Inter Miami CF earned a 2-1 victory over Minnesota United in the first-ever meeting between the teams, extending the club’s unbeaten run at DRV PNK Stadium to six. Second-half gamechanger and Heineken Man of the Match Indiana Vassilev found the back of the net twice in a five-minute span to secure all three points for Inter Miami. Vassilev became the first player in MLS history to score both a game-tying and game-winning goal after entering the game in the 80th minute or later.
Lineup Notes
Inter Miami took to the pitch with a trio of changes to its starting XI from the team’s last match. Drake Callender started in goal; DeAndre Yedlin, Damion Lowe, Ryan Sailor and Chris McVey lined up in defense; Gregore, Victor Ulloa and Bryce Duke formed the midfield trio; Robert Taylor and Ariel Lassiter flanked striker Leonardo Campana in attack.
Sailor, Gregore and Ulloa returned to the starting XI in place of Aimé Mabika, the suspended Jean Mota and Indiana Vassilev for the match. Midfielder / defender Abel Caputo, meanwhile, made his debut in a First Team matchday squad after being signed on a short-term loan agreement from Inter Miami CF II.
Match Action
The match began to build slowly through the opening stages, with Inter Miami emerging with more possession and more chances as it progressed. The best chance of the half came in the 33rd minute, when a rapid counter down the left wing saw Lassiter play a perfect ball to Campana in front of goal, who connected first time with a shot on target, but Minnesota goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair made a diving save to deny him.
Moments later, the team threatened goal again following patient possession before Lassiter pinged a switch to Yedlin in the box, who headed it back to Campana, and the striker connected, but just missed the target. The match entered halftime scoreless, despite Inter Miami’s efforts in attack.
Minnesota United got on the scoresheet first in the 65th minute when Emanuel Reynoso cut the ball inside and played a long switch to Franco Fragapane who acrobatically redirected the ball back towards the top of the six-yard box. The redirected pass fell to the feet of Luis Amarilla, who calmly found the back of the net from close range to make it 0-1 for the visitors.
Then came the late game heroics. Neville made a trio of second half substitutions, Gonzalo Higuaín, Emerson Rodríguez and Vassilev, who all contributed to the result, most notably Vassilev. The striker equalized for the homeside in the 87th minute of play when Duke slipped a perfect pass into his path. Vassilev took one touch to settle before burying the ball past St. Clair.
Three minutes later, Rodríguez clipped a ball towards the back post. The ball bounced off a pair of Minnesota United defenders before landing in the path of Vassilev, whose left-footed blast low and inside the near post, gave Inter Miami the late game-winner at home. The goals were Vassilev’s first two goals of the season.
Heineken Man of the Match
Vassilev was named Heineken Man of the Match after his super-sub appearance made history and sealed the dramatic victory at DRV PNK Stadium.
Post-Match Reaction
“I think I’m a lucky manager that I’ve got a team at this moment in time that we’ve recruited that have got all the qualities you need for a team to be successful or at least compete. I’m super proud of the way they scored late on, it shows the fighting qualities,” said head coach Phil Neville.
AutoNation DRV Out Cancer Night
Inter Miami CF hosted AutoNation DRV Out Cancer Night on Saturday night at DRV PNK Stadium. The theme night, aimed to honor those touched by cancer and to celebrate survivors, featured a special pregame ceremony highlighted by cancer survivor and founding Pink Angel of Memorial Foundation member, Denise Wittich, singing the national anthem.
Next Match
Inter Miami will hit the road for its next match, facing FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium on Monday, July 4 at 9 p.m. ET.
Individual match tickets for each remaining regular season home match on the Inter Miami CF schedule are available by visiting https://www.intermiamicf.com/tickets/single. Fans can also call 305-428-0611 to learn more.
Stats
Possession:
MIA - 55%
MIN - 45%
Shots:
MIA - 16
MIN - 10
Saves:
MIA - 0
MIN - 6
Corners:
MIA - 5
MIN - 6
Fouls:
MIA - 13
MIN - 10
