Miami, August 8, 2009 – Miami FC traveled to Puerto Rico to face the USL-1 superpower, the Puerto Rico Islanders, this Saturday night and came away empty handed, losing 4-0. The Blues traveled with a limited squad, leaving most of the core players behind in Miami. Having most of the players are out with minor injuries, the team could not overcome its absence. Miami FC returns home to play the Minnesota Thunder on Friday, August 14th at Lockhart Stadium. The match-up will be featured as the FOX Soccer Channel game of the week. Kick-off is scheduled for 8 PM.
The Islanders challenged the battered Miami FC back line early in the game. In the 11th minute, Cristian Arrieta received a perfectly placed corner kick from Jonathan Steele and headed the ball into the back of the net. The Islanders went up 1-0, maintaining a lead for the entire match. Miami played without its starting center back, Zach Kirby and Cristiano Dias, who both stayed in Miami to tend to minor injuries.
Miami quickly responded with a string of passes that gave the team its first real chance at getting on the scoreboard. Edwin Miranda put a precise through ball at the feet of Alen Marcina. The forward then left the ball for Tim Merrit, who tried to cross the ball to Diego Serna, but goal keeper Bill Gaudette quickly intervened. Minutes later, the Blues found themselves with another golden opportunity to equalize the match. A scramble broke out in front of the Puerto Rico goal when the ball landed at the feet of Diego Serna. The striker tried to get a shot off, but the Puerto Rico defense did not allow for Serna’s shot to follow through.
In the 32nd minute, Chris Williams made a vast mishap when he tried to pass the ball to his fellow defender but instead, awarded Nicholas Addlery with the ball right in front of the net. Addlery made a clever move and finished with a lethal right footed strike to put the Islanders up 2-0.
The Blues had yet another chance on the scoreboard towards the end of the half. Leo Inacio Nunes found himself with a long ball and was left one-on-one with Gaudette. Nunes rifled a shot to the right post of Gaudette that seemed destined for a goal, but the goal keeper did a great job at maintaining his shut out, allowing the 2-0 lead to remain for the rest of the first half.
The second half showcased Miami FC trying to maintain possession and Puerto Rico taking ample advantage of Miami’s missed opportunities.
In the 57th minute, Haitian international and South Florida product, Fabrice Noel, connected with Josh Hansen for Puerto Rico’s third goal of the night.
Scott Jones concluded the night with an amazing goal in the 81st minute, capping off an astonishing performance from the Puerto Rico Islanders. The Islanders recently made it to the group stage of CONCACAF Champions League, beating the Toronto FC of the MLS.
Miami FC had one more chance to get on the scoreboard. Leo Inacio once again made a masterful run, and relinquished a ball to Marcina, who was making a run to the near post. Marcina connected with the pass but directed the ball inches away from the post.
Miami FC will return home to face the Minnesota Thunder Friday, August 14. Last time these two teams met, Miami beat the Thunder with an impressive performance by Brazilian striker Paulo Jr. This game will be featured on national television on Fox Soccer Channel. The Blues will square off with the Thunder at Lockhart Stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for 8 PM.
Notes…
Gale Agbossoumonde made his USL-1 debut in the 70th minute when he substituted Jack Traynor…Paulo Jr., Zach Kirby, and Christiano Dias did not travel…This is Miami’s worst road loss of the season…Miami FC will announce its new signing this week via Twitter, this will be the first time Miami FC uses social networking to make an official announcement….
