Miami FC returns home, hopes for first win vs. Rayo OKC

Miami FC is back at FIU Stadium Friday night for its second home game of the season, and hoping to find the same spirited crowd of over 10,000 fans the team drew for their inaugural game two weeks ago.

Miami plays fellow expansion club Rayo OKC (Oklahoma City), which borrowed the first part of its name, Rayo (lightning in Spanish), from La Liga team Rayo Vallecano, which shares a majority owner with OKC.

That also may explain why there are a few Spaniards on the team, along with players from Brazil, Honduras, Greece, Colombia, Ghana, Canada, Jamaica, Japan, and Gambia.

Rayo OKC hasn’t played in 13 days, which could mean players will be well-rested, or they could be a bit rusty compared with the Miami team, which played in Jacksonville last week.

Miami is still seeking its first win in franchise history after opening with back-to-back ties and then settling for a 2-1 loss on the road to the Jacksonville Armada. In that game, two Miami goals were nullified by officials.

Argentine forward Dario Cvitonich has scored in all three matches for Miami, the only player in the NASL who can say that. He has taken four total shots, and scored on three of them. Another player to watch is left wing Blake Smith, who has been extremely active on both ends of the ball.

Note: Fans are asked to bring donations for victims of the earthquake in Ecuador. Among the items they need are non-perishable food, water, clothes, tents, mattresses, First Aid kits, baby food, diapers, flashlights, personal care products.

This story was originally published April 21, 2016 at 8:22 PM with the headline "Miami FC returns home, hopes for first win vs. Rayo OKC."