March 30, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Miami FC News Release
Miami, FL – Miami FC gave up its second loss of the season to the Charleston Battery after a late, controversial goal in Miami on Saturday night.
Miami FC pressed high on the visiting Battery from the start of the whistle, but the 2023 USL Championship Finalists avoided the early pressure in the early minutes.
Miami however, would not relent and their early pressure put the home side ahead off a goal by Allen Gavilanes. The forward continued his hot start for his third goal in two matches. Genzano continued to also impress with his playmaking and sent a great pass through the defenders to a sprinting Gavilanes in the 9th minute. Gavilanes took one touch around the Battery keeper and put the ball in the net to put the hosts up 1-0.
Unfortunately for a young Miami squad, their set piece defending woes from their draw against Orange County SC revealed itself again in the 10th minute.
Charleston with a free kick off a foul quickly played a ball in to the box as Miami was still trying to organize itself and Nicholas Markanich put in the header off a free kick in the 10th minute. All of a sudden for Miami the early momentum subsided without much action for either time until the 32nd minute.
After the two early goals both teams settled into the play more. The next big chance came for Charleston in the 32nd minute as the Miami defense cleared a dangerous chance by Dos Santos. Miami immediately then got on the break with Mitrano a playing beautiful switch to Gavilanes who tried a long shot with his trusted left foot but the Charleston keeper was up to the challenge with a diving save at his near post.
The next serious test for Miami goalkeeper, Gagliardi came in the 40th minute as Charleston’s Diego Gutierrez put a shot to the near post but Gagliardi made a great save to keep things level.
The drama from the 1st half continued in stoppage time before half as Charleston’s corner appeared dangerously headed toward the far post, but Gagliardi made a sprawling save to knock the ball out to send both teams into halftime with a goal each.
The second half seemed to be one where both sides appeared to be heading to share the points as neither side threatened the opponents final third. That assumption changed quickly in the 76th minute.
After maintaining some possession, Miami broke out to the right side as Gavilanes found a sprinting Luisinho on a breakaway. The Brazilian substitute quickly reached the…