Rochester Tops Miami 2-0
Published on May 27, 2007 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release
Miami, May 27, 2007 - Miami FC opened the match strong, dominating possession for the first 15 minutes but had little materialized in terms of scoring opportunities. Zinho had the first chance for Miami FC on a free kick from 35-yards out in the 10th minute. His left-footed rocket, however, was driven straight into the three-man Rhinos wall.
Rochester's Mathew Delicate opened the scoring in the 16th minute after he found himself with some space at the top of the Miami FC penalty area. Shielding off Miami FC's Chris Williams on his left, Delicate pushed the ball with his right foot and it had just enough on it to find its way past Miami FC goalkeeper Pat Hannigan. The goal gave Rochester momentum as it carried possession for the next 15 minutes.
Delicate had another chance in the 32nd minute. This time a loose ball scramble inside the Miami FC 18-yard box led to Delicate trying to loft the ball over the crowd, including Hannigan. The loft was too high, though, as the ball soared over the crossbar and out of bounds for a Miami FC goal kick.
Sean Fraser and a chance denied by the Rochester goalkeeper Chase Harrison in the 35th minute. Douglas threaded the needle to Fraser running through the box but he was knocked by the Rochester defender as he tried to beat Harrison and Fraser bluffed the ball wide of the goal.
Miami FC had a great string of passes in the 42nd minute. The sequence found John Pulido unmarked at the top of the Rochester penalty box with the ball at his feet. His quick turn and shot was well executed but not enough to beat Harrison.
Similar to Friday night's match against the Montreal Impact, Miami FC entered the break trailing 1-0.
Sergio Van Kanten replaced Gerghiny Obas at right back for Miami FC to start the second half. Twice within the first 6 minutes of entering the match, Van Kanten created scoring chances for Miami FC. The first, a free kick just outside the box after he worked his way up the right side of the field and before getting hacked down by a Rochester defender and the second a cross he sent in after freeing himself high and wide on the right side. Neither chance led to a goal, however. Zinho floated the free kick right into Harrison's hands and Fraser was unable to connect with the cross well enough to register a shot.
Delicate doubled his tally and the Rochester lead in the 61st minute. Rochester's Johnny Menyongar broke free behind the Miami FC backline and only had the keeper to beat but he pulled the ball back and laid it off for the following Delicate who coolly slotted the ball into the net.
In the 79th minute, Julio Cesar had an opportunistic left-footed strike from 25 yards out. His quick combination play with Luchi Gonzalez created enough space to take the shot but the end result was the same for Miami FC as they remained nullified on the scoreboard. The shot was just wide of the target.
The scoring woes continued for Miami FC losing the match by a final score of 2-0. Miami FC has been scoreless in 5 out of its first 8 matches. Miami FC looks to end its scoring drought in a rematch of today's game next Friday, June 1st, at 8:00pm at Tropical Park Stadium in Miami, FL.
USL First Division Stories from May 27, 2007
- Timbers, Carolina Draw 0-0 Sunday At Pge Park - Portland Timbers
- Carolina RailHawks Tie Portland Timbers - North Carolina FC
- Rochester Tops Miami 2-0 - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Thunder Drops Match to Puerto Rico 2-1 at National Sports Center - Minnesota Thunder
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