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Miami FC Takes Down Hartford Athletic 2-0 at FIU Stadium

April 16, 2022 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Miami FC News Release


Miami, Fla. - The Miami Football Club took down Eastern Conference foe Hartford Athletic 2-0 at FIU Stadium on Saturday night. The win makes it three consecutive victories for Miami FC in all competitions as it heads into its U.S. Open Cup third-round tie against Inter Miami FC on Tuesday, April 19.

Head coach Anthony Pulis resorted to his usual 4-2-3-1 formation after going with a five in the back lineup against Tampa Bay Rowdies last weekend. Forward Kyle Murphy returned to the lineup, making his 150th USL Championship regular-season appearance. Also, midfielder Bolu Akinyode returned to the lineup to play beside Devon "Speedy" Williams in the middle of the park.

First half breakdown

A combination play between Murphy and winger Josh Perez created Miami's first chance of the game in the 13th minute. The 29-year-old forward's attempt at goal was blocked by goalkeeper Jimmy Slayton, who got low and pushed the ball out for a corner.

Three minutes later, Murphy celebrated his first league goal of the season. He controlled a long ball sent by captain Paco Craig, dribbled past the keeper and slotted the ball into the back of the net, giving Miami FC an early lead.

MFC goalkeeper Connor Sparrow kept his goal untouched in the first half, making a Save of the Week worthy block in the 31st minute. Sparrow catapulted himself toward the right top corner of his goal to keep out a powerful shot attempt from defender Ashkanov Apollon.

Miami FC led at halftime by minimal difference. Hartford Athletic dominated the possession stats, with 55 percent to Miami's 45. However, the Orange and Blue were more dangerous in attack, posting six shots - three on target - to Hartford's two shots - one on goal.

Second half breakdown

Pulis made modifications ahead of the second half. He subbed out Craig, who seemed to be dealing with an injury in the first half, for defender Junior Palacios. The English manager changed the formation to a five-back, moving left-back Aedan Stanley to a center-back position beside Benjamin Ofeimu and Palacios. Right-back Mark Segbers remained in his position, and winger Pierre Da Silva filled in as a left-back.

Miami's second substitution of the night came in the 61st minute, with left-back Othello Bah coming on for Stanley.

Da Silva was denied by the post in the 66th minute. The 23-year-old had a go at goal from a tight angle, but the ball came right back at him after hitting the upright.

Reggae Boyz Lamar Walker and Romeo Parkes came in for Murphy and Perez in the 69th minute.

Sparrow made another clutch save in the 73rd minute, parrying a headed shot from center-back Modou Jadama.

Jamaican substitutes Walker and Parkes combined for a goal in the 86th minute to double Miami's lead. Walker passed the ball to Parkes, who controlled the ball and put his laces through it beating Slayton. The 31-year-old scored back-to-back league goals at home and has found the back of the net three times in his last four appearances in all competitions.

Up next for Miami FC

Miami FC will host Major League Soccer's Inter Miami CF at FIU Stadium for the first edition of the Miami Clásico on Tuesday, April 19. The two sides meet in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup.

Inter Miami enter the match at the bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference table with four points after six games.

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