Miami, FL (March 16, 2024)
Miami FC suffered its first loss of the 2024 USL Championship Season to Sacramento Republic FC in Miami, FL Saturday night after a goal from Sacramento’s Trevor Amann.
The first ten minutes at FIU Stadium saw both teams exchanging possession with each side unable to put much threat toward their opponent’s goal.
That quickly changed in the 11th minute as Miami almost was guilty of a bad giveaway. As Sacramento added some pressure to the Miami defense, Sammy Biek sent what appeared to be a simple pass to Miami FC goalkeeper, Danny Gagliardi. Instead, Biek put the ball right to Sacramento forward Cicerone but fortunately for Miami Gagliardi was able to make the save and keep the score level.
In the 21st minute, it was Miami’s turn to have its chance on goal as Allen Gavilanes found space on the left side of the Sacramento’s defense. Gavilanes made a quick turn and sent a hard shot towards goal, but the shot just missed the far post.
The first half continued to heat up with Sacramento, a pre-season favorite to win the league cup in 2024, beginning to flash its pre-season hype. This time, it was Donovan for Repulic FC who put a hard shot in the 25th minute forcing a save from Gagliardi in goal. The pressure continued and Rodrigues of Sacramento found space again on the right side of Miami’s defense, sending a shot that Gagliardi again was up to the challenge.
Miami’s goalkeeper continued saving his squad from the pressure on Sacramento in the 41st minute, making an incredible diving save from a shot by Cicerone. The visitors seemed the most dangerous of the first half sides, but almost gave up a goal to Miami right before halftime.
Mattia Gagliardi started the counterattack for Miami after making a great play from a long cross off Sammy Biek’s foot. The midfielder sent a hard shot that forced a save from Sacramento’s goalkeeper. The rebound fell right to the feet of Miami’s Genzano who’s shot somehow was unable to beat the defenders of Sacramento who were standing on the goal line to save the shot while their goalkeeper was on the ground. Instead of thinking they were heading into halftime up 1-0, Miami found itself regretting not putting the chance away as the first half ended 0-0.
The second half began much like the first half, with both teams giving up possession to the other. But the 59th minute saw a change to that in the wrong direction for Miami. The visiting Repulic FC found themselves with their own counterattack after a loss of possession by Miami. This time Sacramento was able to do what Miami could not as Trevor Amann found a cross from Donovan and gave Gagliardi no chance to save with a powerful header into the near post corner that put Sacramento up 1-0.
Miami struggled to maintain possession and almost paid for more sloppy play in the back as Botta made a bad giveaway that Cicerone was keen to finish. Fortunately for Miami, Gagliardi was up to the challenge again as he forced a bad angle and the shot sailed harmlessly out of play.
Miami began to apply pressure with its players from the bench and late in the second half, the home side almost made the equalizer in the 87th minute. Substitute Ben Ofeimu thought he found the assist to Michael Vang after an excellent cross from the left side. However, Vang could not get his footing set correctly and mishit the cross sending it just wide of the right post. That was the final chance for Miami as Sacramento left the 305 with all three points.
Miami travels to California next weekend for its first road match of the season against Orange County SC on March 23rd at 10pm (EST) before returning home on March 30th to face the Charleston Battery. Tickets for the March 30th match are on sale now at www.MiamiFC.com.
