MIAMI FUSION 2017 REGULAR SEASON RECAP
The Miami Fusion finished top of the NPSL Power Rankings at the conclusion of the 2017 regular season. The Fusion, led by former New York Cosmos player Ferdinado De Matthaeis. finished their regular season with an impressive 11-0-1 record in the NPSL’s Sunshine Conference. The Fusion hope to build on the success they have had in the regular season as they start their postseason on July 22nd against Inter Nashville at Flamingo Park in South Beach, Florida.
May 7th Home vs. Jacksonville Armada U-23 – Win 2-0
The season opener was played in Miami, Florida when the Jacksonville Armada U-23 made the trip down south. The only goals in the game were from the Miami Fusion’s Victor Cardoso (46th minute) and Martin Lozano (77th minute). This would give the Fusion their first win of the season, a 2-0 result.
May 20th Home vs. Miami United FC – Win 5-2
In the second game of the season, the Miami Fusion would take on cross-town rivals Miami United. The game was very physical from the start and proved to be a tough match. The final goal count would be a 5-2 win for the Fusion. Miami United goalscorers were Raphael Basso (24th minute) and Jacopo Camilli (52nd minute). Miami Fusion goalscorers were Elusma Pierre (8th minute), Felipe Videla (35th minute), Stefano Fanfoni (49th minute), David Ochoa (54th minute) and Victor Cardoso (57th minute).
May 28th Away vs. Jacksonville Armada U-23 – Win 3-1
The Fusion would travel to Jacksonville, Florida for their third game of the season. The Fusion would take an early 1-0 lead, adding two more goals before halftime. The Armada came out strong in the second half earning a goal of their own. However, it was a little too late for the Armada and the game would end with that scoreline. The Miami Fusion would have goals from Victor Cardoso (13th minute), Darryl Gordon (28th minute), and Maximiliano Schenfeld (45th minute). The Jacksonville Armada’s lone goalscorer would be Cameron Grassmyer (46th minute).
June 3rd Away vs. Kraze United – Loss 3-2
The Fusion’s only loss of the regular season would come at the hands of the Kraze. The Kraze would strike with an early goal in the first half and then doubled their lead shortly after halftime. The Fusion would not go down easy though. They countered their two-goal deficit with a pair of goals to tie in the second half. In the 90th minute of an intense game, the Kraze would get their game-winner. Kraze United goalscorers were Cuter Coleman (8th minute), Kevin Rockwell-Ashton (57th minute) and Ryan Sandidge (90th minute). Miami Fusion goalscorers were Darryl Gordon (64th minute) and David Ochoa (69th minute).
June 10th Home vs. Beaches FC – Win 2-1
The Miami Fusion would have a chance to get back to their winning ways against NPSL expansion team Beaches FC. The first half would end 0-0 with both teams not creating many chances upfront. But in the second half, the Miami Fusion jumped to a two-goal lead, scoring twice in five minutes. Beaches FC would find a way to score a few minutes after the Fusion’s second goal, but it was too late. The Fusion would have goals from David Ochoa (48th minute) and Victor Cardoso (53rd minute). Beaches FC’s single goal was scored by Lucas Dasilva (59th minute).
June 15th Away vs. Beaches FC – Win 2-0
A storm might have delayed this rematch a bit, but both teams were ready to face off once again. The Fusion scored a goal right before halftime; that would give them quite the momentum heading into the locker room. About halfway through the second half, the Fusion doubled their lead. The game would end with Miami Fusion scoring the only goals of the night. The Fusion’s goalscorers were Victor Cardoso (44th minute) and David Ochoa (79th minute).
June 17th Home vs. Boca Raton FC – Win 4-2
The Miami Fusion welcomed Boca Raton FC to the NPSL with a 4-2 victory at home. Boca Raton managed to score a fast goal and jumped up to a 1-0 lead. Their joy did not last long though as the Fusion scored three goals to end the first half on a high note. Boca Raton would score again in the second half cutting the lead to one. Two minutes later the Fusion would stretch the lead again with another goal of their own. The Miami Fusion’s goalscorers for the night were Maximiliano Schenfeld (15th minute), Victor Cardoso (22nd and 42nd minutes), and William Stamatis (70th minute). Boca Raton had two goals from Justin Wilbanks (7th and 68th minutes).
June 24th Home vs. Kraze United – Win 2-1
The Miami Fusion welcomed Kraze United to Miami for a rematch. This meeting would prove to be a little different for both sides with the Fusion scoring the only goal of the first half. Eventually in the second half, the Kraze would even things up at 1-1 with 15 minutes to go in the game. The goal did not stop the Fusion’s determination to take down the only team to beat them thus far. With just seven minutes left in the game, Miami Fusion scored the game-winner. Miami Fusion’s goals were scored by David Ochoa (24th minute) and Victor Cardoso (83rd minute). Kraze United’s only goal was scored by Bryce Follensbee (74th minute).
June 30th Away vs. Boca Raton FC – Win 6-0
The second meeting between Boca Raton and the Miami Fusion would prove to be difficult for Boca. The Fusion scored early on and did not stop the offensive clinic until the final whistle, they finished the game with six goals scored by David Ochoa (12th minute), William Stamatis (27th and 72nd minutes), Adolfo Suazo (78th minute), Victor Cardoso (86th minute) and Felipe Videla (90th minute).
July 5th Home vs. Naples United FC – Win 1-0
Bottom of the conference table Naples United would prove to be no pushover for the Miami Fusion. This high intensity game resulted in just a single goal being scored throughout the 90-minute matchup. The only goal in the game was a penalty kick won by David Ochoa with Victor Cardoso finishing from the spot in the 56th minute.
July 8th Away vs. Naples United FC – Win 3-2
Just three days later, Naples United and Miami Fusion would face off again for another fiery match. This meeting would prove to be much more open with five total goals in the match. Naples United scored an early goal opening the game. Just before halftime the Fusion would answer with a goal of their own and the game would be even heading into the locker room.
At this point the Fusion made a halftime substitution that would take immediate affect. Nicolas Micoli entered the game and scored on his first touch of the game, converting a volley for a Fusion goal. The Fusion would go down a man in the final minutes of the game with a red card issued to the goalkeeper. In the resulting penalty kick Naples United scored, leveling the game at two apiece. The Fusion would keep the winning streak alive with a last-minute counter. This win would clinch the Sunshine Conferences title for the Fusion with just one game to go. Miami Fusion had goals scored by Victor Cardoso (44th minute), Nicolas Micoli (53rd and 88th minutes). Naples United would have goals from Juan Bazan (30th minute) and Oscar Duron (60th minute).
July 15th Away vs. Miami United FC – Win 1-0
The Fusion would finish their regular season away at the home of Miami United. Even though the season champion was already crowned, the game was very intense and physical. The only goal of the game was scored by the Miami Fusion’s David Ochoa in the 70th minute.
Accomplishments of the 2017 regular season
- Finished #1 in the NPSL Power Rankings
- Sunshine Conference Champions
- 11-0-1 regular season record
