Tag Archives: Miami
Inter Miami CF MLS

Inter Miami CF kicks off MLS season with home opener against LA Galaxy

By on Sunday, April 18, 2021
Inter Miami CF hosts LA Galaxy. Photographic by Matthew Bunch.

A home opener against LA Galaxy. Great anticipation for a new season with promise, potential, and so many unknowns. It’s the launch of the 2021 Inter Miami CF capmaign in Major League Soccer, but it offers a sense of deja vu: We were in this place exactly one year and six weeks ago, when Inter Miami lost at DC United, headed home for its inaugural home match, and then the world stopped.

Inter Miami never did host LA Galaxy in its 2020 season, or play the Galaxy at all. COVID restrictions and a regionalized schedule update forced a lot of changes on a club that still has no true sense of normalcy.

But today’s match will really give the club a chance to change that for the first time.

Continue Reading
0
Inter Miami CF MLS

Inter Miami CF can’t build momentum, drop game to Orlando City SC 2-1

By on Sunday, September 13, 2020
Inter Miami CF Blaise Matuidi

For a moment against Orlando City SC, it appeared Inter Miami CF might be able to find its footing and get back into the match. Might be able to forge the first winning streak in team history. But that moment was fleeting, and a Mauricio Pereyra goal off the post put the Purple and Gold up for good, 2-1. 

Orlando struck first, applying pressure and dominating much of the first half, including a Nani free kick striking off the crossbar. In the 34th minute, Miami defender Andres Reyes unluckily put the ball in his own net off a curling set piece. 

Miami drastically improved in the second half, as the infusions of Dylan Nealis and Brek Shea sparked several quality chances early on. 

Finally, in the 65th minute, it was former Orlando man Shea who took a service from Rodolfo Pizarro and headed the ball in for the equalizer. It was a deserved reward for Miami, but the joy wouldn’t last long.

In what has become an unfortunate trend, a Miami goal is followed by a Miami concession. This time, the center of the Inter defense vacated a huge hole at the top of the 18-yard box. It was Pereyra taking a clever pass from Chris Mueller and slotting it past the diving Luis Robles.

Just a few minutes after that, a wild sequence ensued. A low cross nearly found the foot of Miami forward Julian Carranza, and after video review, it was determined that not only was Carranza fouled by Orlando’s Rodrigo Schlegel, but it was the defender’s second yellow card of the match. Before Inter could even line up for the penalty kick, a second review showed Carranza offside as the ball was played in, nullifying the foul and the yellow card. Schlegel was subsequently allowed back into the match and Inter’s wait for its first penalty kick of the season continued. 

In the third match-up between these clubs, and the last presently on the schedule, it’s advantage Orlando (2-1). Miami next faces Atlanta United in Georgia on Saturday at 7 p.m. The latest round of MLS schedule updates has Inter playing home to New York Red Bulls on Wednesday, September 23 and at Philadelphia Union on Sunday the 27th. 

Continue Reading
0
The Miami FC

The Miami FC records first USL road victory, beats ATL UTD 2

By on Saturday, September 12, 2020
The Miami FC

The Miami FC finally recorded an away win in the USL Championship with a 2-1 victory over ATL UTD 2, thanks to a second-half strike by Miguel Gonzalez.

The main conductor of the attacking play in the draw vs Charleston Battery, Sebastian Velasquez, didn’t make the trip. Possibly Paul Dalglish did not want to risk him against Atlanta’s no-nonsense tackling. Lloyd Sam dropped to the bench. In came Gonzalez and Griffiths. Again a back three was deployed with Hassan Ndam as sweeper.

Atlanta set out to disrupt Miami’s possession and gave no quarter in the 50/50s. Jalen Markey was bundled over more than once but despite the persistent fouling from the home side, the ref kept his cards in his pocket.

Miami stood up to the physical challenge from the hosts and took the lead when Romario Williams tapped in a rebound after Atlanta keeper Ben Lundgaard spilled a Tomas Granitto free kick. Williams looked to be in the mood for a goal after failing to find the net since the 2-1 over Charlotte last month. His movement was good, he was taking players on with confidence. A great night for the number 9.

In a familiar story for FC fans, Atlanta equalized minutes later. The Miami defense failed to clear a loose ball in the area, Ajani Fortune firing home a great effort. Miami have been much improved of late, especially at the back, but this was an echo of past collapses. Thankfully they steadied themselves and made it to half time tied up 1-1.

