RIFC got another big 3 points tonight, taking down Miami FC 1-0 in the 305. Before getting into my main takeaways, I have to touch on the viewing experience for this one. Miami FC normally play at FIU’s football stadium but instead this one was played at the soccer field. You would think that would make for a better experience but the field conditions didn’t look too great. The best part though was the broadcast camera shooting from a lower angle. It was jarring when the game first started, but eventually I got used to it. With that out of the way though, here are my actual takeaways from the big win:
Availability
Amos Shapiro-Thompson and Maxi Rodriguez joined Rio Hope-Gund and Aime Mabika (red card suspension) on the availability report ahead of this one. Amos wasn’t too surprising as he limped off in the 2nd half last time out against Indy Eleven. Maxi on the other hand was an unexpected addition. With both players out, Khano chose to start Ybarra, Herivaux, and Brito in the midfield with Clay starting in his usual position on the right. I said this last week but I still don’t understand why Frank Nodarse hasn’t taken up that RWB spot in order to move Clay back to the midfield. Even with Mabika unavailable for this one, there is enough depth to play Hugo, Yao and Stoneman as the back 3. It isn’t that Clay hasn’t done well on the right. It’s just that despite RIFC’s midfield depth, the midfield 3 hasn’t played well enough and really could use Clay in there. Clay did eventually move there when Khano made his first substitution in the 69th minute, bringing Atkinson and Dikwa on for Brito and Herivaux. I thought he looked good there but I really want to see it from the start. It’s becoming increasingly clear that it won’t happen though
A Goal is a Goal 🤷♂️
A goal is always a goal no matter what. It doesn’t matter how you get it. This is especially the case for a team like RIFC that has struggled to score all year. Last weekend it was an own goal and tonight it was a penalty. JJ Williams used his power and pace to carry the ball forward into the box and was taken down when he attempted to cut back. The ref pointed to the spot and here’s what happened next:
To be honest, I wasn’t even that excited when I saw we earned a penalty. Such is the lack of confidence I have in this team from the spot, especially without Maxi. It was a bit surprising to see Jojea taking it but credit to him. It was pretty well taken and I couldn’t help but think that I would’ve liked to see him take one in the Jagermeister Cup semifinal were he available (he was away on international duty). In the end, this goal was the difference in RIFC’s win tonight. And I’ll take it
Result over Performance
We’re at the business end of the season now. The only thing that matters is the result. I’ve been spending the past few months hoping that RIFC would start to put forth better overall performances. What I really mean is, creating chances and getting goals. I even predicted a 3-1 win for RIFC tonight. That turned out to be wishful thinking, but I thought the team would be able to create some chances against a poor Miami FC side. That never materialized but I can’t be too upset about the end result. RIFC got the 3 points they needed. I thought they looked good defensively yet again, although Miami didn’t offer too much going forward. And offensively, RIFC did create a few chances and probably should have been 1-0 up at halftime. Regardless, a win is a win.
The 3 points puts RIFC temporarily 4 points ahead of Indy Eleven who are just behind in 9th. And RIFC are also 1 point behind the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in 7th. This will obviously change over the next two days, with Pittsburgh playing at Hartford on Saturday and Indy Eleven hosting Birmingham Legion on Sunday. But all RIFC can do now is focus on their games and keeping their fate in their own hands by continuing to get wins
Up Next
We’ll have the Postmatch Pod at the usual time, 8:30 pm Sunday night. Timmy will also have his Player Ratings and I don’t envy him for having to do them for this one. In real time, it was hard for me to notice anyone really sticking out. I’ll be back here Thursday with the Prematch Lookout to preview RIFC’s next game in El Paso. As always, we appreciate everyone who checks out any of our content and hope to see you in the chat Sunday night and in the comment section of these blogs. Until next time, UP THE TIDE!
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