Inter Miami CF (5W-11L-0D, 15 points) fell to 10 men early in Interim Head Coach Javier Morales’ debut on Saturday night, resulting in a 1-2 loss to D.C. United. Homegrown Academy product Ian Fray scored the first goal of his professional career on the night.
Lineup Notes
Drake Callender started in goal; captain DeAndre Yedlin, Sergii Kryvtsov, Kamal Miller and Franco Negri again formed the back four; David Ruiz and Dixon Arroyo anchored the midfield with Corentin Jean, Benjamin Cremaschi and Nicolás Stefanelli in front of them; Josef Martínez started at striker to lead the attack.
Inter Miami fell to 10 men in the seventh minute of the match after a video review sent Miller off. The team quickly made an adjustment, bringing on Ryan Sailor for Stefanelli.
Match Action
With the disadvantage, Inter Miami had to defend resolutely following the change. Notably, Arroyo made a vital clearance in the box in the 12th minute, and Callender made a massive save in the 45th, getting low to deny a close-range shot by Benteke in front of goal.
The team then made its final four changes early in the second half, first bringing on Leonardo Campana to start the period. The team was then forced into a pair of changes through injury, bringing on Fray and Chris McVey for Arroyo and Sailor respectively; the final change of the half saw Robert Taylor replace Jean.
Despite Inter Miami’s determination, the visitors were able to take advantage of the extra man on the pitch in the 76th minute when Donovan Pines forced the ball into the back of the net after a scramble at the far post following a corner.
D.C. United extended its advantage in the 90th minute when Christian Benteke was played in behind the defense and finished his chance to make it 0-2.
Moments later, however, Inter Miami pulled one back; Taylor cut a pass from the right wing to Fray at the top of the box, who took one touch to settle the ball and fired past the goalkeeper to make it 1-2. The goal marked the first of Fray’s professional career, while the assist was Taylor’s first in MLS this season.
Despite the late goal, the scoreline remained unchanged in the final minutes and the visitors claimed a 1-2 win.
Post-Match Reaction
"Truthfully I'm really happy with the players. There's a lot to work on and it's important to get out of this situation as quickly as possible. On Wednesday we have the opportunity to play a cup quarterfinal and the possibility to get to the first semifinal in the Club's history," said Morales.
Next Match
Next Inter Miami will play on the road in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, June 7 against USL Championship side Birmingham Legion FC.
Inter Miami CF and AutoNation teamed up to honor cancer survivors and caregivers during the third annual Drive Out Cancer Night presented by AutoNation at DRV PNK Stadium.
This year’s theme was ‘Nobody Fights Alone.’ Cancer survivors from Memorial Hospital and their caregivers and family members wore DRVPNK ‘Nobody Fights Alone’ shirts and presented large flags on the field along with the Inter Miami CF flag during a pre-game ceremony.
In addition, players wore the names of those impacted by cancer on the back of their warm up tops during warm-ups and wore special numbers and a DRV Out Cancer patch on their jerseys during the match.
Fan of the Match presented by Coca-Cola Zero Sugar
Stats
Possession:
MIA - 31.1%
DC - 68.9%
Shots:
MIA - 4
DC - 23
Saves:
MIA - 4
DC - 0
Corners:
MIA - 5
DC - 6
Fouls:
MIA - 15
DC - 12
