Miami FC defeats Ottawa Fury 2-1, honors Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez

Alex Toledo // Contributing Writer

Miami FC, which finished its spring 2016 season in last place, is now ranked second in standings for fall 2016 after defeating Ottawa Fury 2-1.

Before the match began, Miami FC midfielder Ariel Pedro Martinez, took a hat and jersey with the No. 16 on it and laid it on the field in honor of Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez who died in a boat crash. Both teams also came together for a moment of silence.

In the first half, both teams struggled to advance up the field. After two missed shots by Ottawa, Miami FC midfielder Michael Lahoud, (fifth on the team in total passes), broke the ice when he scored the first goal of the game at 34:05, and his first goal of the season. At 43:31, forward Giuseppe Gentile of the Fury tied the game up at 1-1 with his goal.

After a couple missed shots from each team, officials added five minutes of stoppage time. Both teams went back and forth, struggling to gain any leverage on the other. Miami FC forward Vincenzo Rennella, on his second shot attempt of the game, scored what would be the game-winning goal at 94:07.

After the game, when asked what he thought about playing in another state in a potential playoff matchup, Coach Alessandro Nesta said “no, we want to play here. This stadium is beautiful.”

“It’s a big win. I didn’t realize how big of a game it was until I found out we were sitting second in the Fall,” Lahoud said. “It’s a great feeling, you know? Alessandro told us before the game how big of a game it was. You could just feel that it was a big game atmosphere.”

Rennella was also quite pleased with the results after the game.

“There are only six games left, and we know they are all going to be difficult games, but we have a nice game next against Tampa Bay,” he said. “I feel like the team really feels like we can do something in the league this year. It is going to be complicated, but we’re going to try it.”

Miami FC is getting closer to playoffs, standing at 8-4-4, with 28 total points. The team is trailing the New York Cosmos, who stand at 10-4-3 with 34 total points.

To get into the four-team playoffs, Miami FC would either need to beat out the Cosmos for first place of the fall season or get into fourth place of the spring and fall combined season standings.

Currently, Miami FC trails fourth place in the combined season standings by one total point to Minnesota United FC, and is tied in points with the fifth-place Tampa Bay Rowdies, but trail by one goal, which puts Miami FC at sixth place in the combined season standings.

Miami FC will play against Rayo OKC on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 8 p.m. at the FIU Stadium.

Photo credit: Orovio Photography/Miami FC

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