Miami FC Host Rayo OKC in Week 4 of the NASL Season
Miami FC welcome Rayo OKC in week 4 of the 2016 NASL season as the Florida club comes off an unfortunate loss to Jacksonville Armada. Miami will be looking to win versus a Rayo OKC side that is returning to action following its bye week with Blake Smith and Dario Cvitanich leading the way for the club.
Soccer News: The Miami FC returns home to Ocean Bank Field at FIU Stadium, Friday, April 22 to take on fellow newcomers Rayo OKC at 8 p.m. Miami FC is looking to rebound from an unlucky loss to Jacksonville, while Rayo is coming off a bye week after falling to the league leading Carolina Railhawks.
Rayo OKC last played 13 days ago against Carolina as they look to not let the long period of rest disrupt its recent play. The matchup’s projected starters for Miami FC include notables Dario Cvitanich who was named to the NASL Team of the Week during week one as well as goalkeeper Mario Daniel Vega who was named to the week two NASL Team of the Week.
Players to Watch
There is a lot to be said about Dario Cvitanich and his current form for the Miami FC. Three matches into his NASL career he leads the league in goals and was named to the first NASL Team of the Week.
Cvitanich comes to the NASL after a strong career in Europe and Mexico. He had great success with French club, Nice. In 69 appearances Cvitanich netted 30 goals. In two stints with Liga MX side Pachuca, he scored 15 goals in 46 matches.
Through 220 minutes, Cvitanich has fired four shots, with three finding the back of the net. He is also completing his passes at a 78% clip, creating four scoring chances and has drawn eight fouls.
Blake Smith has been a work horse for the Miami FC this season, playing a true box-to-box game. Smith brings great speed and creativity down the left wing. He has completed 53 of 66 passes in 249 minutes of action. He has connected on 80% of his long balls, whipped in seven crosses and created two scoring chances. Smith has also taken three shots this season, with one needing saving.
On defense he has done a great job tracking back in support of the back line. Smith has won three tackles, 14 duels and collected three interceptions.
Smith, a University of New Mexico product, was selected eighth overall in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft by the Montreal Impact. Smith would go on to play in 16 matches as a rookie, along his current head coach Alessandro Nesta. Smith then spent time with Indy Eleven and Swiss side Yverdon Sport FC before landing in the Miami FC starting Xl.
Miami FC vs. Jacksonville Armada Match Overview
Miami FC was on the road last week for a match up with the Jacksonville Armada. In a blistering first half, Miami FC saw two goals nullified by the officials, while another shot found both posts. Cvitanich was able to put the Miami FC on the board, but the team would go into halftime down 2-1.
The second half was much more defensive but the Miami FC would create chances for an equalizer. Smith would come closest to pulling the two sides even as his first volley was saved and his second found the post. When it was all said and done the 2-1 score would hold with the Miami FC falling to the Armada.
2016 Miami FC Campaign
The Miami FC wasted no time establishing healthy rivalries with its Florida counterparts. The team’s first three matches of the spring season came against local opposition, in Fort Lauderdale, Tampa Bay and Jacksonville.
Miami FC kicked off its inaugural season on the road against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, playing to a 1-1 draw.
The team then hosted the Rowdies, earning a hard-fought draw in front of over 10,000 fans. The club closed out the Florida campaign with a trip to Jacksonville, falling to the Armada 2-1.
In addition, the Miami FC has concluded its roster with the final addition of midfielder Bryan Arguez ahead of Friday night’s match against Rayo OKC.
Arguez, 27, kicked off his career in 2005, he was a member of the U-17 U.S. National Team and later named to the U-20 squad where he made the roster for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt. After one final run with the U.S. National youth squads in 2008 and a brief stint with DC United of the MLS, Arguez transferred into the Bundesliga as a midfielder for Hertha BSC for two seasons and totaled 11 appearances for the German team. In 2010, Arguez returned back home to debut on the inaugural roster of Miami FC and in 2011 made his debut with the NASL for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers where he made 19 appearances and one goal. The next two years he spent time with the MLS side Montreal Impact, FC Edmonton, Minnesota United FC and the Carolina Railhawks of the NASL before returning back home in 2014 where he joined Miami Dade FC and FC Miami City Champions.
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Listen:
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Source/Photo Credit: Miami FC
