Touchline Talk presented by Al-Flex
Inter Miami CF ended its 2022 MLS Regular season campaign, qualifying for the Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs after hosting CF Montréal on Sunday, Oct. 9 at DRV PNK Stadium. Though the Herons suffered a defeat, the Club’s second trip to the postseason was solidified, finishing sixth in the MLS Eastern Conference rankings. Inter Miami’s sixth place position means that the team will face third placed New York City FC in the first round of the playoffs (date and time to be confirmed).
Head Coach Phil Neville, in his post-game press conference, was proud of the effort that his team has put forth over the course of the season, and especially during the last few weeks.
“Now is when the fun begins,” Neville began. “We’re probably the only team that’s been in playoff mode for the last month of two, because we’ve had to win every single game. When we’re approaching the next game, it’s not that we’re about to go into playoff mode now. It feels as if we’ve been in playoff mode for the last six weeks. It’s something we should be used to, and are looking forward to. We’re excited about the playoffs, and we’re going to play another good team. We’re looking forward to it.”
Neville, who guided the team to its second appearance in the MLS Playoffs in just the third year of the Club’s existence, was also full of praise for La Familia and the faithful Inter Miami fans that made DRV PNK Stadium the team’s stronghold this year.
“I think the fans have enjoyed watching us win this year, but we’ve only won because of their support. They’ve been absolutely sensational; the buzz, the support, the messages that we get. They live and die for this fútbol club. They are the foundation, and heartbeat of this fútbol club, one hundred percent. You can take away any Designated Player, or manager from this club, but this club will always be strong because of those supporters. We’re so lucky. I say to the players all the time, they don’t know how lucky they’ve got it to play for a set of supporters like this.”
Versatile attacker Robert Taylor also expressed that the regular season’s final game was good for the team, giving them a sense of focus ahead of the upcoming postseason.
“If you’re going to have a dip in form, which happens to everyone at some point, now is the time to have that dip. Now we’re going into games where you’re out if you have a dip in form, so now we’re going to push forward and go for wins. [Today] doesn’t affect our confidence that much. It just gives us more reason to show what we can actually do. We want to prove everyone wrong again, and win the next game.”
Inter Miami CF will face New York City FC at Citi Field in its first elimination match of the Audi 2022 MLS Playoffs. Stay tuned to the club’s channels to find out when the match will take place.
