Miami FC Moves Into Top Spot In Spring Season Standings

In a visit to Puerto Rico, Miami scored twice late on in the second half to overturn the home side's lead. The three points lifted Miami over Jacksonville Armada FC in the table.

 

Jacksonville, though, remained unbeaten, doing so in stunning fashion. The club received a timely and spectacular goal from midfielder Zach Steinberger in second-half stoppage time in the draw with the New York Cosmos.

 

In the matchup between North Carolina FC and the San Francisco Deltas, both sides scored in the final minutes of play, but it was the visitors that would seal the victory, marking the first time the club has secured all three points in a road contest.

 

The other remaining game played out to a scoreless affair as Indy Eleven remained unbeaten, having yet to find a win, in The Championship Semifinals rematch with FC Edmonton.

 

Follow below for a recap of all the action in Week 7:  

 

 

Much like the first meeting, there was very little to separate Jacksonville Armada FC and the New York Cosmos. Playing on Saturday night at Hodges Stadium, the clubs both earned a point in the 1-1 draw.

 

Zach Steinberger scored in stunning fashion to keep Jacksonville unbeaten in league play. Jemal Johnson sent in a cross and Steinberger smashed a volley past goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer for the equalizer in the 95^th minute.

 

Maurer looked destined for a clean sheet, making several key saves. He first stopped Steinberger's attempt from distance in the 80^th minute before denying Drew Beckie when his header bounced off the grass and was looping towards the back of the net in the 86^th minute.

 

The Cosmos had taken the lead in the 22^nd minute when Javi Márquez scored his second goal of the year - both have come against Jacksonville - when he curled a free kick into the bottom right corner.

 

The draw kept Jacksonville unbeaten through the club's first six games, but dropped the club to second in the standings due to other results. 

 

 

Miami FC left it late, but the club was able to secure all three points in the 2-1 win over Puerto Rico FC at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium on Saturday. Vincenzo Rennella and Jaime Chavez scored the goals that lifted Miami into the top spot in the Spring Season Standings.

 

The visitors, though, would get their game-winner in an unusual fashion. Ariel Martinez's shot from the top of the box came off the head of Chavez, who was on his knees, and the ball found its way into the back of the net in the 94^th minute.

 

Rennella's game-tying goal came from strong buildup play and, again, Chavez was involved. Puerto Rico goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg initially stopped Chavez's effort on goal, but the rebound fell right to Rennella. The Miami forward planted his shot into an empty net, setting up the eventual late drama.

 

Miami, with the win, moved into sole possession of the top spot in the standings.

 

 

In the rematch of The Championship Semifinals, neither side could find victory at Carroll Stadium in the scoreless affair on Saturday between Indy Eleven and FC Edmonton.

 

Both goalkeepers were forced into top-shelf saves to keep honors even in the contest. Justin Braun sent a dipping shot from distance on a half-volley towards goal in the 60^th minute, but Eddies shot-stopper Chris Konopka was up to the task to deny the Indy forward. He was able to tip the ball over the bar and to safety. It was then Jon Busch's turn to come up huge, palming a powerful Sabri Khattab shot from the top of the box out of play in the 74^th minute. 

 

The draw was the sixth consecutive for the Boys in Blue, who are still unbeaten in league play. The club also extended its record home unbeaten streak to 21 games.

 

 

The San Francisco Deltas secured the first road win in club history on a pair of headers in the 2-1 win over North Carolina FC at Sahlen's Stadium on Saturday.

 

Defender Reiner Ferreira opened the scoring in the 22^nd minute when he was the first to meet Cristian Portilla's corner kick. North Carolina FC goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre was unable to get to the ball as he left his line, leaving the net open for Ferreira to nod home. 

 

Just before halftime, North Carolina came close to equalizing, but Deltas goalkeeper Romuald Peiser came up with a strong save, getting a foot to Saeed Robinson's effort from inside the box. The home side would get its equalizer, though. Substitute Billy Schuler capitalized on a misplay by Nana Attakora and showed strength to hold off Ferreira before his shot beat Peiser in the 85^th minute.

 

The return to a tied scoreline was short-lived, however, as a substitute for the Deltas would provide the crucial touch. Portilla sent in another teasing delivery, this time from a free kick, and Jackson rose well to head the ball into the net just a minute after North Carolina's game-tying tally.

 

The first-year side is unbeaten on the road in three contests.