Boca Raton FC returns to NPSL action on Saturday with a trip to Aventura’s, Ives Estates Park to play conference leader Miami Fusion FC. Kickoff is scheduled for 5: 00 pm ET. The match up is critical for both sides. The Fusion are coming off back-to-back wins over Beaches FC and Boca Raton beat Miami United in APSL play on Wednesday night. The winner of each conference advances to the NPSL national playoff tournament.
The Fusion are currently two points clear atop the Conference with Miami United and Jacksonville Armada U-23 the closest chasers. Boca Raton sits 9 points back but have a match in hand as well as two remaining meetings with the Fusion.
Details:
Miami Fusion vs Boca Raton FC
Saturday June 16, 2017
5:00 pm ET
Ives Estates Park, Aventura
Series History (W-D-L): Miami Fusion lead 1-0-0
Most recent meeting: Miami 2-1 (AET) Boca Raton, 2016 US Open Cup
NPSL team records (W-D-L):
Boca Raton 2-0-3, 6 points 5 GF 7 GA -2 GD
Miami 5-0-1, 15 points 16 GF, 7 GA 9 GD
Leading Scorers (NPSL only) :
Miami: Victor Cardoso (5)
Boca Raton: Shadi Harb (2)
TV/Streaming: Sportsmesh
NPSL Sunshine Conference Table:
| Team | GP | W | D | L | Pts | GF | GA | GD |
| Miami Fusion FC | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 16 | 7 | 9 |
| Miami United FC | 6 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 8 | 10 | -2 |
| Jacksonville Armada U-23 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 12 | 6 | 6 |
| Kraze United | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 2 |
| Boca Raton FC | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 7 | -2 |
| Beaches FC | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 7 | -4 |
| Naples United FC | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 10 | -9 |
Last NPSL match for Boca Raton (L 0-4 at Jacksonville):
Jacksonville Armada FC U-23 recorded a 4-0 win over Boca Raton FC Saturday night at Patton Park. In a game largely controlled by the home team, Boca Raton hung around until the dying minutes when a Ciaran McKenna brace, the second scored a floating finish of world-class quality sunk the hopes of the visitors.
The Armada U-23 team allowed Boca Raton to dictate tempo in the midfield for the first ten minutes of the match, but then gradually began assuming control. By minute 30, Jacksonville had created multiple scoring opportunities from open play and set pieces that had been created by smart, direct play from midfield. Still the visitors held firm with some excellent last-ditch defending as well as saves from Goalkeeper Leo Tavares. Boca Raton’s best scoring chance of the first half came in minute 34 when Shadi Harb beat two Jacksonville defenders and delivered a diagonal ball into the area which was not met by a teammate.
After what seemed like countless opportunities, Ehjayson Henry finally finished an opportunity for Jacksonville in Minute 40 when Tavares came off his line and was beat by Audrey Rosales who calmly played Henry in for an easy finish. The goal was a long time in coming and opened up the floodgates for Jacksonville who scored three times in the second half, including McKenna’s brace to run out 4-0 winners.
Particularly influential in the match was the Armada’s 18-year old star midfielder Chaim Roserie who was in the middle of most of Jacksonville’s attacking moves for the night.
Last APSL match for Boca Raton (W 2-1 at Miami United):
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.
Last NPSL match for Miami Fusion (W 2-0 at Beaches FC):
After a two hour plus weather delay the Miami Fusion continued it’s strong run with a 2-0 win at Beaches FC in Stuart on Thursday night. Victor Cardoso and David Ochoa recorded goals in the victory for the Fusion. Cardoso has now scored in five straight appearances and Ochoa in three matches in a row. The win put the Fusion two points clear at the top of the NPSL Sunshine Conference table. Beaches FC created several chances particularly in the first half but in the end Miami’s superior midfield and cutting edge play in the final third won out.
Leave a Reply