Miami FC looses 3-1 to the Atlanta Silverbacks



August 12, 2007 - This was Miami FC´s 24th league game. The Blues has just come from a tough scoreless game in Montreal; however an important point was earned nonetheless. Today they faced a solid team from Atlanta. Zinho, who suffered an injury in Montreal’s practice session last Friday could not play but Melvin Tarley, Miami FC´s new signing made his debut.



The ball started rolling at six o’clock and right off the bat both teams showed that this was going to be a hard fought match. Miami was in control of the game in the beginning session of the first half. However it was Atlanta who struck first through a dangerous cross on the left flank by David Hayes, but was quickly cleared out of the box by Pat Hannigan.



In the 7th minute, Miami had a close encounter with the goal. A strong shot by Sean Fraser was just wide of the keeper’s left post. As the Atlanta Silverbacks regrouped in the back, Sean Fraser centered the ball to Eric Vasquez who chested it down nicely but shot wide of the goal.



Both teams struggled to open the scoreboard. In the 17th minute it seemed that Atlanta would be the first ones to do it, however a late offside flag rose to the relief of the home team. One minute later a solid counter attack by the Blues resulted in a shot by Eric Vasquez that just scrapped the crossbar.



A chance for the Blues in the 20th minute, a dangerous free kick was taken into the Silverbacks´ area but soon to be cleared by the goalie Ryan McIntosh. This led to a quick counter attack that was stopped with a foul on Macoumba Kandji just outside the home team’s goalie box. The foul was taken by #5 David Hayes. His precise shot went over the wall and into the left side of the goal leaving no chance for Pat Hannigan. Atlanta scored first on the 22nd minute of the first half.



In the 34th minute a hand ball by David Hayes inside the Silverbacks´ box led to a penalty kick for the Blues. The shoot was taken with accuracy by Eric Vasquez in the 36th minute to tie the game at one a piece.



Sean Cameron suffered a hard tackle in the 40th minute just outside the opposing team’s goal. However a wasted opportunity as the free kick was easily cleared out by Atlanta’s defense and that was how the first half ended with both teams tied at the half.



The second half whistle blew and it was not long until Atlanta put the ball in the back of the net. In the 47th minute, Macoumba Kandji blasted one in the top left corner just out of Pat Hannigan´s reach.



The game seemed to slowly simmer down after the second goal. Neither team created goal scoring opportunities. Then in the 80th minute the Silverbacks were awarded a free kick. David Hayes stepped up to take the foul. A perfect shot called for a perfect save, as Pat Hannigan punched the ball over his cross bar for a Silverback’s corner.



A mistake by Pat Hannigan led to Warren Ukah winning a fifty-fifty ball and shooting to an open net to add another goal to the Silverbacks. This sealed the deal in the closing minutes of the game as Atlanta defeated the Miami FC 3 to 1.



Miami FC now travels to Puerto Rico to take on the Islanders next Friday and Sunday.