Miami FC edged Tampa Bay Rowdies 5-4 on penalties after the two sides played to a 1-1 draw in USL Championship action on Friday night. Matías Romero opened the scoring for Miami in the 34th minute, finishing from a Bachir Ndiaye assist, before Matt Myers equalized for the Rowdies just before halftime in the 44th.

Miami controlled the early tempo and got their reward through Romero, who converted to put the visitors ahead. Tampa Bay responded quickly. Myers found the net a minute before the break to level things up, and the sides went into halftime locked at one apiece.

The second half was a tense, physical affair. Charlie Ostrem picked up a yellow card in the 54th minute for the Rowdies, and the bookings kept coming — Laurence Wyke, Pedro Dolabella, and Nathan Dossantos all saw yellow for Tampa Bay, while Romero, Riyon Tori, and Gerald Díaz were cautioned for Miami. Neither side could find a breakthrough despite 30 minutes of extra time, sending the contest to spot kicks.

Miami were clinical from the mark. Daltyn Knutson, Mason Tunbridge, Arthur Rogers, Arney Rocha, and Tori all converted their penalties — Tori burying the decisive fifth despite having been booked earlier in the match. Tampa Bay scored four of their five through Myers, Max Schneider, Louis Pérez, and Gino Vivi, but one miss proved the difference as Miami prevailed 5-4 in the shootout.

The penalty victory gives Miami FC a crucial result on the road in a tight stretch of the season.