Surging Inter Miami Defeat Eastern Conference Leader New England Revolution 2-1

DRV PNK Stadium- David Ruiz had himself quite a night versus New England Revolution scoring his first MLS goal and assisting on another to lead Inter Miami to a 2-1 win. The surging Herons continue their climb up the charts with their third MLS win in a row. They rose to the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference.

Kick Off

The Starting XI for the Herons had three changes from the previous week’s match versus Atlanta United. Ryan Sailor, Robert Taylor, and Josef Martinez got the nod. Miami also deviated from its customary 4-2-3-1 formation, coming out in a 3-5-2 that morphed into a backline of five.

Taylor & Sailor get the start..Starting XI #InterMiamiCF #MLS pic.twitter.com/bX9pKCdruL

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) May 13, 2023

Inter Miami would score early in the match via David Ruiz in the 6′ minute. The teenage midfielder initiated the play with a wicked pass to Robert Taylor. He finalized it with a left-footed shot after a pass by Leo Campana.

Gooool David Ruiz with his first goal as a pro!!!! #InterMiamiCF  1-0 over #NERevs  6’ minute .. LET’s GO!! #MLS

pic.twitter.com/NYyhPcWvkF

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) May 13, 2023

The New England Revolution seemed to tie Miami at the 17′ minute with a beautiful goal by 18-year-old Noah Buck. However, it was disallowed after a VAR review. The officials deemed that Latif Blessing was offside, which affected Miami goalie Drake Callender’s view of the shot.

We may be down by one, but it’s still Buck SZN pic.twitter.com/5STcLsfSNp

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) May 14, 2023

New England did tie the match with a Carles Gil gem in the 26′ minute. The gifted midfielder received a pass in a bubble behind Cremaschi and Arroyo just in front of the Heron backline. Gil turned and charged forward unleashing a gorgeous right-footed blast that made its way into the Miami goal. He is known mostly for his elegant and powerful left foot but showed he can finish with his right too.

Carles Gil finds the equalizer for #NERevs!

Watch live NOW for free with #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV: https://t.co/G2Qr0UaghE pic.twitter.com/suthwqvqpU

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 14, 2023

Just before the half in the 43′ minute, Josef Martinez scored what would be the game-winning goal off a David Ruiz assist. The King is back to his goal-scoring ways with his third goal in the last two MLS matches.

With his 101st MLS career goal, Josef Martinez puts #InterMiamiCF back on top before half. pic.twitter.com/AgtgxNjUqh

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 14, 2023

David Ruiz received a second yellow card in the 81 ‘ minute. Inter Miami was left to play with ten men for some dramatic and tense final minutes.  Fortunately, Inter Miami CF would hold off the New England Revolution to seal the win.

HUGE three points for #InterMiamiCF.. leap to fifth in the conference.. this team never says die.. #MLS pic.twitter.com/LFe9BMRSqx

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) May 14, 2023

Postgame Press Conference

I asked Coach Neville what winning games over Columbus, Atlanta, and New England in consecutive weeks says about Inter Miami.

It shows the character of the football club. This football club is at its best when its back is against the wall

The Herons under Neville have shown fight and grit, but seem to find their better version when facing extreme adversity. This is not healthy for the club or the fans.

Coach Neville says #InterMiamiCF has character & is at its best when it’s back is against the wall.. #MLS pic.twitter.com/RI7YvcFk2p

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) May 15, 2023

David Ruiz will be heading off to the U-20 World Cup in Argentina with Honduras. I asked him if he feels that the experience he has obtained so far with Inter Miami will help him be a leader on the team,

Yeah for sure.

The teenage midfielder has held his own during his time on the pitch for Miami in the MLS. He is confident that will help him be successful with Honduras.

David Ruiz believes that his experience with #InterMiamiCF First Team can help him be a leader with the Honduras 🇭🇳 U-20 at the World Cup .. #MLS pic.twitter.com/UCel5amqW1

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) May 15, 2023

Final Thoughts

The Herons are flying high after winning games in consecutive weeks against three of the better teams in the Eastern Conference. How long can they sustain this new approach of conceding possession while looking to counter and strike effectively? It’s working for Miami so if it ain’t broke don’t try to fix it.

Previously Inter Miami controlled ball possession and the tempo of the match only to lose the game, unlike the recent win streak where the opposite is true. It’s important in my estimation to be able to use both playing styles at opportune times. The long MLS season lends itself to teams adjusting and tweaking throughout and Miami is capable of adjusting styles while playing multiple formations.

The King is back? Josef Martinez has scored three goals in his last two MLS matches and seems to be turning the corner this season. Josef looks to be regaining his form and if he does it will be a productive season for him and the squad. Martinez and Campana in form are a lethal combination for Miami.

DeAndre Yedlin is also beginning to take off playing at a high level the past three games, all Inter Miami wins. Yedlin made key passes that led to goals for Miami against Atlanta and also versus New England. His aggressiveness in taking on defenders has opened up lanes for him to sneak passes through into vulnerable areas of opposing defenses. This is the DeAndre we want to see every week, aggressive and focused.

Phil and the boys are trending upwards, can they finally become a consistent team or will they continue their up-and-down routine? Seems like every season the team goes on long losing streaks only to go on a winning streak to then lose several games in a row again. This madness must stop and now is the moment and this is the season to do it.

If Inter Miami CF is to be a contending team like I thought they would be before the season began, then they must right the ship and keep it above water from here on out.