Saturday, August 8
Miami, FL – Miami FC was unable to turn its opportunities into goals Saturday night, falling 1-0 to Las Vegas Lights FC at South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium.
Miami looked to establish itself early and began finding openings in the Las Vegas defense as the first half developed. Gerald Díaz had an effort blocked from outside the box in the ninth minute, while Miami continued looking to create through Jürgen Locadia, Mason Tunbridge and Joel Soñora in the attacking third.
One of Miami’s best opportunities of the opening half came in the 32nd minute. Locadia found Tunbridge inside the box, but his left-footed effort was saved by Las Vegas goalkeeper Charlie Lanphier.
Two minutes later, Las Vegas struck on the counterattack. Christian Pinzón helped launch the visitors forward before finding Manuel Arteaga, who finished from the center of the box to give the Lights a 1-0 advantage.
Miami responded and continued searching for an equalizer before halftime. Locadia saw an effort blocked in the 40th minute before forcing another save from Lanphier four minutes later, but the hosts entered the break trailing by one.
Miami came out with renewed attacking pressure after halftime and immediately pushed Las Vegas deeper into its own half. Locadia headed a Soñora cross just wide in the 47th minute before Denilson Milanés, introduced at halftime, became heavily involved in the attack.
Milanés had two efforts blocked in quick succession before forcing Lanphier into a save in the 52nd minute. Miami continued to press, with Díaz firing narrowly over the crossbar from distance in the 60th minute and Locadia seeing another attempt blocked two minutes later.
Head Coach Gastón Maddoni continued to turn to his bench in search of the equalizer, introducing Diego Mello, Rodrigo da Costa, Arthur Rogers and Academy forward Massimo Mlekus during the second half.
Miami remained within striking distance as the match entered its closing stages. In the 77th minute, da Costa delivered a cross into the box for Angelo Calfo, whose header was pushed away by Lanphier to keep Las Vegas in front.
Despite Miami’s continued pressure and push for a late breakthrough, Las Vegas protected its advantage through the final whistle as the match finished 1-0.
Miami FC will now quickly turn its attention to USL Cup action, traveling to Texas to face San Antonio FC in the Quarterfinals on Wednesday, August 12 at Toyota Field. Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. ET.
Miami FC returns home on Saturday, September 5 to host Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium. Tickets are available now at MiamiFC.com.
