars In 0-0 Draw With Charleston - Cleveland City Stars
- Tecos Training for Friday night is postponed to Saturday at 10 a.m. - North Carolina FC
- Timbers Visit Miami FC for Two-Game Series - Portland Timbers
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