Inter Miami CF II drew with Carolina Core FC at Chase Stadium on Sunday night, collecting a point after losing falling short in the ensuing penalty shootout. The match was marked by the return of First Team Homegrown defender Ian Fray, who played his first minutes since recovering from a long-term knee injury suffered in 2023; the defender shined in the match, registering an assist on the equalizing goal and scoring his penalty in the shootout.
The Herons’ starting XI featured CJ dos Santos in goal; Nyk Sessock, Tyler Hall, Tye Barton and Cesar Abadia-Reda made up the back four; Dairon Reyes, Ricardo Montenegro, and Pep Casas, started in midfield; forwards, Corentin Jean, Ryan Carmichael, and Bryan Destin led the team’s attack.
The opponents opened the match with an early goal in the 15th minute, with Carolina’s Jacob Evans finding the back of the net with a low driven strike to take the 0-1 lead.
Despite the visitors gaining the early lead, in the 26th minute, after a breakaway that set Ryan Carmichael through on goal on a one-on-one situation, the forward was fouled outside the box by Carolina’s Kai Thomas that saw a straight red card given to the defender.
Coming into the second half Inter Miami II came to life offensively, seeing its first shot on target in the opening minutes and leading most of the offensive actions in the second half.
Then, in the 61st minute, Fray made his return to the pitch after over nine months on the sideline. The defender came on as a substitute and made an instant impact. In the closing stages the Heron’s finally unlocked Carolina’s defense after a free kick that was whipped in by Santiago Morales and acrobatically volleyed by defender Ian Fray into the path of defender Israel Boatwright, who knocked the ball into the back of the net, scoring his second goal of the MLS NEXT Pro season.
Unable to find the winner, the boys were able to rescue a point before falling short in the penalty shootout.
Up next, Inter Miami CF II will be back with some more MLS NEXT Pro action as the team hits the road to face FC Cincinnati 2 on Sunday, May 26 at the NKU Soccer Stadium at 7 p.m. ET.
