Miami FC Split Points With Timbers

It was a match between two teams looking to continue trends as second-place Portland (8-1-7 31 pts.) came to town to continue their incredible winning streak but they were facing a Miami FC squad (6-6-3) that were playing arguably their best ball of the season.   They would have to continue that good run of form without Leo Inacio (groin) and Alan Marcina who was serving a one-match ban.

First Half

Miami came out in typical style opening up the flanks and generating opportunities on the goal defended by Steve Cronin.   Miami started out with possession but it was Swedish international Johan Claesson that got the first shot on goal only to see Kenny Schoeni quickly become one of the protagonists of Friday night’s match.

Miami would create the most important danger on the Portland net early on when Paulo, Jr. received the ball on the left and beat Steve Cronin between his legs but Stephen Keel cleared the ball before it passed the line.   In the 23^rd minute it was once again Paulo, Jr. causing trouble for the Portland backline and this time he fed Orlando Bueso.  Bueso took a shot from just outside the box, beating Cronin to open the scoring for the Miami FC Blues. 

The home side was wide open on offense while their defense saw them compact and concentrated.  The Miami backline was able to do a great job on USL-1 leading scorer Manajou Keita.  The only player to have a clear path to goal was midfielder Ryan Pore; but he happened to clash heads with Schoeni just outside the box. 

Second Half

The second half saw Miami not take advantage of some situations that they had, but the story was how Portland was slowly taking possession away and cornering the Blues into their defensive area.  Second-half sub Taka Suzuki would have a point-blank header from about three feet, but Schoeni would deny him with the best save of the night. 

With all of that, Portland were still patient with the ball looking for the open space and did find it sporadically.  It would not be until the 79^th minute when David Hayes would beat the Miami defense in the air on a set piece and head the ball past Schoeni to equalize for the Timbers. 

"I was upset with myself for not making the right adjustment during [Portland's] free kick," said head coach, Zinho. "I was trying to kick a water bottle and a shoe flew off my foot; when I went to the field to get it, the ref sent me off."

“We’re definitely disappointed.  We played well and did the best we can to get the three points,” said defender Zach Kirby. 

Miami will host Portland once again on Sunday at FIU Stadium at 6pmET. 

Teams:

Miami: Kenny Schoeni, Tim Merritt, Zach Kirby, Cristiano Dias, Jack Traynor, John Pulido, Jarryd Pulido, Edwin Miranda, Orlando Bueso, Paulo Araujo, Jr., Diego Serna

Portland: Steve Cronin, David Hayes, Cameron Knowles, Stephen Keel, Scot Thompson, Brian Farber, Johan Claesson, Tony McManus, Ryan Pore, Manajou Keita, George Joesten

Goals:  MFC- Bueso (23’), POR- Hayes (79’)

Juan Arango, Goal.com