For the third time this week, Rochester is set to play this time looking to properly kick off their home league schedule against Inter Miami II. Rochester comes this game in eight place in the Eastern Conference with 5 points, while Miami II comes in just one point out of the playoff spot with 10, it is worth noting that Rochester has two games in hand on Miami II. The game kicks off at 6pm EST at John L. DiMarco Field on MCC's Brighton Campus.
Inter Miami II's Form: With only three points in there past four matches, Miami II is starting to slide down the table in recent weeks. They last played a week ago losing 2-1 to second place Philadelphia Union II.
Rochester NY FC's Form: Rochester is fresh off a Wednesday night 3-1 loss to defending MLS champion NYC FC in the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup. Just a few days before, Rochester picked up its first league win of the year in a thrilling 2-1 win over FC Cincinnati 2.
Players to Watch:
Miami II Player to Watch: Goalkeeper Andre Zuluaga-Silva:
While some may point to Romeo Beckham due to the name on the back of the jersey and his solid playmaking this season, the Inter Miami II player to watch has to be the man between the posts. Starting the last three matches for Miami II, Zuluaga-Silva has conceded only three goals, with a 81.3% save percentage, in contrast the other keeper for Miami II this year, Carlos Joaquim Antunes dos Santos has conceded 10 in three matches, with a 52.4% save percentage
Rochester New York FC Player to Watch: Winger Jesus Batiz:
Batiz has hit the ground running this week, scoring a goal again NYC FC on Wednesday, and assisting on the eventual game-winner on Sunday. Batiz looks to string together another complete performance this week, as fellow right side threat Milan Vanacker will most likely miss some time do to a knee injury. Also, Rochester's attacking options may be further limited due to Will Inalien's injury that has caused him to miss the past two games.
Prediction: Rochester NY FC 2: Inter Miami II 2: (PKs 4-3 Rochester Win).
Rochester comes into this matchup with tired legs, and done a few men, with Will Inalien, Milan Vanacker, and even third-choice keeper Matheus Franca who is reportedly out with a hand injury. The good news is that Paulo Soares made his debut on Wednesday, after working his way back from injury. With that being said, Rochester should be riding high after their first win, and be looking to ignite the crowd, it what will be a wild and rowdy crowd at John L. DiMarco Field. Look for Rochester to keep this one close, and if it does go to PKs, Caique has returned from suspension and should look to further cement his status as the premier pk stopper in the league!
Projected Line Up
(Line up based on rumored injuries)
You may have missed: Some fans might have missed the new away jerseys quitely revealed on Wednesday.
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