Heron Talk Presented by Gallagher
Inter Miami CF ends the week following the MLS All-Star break by welcoming New York City FC to DRV PNK Stadium on Saturday, August 13. The match will be the second time the clubs face each other this season, and will kick off at 8 p.m. ET.
Head Coach Phil Neville was on hand this morning before training to preview the match against The Pigeons, who currently sit at second in the Eastern Conference standings.
“They’ve got some really, really talented players, and a brilliant roster and manager as well. I feel as if it’s going to be one of our biggest tests from now until the end of the season. We need to make sure we maintain our form at home. We’re now getting to the point in the season where every single game feels like a cup final, where you can’t afford to look too far ahead to the Toronto and Columbus games. You’ve got to take each game as it comes, and this is our next, big challenge. I think we’ve got a squad that’s ready for it.”
With the season’s longest road trip now behind them and four points earned from both games, Neville noted that the team’s future this season depended on preserving the standards of play achieved in recent weeks.
“It’s consistency now with what we need until the end of the season; consistency with picking up points, consistency in our performances. Now is the time when we all have to really produce our best. Tomorrow, we think about the efforts that we put into the San Jose and Montreal games last week; we’re going to have to double those. We have to play even better, possess the ball better, and we’re going to have to be even more ruthless in attack. Tomorrow’s game is one that the players are really determined to do well in.”
One of the players who has been a game changer for the Herons in recent weeks, attacker Emerson Rodriguez, also gave his thoughts on the team’s mentality ahead of Saturday evening’s match.
“The team is feeling good, and we’re training well. The last few games we’ve been performing well, so we’re happy with the work that we’re doing,” Rodriguez said. “We have confidence heading into the next match. I think we’re going to get all three points at home, where we’re very strong. We want to create problems for them. It’s going to be a difficult game, but we’re looking forward to it.”
Neville echoed Rodriguez’s sentiments, noting that the team’s confidence was the result of the ever-growing trust and camaraderie that developed as the season progressed.
“It’s infectious, I’ve got to say. We’ve got a group now that are beginning to be influenced by each other, challenged by each other, made accountable by each other. It’s becoming a part of our team values, part of the team spirit, and that’s what we love. This group loves spending time together. You don’t get that in many teams. These boys absolutely adore each other and it gives everybody energy. It’s good.”
Inter Miami CF hosts New York City FC at DRV PNK Stadium at 8 p.m. ET, and will be broadcasted on My33, UniMás and the Inter Miami App. Tickets are still available HERE.
