Hartford Athletic 3-2 Miami FC: Late comeback effort falls short
Miami FC almost snatched a point late but still several areas of concern come out of today's loss
A slight change in shape for Miami FC today- looks like a 4-2-3-1 in the attack (with Frank López and Rocco Genzano taking turns at the top) and a 4-2-4/4-2-2-2 without the ball which is a small variation of how the side setup the last few weeks. Significantly, López one of the few truly experienced USL Championship level players in this side returns from injury. Also this setup put Allen Gavilanes either deeper or wider (depending on the passage of play) than he’s played previously this season. The halftime substitution of Cabral for Botta changed the shape slightly again and it looked better from that point onward.
Hartford Athletic, one of the worst teams in recent USL history last season are a completely different side this year and feature several elite USL-level players as well as some guys with a strong MLS pedigree.
FIRST HALF
Miami FC was on the front foot much of the half and was pressing higher and with more intensity than we’ve seen in the previous four matches. This was possibly due to the weather.
Daniel Gagliardi save on a Romario Williams (a former Miami FC player) penalty after Samuel Biek took down Deshane Beckford. Biek was left in an impossible position one-on-one with a clever, tricky winger. Nicholas Cardona has to do better there. The save was not just a tremendous one because of the penalty stop, but Gagliardi’s technique prevented an easy rebound opportunity for Hartford (this is something I’ve asked FIFA to change for years - I’ve long believed after a penalty save the ball should be dead- that’s one major rules change I want in football).
Miami FC’s quality in the final third was lacking totally. Not only poor finishing, but in many cases the final ball was off that it sprung several counter-attacking opportunities for Hartford, and finally in minute 45 led to a Williams goal.
Alejandro Mitrano who has been very good to this point in the season had his worst 45 minutes by some distance in a Miami FC shirt.
Daltyn Knutson was outstanding and probably the primary reason beyond Gagliardi’s save the match wasn’t out of hand by halftime.
Jay Chapman stood out from Hartford as having a very good half of football.
SECOND HALF
The bad giveaways continued for Miami FC immediately after halftime and the Achilles Heel of the side, defending crosses and corners showed up again as Williams scored again. Hartford’’s high-press which wasn’t particularly successful in the first half was effective in the first ten minutes after halftime.
Following the second goal Miami FC started playing with some nice passing moves and better off-the-ball movement. The crisp passing moves we’d seen in previous weeks when in possession were rediscovered and eventually Gabriel Cabral found a pocket of space in the area and slotted home a chance in minute 76. This came after about 15 minutes of fairly sustained possession and a much better shape with the ball.
After Luisinho and Ben Mines entered the match we saw space open up and pockets be exploited. López was effective leading the line but missed a golden opportunity in minute 80 to equalize.
There was no lack of effort late and quite frankly when you can bring a player of Enoch Mushagalusa off the bench, you realize Hartford is pretty loaded this season. The former Louisville City star appeared to have finished it off late but then Miami FC created two clear cut chances, the first of which was finished (OG) and the second which both Biek and Knutson almost connected with on a corner.
TAKEAWAYS
Miami FC was better in terms of getting to second balls today after last week’s shambles in that department.
A really poor first half effort with a lack of good ideas in the final third.
Defending continues to be poor on crosses and set-pieces.
Miami FC loses its shape too easily in transition. The idea was right from Nocerino today in terms of change in shape in and out of possession but the execution especially between minutes 25 and 60 were awful.
Andrew Booth was especially poor today. His passing was off, his timing was poor and he took two very speculative efforts from distance when guys were making good runs off the ball into space. For a player Miami FC counts on given his vast experience and previous success in this division he was an awful miss today.
Jordan Ayimbila was good after coming on. I wonder if he gets the call on the left against Tampa Bay on Thursday?
Luisinho changed the match after coming on. As he gets closer to full fitness look out - he is a real weapon.
Unfortunately, despite nearly drawing against a stacked team that has started the season well, we’re seeing too many lapses in concentration and intensity the last two matches to really contend in the Eastern Conference. It’s important after the good start to the season that expectations be realistic. Miami FC can make the playoffs for sure, but the dreams some had after the first three matches that this team was ready to contend at the top of table are not realistic.
From a historic perspective, Miami FC losing to Charleston and Hartford in back-to-back weeks is worrying, but I do think those are just reflections of where those two clubs have spent heavily on veterans this past offseason while MFC has gone younger.
It’s Rowdies week so everything is a bit bigger and more important the next few days…
I watched this game, and I thought Miami had a good showing. Seeing a few Hartford games this year, they seem to force the opposition into a crappy first half. El Paso, Birmingham, and Miami all followed that pattern