March 9, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Miami FC News Release
Miami FC started the 2024 USL Championship season with an enormous victory after goals by Andrew Booth and Manuel Botta in Miami, FL Saturday night. The 2-0 victory also gave Antonio Nocerino his first win in his first ever match as a head coach in USL Championship.
The hosts did not have an easy start to the match as Colorado Springs put pressure on early and often. Miami was showcasing an almost entirely new starting XI with a refreshed roster, and it showed early on as the new group took time to develop rhythm in the match.
That pressure resulted in a near goal for the Switchbacks in the 8th minute as Jairo Henriquez rocked a shot off the post.
The pressure continued in the 11th minute with a chance at the near post Duke Lacroix, but Miami Goalkeeper Daniel Gagliardi was up to the challenge with a great save.
Miami finally got its first chance and began to develop some possession in the 14th minute and almost connected as Mattia Gagliardi found a good run up the left side and put in an excellent cross that just missed the oncoming Frank Lopez to keep things scoreless.
Colorado Springs created another chance with a tremendous volley by Jairo Henriquez in 15th minute, but the shot streamed wide of Gagliaridi’s net.
Miami finally began to create more possession just a minute later and it paid off in a big way in the 16th minute. Gagliardi and Allen Gavilanes started working their skill into the match and strung together a beautiful combo on left side. Gagliardi put the cross in that cleared right to the waiting foot of Andrew Booth who unloaded a rocket into the back of the net in the 16th minute.
But Colorado Springs would not go away easily, and after more possession from the visiting side, Maalique Foster raced in to fire off another shot but this time it again hit the post in the 23rd minute.
The remainder of the first half saw both side trade possession back and forth with Miami going into halftime up 1-0.
In the second half, Nocerino’s side started to find their rhythm and force their will on the visiting Switchbacks. More great combo play from Allen Gavilanes sprung Ben Mines through who rocketed shot from the right side in 54th minute that just missed the far post.
Miami would continue its aggressive style even further when substitutes Luisinho and David Mejia entered the match. The Brazilian Luisinho immediately showcased his incredible skill as soon as he came in at the 60th…