Seattle tops Miami 1-0

June 29, 2007 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Fort Lauderdale Strikers News Release


Miami, June 28, 2007 - Miami FC traveled to Seattle for its first of a month long, four game road trip. The team played its 15th game of the season this Thursday at Qwest Field against the Sounders and lost 1-0.

The Blues played without defenseman JP Rodrigues, who injured his right knee (sprain) on Friday night during the game against the Vancouver Whitecaps. JP was replaced by Luis Calix.

Miami FC and the Seattle Sounders met once earlier this season with Miami FC winning 3-2. Tonight's game started with the Blues dominating the match and Seattle spending the first 15 minutes of the game trying to find itself on the field.

The best chance for Miami to score came at the 23rd minute when Zinho took on a free kick defended by the Minnesota Thunder goalkeeper Chris Eylander, who would spend the remainder of the first half as a mere spectator of the game.

Seattle little by little started to dominate the game. On the 27th minute, Hugo Cuellar gets a rebound inside Miami FC´s area but kicks the ball over the crossbar.

The Thunder would have two other good opportunities to score, both with Zach Scott, who missed the goal by inches with a couple of headers, but it was with his foot that he score the only goal of the match. Kevin Sakuda headed the ball after a corner kick and Zach Scott, in the penalty area, kicked the ball to the net.

The second half started just like the first one ended: with Seattle dominating the game. But that lasted for only 5 minutes. After that, Miami took over the game, putting together a better body of work; and Seattle´s goalkeeper started to steal the scene on the 57th minute. Zinho heads the ball strongly inside the box, but Eylander deflects it allowing a corner kick.

But Chris Eylander would really be brilliant on the 85th minute, after deflecting a shot by Sean Fraser who unleashed a potent 25-yard rocket. Luchi Gonzalez then missed an incredible opportunity to tie the game kicking the ball out from inside Seattle´s box.

Miami FC will remain in the great Northwest and on Saturday the Blues travels to Portland to challenge the Timbers. This game also has a late 10 pm start (ET).



USL First Division Stories from June 29, 2007


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