San Francisco defeated Miami FC 3-0 on Saturday night in South Florida. Here are three things we learned from the game:

1) Renier Ferriera came up big with his opening goal

With 7 points in 9 games, San Francisco exceeded any realistic expectations from their three games in seven days road trip. After a gutsy draw on Wednesday, the Deltas played an incredible match on Saturday handing Miami them their worst loss of the season.

Ferriera has been the ironman on the defense for San Francisco and is the only defender who has started every game for the Deltas either paired as a central defender or the left wing in a three-man backline.

Besides his consistent defense, the Brazilian contributed an absolutely stellar shot in the 15th minute that changed the whole dynamic of the game. His goal once and for all got rid of the hex Miami had over San Francisco and changed the entire momentum between the two teams who could possibly play again for the NASL title in the playoffs.

2) Hopefully, SF can play as well as home as they have on the road

The Deltas still has five games to play, four of them at home. That could be a strength or a problem looking at San Francisco’s results all season. The team has an incredible 7 wins, 7 draws, and only 1 loss on the road all season for 28 points. The team has 5 wins, 3 draws, and 4 losses in San Francisco for a total of 18 points. Part of the issue Marc Dos Santos mentioned is the team is not familiar with the field since they only play their actual games at Kezar Stadium and practice at either Boxer Stadium or Beach Chalet.

But with a slight four point cushion (with two games in hand) against North Carolina, the Deltas need to get full results at home to guarantee at the worst second place in the combined NASL standings and a playoff home game at Kezar.

Two home wins this week against Indy Eleven and Puerto Rico FC would virtually guarantee the team a spot in the NASL postseason.

3) Tyler Gibson has been the silent strength for the Deltas midfield

For the first half of the season, Cristian Portilla was the iron man for the Deltas, playing every available moment as the defensive midfielder for the team. Unfortunately, Portilla was lost for the year after suffering an ACL tear in the first game of the fall season, and there was a concern if his role could be replaced by anyone on the staff.

Indeed, Portilla couldn’t be replaced entirely, but Gibson has slotted into the defensive mid position for San Francisco and been absolutely stellar on the pitch. He has worked well with whoever has been paired up with him in the 3-5-2 formation (often Greg Jordan) and solidified the defensive spine for the Deltas.

The way to know if a defensive midfielder is playing well is when the announcer never calls their name. Gibson, with a tireless motor and the ability to snuff out attacks, is hardly mentioned, and his work often goes under the radar.

Gibson also contributes on offense as well. On Saturday his through ball to Bryan Burke that set up Tommy Heinemann’s late goal that clinched the match.

____________

NOTES:

San Francisco returns to action against Indy Eleven on Wednesday, October 11th at 7:30 pm at Kezar Stadium. Pre-game festivities begin at 5:30 pm at the Kezar Triangle outside the stadium.