Miami FC Defeats Defending USL

Champion Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1

Miami, July 14, 2007 - Miami FC (6-10-2) travels to Canada for a rematch of a close game played a month ago in Miami against the Vancouver Whitecaps (7-5-6) and wins 2-1. The Whitecaps won the previous meeting in the last minute of the game 1-0 in a game dominated by the Blues.

The Whitecaps got things started in their favor early with a goal in the third minute of the game. They scored off a corner kick from Martin Nash whose ball found the outstretched leg of Jason Jordan. Jordan was able to get his full leg behind the ball volleying it past goalie Pat Hannigan into the left side of the goal putting Vancouver up 1-0.

Vancouver continued to attack the goal early with a flurry of chances coming in the 11th minute. The first chance went over Hannigan to an open Whitecap striker, but he was unable to find the back of the net. Hannigan hurried back into position to save the second shot taken by Jeff Clarke off the rebound.

Miami FC started to pick things up in the latter stages of the first half and never let up. The Blues dominated possession with the best chance in the first half coming in the 29th minute ending with a shot by Zinho that missed just to the right of the goal.

The first half ended with the Whitecaps on top 1-0.

Miami FC continued to apply pressure on the defense in the second half earning a free kick for Zinho from just outside the box. Zinho brilliantly placed the ball over the heads of the Whitecap wall and into the far corner of the net tying the game at 1-1.

Miami FC relentlessly attacked the defense with their second goal of the game coming in the 65th minute off the foot of Sean Fraser. Fraser found himself between the Vancouver defenders and the goalie, and he was able to slide just far enough to push the ball past the charging keeper. Miami FC took the lead 2-1.

Vancouver goalie Richard Goddard was injured on the goal and had to be taken out of the game.

Miami FC and Vancouver made for a very exciting final fifteen minutes of the game with a flurry of opportunities coming at both ends of the field. Miami FC was unable to put the game out of reach because of the brilliant play of substitute keeper Lutz Pfannenstiel, and the Whitecaps were unable to find the equalizer because of Miami’s suffocating defense.

The game ended with Miami FC defeating the defending USL champions 2-1. This is Miami FC’s first victory against the Whitecaps in its team history. Miami FC heads back home for its next match against the Carolina RailHawks after spending over a month on the road. The game kicks off July 20th at Tropical Park Stadium starting at 8pm.