Thanks to my colleague Johnathan Starling who put out a quick and highly analytical postgame piece.
Quite frankly the first half performance was humiliating for Miami FC. Frank Lopez did have two golden opportunities to score but otherwise Tampa Bay bossed it.
The second half was more even until Manuel Botta was sent off. But still individual errors cost Miami FC dearly. Four of Tampa Bay’s five goals were caused directly by individual, correctable errors by Miami FC players.
Some talking points:
I have been to countless matches in US Open Cup and other competitions where high-level pro teams have played amateur ones. Often times you can tell which is the pro team and which isn’t, even though the amateur team creates chances and shows some great individual skill. The first half felt like that. Miami FC had a lack of composure on-the-ball and was easily rattled. Tampa Bay on the other hand smelled blood in the water and pounced. The second half obviously was more even but by that time the damage had been done to MFC.
Tampa Bay is comfortable playing on grass which Miami FC evidently is not. The tempo of the match was much faster on the well-manicured FIU Soccer Stadium pitch than it is across the street at the turf field at FIU Football Stadium. The pace and tempo of the match completely caught Miami FC off guard.
After three successive poor first halves (at North Carolina, vs Rhode Island and at Pittsburgh) the Rowdies were ready to go from the opening whistle tonight.
Blake Bodily was unplayable for much of the match. His performance was one of the best I have seen from a midfielder or wide player all season in USL.
Miami FC’s inability to make quick decisions on the ball when trying to break a press, created multiple situations where not only did MFC lose possession but they lost their shape and couldn’t regain it easily when out of possession.
Roberto Molina is clearly an upgrade over Miami FC’s other wide players. I know I said earlier today he was somewhat repetitive and would add depth, but his work in tight spaces and composure as a USL Championship veteran were evident once he came on.
It was great to see Charlie Dennis back for Tampa Bay. Once Leo Fernandes returns, and Nick Moon is fit, look out.
It’s easy to be critical of Miami FC keeper Daniel Gagliardi. But how do you think even the best keepers in the world would do behind that back four the last five days? Miami FC has turned in two successive shockers at the back. That’s the bottom line.
I’ll have some thoughts from a strictly Miami FC perspective tomorrow over at the Kingfisher.