Paulo Araujo Jr. Leads the Blues in Important Road Victory
July 24, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
MIAMI, July 24, 2009- Miami FC earned an important road victory against the Minnesota Thunder Friday night, beating the Thunder 2-1 at Soccer Sports Center. This win keeps the Blues in the playoff hunt and places them three points in front of their USL rivals, the Montreal Impact, who is in 7th place. Miami will face the Carolina Railhawks this Sunday at 2 pm in WakeMed Soccer Park. The Blues will then return home to face the Impact on Saturday, August 1 at 8 pm.
"We came out strong and executed our game plan, Paulo was huge tonight scoring to goal and playing our counter attack to perfection," said Head Coach Zinho. "Now we are focused on playing Carolina on Sunday. If we keep playing together, I don't see why we can't come away with a positive outcome."
The first ten minutes showcased both teams unhurried to get the ball behind the net. In the 12 minute, however, Paulo Jr., also known as Piaui, made his presence felt. After a long pass into space from Orladno Bueso, Piaui managed to get possession of the ball and juked out a couple of Minnesota defenders, unleashing a potent shot that sailed to the back of the net.
After the first Miami goal, the Thunder controlled the pace of the game. Haitian international, Leonel Saint Preux, got a good look from outside the penalty area at the goal, and fired a shot that required Pat Hannigan's first save of the night. Towards the end of the first half, after a Minnesota corner kick, Brian Cvilikas was left alone in front of Miami FC's goal. Cvilikas had two chances to put the ball away, but the Thunder surrendered another opportunity. Miami had the last opportunity of the first half. Diego Serna got a flattering cross to Edwin Miranda inside the penalty box. Miranda took a second too long, however, and got a harmless shot off, keeping the score 1-0.
Miami struck quickly in the second-half. Ten minutes in, Paulo Jr. received another long pass, this time from Edwin Miranda, broke down his defender and discharged another accurate shot, scoring his third goal of the season. The glorious goal gave the Blues a 2-0 lead in the game.
Minnesota generated a series of attacks after the second Miami FC goal. First, the Thunder created an opportunity connecting with a header off of a corner kick. The second and golden chance came after a fast break when Olum left a ball for Marco Terminesi, who delivered a flawless strike, scoring Minnesota's first and only goal of the game.
The Thunder had one more clear opportunity. After a Minnesota corner kick, the ball dropped in front of the Miami FC goal. Olum tried to get a shot off; the ball went towards Leoneal Saint Preux, who whiffed on the potential-tying goal. Minnesota failed to give its fans a comeback, unable to break down Miami's defense.
Miami continues its road trip, playing the Carolina Railhawks this Sunday at WakeMed Soccer Park at 2 pm. Be sure to watch the game live at www.usllive.com.
For more information, please visit www.miamifc.com.
USL First Division Stories from July 24, 2009
- Paulo Araujo Jr. Leads the Blues in Important Road Victory - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Thunder Breaks Three Game Winning Streak with a 2-1 Loss to Miami FC Blues - Minnesota Thunder
- Carolina Comes Up Short at Charleston, 2-1 - North Carolina FC
- Impact Faces The Aztex In Austin Saturday - Montreal Impact
- The 14th Champions Trophy Saturday at Olympic Stadium - Montreal Impact
- Match Preview: Aztex vs. Impact - Austin Aztex
- City Stars Travel To New York To Take On Rochester Saturday - Cleveland City Stars
- Timbers, Islanders Battle To Hard-Fought Draw - Portland Timbers
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