Boca Raton FC took on a familiar foe, Miami United on Wednesday night at Ted Hendricks Stadium in Hialeah. This was the third meeting between the two clubs since April 30 in a third different competition. This match was an APSL Regular Season game, the previous two matches were in the NPSL Sunshine Conference and the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Head Coach Athirson sprung a lineup surprise this evening playing reserve Goalkeeper Matheus Norder as a striker.
Norder was never far from the action creating several dangerous half chances for Boca Raton in the first half with well-times and dangerous runs. The score however at halftime was deadlocked o-o thanks to a missed penalty for Miami United which was awarded after a foul in the area on Felipe Ferreira.
In the second 45, Miami United won a penalty after a handball in the area and converted the spot kick. Minutes later Gabriel Bravo was sent off for Boca Raton reducing the team to ten men while chasing the match down 1-0. Athirson inserted Christopher Pereira into the match and minutes later the BRFC attacker converted an opportunity. The equalizer came just seconds after Norder had almost finished a spectacular attacking move sending the ball just wide of the far post. On both moves Ferreira played outstanding long balls from his central defensive position to stimulate a Boca Raton attack despite being down a man.
With the match still level in minute 71, Norder beat an offside trap and was one-on-one with the Miami United keeper who made a spectacular save. Boca Raton continued to press high up the pitch and Miami United had a man sent off for a late challenge in Minute 78 leveling the match at ten vs ten for the last 12 minutes and second half stoppage time. In this period Lorenzo Cava asserted his control of the match with creative midfield play, and box-to-box ball-holding skills that transformed the Boca Raton attack.
As the end of the ninety minutes approached David Adejunmobi lept in the air on a corner kick and finished Boca Raton’s comeback. With the 2-1 victory Boca Raton now is virtually assured a spot in the APSL Playoffs. The team resumes NPSL Sunshine Conference play on Saturday against the Miami Fusion in Aventura. Kickoff time is set for 5:00 pm.
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