NAPLES, Fla. (Interstat) — FC Naples defeated Richmond Kickers 2-0 on Wednesday at Paradise Coast Sports Complex, using a two-goal performance from Gio Miglietti to stay perfect in the competition and across all competitions. The home side scored in each half, took control after its first goal and protected the lead with a disciplined defensive effort. Richmond Kickers pushed for a response but could not find a goal. FC Naples moved to 3-0-0 in the competition and overall, while Richmond Kickers dropped to 1-2-0 in the competition and overall. The match was played before a home crowd in Naples, and FC Naples remained unbeaten in its early-season schedule.

FC Naples opened the scoring in the 23rd minute when Miglietti finished a move that had stretched Richmond’s defense. The goal gave the home side a lead it never surrendered, and FC Naples continued to press for a second. Richmond Kickers tried to answer through quick transitions, but the visiting attack struggled to connect in the final third. FC Naples received a yellow card in the 34th minute when Uderitz H. was booked. The first half ended with FC Naples ahead 1-0, and Richmond Kickers still searching for an equalizer.

The second half brought more intensity and more substitutions. FC Naples made a change in the 56th minute, bringing on Cerro I., and Ciss O. received a yellow card in the same minute. Richmond Kickers responded with substitutions in the 63rd minute, as Lucca Dourado and Vazquez Z. entered the match. Pannholzer T. of Richmond Kickers was booked in the 63rd minute as well. FC Naples doubled its lead in the 67th minute when Miglietti scored again, completing his brace and giving the home side a 2-0 advantage. Kevin O’Connor and Ty Collins each contributed an assist in the win, with O’Connor helping guide the midfield and Collins adding a creative spark during his time on the field. Miglietti’s second goal proved the decisive blow, and FC Naples began to manage the game with the two-goal cushion.

FC Naples made further changes in the 72nd minute, with Miglietti and Ciss O. coming off. Richmond Kickers also substituted Barnathan D. and Anderson H. in the 72nd minute. Richmond Kickers made another change in the 78th minute when Seufert N. entered, and FC Naples brought on Ferrin A. in the 87th minute. The match grew more physical late, and Gordon Z. of FC Naples was shown a yellow card in the 90th minute plus three. Richmond Kickers could not break through despite late pressure, and FC Naples closed out the clean sheet. The visitors finished with no goals, while FC Naples scored twice and controlled the most important moments.

The result extended a strong start for FC Naples, which had previously beaten New York Cosmos and Chattanooga Red Wolves earlier in the season. Richmond Kickers had opened their season with a win over One Knoxville before falling to New York Cosmos. The victory kept FC Naples unbeaten in the competition and overall, while Richmond Kickers remained at one win and two losses in both the competition and across all competitions. FC Naples’ attack was led by Miglietti, whose two goals came in the 23rd and 67th minutes. The home side, backed by O’Connor’s assist, limited Richmond Kickers’ best opportunities and ensured the visitors could not turn possession into goals. Ty Collins also recorded an assist in the win.

Before the match, Interstat’s game simulator projected a final score of FC Naples 2, Richmond Kickers 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected FC Naples with an 84.5 percent probability to win. FC Naples finished with the victory, though the final margin was 2-0 rather than the projected one-goal difference. The home side’s two goals and clean sheet delivered the result at Paradise Coast Sports Complex.