Miami FC Travels to Charleston for Last Playoff Stand
September 10, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Miami, Florida - Miami FC will travel to Blackbaud Stadium to face off against the fourth place Charleston Battery this Friday at 8pm. Miami is still fighting for a spot in the play-offs. The Blues will have to win the rest of their games this season (3) and the Whitecaps would have to lose the rest of theirs (2). The Whitecaps did their part and aided Miami FC by losing to the Montreal Impact 1-0 on Wednesday night at Joey Saputo Stadium. The matchup between the Battery and the Blues will be nationally televised on FOX Soccer Channel as the USL Game of the week. Miami's official fan club "The Ultras" will be hosting a watch party at Fritz and Franz in the heart of Coral Gables. Miami will then travel to Rochester to play the Rhinos on Sunday, September 13th at 3pm. You can watch this and all USL matches live on www.usllive.com
"As long as we have a chance we are going to fight to get into the playoffs. We also owe it to the fans, and the community to come home with a victory," Said head coach Zinho, "Everyone is going to come out hungry and leave it all on the field."
Miami is trying to rebound after suffering a 2-1 defeat at Lockhart Stadium against the Rochester Rhinos. Although the team played an inspired second half, it wasn't enough to overcome a very compact Rochester team.
Miami's new comers, Nelson Pizzaro, Aaron King, and Brain Shriver have all injected life on the pitch. King has scored in both his starts while Shriver and local product, Pizarro, have added an extra dimension to the mid-field. Starting midfielder, Jarryd Goldberg, thinks the additions will help towards their last push for the last play off spot.
"It's always hard when you have three new guys in the starting lineup. But those guys have adapted really quickly and made an immediate impact. They bring speed, quickness and a high soccer IQ. The locker room feels determined and we are going to bring our A game to Charleston for National TV," stated Goldberg.
The Battery is trying to bounce back from a 3-1 defeat to the Minnesota Thunder in only their second home loss of the season. The Battery is in fourth place with 46 points and have already clinched a spot in the playoffs.
Head Coach, Mike Anhaeuser, will have several players available for selection on Friday night; Stephen Armstrong returns from injury and USL veteran Ian Fuller returns from suspension. Cris MCclellan will probably start at goal now that Dusty Hudock has undergone a season ending surgery.
Charleston has won every match up with the Blues this season. Charleston beat Miami three times in south Florida, twice in USL action, and once for US Open Cup.
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USL First Division Stories from September 10, 2009
- Minnesota Thunder Handily Defeats Puerto Rico Islanders 5-2 - Minnesota Thunder
- Miami FC Travels to Charleston for Last Playoff Stand - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
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