Miami FC was able to break the vaunted Charleston press in the first half - I wouldn’t say they broke it with ease, but the movement off-the-ball of defenders freed up enough space to play quick passes and break the lines.
Charleston center back combination of Juan Palma and Graham Smith have proven to be especially adept at passing out of the back and creating build-up opportunities. We’ve seen it in every match this season thus far.
Rocco Genzano continues to impress - at just 19 years old he makes incredibly smart runs off the ball for an attacker while excelling with his passes into space. He set up Allen Gavilanes brilliantly for the opening strike. Genzano also has a remarkably high work rate for a young attacker.
The energy levels and intensity of this Miami FC side are amazingly high. In the end Charleston’s quality and experience won out but I feel like Miami FC’s intensity is going to carry this club all season. They will be in every match. Charleston is arguably the elite team in the east and they had trouble with Miami’s energy all night.
Miami FC’s inability to defend crosses or set pieces could be the undoing of this side. Just about every good scoring chance the opposition has gotten this season and every single goal conceded has come either off a cross in space from open play or a set piece. It has to be a point of emphasis going forward.
We’ll have more on this match either later tonight or tomorrow.