MLS

MATCH PREVIEW: Inter Miami CF to Host New York City FC on Saturday

NYCFC_MatchPreview_Oct30_16x9

Inter Miami CF (11W-5D-16L, 38 points) will play its final home match of the 2021 regular season against New York City FC (13W-8D-11L, 47 points) on Saturday, Oct. 30. The matchup at DRV PNK Stadium is set to kick off at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Where to Watch

The match will be broadcast nationally on Univision and TUDN’s Twitter. Fans worldwide can follow live updates including video highlights and stats on the Club’s App. Download and Register your Profile here: https://www.intermiamicf.com/en/club/app.

Fan Appreciation Match Presented by Publix

Inter Miami will host Fan Appreciation Match presented by Publix during the fixture against New York City to honor its fans for their unwavering support in Inter Miami’s first season fully opened to the public with special events, deals and more around DRV PNK Stadium.

Get your tickets for the match HERE.

Federico Higuaín's Farewell at DRV PNK Stadium

On Friday, Inter Miami CF midfielder Federico Higuaín announced that he will retire at the conclusion of the 2021 MLS season, bringing an end to a stellar career of nearly 20 years, over 400 appearances and over 170 combined goals and assists.

Higuaín will captain Inter Miami in his final regular season home match at DRV PNK Stadium this Saturday, Oct. 30 when the team takes on New York City FC.

DSC07523

Final Matchup Against New York City FC in 2021

Inter Miami CF will return to DRV PNK Stadium to play it’s final home match of the 2021 regular season on Saturday, Oct. 18 following its away game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium against Atlanta United FC, in which the team fell 2-1. 

Saturday's fixture against New York City FC will be the second and last encounter between the teams this regular season and the fourth in Club history, in which Inter Miami will seek to secure its first win over the New York-based side. The team will also be aiming to continue it’s positive momentum at home after defeating Toronto FC 3-0 on Wednesday, Oct. 20 and Cincinnati FC 5-1 on Saturday, Oct. 23.

Familiar Faces

The match may feature reunions between former teammates or rivals for several Inter Miami and New York City FC players. Inter Miami captain Gregore may play against compatriot and former teammate Thiago Andrade, the duo featured together for Esporte Clube Bahia in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A during the 2020 season. Gregore may also encounter Nicolás Acevedo and Talles Magno, who he played against during his tenure with EC Bahia. Christian Makoun may play against known rivals Chris Gloster and Acevedo, who he has faced on the international stage during his time with the U-20 Venezuelan National Team. Makoun played against Gloster and the U-20 USMNT national team in a friendly in 2018 and against Acevedo and the U-20 Uruguay National Team in the U-20 South American Championship in 2019. Rodolfo Pizarro may encounter James Sands after recently facing off against him on Aug.1 in the CONCACAF 2021 Gold Cup final when Mexico played against the United States. The midfielder may also once again face off against Jesús Medina, who he last encountered on July 1, 2017 in an international friendly with the Mexican National Team against Medina’s Paraguay. Pizarro may also face off against Maxi Moralez again, after playing against him when he was with Club León during his stint with CF Pachuca.

There could also be numerous reunions between players of the U.S. National Team ranks. Indiana Vassilev may encounter previous teammates Gloster and Sands, who he played with on the U-17 U.S. National Team. The trio featured together with the team in several international friendlies from 2017 to 2018, as well in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2017. Defender Ventura Alvarado may encounter former teammate Alfredo Morales, the pair featured together six times for the USMNT, including one CONCACAF Gold Cup match on July 13, 2015. 

Frenchman Blaise Matuidi may encounter Maxime Chanot after clashing against him in a FIFA World Cup qualifying match in 2017 in which France defeated Luxembourg 3-1. Gonzalo Higuaín may clash on the pitch once again with compatriot Maxi Moralez who he played against in Serie A during his time with SSC Napoli when Moralez was with Atalanta BC. Federico Higuaín may also encounter Moralez again, who he played against several times in Argentine top-flight fixtures during his stints with Nueva Chicago, Club Atlético Independiente, Club Deportivo Godoy Cruz Antonio Tomba and Club Atlético Colón. 

Lastly, Leandro González Pírez may encounter New York City’s Sean Johnson, Alexander Callens, Maxime Chanot, Sebastien Ibeagha, James Sands, Keaton Parks, Tony Rocha, Maxi Moralez, Jesús Medina, Ismael Tajouri-Shradi and Valenín Castellanos once again after facing them previously throughout his time in the MLS.

New York City FC's Record in 2021

New York City FC enters this weekend’s fixture after defeating the Chicago Fire 1-0 at Yankee Stadium in its previous game. So far in 2021, New York has registered 12 wins, eight draws and 11 losses. Castellanos has led the team this campaign, tallying 15 goals and registering seven assists.