Afonso scores twice, leading Miami
in a 2-0 Memorial Day win in Portland
Miami, May 26, 2008 – Memorial Day ended in a high note for Miami FC as the team earned a much needed 3 points defeating the Portland Timbers 2-0 in PGE Park. The two teams last met on Sunday, May 18, at Tropical Park Stadium, in a game that ended in a 0-0 draw. This time however, the story was very different.
Miami FC, hungry for their second victory of the season, came out strong and only in the second minute of the game had their first chance to score when forward Alex Afonso unleashed a potent 22-yard rocket from right, outside the box, but the shot went wide.
Four minutes later was Portland’s turn to miss, when Takayuki Suzuki took a free kick from about 35 yards out, the ball then found its way to former Miami FC midfielder Miguel Guante who turned and fired, but the shot was saved by Josh Saunders.
In the 15th minute, an excellent free-kick opportunity presented itself for Miami from about 25 yards out; Eric Vasquez and Walter Ramirez flanked the ball, Ramirez taking the shot, but it was far from its target.
But it was at the 40th minute that the game got really interesting. Sean Fraser broke away and was hacked down by Shaun Higgins inside Portland’s box. After 3 minutes of a lot of complaining with the referee by the Timber’s players and a yellow card issued to Suzuki, Alex Alfonso converted from the penalty spot just before half giving the Blues a 1-0 lead at halftime in a physical first half of the match.
Not even one minute later another yellow card was issued to Takayuki Suzuki forcing the Timbers to play a man down the remainder of the match. Ten minutes before the PK was called, Timber’s head coach Gavin Wilkinson was also ejected.
The second half started as if Portland was the team playing one man up. Their attack was very aggressive, but in a disorganized way. In the 60th minute, the Timbers finally had their first good chance of the second half when Miguel Guante headed the ball inside Miami FC’s box and almost scored, but the ball went over the post.
It was in the 65th minute that Portland had their greatest opportunity of the match when Benjamin Totori was free inside Miami FC’s box and kicked the ball hard for a huge save by Josh Saunders, who played a brilliant game.
That play appeared to wake Miami up and in the 68th minute, Alex Afonso, from outside the box kicked a soft ball. What appeared to be an easy ball, ended up in the net as goalie Ray Burse did not stop it.
Miami would have still two other incredible chances to score, but both free Sean Cameron and Juan Pablo Galavis, who came in for Sean Fraser, missed from inside Portland’s box, with easy kicks defended by Burse.
Miami FC's next home game at Tropical Park is June 1st ("Student Summer Vacation Day"); tickets for students with ID are only $3, at 6:00 PM as they host the Seattle Sounders. Season tickets are currently on sale by visiting
Miami FC - USL Professional Soccer or by calling 305-728-2612. Single game tickets are available through Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-866-57-MIAMI. Watch all games live on USL Live!