via press release:
The Miami FC 2 opened up its 2018 NPSL season with an intra-city showdown against Miami United FC in the Magic City Clásico. The match ended 1-1, as both teams played a clean, solid match on both sides of the ball.
An unexpected form of offense came by way of a threatening long throw-in by Tyler Ruthven in the 17th minute that rattled around the box and was eventually cleared out for a corner kick.
In the 36th minute, Aly Hassan won a free kick on the left side in the final third of the field. Mares took the free kick and swung it into the box. A scramble for the ball ensued, but Miami United was able to clear it out of danger.
Dylan Mares and Don Smart frequently linked up in Miami United FC’s territory, threatening to get into the box on a regular basis.
Miami FC 2 consistently ripped open Miami United’s defense with long through balls, either through the middle or through the wings, but marginal offside calls kept the Orange and Blue from finding the opening goal.
The match went into halftime tied at 0-0, with both teams getting their fair share of offensive opportunities.
Miami United FC fired the opening salvo early in the second half, taking a 1-0 lead on a Victor Pelae goal. Pelae tapped in a rebound after Daniel Vega made an outstanding, acrobatic save to keep the ball out of the net.
Substitute Stefano Fanfoni nearly tied the match in the 72nd minute, getting through on goal after a Miami FC offensive attack pulled the goalkeeper and defenders out of position. Fanfoni gathered the ball and shot at goal, but his shot sailed high over the crossbar.
The Orange and Blue kept pushing to find an equalizer, and they came close in the 83rd minute, when Mason Trafford got forward from his center back position and ripped a long distance shot that drifted wide of the goal.
With just seconds left in the match, two substitutes provided the deadly impact that tied the match. Sean McFarlane unleashed a precise forward pass into the box from around the halfway line. The pass found Jaime Chávez, who met the ball at its highest point and guided his header into the bottom right corner of the net.
The first-ever Magic City Clasico ended in 1-1 draw. A rematch will be played next weekend, when Miami FC 2 hosts Miami United FC at Bobcat Field at St. Thomas University. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 21.
