Inter Miami CF (2W-2L-D0, 6 pts) narrowly fell 2-3 against Chicago Fire FC tonight at DRV PNK Stadium. Defender Franco Negri and attacker Nicolás Stefanelli scored the team’s goals on the night in what was its third home fixture of the 2023 campaign.
Lineup Notes
Inter Miami returned home to South Florida after two consecutive road games and took the field with a starting XI featuring two changes. Callender remained the starter in goal; DeAndre Yedlin, Sergii Kryvtsov, Chris McVey and Negri lined up in defense; Jean Mota and Victor Ulloa formed the team’s double pivot in midfield with Corentin Jean, Bryce Duke and Rodolfo Pizarro in front of them; Stefanelli led the team in attack.
Ulloa was part of the starting XI to mark his first start of the 2023 MLS regular season. Inter Miami CF II midfielder David Ruiz, meanwhile, featured in an MLS match for the first time tonight after being signed to a short-term loan agreement.
Match Action
It was a close first half with both sides probing the oppositions’ defenses. It was the visitors, however, that struck first, with goals by Chris Mueller in the 30th minute and Carlos Terán in the 38th minute giving them a 0-2 lead.
Subsequently, Inter Miami was able to shorten the deficit to 1-2 in added time before the half through a tidy left-footed finish by Negri inside the box after a cross from Mota to mark his first MLS and Inter Miami goal. The assist was the third for Mota this season.
The second half then presented several firsts for the Club’s players, with Academy product Ruiz coming off the bench to make his MLS and Inter Miami debut, and Stefanelli scoring his first goal for the team to level the scoring 2-2 in the 76th minute. The finish came from a Negri assist, his first assist for Inter Miami, while the secondary assist was Duke’s first of the campaign.
Chicago, however, was able to regain the lead in stoppage time through a Kei Kamara goal. The scoreline held until the final whistle and the visitors claimed a 2-3 victory.
Post-Match Reaction
"I can’t fault their commitment, their effort, their drive, their determination to try to get back in the game from going two goals down. That for me was really admirable… That's the evolution of a team that's new and young, not young in age but young in build. We've got to learn fast," said head coach Phil Neville.
Fan of the Match presented by Coca-Cola Zero Sugar
Next Match
Up next, Inter Miami is set to hit the road to face FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 1.
Stats:
Possession:
MIA - 48%
PHI - 52%
Shots:
MIA - 10
PHI - 11
Saves:
MIA - 4
PHI - 0
Corners:
MIA - 6
PHI - 5
Fouls:
MIA - 14
PHI - 17