Sometimes you just feel a game is going the way of one of the teams. Last night it was our turn and Miami wouldn’t be denied three vital points. Miguel Gonzalez was the hero of the hour with a crisp finish from the edge of the area after a corner early in the second half. It’s two goals in two games for Miguel now. His confident, first-time finish for the goal sums up Miami FC’s renaissance. A bit of belief and swagger is coming back.

ATLUTD2 had a couple of chances to get level and even hit the crossbar, however Miami’s defense held firm. Keeper Mark Pais turned in a commanding performance. Mark controls his area so well and came bravely out of his goal to snuff out an Atlanta chance on the hour mark. Centerback Hassan Ndam was impressive too, as the Cameroonian provided a key block late in the game to ensure an important victory for the Orange and Blue.

Although unlikely, the win means Miami still have a mathematical chance to catch second place in Group H, Charleston Battery. Next up is the “Magic City Derby,” as the Birmingham Legion will come to Riccardo Silva Stadium on Wednesday at 7:30pm, watch on ESPN+.

Continue Reading
0
Inter Miami CF MLS

Inter Miami CF settles for another scoreless draw — this time against Nashville SC — in Blaise Matuidi’s debut

By on Monday, September 7, 2020
Rodolfo Pizarro Inter Miami Nashville SC

Four days after a scoreless draw against Atlanta United, Inter Miami CF again went 90 minutes without conceding or scoring a goal.

Nashville SC traveled to Inter Miami CF Stadium and withstood a hearty effort from the Herons, including two must-make opportunities for Julian Carranza and Rodolfo Pizarro.

Continue Reading
0
Inter Miami CF MLS

Inter Miami CF match against Atlanta United postponed amid player protests of shooting by police

By on Wednesday, August 26, 2020
Inter Miami CF game postponed.

Tonight’s Inter Miami CF match against Atlanta United FC at Inter Miami CF Stadium in Fort Lauderdale has been postponed in response to player protests sweeping the country.

The postponement was the first in Major League Soccer. A match between Nashville SC and Orlando City SC scheduled for 7:30 p.m. kicked off as scheduled. The Inter match was scheduled for an 8 p.m. kickoff.

“Black Players for Change asked us not to play, and I think at that point we respect them and we have to respect why we wear these [Black Lives Matter] shirts,” Inter Miami CF defender A.J. DeLaGarza told Inter Miami CF’s Kaylyn Kyle on the team’s broadcast after the match. “And that’s to make a change and to have our voices heard.”

The announcement was just the latest in a turbulent day in the world of sports, kicked off by the Milwaukee Bucks’ wildcat strike of its NBA Playoffs game against the Orlando Magic, originally scheduled for 4 p.m. The Bucks’ move was prompted by the shooting of Jacob Blake by Kenosha, Wis. police officer Rusten Sheskey in the back seven times.

“Athletes have a huge platform, and we have to use that right now,” DeLaGarza said.

Stay with Magic City Soccer as this story updates.

Continue Reading
0
The Miami FC

Romario To The Rescue At Riccardo Silva Stadium to salvage The Miami FC draw

By on Thursday, August 20, 2020
The Miami FC

 

Not all heroes wear capes but some of them do score goals and when you have a goalscoring superstar hero of a number 9 called Romario in your team like The Miami FC does, you always have a chance.

The home side didn’t have much time to rest up after Sunday’s tie against the Rowdies in St. Petersburg. They measured the early pace, setting out to control the opening exchanges with their trademark game of keeping possession and patiently working the spaces to open up chances. ATLUTD2 did a good job to keep their shape in response and frustrated the Orange and Blue. They ended up taking the hosts by surprise, upping the tempo in a flash and taking the lead against the run of play. Jack Gurr rifled the ball home on a counter-attack having been given the freedom of the Miami FC half.

Continue Reading
3
Inter Miami CF MLS

Blaise Matuidi joins Inter Miami from Juventus, doesn’t use Designated Player spot

By on Thursday, August 13, 2020
Inter Miami CF announced Thursday that it was acquiring Juventus midfielder Blaise Matuidi on a free transfer, signing the player with Targeted Allocation Money.

Inter Miami CF announced Thursday that it had signed French midfielder Blaise Matuidi, last of Juventus. This marks the first significant signing of a high-profile player from Europe for the club.

Perhaps most notably, Inter Miami was able to acquire Matuidi with Targeted Allocation Money. This means that the club retains its third Designated Player spot (the first two used on Rodolfo Pizarro and Matias Pellegrini). The club could go into the market again and sign another high-profile player.

Continue Reading
1