MIAMI – Miami FC earned its first victory in the USL Championship on Sunday night as a late free kick by Tomas Granitto proved the game-winner in a 2-1 win against the Charlotte Independence at Ricardo Silva Stadium.

The game appeared set to end with honors even as time began to wind down, but then Miami was awarded a free kick 35 yards from goal with four minutes remaining. The El Salvador international went for a long-range blast, and caught a nice slice of fortune as the ball deflected off a player in the Independence’s defensive wall and redirected into the left corner of the net with Charlotte goalkeeper Brandon Miller caught out by the carom.

The Independence had one late chance to equalize as the ball fell to Tresor Mbuyu in the right side of the penalty area, but his finish was calmly saved by Miami goalkeeper Bryant Gammiero to help put the victory to bed.

Miami had previously opened the game aggressively and went close to opening the scoring in just the third minute. A quick first step by Othello Bah created space on the left side for a low cross that found Vincent Bezecourt for a first-time finish that was well saved by Miller. The hosts recycled possession quickly to Granitto on the edge of the penalty area, but his shot curled just wide of the left post.

Instead, it was Charlotte that struck first five minutes later. Independence midfielder Jake Areman eluded a pair of Miami players as he worked upfield, and then as the defense backed off the New Jersey native fired a low shot into the right corner of the net from 20 yards to put the visitors ahead.

Charlotte’s lead didn’t last long, however, as defender Hugh Roberts was whistled for a foul in the penalty area. Romario Williams stepped up for Miami, and while his initial shot from the penalty spot was saved by a good diving save to his right by Miller, Williams was able to head home the rebound to level in the 16th minute.

The Independence almost regained the lead seven minutes later as Areman stole possession from Miami goalkeeper Bryant Gammiero after he received a pass back, but the goalkeeper recovered to make a big save on Dane Kelly to keep the game level. Miami then threatened again early in the second half when a cut-back cross from the left by Prince Saydee found Bezecourt for a first-time shot that Miller got down well to save.

Miller came up with another key stop to deny Miami halftime substitute Miguel Gonzalez’s low shot from the right side of the penalty area a few minutes later, and then did so again as he turned aside a shot by Saydee, who had cut past his marker on the left flank before driving into the penalty area and firing a shot to the near post from 12 yards that called Miller into another good stop.

Areman almost notched his second goal of the night with 20 minutes to go as he picked up the ball in space on the right side, cut inside onto his left foot and fired a curling shot toward the near post that was punched away by Gammiero. Valentin Sabella then fired a low shot off the ensuing corner, which Charlotte took short allowing Sabella to move into the right side of the penalty area only for Mo Thiaw to clear at the top of the six-yard area.

With four minutes to go, however, Granitto’s long-range strike from a free kick put Miami ahead for good, allowing the hosts to pick up a crucial three points in their pursuit of the USL Championship Playoffs.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Tomas Granitto, Miami FC – Granitto grabbed the late game-winner to cap a solid display that saw him record three shots and four key passes while completing 31 of 38 passes overall as Miami notched more than 20 shots overall.