The Miami FC Extends Winning Streak
By The Miami FC
The Miami FC won its fifth-straight NPSL match, beating Central Florida Panthers SC at home 5-0 on Saturday night. Miami has now outscored its opponents 38-1 during that winning stretch.
Miami took a very early lead in the ninth minute, when a mishit clearance from Central Florida’s backline put the Orange and Blue in prime scoring position. The ball was quickly worked to Darío Suárez, who used a back heel pass to direct the ball into Hector Morales’ path for him to detonate and notch his first goal with the club.
The match was tightly contested and contentious in the first half, with both teams playing aggressive on defense and pressing consistently.
Miami was able to break down Central Florida’s defense by playing frequently through the left wing, where left back Othello Bah was used routinely as a beacon of interplay.
Miami went into halftime up 1-0, but Central Florida’s stubborn defense held the Orange and Blue to just four shots taken in the first half.
Right out of halftime, Miami made three substitutions that propelled the team to four goals in the second frame.
In the 52nd minute, Dylan Mares held off his defender, drove forward, and curled a shot to the far post that was parried off the ground by the goalkeeper. The rebound fell to Marco Franco, who crossed back in and found Mohamed Thiaw, though Thiaw’s side-footed volley grazed the top of the crossbar and went over.
Miami finally opened up the match in the 67th minute, when a well-struck Mares free kick ricocheted off the crossbar and straight to Thiaw, who was able to calmly head it home into the open net.
Three minutes later, Miami got its third goal of the match through team-leading goalscorer Miguel González.
González combined for a one-two with Thiaw and the forward put González through on goal with a well-timed left-footed through ball. González smoothly slotted home past the goalkeeper to put his team up 3-0.
Four minutes before the clock hit 90, Mares and González hooked up with a clever spell of play. González found Mares and Mares returned the ball to González on the left side of the box.
González laced a pass across the six-yard box and took the goalkeeper out of the play, allowing Mares to get to the ball near the end line. Mares took a shot from an extremely acute angle that trickled past the goal line before being cleared too late.
On Miami’s final offensive play of the match, Mares whipped in a free kick that Thiaw towered over the defense to meet with his head and bury into the net to give the Orange and Blue a 5-0 lead.
The Miami FC will now look to win its sixth consecutive match, this time on the road against Sunshine Conference leaders Naples United FC on Saturday, June 15.
Photo Credit: Orovio Photography
