MIAMI (DA) — Jürgen Locadia scored a second-half equalizer, but Marco Micaletto struck from more than 35 yards four minutes later to give the Tampa Bay Rowdies a 3-2 victory over Miami FC on Saturday night at South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium.
Miami trailed 2-0 after 12 minutes following goals from Russell Cicerone and MD Myers. Cicerone opened the scoring in the 10th minute off an assist from Myers, who then doubled the Rowdies’ advantage on a fast break two minutes later.
Arney Rocha pulled Miami within a goal by converting a penalty in first-half stoppage time after Gerald Díaz was fouled inside the area. Tampa Bay was reduced to 10 players moments later when Isaiah LeFlore received his second yellow card.
Locadia entered in the 62nd minute and brought Miami level in the 76th, finishing Mathieu Ndongo’s pass from close range. It was the Curaçao international’s sixth goal of the season.
The match turned again in the 80th minute. Micaletto, who had entered as a substitute five minutes earlier, scored from long range following a Tampa Bay counterattack to restore the visitors’ lead.
Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room kept Miami within striking distance with second-half saves against Sebastian Cruz and Myers, but the hosts could not produce another equalizer during 10 minutes of stoppage time.
Tampa Bay remained atop the Eastern Conference with 35 points from 17 matches. Miami suffered its second consecutive defeat and sits seventh with 21 points after 18 matches.