Minnesota holds on to early lead and defeats Miami 3-1
Published on May 24, 2008 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Miami - Miami FC traveled to Minnesota's National Sports Center this Saturday to take on the Minnesota Thunder, for a match expected to be a defensive struggle as both offenses had been averaging 0.8 goals per game. However, the game was everything but and generated 4 goals - all on the first half - as Minnesota did a good job holding on to an early lead to win against Miami 3-1.
Minnesota had heir own special set of motivations to win tonight. Going into today's match, they were only three points behind the second place Portland Timbers, and also kicking off playing at their new stadium; the National Sports Center. The Thunder came out strong from minute one and created their first real chance to score early in the game. In the 7th minute, forward Alen Marcina crossed the ball from the far-right side to a wide open Melvin Tarley; Miami defender Cristiano Dias could do nothing but watch helplessly as the former Puerto Rico Islander and Miami FC forward slotted home the 1-0 lead.
As the Blues began to search for the equalizer, they found very few real chances to score, thanks in part to a very well positioned Thunder defensive line. Then in minute 33, midfielder Jeremiah Bass found an opportunity and scored Minnesota's second goal, the shot coming off of a Ricardo Sanchez corner kick.
The goal seemed to leave Miami a bit lost on the field, and seven minutes later the same combo of Bass and Sanchez inverted their roles for Minnesota's goal number three. Wearing the number two, Bass crossed the ball in the box, and Sanchez, wearing the number ten, took a powerful shot on the goal making the game a surprising 3-0.
In the 43rd minutes, it was Miami's time to return the favor. Eric Vasquez passed the ball to Sean Cameron who kicked it from right outside the box. The shot was deflected by a Thunder defender and found its way into Matt Van Oekel's net.
Both teams entered the locker rooms with a 3-1 Minnesota lead.
In the 55th minute, Miami head coach Zinho, in a bold move, made three substitutions at the same time. Nicolas Mosquera, Juan Pablo Galavis and Chris Williams came in for Sean Fraser, Eddie Gutierrez and Eric Vasquez respectively.
Twelve minutes later, Miami had their first real chance to score of the second half when Walter Ramirez crossed the ball to Nico Mosquera who slid to touch the ball and almost hit the left post.
The next two plays generated close-to-the-box free kicks for Miami. Sean Cameron took both and squandered what could have been two good chances for the Blues to score. Minutes later, Chris Williams wasted yet another good chance, heading the ball over the post inside of the small box.
Minnesota did not generate much offense in the second half but did just enough to keep the first half lead, and ended up imposing Miami FC's 6th defeat of the 2008 season. Miami FC's record now stands at a lopsided 1-6-2.
Miami will travel on to play the Portland Timbers on Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day) at 5:00 pm (ET) in PGE Park. The two teams last met on Sunday, May 18th at Tropical Park Stadium, which ended in a 0-0 draw.
Miami FC's next home game at Tropical Park is June 1st ("Student Summer Vacation Day"); tickets for students with ID are only $3, at 6:00 PM as they host the Seattle Sounders. Season tickets are currently on sale by visiting http://www.miamifc.com or by calling 305-728-2612. Single game tickets are available through Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-866-57-MIAMI. Watch all games live on USL Live!
USL First Division Stories from May 24, 2008
- Vancouver Tops Timbers 1-0 - Portland Timbers
- Thunder Defeats Miami 3-1 in Front of 4,147 Fans - Minnesota Thunder
- Minnesota holds on to early lead and defeats Miami 3-1 - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Battery beats Atlanta to extend win-streak to five - Charleston Battery
- RailHawks Tie Rhinos 1-1 - North Carolina FC
- Carolina RailHawks tie Carolina Dynamo 1-1 - North Carolina FC
- Whitecaps call up forward Orgill - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Whitecaps fall, 2-0 - Vancouver Whitecaps
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