With Inter Miami’s inaugural season quickly approaching, the Club continues to speak to its first-ever group of players to gauge their feelings. Today, 25-year-old full back Alvas Powell, selected by the Club from FC Cincinnati in the 2019 Expansion Draft, shared his thoughts on his experience with an expansion side as well as his hopes for Inter Miami:
Q: How did you react when you heard Inter Miami had selected you in the Expansion Draft?
A: “When my agent told me, I was at the national team camp and my agent told me I got drafted, I was speechless at the moment. I was like, ‘woah, this one is a big exciting task’ because I was not thinking of going to Miami, but as a player you always want to try to your best to be on the best team. I was excited, I called my mom and I told her. I was pretty excited when I got the call. Words can’t explain how I feel.”
Q: You were a part of expansion team FC Cincinatti last season, so you’ve lived the experience of being a part of a new, exciting MLS project, what do you expect from the process in Miami? What will you bring from that experience in Cincinatti?
A: “I learned a lot in the past couple of years. New teams always have high expectations from the players. I’m pretty excited. I’ve learned a lot and I’m also willing to learn even more. My job is to get to know everybody on the team: players, staff, everyone, know my environment. I can’t wait to get to work.”
Q: This club has high ambitions with a very supportive ownership group, what are your hopes for the Club in the short and long term?
A: “As a player I think my goal for the Club is to start off on the right foot. I know everything won’t be perfect all at once, but things take time. The players are looking forward to coming to Miami and making Miami a home and a place that teams are afraid to come and play. Going forward I think we’re looking to get on the front foot.”
Q: You’ve been very successful in your career, winning the MLS Cup in 2015, playing many games for the Jamaican national team, how do you feel your experience will help this team?
A: “I think my experience will help a lot. I’m coming to Miami to help the team get points and to work. That’s my number one thing: to work. Hopefully we start on the front foot and everything works in the best of our ability. I’m excited to come to Miami and do my part.”
Q: What do you want the fans to know about what you will bring to the team on and off the field?
A: “My speed is the number one thing on the field as well as my aggressiveness in defense. I’ve been working hard on my 1 v 1 and that is something that I train. I think I bring a lot to the team, but also, I never get carried away or too excited. I never take my eyes off the prize or give up. Hopefully we’ll get some clean sheets, but my speed should help the backline a lot. I have more secrets, but I can’t give you everything.
Q: How much are you looking forward to playing in front of the Inter Miami fans?
A: “I can’t wait. I see videos, I see comments. I can’t wait to play in front of these fans. I know they can’t wait for the season to start to cheer the team on. I’m just excited to be there and to link up with the fans, players, the staff, but I know the fans are pumped for the first season. They are excited so I’m excited to come to Miami.”
