Miami FC continues dominance after 4-0 victory over Jacksonville Armada

Miami FC goalie Daniel Vega gets into position as the New York Cosmos push the ball up the field.

By Alex Toledo/Staff Writer

 

With yet another W, this time, beating the Jacksonville Armada 4-nil, the Miami

FC are beaming and have won 12 consecutive matches. The team is safely in first place

in the NASL at 8-3-1, seven points ahead of the New York Cosmos and San Francisco

Deltas.

After beating the MLS’ Orlando City Thursday night in Orlando, the pressure was

on Miami FC to continue their dominance. Once again, they showed that what they’ve

been doing isn’t a fluke, destroying the Jacksonville Armada 4-0 on a crowded Saturday night.

“We’re calm. We’re not looking around us, we’re looking amongst ourselves and

we’re looking at what we have to do day-to-day,” said Ariel Martinez, speaking on the

outside teams trying to catch up to Miami FC.

Miami came out firing and in control of the ball, attempting three shots before

Vincenzo Rennella lost the ball in the box and Stefano Pinho recovered, scoring at the

15 minute mark. 13 minutes later, Rennella scored the team’s second goal in the first

half hour of the game off a Dylan Mares lead pass.

The team responded to the home crowd’s intense atmosphere, relentlessly

attacking the Armada on both ends of the floor for most of the night, with 13 total

attempts at the goal. The team capitalized by scoring their final two goals in six quick

minutes. The crowd erupted after Rennella scored in the 79th minute and Ariel

Martinez followed it up with a score in the 85th minute.

Despite keeping the ball in their field for the start of the second half, Jacksonville

could not take advantage and execute because of Miami FC’s pestering defense,

leading to less possession time and three yellow cards for the Armada.

“We’re very happy. We’ve been working hard and this is what we want– to be

strong in this league and have a name,” said Ariel Martinez. “Remember last year when

everyone said, ‘When is Miami going to win?’ Well, here we are winning matches and

getting whatever we want.”

Up next, Miami FC faces off against the New York Cosmos on Saturday night

before taking on the MLS’ Atlanta United FC the following Wednesday in the 5th round

of the US Open Cup.

“Beating a team like Atlanta is very important for the owner, for the players, for

me and for the city,” said Head Coach Alessandro Nesta.

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