For the first time in their history after only being inaugurated this past season, Florida Badgers FC clinched qualification to the U.S. Lamar Hunt Open Cup in dramatic fashion. Defeating favorites Miami United FC 5-3 in the closing minutes of extra time during a goal-filled evening at Lauderhill Park. “Johnny” Castide turned into the hero bagging a tremendous hatrick full of wonder, skill, and a little luck. The game was a rollercoaster from start to finish as many travelling supporters of the Badgers were fervently cheering on the team.
The game began quite physically as both teams searched to control the tempo of the game. Miami United quickly opened the scoring thanks to their forward man Alejo Fernandez. Whose towering header left Badger centerbacks helpless after a magisterial cross from Miami full back Josduar Serrano who found enough open space to whip in a cross to Fernandez gave Miami an early lead in the sixth minute.
Despite the early lead, FC Badger’s dominated throughout the first half as their high line pressure barely left Miami any breathing room to retain possession for long periods of time. The high line pressure proved too effective as captain and star of “El Equipo Del Pueblo”, Robertino Insua was barely able to have any influence over the game during the first half.
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Florida Badgers forwards Dave Junior Altidore and Schimiliguen “Johnny” Castin were consistently deadly on the counters leaving Miami defenders dazed constantly. The debutant side would be rewarded for their efforts in the 24th minute. After an unusual Robertino Insua dispossession in midfield led to forward Roodolf Jean silking a fine through ball after excellent movement in between three defenders finding Altidore who made no mistake in slotting home past the keeper to tie up the game for his second goal of the campaign.
For the rest of the half, the game continued in similar fashion as the Badgers pushed to grab the lead failing to capitalize on a few chances. The Badgers could have gone into halftime with a lead when Altidore was left one on one against the keeper after a miscommunication in Miami’s defense, but keeper Nicolas Rivera was quick to react against the forward, parrying the ball at point blank speed.
The second half began the same way as the first half with the Badgers still pushing for a lead. Their efforts would pay off once again. Electric full back Don Dave sent in a cross that was headed away from Miami Defenders only for Castin to pounce quickly and skilfully dummied past his marker and scored past Rivera in the 65th minute. Leaving the Miami bench stunned as their run for the first time in four consecutive years in qualification, looked to be coming to an early end and missing out on a major tournament.
While the Badgers continued to be dangerous in possession, Miami always looked like they were ready to ride the initial storm and be ready to capitalize on any mistakes the Badgers might make. Emotions were high, every ball was fought to the end and Miami embraced this role. Coach Jerome Joseph of the Badgers continued to shout orders to his players to keep calm and not let emotions rise.
Despite this, in the 77th minute Miami showed why you can never count them out early, Serrano tried whipping a cross in similar fashion he did for their first goal but instead was met by a hand ball by a Badger defender, where the referee made no mistake in ruling a penalty in favor of United. Captain Robertino Insua stepped up to the occasion after a quiet night, calmly slotting home the penalty down the bottom left corner that tied the game up 2-2.
From then on the Badgers lost all momentum, the penalty clearly affected the players as Miami United who are experienced in these moments know when to deliver even in difficult situations.
The pendulum shifted and Miami had control for the remaining 15 minutes, Insua tried doing a cheeky tiki taka with substitute Teo Candido who had his shot saved at the near post by Barhemly Marc who was solid throughout the whole night behind goal.
As the game continued to get physical and Miami looked ever-growing, the referee blew the whistle for full time. Once again Miami United would have to go into extra time in qualification.
Miami would not have to wait long, as only two minutes into the first half of extra time center back Peterson Revange skilfully dispossessed Castin and sent a high ball to winger Sony Norde on the counter attack that cut in. Norde sent a diagonal pass to substitute Teo Candido who cut in as well and sent a rocket flying into the top right corner leaving Badgers keeper Marc helpless giving Miami a 3-2 lead. At this point, the Badgers looked battered as their momentum kept crashing and the team struggled to be potent on the offensive.
They needed a hero of individual brilliance and that is exactly what they got from Castin.
Minutes later an inspired Castin sent in a low cross after Miami defenders struggled to contain him in the penalty box. Despite initially looking as if the danger was averted, the rebound was left to fullback Don Dave who answered with another volley of his own past Rivera that tied the game 3-3.
While it seemed like everything was pointing to a penalty shootout an inspired Castin and co wanted to finish this in normal time. In the final five minutes Castin had an individual skill of brilliance by sending a deflected chip past Rivera and three Miami defenders to make it 4-3.
Seconds later he converted another penalty after a foul committed by Insua who had a night to forget and was sent off. Castin had his penalty initially saved by Rivera but was able to get the rebound completing a heroic hat trick for his team, ending the game 5-3. In a game where it could have gone any way for either team Castin was just unstoppable and proved to be the decider in the end.
As the Referee blew the final whistle crowds in support of the Badgers, which consisted of friends and families, rejoiced and jumped on the field to celebrate with the players as did the coaches and staff as they sang and chanted gleefully on a historic night.
Following the match, Castin gave his thoughts and aspirations for the Florida Badgers going forward following their qualification into the tournament, “We want to make it as far as we can, work hard, it’s all about working hard, but also, you we know we don’t only play soccer, we are also working, so we at least see the Haitian community trying to do something, we are just expecting to make it as far as we can.”
The Florida Badgers set their sights on the US Open Cup 2026 as they look back on a memorable year while Miami United are bowing out early for the first time in four years from qualification. An incredible story of resilience against all odds and most of all an early upset in the tournament.
