Miami United 1 Chattanooga FC 0
First US Open Cup Match of 2024 Provides First Cupset
Jhon Pajoy’s twelfth minute goal was the difference on a night Chattanooga FC looked like they could care less and Miami United played with passion in delivering the first cupset in the first US Open Cup matchup Tuesday night, going into Finley Stadium and winning 1-0.
Miami United nearly had the start they were looking for in the third minute, Jhon Pajoy picking the pocket clean of Robert Screen before centering to an unmarked Robertino Insua. Insua could pick any post he wanted, but instead fired central right into the waiting chest of Jon Burke. It wouldn’t take much longer before Miami United hit the front. Insua continued to be a nuisance for Chattanooga FC, winning a free kick in the 11th minute after Anatolie Prepelita blasted Insua 30 yards out, no advantage to be played. Jhon Pajoy from the free kick, and with Jon Burke looking directly into the sun, found the upper 90 far corner that swung towards the far post late, a perfect blast that made Jon Burke a mere spectator on his line as Miami United took a deserved lead twelve minutes in.
Miami United would get their third golden chance of the first half minutes from halftime. After another intercept ball in the midfield, a pass sprung Jhon Pajoy on the left parallel to the edge of the 18. Instead of trying to take on Anatolie Prepelita, Pajoy centered the ball to Alejo Melo Fernandez, who fired his shot into the side netting.
Chattanooga would finally get their first shot of the night three minutes into the second half, a Taylor Gray effort that was deflected out for a corner. While it never entirely went away, you could see Miami United’s discipline started to slip, Ethen Koren going down from Alejandro Callejas touch winning Chattanooga FC another dangerous free kick three minutes later, the training ground effort from Andres Jimenez Aranzazu failing to catch Miami United asleep.
Robertino Isnua would be booked in the 57th minute, an obvious professional foul to slow down Chattanooga FC to start a counter attack. After the initial 5-minute burst, the play from Chattanooga FC slowed down worse than the pace Chattanooga had in the first half. Miami United nearly took advantage of the narrow play from Chattanooga on the hour, Insua finding Pajoy unmarked down the left. Pajoy rushed the effort, the shot never threatening the target. It was at this point Ethan Koren was taken off for Mehdi Ouarmi and Alessandro Mazzetta would replace Alejo Melo Fernandez, both sides changing their attacking profile.
Miami United should have had an effort on goal in the 66th minute, a poor pass leading to a 2 v 1 situation. Pajoy trying to pass instead of firing on goal, the ball cleared on the counter. Minutes later, Joseph Perez found Mehdi Ouamri perfectly on the run beating Frank Fraggetti. Ouamri’s shot far post from 12 yards out only went inches wide. It was Chattanooga FC’s best effort of the night to that point, and a sign the change up top was working.
A Taylor Gray 1-2 with Alex McGrath was enough to win Chattanooga FC a corner kick in the 77th, the ball going right to Cristian Blanco, a foul for the contact ending the chance. Miami United’s time wasting was finally noticed by the referee here, who finally had to remind Miami United that the time was going to be added to the end of the match. Miami United’s response was to take out Robertino Insua and Jhon Pajoy for defenders Franco Acerbi and Matias Barraza. Chattanooga FC countered the changes with bringing on Jalen James and Jesus Ibarra, adding to the attacking options.
Those subs also brought one problem for Miami United, the inability to hold the ball. Whether tied legs or intentional, the drop in Miami United’s level was a jolt for Chattanooga FC. A Taylor Gray shot block by Sebastian Luzuriaga turned into a dangerous free kick 23 yards out down the left going when Luzuriaga went through Gray. McGrath’s ball in was headed to midfield, Anatolie Prepelita allowing Miami United to take more seconds off the clock for a poor tackle, earning a yellow in the process.
Chattanooga FC would have one late chance in the final minute of second half stoppage time from a throw from Joseph Perez, the ball forced out for a corner kick. McGrath’s effort would be for naught; however the second phase would leave a Taylor Gray wide open for a header that was sent wide of the far post, the full-time whistle blowing at that point.
Chattanooga FC were persona non-grata for 85 minutes of this match. In 98 minutes you could count on one hand the number of forward runs made by anyone from the midfield or attack. Most of their possession was passes along the backline, everyone stagnant in front of them. It was only the final 12 minutes, and the substitutions getting their footing, before Miami United looked like they could actually concede a goal. Even then the service on set pieces was horrible, a theme that was common the entire evening.
Make no mistake about it, Miami Untied deserved this victory. They set up in packs, weren’t afraid to challenge for the ball in the midfield, and in the entire ninety minutes only got caught out twice. Robertino Insua was all of the midfield and was my man of the match. Jhon Pajoy’s free kick was a goal worthy of any goal of the round mentions. Miami United kept their shape, and when Cristian Blanco was called upon (which was rare), he was strong to any task.
Chattanooga FC joining the MLS Next Pro is certainly neither augmenting their level of play nor their desire to play hard! Hah! So the first of many humiliations for MLS Next Pro sides in the US Open Cup??
Chattanooga FC is a team I like…