MIAMI (May 31, 2025)
Miami FC picked up a win in the USL Jägermeister Cup after a comeback classic against their northwestern neighbors. The 3-2 scoreline was a testament to Miami’s evolution this season, wanting to bounce back in the cup after a tough loss. A game decided in the dying minutes, the team’s efforts proved enough as Miami moved to a 1-0-1 record.
A frustrating disconnect between the midfield and attack, paired with chances of not finding the back of the net, led to Maddoni and his staff going back to the drawing board. For this showdown, Miami came out in a different shape. Ditching the standard 4-4-2, Miami wanted to focus on controlling the game. A 3-4-3 formation, bringing in Veron for Cardona, was bound to give Miami more attacking prowess. Having wider and more solid control of the field, the South Florida team was able to dominate both possession (58%) and shot attempts (16).
“It was a very tough match. They played very well, they were dynamic, and they were fast. We started badly, I realized that I planned the match badly, then we were able to correct it, said Miami’s Coach Maddoni. “We scored the goal, they tied it, and we came back. From the second goal on, we played very well, making the correct substitutions and came out the fair winners and finished playing at a great level.”
From the opening minutes the visitors came out very active, finding opportunities to punish after defensive mistakes. Miami’s attacking focus led to their defensive players being caught out of position, where Naples found channels out wide to create opportunities. Miami looked more comfortable as the minutes passed. Using Bonfiglio as a free roaming striker, he was able to connect all phases of play everywhere on the pitch.
Naples’ low block was not letting anything through. A deflected cross by Cisneros, meant there was a corner for Miami FC. Having assisted from the spot last game, Cristian Vasquez stepped up again. He delivered a perfectly placed first post cross to a darting Jonatthan Ricketts, who slotted it into the back of the net with a header in the 35th minute. This is the friendly neighborhood fullback’s first goal of the season, following great displays week in-week out.
“Happy to have scored my first goal for Miami FC. My 3 year old son is a big Spider-Man fan,” said Ricketts. “And we agreed when we pulled up to the stadium that if I scored, we would do the celebration together!”
Miami showed great confidence following the opener, finally challenging defensively and showing great awareness in transition. Resisting Naples FC’s pushback, a deflected ball by Miami led to a corner. Kevin O’ Connor sent a rocket into the box, which flew over Hamid and entered the goal over the goalkeeper’s head. It was an Olimpico for the Ireland native in the last minute of the first half.
The second half began and Miami wanted more. Francisco Bonfiglio led the attack, finding shots and breaking defensive lines. As Miami attacked, the visitor team waited. A misplaced pass saw Naples attack in transition. Quick 1-2 passing left Miami out of shape, Naples’ Cisneros broke in behind, cut into the box and fired on Hamid’s right side to give his team the lead. A goal in the 47th minute, a long half was ahead.
Wanting to shift the momentum, Miami came out with a hard press. A sustained possession by Naples FC was cut short by a moment of great awareness from Diego Mercado. He spotted a pass directed to the midfield and began a sprint that led to his interception. A quick pass to Bonfiglio, the argentine goal scorer ran into the box. Dragging defenders to him, Bonfiglio gave a backheel pass back to Mercado who delivered a picture-perfect shot from outside of the box into the top corner, tied in the 50th minute.
“The truth is that it’s my first goal in my career, I’ve been waiting for it for a long time,” said Mercado on the goal. “Happy for having won, the truth is that I’m very happy for the goal, happy for the team because we didn’t have a good first half but we were able to improve a lot in the second half. Now home to rest, work and correct everything that we lacked today.”
With restored hope and confidence, the South Florida side showed unity and resilience. Akinyode and Knutson anticipated and recovered in every play, Romero cut down a chance that could’ve ended the game, and Mercado held his team’s shape and distributed passes very efficiently.
This united front began to hold possession. Akinyode delivered a pass from his half into midfield. A fast 1-2 pass saw Ricketts with all the space he needed on the left flank. As he ran into the box, he made the pass to Celeste. His diagonal run left him alone and fired a grounded cross into the box. Naple’s defense intercepts but does not get it away. Bonfiglio runs at the ball and makes a pass into substitute Mikey Lawrence, who picks it off and fires a bottom corner for the winning goal in the 76th minute. The South Florida local wins it for Miami.
An inspiring and positive effort by Miami FC. This turnaround from last week will surely inject confidence into the team, who are headed to Pawtucket for a league game against Rhode Island FC.
Kickoff will commence on Saturday, June 7th at 7:00 PM at Tidewater Stadium. For tickets and general information, please visit miamifc.com/tickets
Article written by: Luis Reyes .
