Missed scoring opportunities eventually caught up to Miami FC on Sunday night.
Meanwhile, a Carolina team with a limited offense converted on a late second-half goal and defeated Miami FC 1-0 at Tropical Park.
''We told the team at halftime that Carolina was a dangerous club,'' Miami coach Zinho said. ``The result tells the story. They didn't need much offense and still won.''
On the verge of being replaced with the match clock approaching 90 minutes, Carolina forward Daniel Antoniuk broke through the Miami defense, found an opening deep in the penalty area and got the match's only goal in the 87th minute.
ONE AND DONE
''Sometimes all you need is that one chance,'' Zinho said. ``It didn't matter we had the ball most of the time and had chances to score. How many times did they pressure us?
``If you don't remain organized the entire 90 minutes, this is what could happen. We had one breakdown, and it cost us.''
The loss spoiled the Miami debut of defender Avery John, a member of the Trinidad and Tobago team that reached the 2006 World Cup.
''I'm very disappointed,'' John said. ``I wanted the defense to get the shutout, but they capitalized with one shot.''
John, 32, joined the team late last week as Zinho continues to search for the combination that will lift the Blues (1-3-1) from their early season struggles.
''Injuries have hurt us. We have five players hurt,'' Zinho said. ``But we need our healthy players to become adjusted to each other.''
John's experience at the highest international level, in addition to a three-year stay with the New England Revolution, is counted on in Miami's attempt to recover from the slow start.
''Right now I am just trying to fit in,'' John said. ``It's a young team, and hopefully I can provide experience and leadership.''
A DEFENSIVE STRUGGLE
John's defensive presence helped Miami limit Carolina's scoring chances through the first 60 minutes Sunday. Miami defenders repeatedly deflected long passes and crossing shots, and goalkeeper Josh Saunders rarely touched the ball.
Picking up the trend they set in the first half, the Blues pressured the RailHawks early in the second half, but twice were denied goals when shots struck the crossbar and goal post.
Seven minutes into the second half, Alex Alfonso's header off Sean Cameron's centering pass bounced off the crossbar. Caue Da Mata penetrated deep into the Carolina penalty area and took a shot that hit the left post in the 56th minute.
Carolina (2-0-1) had its first scoring opportunity in the 62nd minute, when Stephen Curfman took the deflection of his free kick and blasted a shot that sailed a couple of feet wide of the left post.
Miami controlled play for most of the first half and had repeated runs at the goal, leading to several scoring opportunities. Walter Ramirez's free kick from just outside the penalty area sailed a couple of feet above the crossbar.
The Blues tested the RailHawks' back line again in the 41st minute, when goalkeeper Chris McClellan dove and deflected Alfonso's point-blank shot from 15 yards.
