BRANDON, FL -- Despite a dominant performance in the second half, Miami Kickers F.C. fell 2-1 in its season-opening match with Brandon FC.  The Kickers (0-1-0) surrendered two goals early in the first half, and went into the locker room trailing by two.  The reigning Sunshine Division champions cut into Brandon's lead in the 61st minute, when outside midfielder April Perry scored on a penalty kick.  Miami continued to apply pressure, controlling possession and outshooting Brandon 8-4 in the second half, but could not come up with the equalizer.

Brandon FC (1-0-0) opened the scoring in the 15th minute, when Olivia Bloemke was able to collect the rebound from a shot by teammate Noelle Pineiro and tapped it into the net.  Brandon struck again in the 19th minute, when Pineiro broke through the Miami back line and drove a shot home from the top of the 18.  That goal was assisted by Karina Gutsche.  Following the second goal, the Kickers tightened up on defense and did not allow Brandon another shot in the first half.

In the second half, the Kickers came out with intensity, putting pressure on the Brandon defenders early and often.  Perry, the 2009 Sunshine Division Most Valuable Player, was fouled hard in the box and put the penalty kick away to the keeper's left to cut the margin to one.  Perry continued to threaten throughout the second half, as did newcomers Brittany Bucknor and Jenn Martin, but Brandon goalkeeper Jessica Amlaw was able to make saves when it counted.

The Kickers kept the pressure on as time ran down, taking three corners in the final six minutes.  A well-struck ball from midfielder Natalie Bellini sailed just inches over the crossbar in stoppage time, moments before the final whistle blew.

While disappointed with his team's struggle to finish, Head Coach Marc Miceli saw some good things in the performance.  "Brandon was a more physical team, but I thought we had more technical skills," said the 2009 Sunshine Division Coach of the Year.  "We made two early mistakes that cost us two goals.  We were able to get one back, but weren't able to put one in the net after dominating, I thought, the majority of the second half.  The other team defended well enough to keep us to 2-1."

GAME NOTES: Miami Kickers F.C. will return to action on Friday, June 11, when it travels to Bonita Springs to take on the South Florida Strikers (0-2-0)...  The Kickers will face Brandon FC again in their home opener, June 19, at American Heritage Field in Plantation...  First-year goalkeeper Sarah Glass made two saves to turn in a clean sheet for 45 minutes of work in the second half...  Defender Amanda Detterline was cautioned in the 73rd minute.

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