Saturday, August 15
Hartford, CT – Miami FC battled Hartford Athletic throughout the night at Trinity Health Stadium, but a stoppage-time own goal proved to be the difference as the hosts claimed a 2-1 victory.
Miami responded well after falling behind in the 16th minute. Hartford opened the scoring through Barry Coffey following a sequence inside the six-yard box, but Miami continued to push forward and created several opportunities of its own. Gerald Díaz tested Hartford goalkeeper Antony Siaha in the 32nd minute before Jürgen Locadia forced saves in the 39th and 42nd minutes as Miami searched for an equalizer.
The breakthrough finally arrived in first-half stoppage time. Mason Tunbridge found Locadia inside the box, and the Curaçao international finished into the bottom corner to level the match at 1-1 heading into halftime.
Miami carried that momentum into the second half and nearly grabbed the lead shortly after the restart. Arney Rocha fired just wide from the center of the box in the 51st minute before Tunbridge saw an effort blocked moments later. Miami continued to battle for control of the match while its back line stood firm against Hartford’s pressure at the other end.
The visitors continued searching for a second goal as the match remained level. Angelo Calfo went close from a corner in the 63rd minute, while Head Coach Gastón Maddoni turned to his bench later in the half, introducing Tommy Musto, Rodrigo da Costa and Denilson Milanés.
Miami continued to threaten late, earning a corner in the 86th minute before coming inches away from taking the lead in stoppage time. Alessandro Milesi delivered a cross into the box for Da Costa, whose header sailed just over the crossbar in the 91st minute.
The decisive moment came deep into stoppage time. In the 94th minute, an own goal gave Hartford a late 2-1 advantage, bringing a difficult end to a competitive performance from Miami on the road.
Miami FC will remain on the road for its next USL Championship matchup, traveling to South Carolina to face Charleston Battery on August 22. The club will then return to Pitbull Stadium on September 5 to host Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. Tickets for Miami FC’s next home match are available now at MiamiFC.com.
