Miami FC’s Potent Attack Returns To Form In Week 3 Of Fall Season
Miami FC used a powerful attack to claim the Spring Season title and the club returned to that form in Week 3 of the NASL Fall Season.
Facing off against Indy Eleven, Miami scored three times in the second half to down the Boys in Blue to pick up the only victory of the weekend on Saturday night.
Week 3 kicked off when FC Edmonton and the New York Cosmos played to a draw in an open contest in the lone Friday night affair.
North Carolina FC and Jacksonville Armada FC brought plenty of action to Sahlen’s Stadium on Saturday with the sides splitting the points in an attack-minded effort from both clubs. Puerto Rico FC and the San Francisco Deltas each recorded a point on the island.
Continue below for a recap of all the action in Week 3:
FC Edmonton 1, New York Cosmos 1
FC Edmonton and the New York Cosmos played a highly contested 90 minutes with each side earning a point in a 1-1 draw at Clarke Stadium on Friday night.
With both sides creating chances, the Eddies were able to strike first. Daryl Fordyce, the club’s all-time leading scorer, found the back of the net for the first time since his return to FC Edmonton on the stroke of halftime. Ben Fisk, who has been an integral part of the Eddies attack of late, sent in a cross that found the head of forward Tomi Ameobi, who played the ball into Fordyce’s path to slot home.
The visitors continued to press for the equalizer and Emmanuel Ledesma, as he has done on several occasions this year, provided a flash of individual brilliance. The midfielder struck from outside the box with power and accuracy to beat Eddies goalkeeper Tyson Farago in the 66th minute. It was Ledesma’s sixth goal of the year.
Edmonton and New York have split the season series at 1W-1D-1L to date in 2017.
Puerto Rico FC 0, San Francisco Deltas 0
The San Francisco Deltas had gotten the better of Puerto Rico FC in two previous meetings this season, but the sides couldn’t be separated at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium in a 0-0 draw.
Neither side could get its attack in gear during the 90 minutes, but the Deltas had the two best chances of the game. Dagoberto’s free kick in the 26th minute found its way through a crowd of bodies, but Puerto Rico FC goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg was up to the task. The Deltas had another chance from a set piece, but Reiner Ferreira’s effort was just too high later in the contest.
North Carolina FC 2, Jacksonville Armada FC 2
North Carolina FC fell behind early, but rallied to earn a point in a 2-2 draw with Jacksonville Armada FC at Sahlen’s Stadium.
Jacksonville grabbed the lead in the third minute when recent signing Tony Taylor provided a clinical finish. His shot across the face of goal found the side netting on the far side to open the scoring in the back-and-forth contest. The lead for the visitors was doubled in the 18th minute when Jack Blake converted a penalty kick after Brad Ruhaak brought down Taylor.
North Carolina, though, was able to fight back. Promising youngster Dre Fortune cut into the lead just before halftime with a curling effort into the top corner from the top of the box. In the second half, the home side continued to press and would be rewarded for those efforts. Lance Laing finished a rebound in the 68th minute from a tight angle after Armada FC goalkeeper Caleb Patterson-Sewell tipped a shot from Fortune onto the crossbar.
Jacksonville nearly regained the lead, but a great save from Brian Sylvestre to stop a point-blank effort from Zach Steinberger kept the game level.
Miami FC 3, Indy Eleven 1
After a slow start to the Fall Season, Miami FC returned to top form with a 3-1 victory over Indy Eleven at Riccardo Silva Stadium.
Stéfano Pinho led the way with his first goal of the contest two minutes into the second half. Hunter Freeman played Jaime Chávez into space before sending a cross to an unmarked Pinho at the far post to nod home. Later in the half, Dylan Mares used a strong run from midfield to create an opportunity for himself, firing a low shot past Indy goalkeeper Jon Busch, who was making his 500th professional appearance.
Pinho would be involved again when he finished with his head for a second time, diving to meet a cross from Freeman in the 68th minute. The Brazilian’s second goal of the contest moved him past teammate Vincenzo Rennella for the league lead in goals with 11.
Indy Eleven would pull a goal back, though. Eamon Zayed, who was thwarted by the crossbar and some fine saves from Miami shot-stopper Daniel Vega earlier in the game, finally added his name to the scoresheet just before the final whistle when his rising header found the back of the net.
The win for Miami was the club’s first of the Fall Season.
