Inter Miami CF fell 3-1 to FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Lineup Notes
Inter Miami made a few notable changes to its starting lineup entering its second road match of 2022; Drake Callender made his first start in goal; DeAndre Yedlin, Damion Lowe, Chris McVey and Kieran Gibbs started in defense; Gregore and Mo Adams again lined up in a double pivot in midfield, while Robert Taylor, Gonzalo Higuaín and Jean Mota lined up behind the striker; Leonardo Campana slotted in at the point of the attack.
With the start, Callender made his first Inter Miami CF appearance and first MLS appearance, while Gibbs made his first appearance and first start of the 2022 campaign. CJ dos Santos, Bryce Duke and Robbie Robinson, meanwhile, were available for selection for the first time this season, appearing on the bench.
Match Action
It was the hosts who got out to the quick start, as Cincinnati took the lead in the 18th minute; Brandon Vázquez sent a pass from the right side of the box to Ronald Matarrita on the other side, who curled a shot inside the far post for the 1-0 lead. Cincinnati subsequently doubled its lead, netting a second in the 24th minute; a cross from Matarrita met Vázquez in the box, who headed it into the back of the net to make it 2-0.
Inter Miami, however, responded to the goals a few minutes later. In the 28th minute, Campana clipped a pass into a streaking run by Yedlin down the right side of the box, and the speedy fullback was brought down by Matarrita, resulting in a penalty. Higuaín stepped up and calmly slotted his strike from the spot down the middle and into the back of the net to cut the deficit in half. The goal was Higuaín’s first of 2022.
The visitors continued to apply pressure on Cincinnati, stringing together stronger attacking sequences, but the match entered halftime 2-1.
In the second half, Robinson came on to make his season debut as Inter Miami pushed to find an equalizer, but the team was unable to find the back of the net. Cincinnati eventually extended its lead in the 82nd minute, with Matarrita once again finding Vázquez for a header to make it 3-1, which remained as the final scoreline.
Post-Match Reaction
"Obviously I am really disappointed...[We need to start] transferring what we see in training, the discipline in training, the concentration in training," said head coach Phil Neville. "I have a lot of belief in these players, I have trust in these players. These are the players that we’ve worked really hard to bring into this fútbol club."
Next Match
Inter Miami returns to action in two weeks when it hosts Houston Dynamo FC at DRV PNK Stadium on Saturday, April 2 at 8 p.m. ET.
