MIAMI (DA) — Jürgen Locadia and Eloy Room returned to club action after Curaçao’s World Cup participation as Miami FC played Birmingham Legion FC to a 1-1 draw Saturday at South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium.
Arney Rocha put Miami ahead in the 41st minute, finishing with a right-footed shot from the center of the box. Birmingham responded in the 78th minute, when Peter-Lee Vassell scored from a free kick to level the match.
Room started in goal for Miami and was tested throughout the night. He made an early save on Samuel Shashoua in the eighth minute, stopped Sebastian Tregarthen from distance in the 35th and denied Serge Ngoma in the 74th to help Miami protect its lead at the time.
Locadia led the line for Miami and stayed involved in the attack. He sent a header over the bar in the sixth minute, won a free kick in the attacking half in the 36th and helped set up Joel Soñora’s second-half chance in the 58th.
Locadia also had a shot blocked in the 62nd minute and forced a save from Birmingham goalkeeper Jassem Koleilat in the 75th before sending another effort wide in the 84th.
Miami had more of the ball for stretches and held the edge in duels, but Birmingham created pressure through set pieces and finished with the stronger corner count.
The result left Miami eighth in the Eastern Conference with 18 points from 15 matches. Birmingham remained 10th with 14 points from 15 matches.