Unlike last week the Deltas put forth a strong effort against the top ranked Miami FC. However, just like last week, a red card ruined San Francisco chances to get a result against Miami FC.

After giving up three goals in the first fifteen minutes last week, the Deltas came out in a 3-5-2 formation in their home match at Kezar Stadium. The team played well and pressured Miami. Deltas Striker Tommy Heinemann had an excellent chance to put the home team up first when his shot was tipped over the bar by Miami keeper Daniel Vega in the 24th minute.

Against the run of play, Miami’s Vicenzo Rennella tapped in a deflected save from Romuald Peiser in the 27th minute.

In the 40th-minute referee, Alejandro Mariscal judged Pablo Dyego’s clumsy foul on Miami midfielder Richie Ryan deserved a straight red card.

Mariscal’s referee decision appeared questionable at best, sparking outrage from other Deltas players and coaches. He then handed out another red card to Kyle Bekker on the bench for dissent as well.

Things only got worse for San Francisco early in the second half. Miami struck for their second goal when Renella ran behind the Deltas defense which believed the Miami forward was well offside. Peiser attempted to get to the ball first but took down the striker in the box. Renella slotted the penalty kick for the second Miami goal.

Kwadwo Poku finished off the scoring for Miami when he ran unmarked through the box on a short free kick in the 56th minute after Jackson was awarded a yellow card.

Despite the scoreline, the Deltas continued to attack. They finally gave the home crowd something to cheer about in the 71st minute when Andrew Lubahn crossed in a ball to Tommy Heinemann who headed it home.

Miami was content to play keep away the rest of the match passing the ball around the pitch and was able to kill off the game.

“The guys have been extremely competitive all year and showed a great mentality – even tonight in the second half tonight,” said Deltas head coach Marc Dos Santos. “It’s positive the way these guys fight and work, and hopefully we’re going to carry on and qualify for our objective of making the playoffs.”

Even with the loss, San Francisco finished the NASL Spring Season in second place with 26 points, 10 points behind Miami FC. They are only five points ahead of fifth place North Carolina FC.

“[The Spring Season} showed us how difficult this season is going to be. The first part showed how difficult and competitive this league is,” Dos Santos explained. “It’s going to be a fight until the end for the four playoff spots. We learned a lot in the first part of the year.”

_____________________________

Match: SF Deltas vs. Miami FC

Date: July 15, 2017

Competition: NASL Week 17

Venue: Kezar Stadium in Golden Gate Park; San Francisco, Calif.

Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. PT

Attendance: 2.723

Weather: Sunny 65 F

Scoring Summary: 1 2 FT

SFD 0 1 1

MFC 1 2 3

SFD – 71’- Heinemann (Lubahn),

MFC – 27’ – Rennella, 50’- Rennella, 56’- Poku (Freeman),

Lineups:

SFD: Deltas FC Lineups:

1-Gk- Romuald Peiser, 6-D- Patrick Hopkins, 3-D- Nana Attakora (c ), 20-D- Karl W. Ouimette, 7-M- Jackson, 30-M- Michael Stephens, 8-M- Cristian Portilla, 4-M- Tyler Gibson (79’ #23), 15-M- Maxim Tissot (70’ #27), 11-F- Pablo Dyego, 9-F-Tommy Heinemann (84’ #17).

Subs not used: 12-GK- Steward Ceus, 2-D- Bryan Burke, 10-M- Kyle Bekker.

MFC: 17-GK- Mario Daniel Veiga, 15-D- Hunter Freeman, 18-D- Rhett Bernstein, 12-D- Tyler Ruthven (85’ #5), 23-D- Blake Smith, 26-M- Michael Lahoud (c ), 20-M- Richie Ryan (59’ #31), 7-M- Dylan Mares, 10-M- Kwadwo Poku (68’ #6), 9-F- Jaime Chavez, 8-F- Vicenzo Rennella.

Subs not used: 1-GK- Ryan Herman, 2-D- Jonathan Borrajo, 21-M- Calvin Rezende, 29-F- Stefano Pinho

Head coach: Alessandro Nesta

Stats Summary: SFD / MFC

Shots: 10 / 5

Shots on Goal: 4 / 4

Saves: 1 / 2

Corner Kicks: 6 / 1

Fouls: 8 / 4

Offside: 0 / 1

Misconduct Summary:

SFD – 40’ #11 (Ejection); 43’ #10 (Ejection); 48’ #1 (Caution); 54’ #7 (Caution),

MFC – 56’ #9 (Caution);

Officials

Referee: Alejandro Mariscal

Assistant Referee 1: Michael A Kampmeinert

Assistant Referee 2: Chris Hutchinson

4th Official: Turan Ozdemir