After a thorough and fruitful preseason, Inter Miami CF is set to play its home opener against Chicago Fire FC on Saturday, Feb. 26 to kick off the 2022 Major League Soccer (MLS) regular season. The matchup at DRV PNK Stadium is set to begin at 6 p.m. ET.
Where to Watch
The match will be broadcast locally on My33. Fans worldwide can follow live updates including video highlights and stats on the Club’s App. Download and Register your Profile here: https://www.intermiamicf.com/en/club/app.
Revamped Inter Miami
Inter Miami enters its third MLS campaign following a busy offseason, including 14 new players joining the First Team as well as key personnel changes. Following careful player identification methodology to make a number of important signings, Inter Miami has acquired DeAndre Yedlin, a 28-year-old U.S. Men’s National Team defender and former MLS All-Star returning to the league, Jean Mota , a 28-year-old midfielder with more than 250 matches under his belt at South American powerhouse club Santos FC. The team has also added Christopher McVey, a versatile defender with experience in European competition and Damion Lowe, a Jamaican international captain, as well as Emerson Rodríguez , a Colombian U22 Initiative signing, and Leonardo Campana, a young Ecuadorian international coming from the English Premier League, and Robert Taylor, a Finnish national team attacker. A trio of in-prime players with notable MLS experience - Mo Adams, Ariel Lassiter and Clément Diop - have also joined the club ahead of the 2022 season. Young talents George Acosta, CJ dos Santos, Bryce Duke , Aimé Mabika, Ryan Sailor, and the integration of standout young international center back Jairo Quinteros wrap up the offseason signings to date.
A number of standouts will return in 2022, including leading scorer Gonzalo Higuaín, midfield stalwart and team captain Gregore, starting goalkeeper Nick Marsman, versatile midfielder and 2021 MLS Humanitarian of the Year nominee Victor Ulloa, and the veteran left back trio of Kieran Gibbs, Brek Shea and Joevin Jones.
Strong Preseason
Inter Miami enters the match following an intense preseason in which the team played seven total games, including the club’s first-ever international friendly at DRV PNK Stadium in a 4-0 win over Club Universitario de Deportes, three closed-door matches against MLS opposition in South Florida, and a week in Charleston, South Carolina for the Breeze Airways Carolina Challenge Cup - where the squad won the title.
The Heartbeat Kit
The exciting 2022 squad will be sporting the new Heartbeat Kit on Saturday, the club’s primary jersey for the 2022 and 2023 seasons. The jersey was inspired and designed for the fans, including an M-shaped EKG line embossed into the fabric of the cuff to represent the fans, who are the heartbeat of the club. Fans can purchase the new jersey on MLSStore.com and at the DRV PNK Stadium team store on matchday.
Familiar Faces
The match may feature reunions between former teammates or known rivals for several Inter Miami and Chicago Fire players. Defenders Yedlin and Kieran Gibbs may face Swiss rival Xherdan Shaqiri. Yedlin faced Shaqiri multiple times in the Premier League between 2015 and 2020 during his stints with Sunderland AFC and Newcastle United. Gibbs also faced Shaqiri in previous Premier League matches during his time with West Bromwich Albion.
Additionally, defender/midfielder Brek Shea may face former teammate Spencer Richey. The duo played together for the Vancouver Whitecaps in 2017. Yedlin may face Jonathan Bornstein after facing him in the 2013 CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals during his tenure with the Seattle Sounders.
Scouting Chicago
The Chicago Fire will enter this weekend’s season opener after an offseason that saw them add Shaqiri as a Designated Player and striker Kacper Przybylko. The team is also coming off of a 1-0 win over Austin FC in its most recent preseason friendly. Inter Miami looks to open the season with a win and continue its positive streak against Chicago after defeating the Fire 3-2 at home on Aug. 18, 2021. This will be the third time in club history the two teams meet on the pitch.
National Anthem Singer
Prior to kickoff on Saturday, the national anthem will be performed by Miami native, musician and America’s Got Talent Season 12 semifinalist Yoli Mayor.
Academy Halftime Recognition
At halftime of Saturday’s match, the Inter Miami CF Academy U-12 teams will be honored at DRV PNK Stadium. Over 20 U-12 players, along with coaches Ben Applefield and Julius James, will be welcomed on the pitch for a moment of appreciation for the Academy’s youngest age group.
