PREVIEW: THE MIAMI FC RETURNS HOME FOR CRUCIAL INDY ELEVEN CLASH

MATCH NOTES

MIAMI, Fla. – The Miami FC is set to host Indy Eleven, the Spring Season champs, at FIU Stadium, Saturday, July 30 at 8 p.m. The Miami FC returns home in good form, while Indy sits one point out of first place in the Fall Season standings with a game in hand.

Full Throttle
Last week saw one of the most exciting matches of the NASL season, as the Miami FC and the Carolina RailHawks played out to a 3-3 draw.

The Miami FC kicked off the scoring in just the 7th minute when, reigning Player of the Week, Jaime Chavez finished off a great passing sequence.

As halftime approached things really picked up as Carolina would equalize and Poku would give the advantage back to the Miami FC as the teams headed into the locker rooms.

The RailHawks would push back in the second half scoring two unanswered goals, including a go-ahead goal from Omar Bravo in the 78th minute.

With time running out on the Miami FC, it was Chavez who stepped up. In the 80th minute, Dario Cvitanich lofted a great ball over the top to a streaking Chavez, who finished the chance with an equally great volley.

Hanging with the Best
The Miami FC and Indy Eleven last met on June 4, when the two sides clashed at FIU Stadium.

Indy Eleven was in the midst of a championship run, while the Miami FC was coming off its historic first win, setting the scene for a great match.

The match would go on to be a defensive struggle, ending in a 0-0 draw. The Miami FC’s best chance of the match came in stoppage time, when a Michael Lahoud header grazed the crossbar just before the final whistle.

It was a strong result for the Miami FC as it marked the third consecutive clean sheet for the squad, coming against one of the hottest teams in the league at the time. It nearly proved to be a death blow for Indy’s championship aspiration as they needed to score four goals in their next match to secure the Spring Season crown.

It is as easy as 3
The Miami FC scored three goals in a match for the first time in team history last week. The few times that other teams have been able to score three goals in a match this season, things have always gone well.

There have been 82 matches played in 2016 and only 19 of those contests saw a team net three goals.

In those 19 matches, the team to score three goals has never lost, including the Miami FC’s draw against Carolina. Last week’s match was also the first time two teams have cracked the three-goal mark in 2016.

While most teams score their goals at home, only seven teams have hit three goals in a match while on the road, including the Miami FC.

Players to Watch
Jaime Chavez is in the midst of a fall season renaissance. The striker has been a nuisance for opposing defense over the past four matches with his dangerous runs and deft finishing.

In the first three matches of the fall, Chavez was brought down twice in the box and also forced a red card tackle from Jacksonville’s Beto Navarro.

The last two contests have seen Chavez triple his spring season goal total. He scored the game winner against Jacksonville and two against the RailHawks, pushing his 2016 total to four.

Poku has been a welcomed addition to the Miami FC midfield bringing speed, strength and aggressiveness to the offense.

In just four matches with the Miami FC, Poku has already netted two goals. Poku has also been deadly when he gets in front of goal, with all five of his shots requiring saves.

His presence has not only been felt on offense, but on the defense side as well. His non-stop motor allows him to track back and help the defense keep teams in check. He has also won 25 duels in just four matches, while collecting four interceptions as well.

Roster Moves
The Miami FC and goalkeeper David Sierra have mutually parted ways. The club wishes Sierra the best of luck in his future endeavors.

Watch:

- Bein Sports

Listen: 

- Radio Caracol 1260 AM