Fraser ... played the entire second half for Miami.
MIAMI, Florida (CMC):
The new franchise Miami FC used a late second-half goal by Mario Rodriguez to beat Jamaica's reigning Caribbean Club champions Portmore United FC 1-0 in their exhibition football match at Tropical Park on Sunday afternoon.
Miami FC were without their biggest star, Brazilian legend Romario, who missed the team's inaugural exhibition game because of a calf injury, but the team's management considered the outing a huge success to launch the club.
A crowd of 4,152 sun-baked fans were there to see it, and they were treated to a festive atmosphere befitting a Brazilian-owned team.
The festivities began at 11:00 a.m. and kept going throughout the afternoon. As part of the opening ceremonies, the players of Miami FC walked on the field carrying a large American flag. The fans were cheering, drums were beating, and tons of confetti was shot into the air during the team's glorious entrance.
After a scoreless first half, Miami FC came out in the second half determined to give their fans an inaugural game victory.
In the 77th minute, Rodriguez gave the fans what they came for when he received a spectacular lofted pass - over the Portmore defence - at the top of the box from Zinho, and volleyed the ball past goalkeeper Shawn Sawyers for the game's deciding goal.
Jamaican Sean Fraser came on for Yaikel Perez as a 46th minute substitute.
Romario signed with the team two weeks ago and injured his left calf at practice Friday. He was returning to Brazil this week to clear up visa matters and work with his personal trainer and said he is "anxious to get on the field, score goals and bring happiness to the fans".
He is questionable for next Sunday's regular-season United Soccer Leagues (USL) home opener against the Montreal Impact.
TEAMS:
PORTMORE FC - Shawn Sawyers, Anthony Modeste, Adrian Reid, Tyrone Sawyers, Ryan Powell, Jason Morrison, Bryan Bayliss (Ricardo Cousins 71), Mario Swaby (Kemeel Wolfe 54), Rafe Wolfe (Anthony Bennett 54), Steven Morrissey (Orane Miller 84), Kevin Deerr.
MIAMI FC - Chris Doyle, Allen Handy, Mike Erush J.P. Rodrigues Tre Lee (Oscar Gil 62), Walter Ramirez (Jamil Jean-Jacques 71), Mike Adeyemi (Fabian Sandoval 68), John Pulido (Pedro Power 90), Zinho, Mario Rodriguez (Luc Harrington 90), Yaikel Perez (Sean Fraser 46).
