Second-half stoppage-time goal by Paulo Araujo Jr. leads to draw
By Jeff Rusnak, Sun Sentinel Correspondent
July 17, 2010
FORT LAUDERDALE – Miami FC is now winless in its last six games after a 1-1 draw against the Puerto Rico Islanders Saturday night at Lockhart Stadium, but thanks to a second-half stoppage-time goal by Paulo Araujo Jr. that streak doesn’t look quite as bad as it could have.
Araujo latched on to a rebound of a Brian Shriver shot to score past fallen Puerto Rico keeper Cody Laurendi, sparing the Blues a third consecutive defeat in USSF-2 play.
Miami pressured for the game winner, but ran out of a time against an Islanders side that played much of the second half in their own end.
«I thought we’d get one more,» Miami defender Kyle Veris said. «But, it was nice to get the tie and score the late goal for once.»
Miami FC is 2-6-9 with 15 points and remains in 11th place as it begins a four-game road stretch.
Nicholas Addlery scored for Puerto Rico (5-7-4, 19 points) in the 33rd minute on an impressive drive into the roof of the net past Miami keeper Caleb Patterson.
Miami last won on June 12 against Portland and looked as though it would fall for the fifth time in six games until Araujo’s goal.
Despite salvaging a point, Miami coach Victor Pastora was frustrated with the result.
«It’s not enough,» he said. «We controlled the game in the second half and we can’t catch a break. There are too many games like that, where we’re a little bit better than the other team, but we don’t get the breaks.»
Miami lost two defenders to injury in the first half.
Central defender and captain Zach Kirby left with a dislocated shoulder in the seventh minute and was replaced by Cristiano Dias.
Right back Euzebio Neto was felled with a leg injury early in the first half and was replaced in the 40th minute by Martyn Lancaster.
