Plantation FC Advance to UPSL D1 Finals with Win Over Atletico Madrid Miami
20.01.2022
Plantation FC blanked Atletico Madrid Miami 2-0 to reach the UPSL Southeast Conference - Florida South finals.
Pre-game
The matchup would be the second encounter between the two before this semifinals matchup. The last time they played, the result ended in a 1-1 tie back on December 19th. Both teams were pretty even during the regular season. Atletico finished in 2nd place, and Plantation finished 3rd, one point separating the two teams. Plantation scored more goals in the season with 45 (highest in the conference), but Atletico only allowed eight goals (conference-best). Atletico's form coming into the semifinals is L-T-W-T-W, with their latest win in the quarterfinals against ISA. For the boys in blue, they were on a roll going undefeated in their last five games, with only one tie to Atletico. They scored a total of 28 goals in those five games, including a 7-0 smashing of Florida Wolves in the quarterfinals.
Match recap
On Sunday evening in Broward college in Miami, Florida, PFC and Atletico were set to kick off. From the start, PFC is getting chances at goal, breaking through early with a goal in the 6'. The PFC striker gets a through pass of the left side and sends a low slicing cross to the box. ATL keeper blocks it but the ball pops up, scrambles between the ATL and PFC players and a ATL defender tries to clear the ball but ends up putting the ball in the net. The own goal gives PFC the lead. The winning team would continue to dominate the first half. Offensively they built the play out of the back, play long passes and lob/cross the ball into the box. Defensively they always go for stand tackles and turn over the ball most of the time in the midfield or final third. For the boys in red & white stripes, they also built the play from defense but they had trouble connecting passes to make plays. Their weak spot defensively was giving up space on the wings, struggling to keep up with PFC's pace and weren't physcially strong in contested duals for the ball. However their bright spot was their goalkeeper making great acrobatic saves to keep the game at arms reach. The still struggled trying to turn the game around like a cat and mouse chase but they had claim for a penalty in the 39'. A blocked ATL cross by a PFC defender appeared to have hit his hand during the clearance, but the ref said no call, and the corner kick followed. The half would end 1-0 in favor of PFC.
The second half would kick-off, and now ATL gets an evident claim on a penalty in the 47,' and the referee marks the spot for the Miami team to take. The player hits the ball down the middle, and the PFC keeper blocks it. PFC then transitions the ball out of danger to keep the lead. It would be the closest ATL had to get a goal, not getting to PFC's final third as often as the team in blue. The second half would be the same as the first, with PFC getting more chances at goal with long passes. However, both teams had good ideas to make plays, but both found themselves scrambling 50/50 balls from bad passes and constant interceptions. However, ATL's brightest moments were again their goalkeeper, making great saves in the 54' by blocking a short-range shot and in the 79' with a bunny hop save from a long-range shot. Unfortunately, ATL didn't break the tie, and PFC kept coming with waves of attacks. In stoppage time, PFC's #9 gets a through pass alone on the left-wing and drives the ball towards the left box. He passes it to a teammate covered by a defender and the keeper, and the teammate taps it in on the right side of the net for the insurance goal. 2-0 PFC. Shortly after, the game ends with the blue team taking the win.
| Stats | Atletico Madrid Miami | Plantation FC |
| Shots | 9 | 16 |
| On Target | 3 | 9 |
| Corners | 4 | 8 |
| Fouls | 5 | 13 |
| Offsides | 3 | 0 |
| Ball Possession % | 54 | 46 |
Post-match
For Atletico Madrid de Miami, their 1st UPSL season ends on that note. Plantation FC advanced to the UPSL D1 Southeast Conference - Florida South finals against Hialeah City. Hialeah City, in the semifinals, knocked out table leaders O'Shea's 3-1. However, on paper, Plantation FC looks like the better team. HC's recent form is L-W-L-W-W, including a 5-1 loss to the other finalist, Plantation FC. Hialeah City ended the season in 5th place with a 7-1-5 record, scoring 38 and allowing 26. The final will be next weekend.
Here is the stream to watch the match presented by our partners at Top Site Agency.
