MIAMI (DA) — Jürgen Locadia scored and Eloy Room kept a clean sheet for the second consecutive match since returning from World Cup duty with Curaçao as Miami FC defeated Indy Eleven 2-0 on Wednesday night at Pitbull Stadium.
Rodrigo da Costa opened the scoring in the 44th minute before Locadia doubled Miami’s lead in the 76th. Room made four saves as Miami earned its first USL Championship victory since May 23 and ended a four-game league winless streak.
Clear opportunities were limited in the first half, although Riyon Tori prevented Indy from taking the lead by clearing Bruno Rendón’s effort off the line.
Miami struck shortly before halftime when Joel Soñora found da Costa moving into the center of the penalty area. Da Costa placed a low, left-footed finish into the bottom-left corner.
Room protected the lead after the break, denying Loïc Mesanvi in the 49th minute and Rendón eight minutes later.
Locadia put the match beyond Indy with 14 minutes remaining. Alessandro Milesi released the Curaçao striker into the right channel, where Locadia cut back past a defender and curled a left-footed finish into the far corner.
It was Locadia’s first league goal since Miami’s May 23 victory over Louisville City.
Room completed the shutout by saving Kian Williams’ shot from outside the penalty area in the 90th minute. The victory moved Miami into the top half of the Eastern Conference standings.