Miami Gardens, FL – Listen (or look), it’s not exactly the start that everyone expected from The Miami FC. After running through the NASL last season, most people expected Miami, now playing in the lower division NPSL, to bring the league to its knees. However, we’re now three matches into the season and Miami has yet to win a match! Be that as it may, they’re still undefeated. In case you haven’t figured it out, it’s because they’ve drawn all three matches so far, and all of them ended 1-1. They must really like that 2 Live Crew song. (Not Safe For Work)

This week Miami welcomed old NASL foe, The Jacksonville Armada. Miami has won their last five matches versus the Armada, dating back to June 3rd, 2017. This week saw the return of two very important players, Vincenzo Rennella and Ariel Martinez. Enzo played in the middle of the field, which is out of position for him. When asked if we’re going to see more of that this season, Head Coach Paul Dalglish said “Well, we don’t have anybody else, really”(due to injuries), and that “he surprised me defensively. he did really well defensively”. He also stated that Miami, at the moment, does not have anyone else with the (long) range of passing that Rennella has, since he’s able to find the wingers, or the two forwards playing through lines, both options opening up the field to attack.

It seems like the guys are still getting used to each other, and these NPSL refs, though. Miami conceded a goal to Jacksonville in the 26th minute, but it wasn’t without some drama. Daniel Vega saved a shot, which was tapped in on a rebound by Wesley Charpie, who appeared to be offsides. Vega made sure to keep chirping in the refs ear for the remainder of the match for allowing the goal. Charpie was the first Jacksonville Armada player to score against Miami since Lucas Scaglia, on Oct. 19, 2016. The first half would end 1-0.

In the 2nd half, Vega established himself as the player of the match. Homeboy was swiping left on anything remotely resembling Jacksonville, and the Armada had plenty of opportunities. In the 60th minute, Miami went on the offensive. Tyler Polak dribbled up, made a pass to Jaime Chavez, who found Ariel making a run. He sent in a through pass to Ariel, who had plenty of time to control the ball and take a clean shot for the equalizer. Miami would have more opportunities, most notably by newcomer, Kris Tyrpak, who was unlucky not to find his name on the score sheet after a screeching shot was denied by an amazing save from Armada goalkeeper, Brian Holt (shortest goalkeeper I’ve ever seen), and another shot was cleared from the goal-line by an Armada defender.

The match would end 1-1, and the guys were visibly upset. After the match, I asked Coach Dalglish if the guys were frustrated with the refereeing of the NPSL, and he said, “If you want to notice, then you don’t get in trouble, but I get in trouble if I notice, so I never saw anything.” Cheeky. Nothing to see here, folks! Keep it moving! Well, I did notice, and these NPSL refs have the games looking more like the National Prison Soccer League with how out of control they let things get. Not to mention, all these bad calls frustrate players, which leads to chippy play on the field. Next up, The Miami FC face FC Miami City in the play-in round of the U.S. Open Cup. The match will be played next Sunday, 7 PM at Tropical Park.

FT: The Miami FC 2 draws 1-1 with Jacksonville Armada FC, despite getting the majority of goal-scoring chances over the final 30 minutes. #VamosMiami #MIAvJAX 1-1 pic.twitter.com/4jeec5BIOL — The Miami FC (@TheMiamiFC) April 29, 2018

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