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Bayamon, Puerto Rico, April 27, 2008 - Miami FC concluded their two game series in Puerto Rico against the Islanders on Sunday with a win and a loss. Sunday's rain soaked match ended with a 3-1 victory for the Islanders, who avenged their Friday defeat to Miami FC. Goals from Victor Herrera (PK), Osei Telesford, and Taiwo Atieno wrapped up the match after Alex Afonso equalized in the 1st half with a penalty kick. Miami FC played with a man down for the last 10 minutes after Cristiano Diaz's rough challenge on Telesford saw him red carded. The open space left with his absence allowed for Puerto Rico's third goal. Miami FC pushed desperately for their second but, even after Puerto Rico's Christian Arrieta's injury time ejection, could not break down the defense and settled for their second loss of the season. Miami had to do without Sean Cameron, who scored the opener in Friday, Sean Fraser and JP Rodriguez, both injured in last week's clash against Montreal. The rain soaked field played a protagonist tonight. Creativity was stifled, player's lost their footing on numerous occasions, thus the teams resorted to long passes and sheer physical power. In the 6th minute, Miami's Alex Afonso was played a nice thru ball, but the watery pitch quelled his low strike. Minutes later Afonso earned a corner kick after Islanders keeper Bill Gaudette saved his shot. Cristiano Diaz's 12th minute foul on Fabrice Noel earned Puerto Rico a penalty in which Panamenian Victor Herrera buried home. The match continued with sloppy play from both sides as the rain kept pouring and the long passes kept landing on the 18-yard boxes with neither side able to score. In the 25th minute, Miami's Brazilian Alex Afonso forward was brought down for a penalty which he easily converted to bring the score level and his personal tally to 3. Former Islander keeper, Josh Saunders was called into action on numerous occasions as Puerto Rico imposed their physical game. Noah Delgado kept chipping in dangerous crosses inside the box forcing Saunders to punch the ball into safety. Puerto Rico should have doubled their lead in the 42nd minute with a low thunderous shot, which Saunders did well to stop. Taiwo earned a booking after bring Miami FC captain John Pulido, who had previously dispossessed him during a counterattack. Miami FC came out strong in the second half but couldn't convert their chances. Walter Ramirez's free kick tested Gaudette's goal, but the Islander keeper tapped the shot out of bounds. Ramirez would later save a clear chance on goal in the 65th minute after Atieno was fed in front of the goal. Puerto Rico controlled the rest of the game and possession, and as they did on Friday, laid out on all out assault on Miami FC. This good spell would lead to 77th minute goal by Telesford who slotted home a header pass from an initial set piece. Coach Zinho saw a tired side, especially after Cristiano Diaz's 80th minute ejection, and brought Sean Barrett and Eric Vasquez to search for an equalizer. Noah Delgado, who orchestrated the Islander's midfield, made a wonderful move to free himself from a defender and launched Atieno inside the penalty area. The forward connected with Delgado's cross and rifled past Saunders to seal the game. With the score 3-1, Miami FC pressured but their efforts were futile. They now have 4 points in as many games. Miami FC's next home game at Tropical Park is May 4, at 6 PM as they host the Carolina Railhawks. Season tickets are currently on sale by visiting http://www.miamifc.com or by calling 305-728-2612. Single game tickets are available through Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-866-57-MIAMI. Watch all games live on USL Live! |
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