The San Diego Loyal has done it again. In back-to-back matches, the Loyal stormed back to score goals late in the contest. This time, the Loyal had a little help to give them the ability to win the match.

Last time out, the Loyal almost evened the score in stoppage time against RGV, but this time, they took the lead and held on for the victory.

Elliot Collier played hero as his goal in the 85th minute gave the Loyal a much-needed three points on the road.

First Half

The match did not start so well for the Loyal as they almost allowed a goal in the third minute after Miami FC’s second corner kick of the match to that point. Miami threatened early on but actually did not score a goal themselves. Instead, Grant Stoneman had a little too much flare on his pass back to Koke Vegas as it led to an own goal in the 16th minute.

You could really see the frustration from Vegas. After what almost was a goal in the 3rd, Vegas let his backline hear it, and it seemed to improve after the mistake from Stoneman.

Time passed as a few shots were attempted but none on target until the 40th minute. Alejandro Guido sent a shot to Miami keeper Jake McGuire that bounced right to Evan Conway for the rebound goal.

Simple as you like.#MIAvSD pic.twitter.com/AEjjoCbaGe

— San Diego Loyal (@SanDiegoLoyal) May 20, 2023

Conway scored his fourth goal of the season, and it was a big one to get back into the match. The score ended 1-1 at the half, with both teams playing an evenly matched game.

Second Half

Kyle Murphy did not let that last long at all. Just after the hour mark, Murphy got the better of the Battle of Kyle’s as he put Kyle Adams in a blender. Murphy sized up Adams and sent in the go-ahead goal in the 61st minute to take the lead.

There was nothing Vegas could do. Murphy placed the ball perfectly into the right side of the net as he has now scored in back-to-back matches for Miami.

This is when the magic started to happen. You giveth — you taketh, as they say.

Just 20 minutes later, Evan Conway forced an own goal from Miami defender Paco Craig. Without Conway’s ability to outrun Craig, that opportunity may never have came.

The Loyal kept attacking. They dominated possession 57% to 43% and kept trying to take the lead late. That goal did come as Collier sent in the winner of the deflection.

Collier called game. 🇳🇿 #MIAvSD pic.twitter.com/N0eEUWtI15

— San Diego Loyal (@SanDiegoLoyal) May 21, 2023

Collier scored his first goal of the season for the Loyal, and it could not have come at a better time.

San Diego held on for the victory and improved to (6-3-2) with 20 points. Depending on other results around the USL Championship, the Loyal could see themselves in third place in the Western Conference after tonight.

The next match for the Loyal is once again on the road. They will head back up to The Bay to face Oakland Roots SC in another edition of the rivalry. Oakland took down SD in the playoffs last season, and this will be the first time they face since that night. They battle next Saturday, May 27, at 7:00 pm.

Chris Spiering

Chris is a graduate of the University of San Diego. He is the former Sports Editor for the USDVista newspaper. Chris has covered the San Diego Loyal, and now covers San Diego State Men’s Basketball. He also contributes regularly about the Padres. Chris is an athlete and is a huge fan of San Diego sports.