Inter Miami CF II fell 1-2 to New York City FC II on a wet, rainy, Sunday evening at DRV PNK Stadium.
CJ dos Santos got the start in goal, while the back four featured Harvey Neville and three Inter Miami CF First Team players: Jairo Quinteros, Aimé Mabika, and Kieran Gibbs. Braxton Najib, Kobi Thomas, and Abel Caputo started at midfield while Romeo Beckham, Emerson Rodríguez, and Shaan Hundal completed the front three.
Inter Miami II struck first in the 23rd minute when Beckham’s corner found an explosive Quinteros who headed the ball in the back of the net. The goal marked Quinteros’ first in all competitions with Inter Miami and gave Beckham his fifth assist of the 2022 MLS NEXT Pro campaign, tying North Texas SC’s Hope Avayevu for most in the league.
Strong saves from dos Santos in the 35th and 37th minutes of the match held off an initial NYCFC II response though just before the halftime intermission, NYCFC forward John Denis equalized with an exceptional right footed finish that hit off the post before finding the back of the net.
Inter Miami CF II made five second half substitutions with Noah Allen entering for Gibbs, Shanyder Borgelin replacing Hundal, David Ruiz replacing Najib, Tyler Hall for Mabika and Drew Hardin for Thomas.
The home side created several promising chances in the second half of the match, though they were unable to convert. In the 85th minute, Denis found teammate Stephen Turnbull at the top of the 18-yard-box. Turnbull took one touch to settle before hitting a powerful strike past a diving dos Santos to give NYCFC II the 1-2 lead.
NYCFC II held off a late surge from Inter Miami II as a shot from Borgelin grazed off the crossbar just minutes before the final whistle.
Inter Miami CF II will look to get back in the win column on Saturday, June 4 at 7 p.m. ET when it hosts the New England Revolution II at DRV PNK Stadium.
