Detroit, Mich. (October 15, 2022) – The Miami Football Club culminated its 2022 USL Championship regular season campaign with a triumph over Detroit City FC on Saturday afternoon.
Miami FC now heads into the USL Championship Playoffs presented by Hisense as a sixth seed. As a result, the Orange and Blue will take on in-state rivals Tampa Bay Rowdies at AI Lang Stadium in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Starting XI vs. Detroit City FC
Head coach Anthony Pulis made one change to his starting lineup. Center-back Callum Chapman-Page returned from injury, replacing Italy’s Luca Antonelli. The rest of the team remained the same.
Detroit City FC 0-1 Miami FC: Match Breakdown
The first half was tight, with each team managing one shot on target. However, Miami FC’s only strike on goal clashed against the back of the net.
Winger Richard Ballard, who was subbed on in the 34th minute for El Salvador’s Christian Sorto, played a through ball into forward Joaquín Rivas’ stride. The Salvadoran struck the ball with his first touch, beating Le Rougue’s goalkeeper Nate Steinwascher. The stoppage-time goal gave Miami FC a one-goal lead going into halftime.
The South Florida side dominated possession in the first half 56% to 44%. Moreover, Miami produced double the shots Detroit City FC had in the half.
Miami continued to dominate the game until its dying embers. The last five minutes saw the home side sweat for a win.
Goalkeeper Jake McGuire made his second save of the afternoon in the last minute of the game to secure three points.
The clean sheet is Miami’s Seventeenth of the year. McGuire collected five, and Connor Sparrow 12. The Orange and Blue finished at the top of the shutout table alongside USL Championship regular season champs San Antonio FC.
Up next for Miami FC
Miami FC will hit the road next weekend to face Tampa Bay Rowdies in St. Petersburgh, Fla. MFC is 1-1-0 against the Rowdies this season.
