Inter Miami CF II (4W,14L,4D, 17 points) closed out the team’s two-match week on the road with a 2-2 draw against Chicago Fire II at SeatGeek Stadium on Sunday evening, with the hosts claiming the extra point in a tight penalty shootout. 17-year-old Academy product midfielder Miles Perkovich shone on the night, scoring both of the team’s goals in the match.
Miami’s starting XI for its matchday 22 fixture featured Owen Finnerty in goal; Israel Boatwright, Tyler Hall, Farid Sar-Sar and Cesar Abadia-Reda made up the back four; Lawson Sunderland, Alejandro Flores, Jack Pymm, Ricardo Montenegro and Perkovich started in midfield; forward Bryan Destin lead the team’s attack.
It was Inter Miami that took the lead at SeatGeek Stadium, with Perkovich netting the opener in the 34th minute through a right-footed finish inside the box following a grounded cross by Destin. The goal was Perkovich’s second in the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro regular season, while the assist was the first for Destin this season.
Moments later, Perkovich struck again to extend Miami’s lead in the 39th minute. Sar-Sar collected the ball before the halfway line before sending a defense splitting ball into space for Perkovich, who took a touch before entering the box and beating the keeper with a tidy shot to the far post to give the team a 0-2 lead. The goal took Perkovich’s tally this season to three and the assist was Sar-Sar’s first this season and for Inter Miami II.
Chicago then scored in the 44th minute through a goal by midfielder Luka Prpa to send the match into the break with a 1-2 scoreline.
In the start of the second 45 minutes, Inter Miami II goalkeeper Finnerty had crucial back to back interventions following Chicago corner kick opportunities in the 49th and 50th minutes to keep the team’s lead intact.
The hosts, however, were then able to level the scoring in the 70th minute, with defender Romain Blake scoring the definitive 2-2 through a powerful right-footed strike from the right side of the box.
Inter Miami II will now return to South Florida for its upcoming match, with the team set to host Crown Legacy FC at DRV PNK Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 19 at 6 p.m. ET.
