Miami Suffers Heart Breaking Loss

August 23, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release


Miami, Florida August 23, 2009- Miami FC lost the first leg of its West Coast trip, losing to the first place Portland Timbers by a final score of 3-1. Miami FC fought hard and at one point had the opportunity of walking away with a draw, but the team could not overcome playing a man down. The Blues will now travel to Swangard Stadium to face the 7th place Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday, August 23, 2009 at 7 PM. Vancouver currently holds the last playoff spot even though it has a three point advantage over Miami.

Miami FC traveled with most of its reserve team, looking well disciplined and organized. Miami had the first real opportunity of danger when one of Miami FC's newest players, Tristan Bowen, recovered the ball off a Portland turnover and fired a violent shot towards Steve Cronin's goal. Cronin punched the ball over the cross bar, defusing Miami FC's opportunity.

In the 18th minute, Zourab Tsiskaridze received an elbow from Mandjou Keita, leaving Tsiskaridze on the pitch for a couple of minutes. Although the Miami FC coaching staff, as well as the players, felt the elbow warranted some kind of a booking, central referee Jeremy Vehar allowed Keita to get away with the foul and allowed the play continue.

Although Portland maintained possession for most of the first half, Miami's defensive game plan kept the Timbers' offense at bay. In the 32nd minute, Ryan Pore tested goalkeeper Kenny Schoeni with a potent shot that came off a corner kick, but Schoeni punched the ball away.

In the 45th minute, the Timbers broke the deadlock. Jarryd Goldberg tracked back to his defensive third and poked the ball away from Keith Savage. The ball landed at the feet of forward Mandjou Keita, who shot a powerful ball that found its way pass through the Miami defense and into the back of the net. Keita scored his tenth goal of the season and put the Timbers up 1-0.

Starting the second half, another of Miami FC's newcomer had a great run deep into Portland territory. Nelson Pizzaro tried to get a shot off but the Timbers' defense intervened first.

In the 66th minute, Miami was left with one less player. Walter Ramirez was issued a red card after a challenging slide tackle on Tony McManus, leaving Miami FC with ten players.

The Blues rallied back and was able to tie the match in the 77th minute. Off a corner kick from Tsiskaridze, Gale Agbossoumonde was able to head the ball towards Tim Merritt who deposited the ball in the back of the net, scoring not only Miami's first goal, but also his first goal of the season.

Keith Savage made an impressive run down the right flank and crossed the ball to the league's leading goal scorer Mandjou Keita. Keita finished cleverly and put the Timbers up 2-1.

Pore scored in the second half of stoppage time off a Keita service, sealing the Timbers' victory by a 3-1 final score.

Miami now travels to Vancouver to face the 7th place Whitecaps this Sunday, August 23, 2009. Kick off is set for 7pm You can watch the game on www.usllive.com or get real time updates on twitter.

Notes...

Both Tristan Bowen and Nelson Pizzaro made their debut for Miami FC... Tim Merritt dedicated his goal to his friends and family who made the trip from Gig Harbor, Washington... This was Walter Ramirez's second red card of the season...



USL First Division Stories from August 23, 2009


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