MIAMI FC TAKES ON THE VANCOUVER WHITECAPS, AND LOSES 1-0

Miami, June 22, 2007 - Miami FC (4-8-2) played today its 14th game of the season against USL defending champions Vancouver Whitecaps (7-2-3), at 8 pm, at Tropical Park Stadium. This was Miami’s 10th home game of the current season.

This was the fifth match-up between both teams. Miami FC had a 0-3-1 record against its Canadian rivals. Last year, Vancouver won its two playoffs games (4-1 and 2-0) against Miami FC and ended up winning the championship.

Miami FC was coming from a tough tie (1-1) against the Minnesota Thunder last Saturday, playing at James Griffin Stadium, in Minnesota.

Midfielder/Assistant Coach Zinho returned to action after a brief trip to Brazil.

First shot on goal of the game was taken by Stephane Guillaume. He teed off a shot right in front of the goal in the 13th minute, but it was denied by the keeper.

Vancouver almost scored in the 20th minute when a ball sailed over goalkeeper Pat Hannigan’s outstretched arms. The Whitecaps, however, were unable to get a shot off because of Miami FC’s excellent defensive recovery.

Zinho took a shot in the 27th minute that missed wide left, but it sparked a flurry of opportunities.

Midfielder Eric Vasquez took three shots in six minutes as the momentum of the game shifted in favor of Miami FC. The first shot was taken in the 28th minute when Vasquez secured a ball off his chest and hammered it directly at the keeper. His next two shots were back-to-back in the 33rd and 34th minute. Unfortunately he was unable to convert any of the opportunities.

The last chance of the half came in the 45th minute when a Zinho corner kick rebounded to a wide open Stephane whose ball sailed over the goal. Miami FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps entered the half tied 0-0.

The second half began with Luchi Gonzalez almost scoring against Vancouver. His shot coming in the 50th minute was pulled in by the Whitecap’s goalie.

Miami FC’s ability to put pressure on the Vancouver defense forced the Whitecaps to foul Zinho at the top of the box. Zinho’s free kick went over the goal by a couple of yards keeping the game scoreless through 62 minutes.

An attacking Miami FC continued to create chances in the second half. Stephane centered a pass to Zhino who put his head on the ball directly at the goalie in the 68th minute. Four minutes later Vasquez took a shot that missed just left of the goal.

Vancouver created a great opportunity to score when the ball bounced around the front of the Miami FC goal, and then Whitecap forward Testo headed the ball within a few inches of the top of the net.

The Whitecaps forward Sabrango was able to break the tie with a late goal in the 87th minute putting Vancouver up 1-0. Miami FC had one last opportunity in the 90th minute coming off the leg of Gonzalez whose shot hit the side of the net.

After today’s match, Miami FC will hit the road for almost a month, playing four games away before returning home to play the Carolina RailHawks, on July 20th.

The Whitecaps will visit Puerto Rico Islanders (Sunday), Charleston Battery (June 30), Carolina RailHawks (July 3), and Atlanta Silverbacks (July 7) before concluding their travels with a second away game at Seattle Sounders on July 12.