Miami F.C. finally shook the Open Cup monkey off their back, earning their first win in three tries with a 4-2 victory over the PDL’s Bradenton Academics. They were not only trying to avoid their third straight Open Cup loss, but their third loss to an amateur club. In 2006, they famously were beaten by Dallas Roma F.C. of the USASA and last year the PDL’s El Paso Patriots eliminated them in a penalty kick shootout.
Zak Boggs started the scoring for Bradenton with a goal in the 18th minute, which was answered by Miami’s Sean Cameron just seven minutes later. After the break, an own goal by Eddie Gutierrez put the PDL club back on top. Leo Inacio drew Miami level again in the 58th minute, and the Blues never looked back.
Even after Miami was reduced to 10 men with Cristiano Dias’ red card in the 69th minute, Miami had control of the match. Alex Afonso scored the final two goals to send Miami to a Second Round meeting with fellow First Division side, the Atlanta Silverbacks.