Miami FC Moves Closer To Spring Title After Victory In Week 14
Photo credit: Miami FC
Miami FC took another step towards claiming the first piece of silverware in the 2017 NASL season after a victory on Saturday night against the New York Cosmos. Miami is now unbeaten in 13 overall games, a run that started after a 2-0 loss to New York back in early April.
League-leading goalscorer Vincenzo Rennella once again led the way, scoring the winning goal to keep the club’s seven-point lead atop the table. Rennella has scored nine goals in his last 11 games, in all competitions.
The second-place San Francisco Deltas also secured victory, maintaining its unbeaten road record in the club’s first season of play. For the third time in the Spring Season, the Deltas were able to defeat FC Edmonton.
Also in action on Saturday night, Indy Eleven earned all three points during its trip to Sahlen’s Stadium. The club was powered by goals from Justin Braun and Eamon Zayed after conceding an early goal to North Carolina FC. Last year’s runners-up have won two in a row.
Continue below for a recap of all the action in Week 14:
Miami FC 2, New York Cosmos 1
Miami FC’s charge towards the Spring Season title at Riccardo Silva Stadium, scoring a goal in either half to cancel out the New York Cosmos’ early lead in a 2-1 victory. In all competitions, Miami hasn’t been defeated since April 8, which was a home loss to the Cosmos.
Vincenzo Rennella scored his league-leading eighth goal to remain on his stellar run. Former NASL Golden Ball recipient Stéfano Pinho has also flashed his goalscoring prowess of late, finding the back of the net as well.
The Cosmos took an early lead when Emmanuel Ledesma scored for a second straight game. Javi Márquez sent a square pass into the Argentine’s path who then sent his low shot past a diving Daniel Vega just six minutes into the game.
Moments later, Pinho nearly took advantage of a defensive miscue, but his shot came off the cross bar. The Brazilian would find the back of the net on 20 minutesm however, when his effort from outside the box took a deflection off Cosmos defender Dejan Jaković. Rennella went on to score the decisive tally two minutes into the second half, heading home a cross from Richie Ryan, who also picked up the assist on Pinho’s goal.
Miami played just over 30 minutes a man down after Kwadwo Poku received a red card, but the South Florida side withstood pressure from the Cosmos to earn the victory. Miami now takes its attention momentarily off of the league standings and heads into a matchup with Atlanta United of MLS in the Round of 16 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday night.
North Carolina FC 1, Indy Eleven 2
It took until Week 13 of the Spring Season for Indy Eleven to earn a win, but the club didn’t have to wait long to get its second. The Boys in Blue scored two goals in the first half, in quick succession, for a 2-1 win over North Carolina FC at Sahlen’s Stadium.
With Justin Braun and Eamon Zayed finally back in the lineup together, the club’s attack has had an extra bite. Both forwards were on the scoresheet in the matchup in Cary.
The home side came out flying, pressuring Indy’s goal to score the game’s opening tally. After the ball bounced around in the box, the ball fell to the feet of Tiyi Shipalane and the NASL veteran made no mistake to slot the ball into an empty net.
Braun found he equalizer in the 22nd minute with a powerful header, connecting with a Marco Franco cross from the right flank. Just two minutes later, Indy had the eventual winner. After a slick passing move, Zayed’s shot from inside the box took a slight deflection before beating goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre.
Zayed had the chance to score his second of the night, stepping up to the penalty spot in the 58th minute. Sylvestre, though, was up to the task, diving to his right to deny the Indy forward.
North Carolina had several chances of its own, but was thwarted time and again by Jon Busch. The veteran made seven saves, including stopping a Lance Laing break away and later pulling off a double-save sequence to keep the Boys in Blue in the lead.
FC Edmonton 0, San Francisco Deltas 1
The San Francisco Deltas extended their road unbeaten streak to seven games after a 1-0 victory over FC Edmonton at Clarke Stadium. It was the third time San Francisco defeated the Eddies by the same scoreline.
The Deltas’ goal came in the seventh minute when Kyle Bekker’s corner kick came off the back of defender Shawn Nicklaw. San Francisco then used its stout defense to keep the Eddies from getting on the scoresheet.
Goalkeeper Romuald Peiser was able to get the slightest of touches on the ball in the 25th minute when Dean Shiels was clean through on goal. Good work from Tomi Ameobi produced another chance for Shiels in the 47th minute, but Kenny Teijsse was able to make a goal-line clearance.
The Deltas nearly added to their lead in the waning moments of the contest, but Eddies goalkeeper Nathan Ingham made a tremendous triple save, including a pair of point-blank saves on Bekker, to keep the lead at just one goal.
San Francisco now returns home to face Puerto Rico FC next weekend, aiming to keep in striking distance of Miami FC.
