Miami United FC Bows Out of U.S. Open Cup in a Defeat to Local Rival Miami FC
By Kartik Krishnaiyer/NPSL.com
Miami United’s 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup run came to an end Wednesday night with a 3-0 loss away, against local rival Miami FC in the Second Round.
Miami United returned to the site of one the club’s greatest Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup triumphs on Wednesday night. In 2018, Miami United defeated Miami FC at FIU Soccer Stadium 3-1 in the second round, en route to the deepest run in that year’s cup competition for an NPSL side. That year, Miami United reached the Fourth Round of the competition before bowing out to MLS side Orlando City SC.
Miami United started the match well, creating the first real opportunity for either team. In the third minute, Miami United created a lethal counterattack which failed to net the opener when Andrea Pastore got behind the defense but placed his shot over the crossbar.
In the 10th minute, after several minutes of static midfield play, Miami FC’s Lamar Walker was taken down just inside the area. The referee pointed to the spot, awarding Miami FC a penalty kick on their first dangerous foray forward in the match.
Kyle Murphy’s initial effort from the spot in the tenth minute was saved by Miami United’s Bryant Gameiro, but the keeper was deemed to have come off his line early and the kick was retaken. Murphy converted his second opportunity to the far post to give Miami FC a 1-0 lead. Marc Segbers had a chance to double Miami FC’s lead in the 19th minute but drove the shot just wide of the far post.
In the 31st minute, Miami FC doubled the lead with a spectacular effort from Adonijah Reid. Miami United created a few half chances in the final ten minutes of the first half, but at the break, Miami FC’s 2-0 lead remained intact.
The first 15 minutes of the second half was a cagey passage in the match, but then in the 60th minute, Florian Valot missed a point-blank chance to increase the Miami FC lead when Gameiro made an outstanding one-on-one save. Gameiro made another outstanding save in the 78th minute from a long-range Miami FC effort, to keep the score at 2-0.
Miami United’s Paolo Alaves made a spectacular mazy run into the area in the 81st minutes, beating multiple Miami FC defenders but could not beat the final defender, and was dispossessed before launching an effort on goal. Minutes later, Romeo Parkes clinched the victory for Miami FC with a clean finish after being set up by Lamar Walker.
Following Miami FC’s third goal, Miami United didn’t threaten and when the full time whistle blew, the home side ran out 3-0 winners.
