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NASL Miami FC

RECAP | the Miami FC Clinches No. 1 Seed for Playoffs with 3-0 Win

October 14, 2017 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Miami FC News Release


INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -  The Miami FC was on the road Saturday afternoon to take on Indy Eleven at Carroll Stadium. The Orange and Blue came out on fire in the first half and closed things out with strong defense in the second half, securing a dominant victory and the No. 1 overall seed in The Championship.

The Miami FC created its first chance just two minutes into the match, a sign of things to come. Captain Michael Lahoud picked out Stéfano Pinho, in front of the goal, with a great pass but the play was called offside.

The Orange and Blue would get on the board two minutes later. Great teamwork moved the ball down the pitch, eventually leading to a Jaime Chávez back heel pass and a sublime Pinho finish.

With a lead in hand, the Miami FC continued to relentlessly attack the Indy goal.

The 34th minute would see Pinho bag a second goal. Chávez chased down a Hunter Freeman pass that looked destined to go out of bounds and put it back into the box. Pinho darted to the six-yard box and tapped it home, with a defender draped all over him, to give Miami a 2-0 lead.

The attack would continue in the 37th minute. Kwadwo Poku picked up the ball near the center circle and thundered toward the Indy goal. He would lay off a great ball to a streaking Dylan Mares, who powered home the third goal of the match for Miami.

The second half would see Indy go on an all-out attack, putting the Miami FC defense and goalkeeper Daniel Vega to the test.

Indy would fired 13 shots in the second half with the Miami FC backline blocking five of them and Vega making five crucial saves.

The three first half goals would prove to be enough as Miami would take down Indy Eleven by a final score of 3-0. 

With the victory, the Miami FC has now secured first place in the Combined Standings, and clinched home field advantage throughout The Championship. Miami makes its first-ever postseason appearance on Sunday, November 5 at Riccardo Silva Stadium.

The Miami FC stays on the road next week with clashes against the San Francisco Deltas and FC Edmonton on deck. The Orange and Blue then return home to close out the regular season on Saturday, October 28 against FC Edmonton, before beginning postseason play a week later. Tickets for The Championship Semifinal are on sale now at  MiamiFC.com/Tickets. For groups of 10 or more, call 844-MIAMIFC.

Quick Hits

Starting Xl

GK - Vega

DEF - Lambrughi, Ruthven, Bernstein, Freeman

MID - Ryan (70'- Michel), Mare, Lahoud (c), Poku (85'- Palmer)

FWD - Chávez, Pinho (53' - Martínez)

Goals

4' - Pinho (MIA) | Assisted by Chávez

34' - Pinho (MIA) | Assisted by Chávez

38' - Mares (MIA) | Assisted by Poku

Bookings

41' - Torrado (IND) | Yellow

Stats

Possession: 62%

Shots: 9

Passes: 576

Pass Accuracy: 89%

Clearances: 30

Tackles: 6

About The Miami FC

The Miami FC is Miami's only professional soccer team and began playing in the North American Soccer League (NASL) in 2016. The Club won the 2017 NASL Spring Season Championship in just their second year. Co-owned by international entrepreneur Riccardo Silva and world-renowned soccer superstar Paolo Maldini, the club will compete in the U.S. Open Cup and host international tournaments and friendly matches.

In partnership with The Miami Foundation and the Play for Change Foundation, Miami FC's mission is to connect with Miami's communities through the global language of soccer, strengthening their ties by promoting social-driven initiatives and charitable work through soccer.

      The Miami FC | 1001 BRICKELL BAY DRIVE, Suite 2310, Brickell, FL 33131

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North American Soccer League Stories from October 14, 2017


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