MIAMI, Fla. – For the fifth time in as many tries against Miami this season, the Armada lost and failed to score a goal, losing 1-0 in South Florida.
Miami, the best team in the NASL this season, took the win thanks to a league-leading 13th goal of the season by Stefano Pinho, who headed in a Jaime Chavez cross in the 21st minute for the game's only score.
While Miami looked in control much of the game, the Armada had chances. Tony Taylor elevated a shot from inside the penalty area in the opening minutes of the match. Ciaran Killduff nearly put one in in the second half on a ball that pinged around the area.
Miami also had some unrealized chances. Richie Ryan's free kick went through the wall, only to carom off the far post and right into the waiting arms of a stunned Armada goalkeeper, Caleb Patterson-Sewell. Chavez, who entered the game having scored in six straight matches, nearly scored in stoppage time, but his chip of Patterson-Sewell on a breakaway went wide.
The Armada now find themselves in fifth place in the combined table, two points back of the New York Cosmos, with nine matches left to play in the regular season. The Armada would likely have to end the season in the top four to make the NASL Championship semifinals. Next for the Armada is a trip to Canada to face FC Edmonton Friday night.