Soccer

Miami FC gets its first win in franchise history

By Santos A. Perez

Special to the Miami Herald
Miami FC midfielder Ariel Martinez, right, tries to get past FC Edmonton’s Nik Ledgerwood during Saturday night’s game at FIU Stadium. Martinez scored Miami FC’s only goal in the game to deliver the expansion franchise’s first victory.
Miami FC midfielder Ariel Martinez, right, tries to get past FC Edmonton’s Nik Ledgerwood during Saturday night’s game at FIU Stadium. Martinez scored Miami FC’s only goal in the game to deliver the expansion franchise’s first victory. Logan Riely lriely@miamiherald.com

The victory and scoring droughts are finally over for Miami FC.

After seven previous unsuccessful attempts, the expansion NASL club won its first game Saturday night. Ariel Martinez’s goal in the 66th minute gave Miami FC a 1-0 victory over FC Edmonton at FIU Stadium.

Martinez retrieved a loose ball, raced 15 yards and blasted a left-footed shot from the half circle that landed inside the left post. The goal also ended a team-scoring scarcity of 351 minutes that stretched through two losses and one draw.

Miami FC is now 1-3-4 with six points. Edmonton, which entered Saturday’s match second in the 11-team NASL table, fell to 4-2-3 with 14 points.

Martinez nearly broke Miami’s goal-scoring plague in the 58th minute when his uncontested shot from 18 yards was saved by Edmonton goalkeeper Matt VanOekel.

Miami had three scoring opportunities in the first half — all off free kicks. Dario Cvitanich’s free kick in the 26th minute eluded the Edmonton wall and needed VanOekel’s deflection before it landed under the crossbar.

This story was originally published May 28, 2016 at 10:41 PM with the headline "Miami FC gets its first win in franchise history."

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