Inter Miami CF II came away with a draw on the road against Huntsville City FC at Joe Davis Stadium, with the hosts earning the extra point in a tight penalty shootout. The draw featured a goal from attacker Cameron Johnson and first professional career goal for 17-year-old Academy product Tyler Hall. Â
The Herons’ starting XI featured Owen Finnerty in goal; Nykolas Sessock, Hall, Farid Sar-Sar and Samuel Basabe made up the back four; captain Lawson Sunderland, Alejandro Flores, Santiago Morales, Ricardo Montenegro and Miles Perkovich started in midfield; forward Bryan Destin lead the team’s attack.
It was Huntsville City who scored first with a close range left-footed shot from defender Joey Skinner, hitting the bottom left corner with 10 minutes into the match. Miami, however, did not back down and continued to fight with two key scoring opportunities from Destin and Hall near the 15th minute mark.Â
Continuing to fight, Hall managed to level the match just before halftime, seeking one to the back of the net, scoring his first professional goal following a cross from Sessock on the right side of the box to register his second assist of the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro campaign. The 1-1 scoreline held until the end of the first 45 minutes.
Entering the second half, both sides were on the hunt for the lead as both went on for multiple scoring opportunities. In the 65th minute, Huntsville defender Skinner would strike again, scoring his second goal of the night with a right footed shot towards the bottom right corner, coming off a pass from midfielder Nebiyou Perry.
Nevertheless, The Herons would once again level the match in the 87th minute, with a well-placed through ball from Sessock that found second half substitute Johnsonon a run before placing a perfect low driven shot towards the bottom left corner. The goal marked Johnson’s second goal of the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro campaign and gave Sessock his second assist of the night and his third of the season.
Inter Miami II will now return home to host Columbus Crew 2 at DRV PNK Stadium on Sunday, September 3 at 2 p.m. ET.
